LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
Director: Cindy Benson-Pollard
401 Charles Ave, Syracuse, NY 13209
Ph: 315-413-9335
Building Better Granges & Stronger Communities…
A strong, diverse legislative program can be one of the most effective tools of the Grange to attract new members!
When the community becomes aware that your Grange is actively involved in helping to solve problems and address issue that affect communities, the state and nation and our families, respect and prestige will be a natural result. Neighbors will want to be a part of such a vital rural organization.
Legislative Conference
September 26, 2026 State Legislative Day at NYS Grange Headquarters
Questions may be directed to Cindy Benson-Pollard, Legislative Director
STANDING COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS:
AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT
Ronald Schmidt, 8008 Lewiston Road, Batavia, NY 14020 ph: 585-343-7346 email: headchef339@yahoo.com
Diane Adams, 625 Neider Road, Phelps, NY 14532 ph: 315-398-0804 email: muffinlover16@yahoo.com
EDUCATION
Carolyn Ostrander, 121 Victoria Place, Syracuse, NY 13210 ph: 315-807-9519 email: Carolyn.ostrander@gmail.com
Kelly Frost 43451 SR 37, Redwood, NY 13769 email: mailto:nknfrost@hotmail.com
FEDERAL ISSUES
Pamela Petrelli, 980 Dutchess Tpke., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 ph: (623) 760-7093 email: pamelapetrelli@gmail.com
David Stoy, 1 Forster Street, Otego, NY 13825 ph: 607-287-5574 email: stoyd@gmail.com
HEALTH
Laura Magrunm, 3 Acorn Valley Trail, Rochester, NY 14624 mailto:lenoble88@aol.com
Barbara Lavier, 2590 McKinley Street, New Woodstock, NY 13122 ph: 315-662-7758 email: rlavier1@hotmail.com
STATE ISSUES
Carol Staffehl, 3531 Telegraph Road, Bliss, NY 14024 ph: 585-322-9015 email: carolintoddwaddle@gmail.com
Valorie T. Woolley, 1003 Depa Lane, Cammilus, NY 14432 mailto:dvawoolley@gmail.com
TAXATION & FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Bruce Croucher 2514 CR 25, Clifton Springs NY 14432 ph: 315-462-3067 email: croubr@ottcmail.com
Rosanna Clark, 4466 SR 37, Malone, NY 12953 ph: 518-483-5676 email: rosanna612@gmail.com
2026 Legislative Policy (Policy presented in italics has been adopted as National Grange Policy)
Agriculture & Environment here
Education here
Federal Issues here
Health Issues here
State Issues here
Taxation & Fiscal Responsibility here
OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES Click here for a printable version of the 2026 Priorities.
Legislative work is an important part of our total program. It gives the opportunity for local folks to extend their thoughts and influence far beyond their local communities. History attests to the effectiveness of Grange initiatives down through the years. Complete information and suggestions in relation to creating and running an effective Legislative program can be found by downloading and studying the Handbook pages via the link at the bottom of the page.
HOW TO WRITE A RESOLUTION
Clear, concise title:
While a resolution need not have a title when it is submitted to Pomona or State Grange, a title from the originating body is helpful. It can be modified as the resolution moves along to higher bodies. If there is no title for a resolution once it reaches the State Legislative Director, one will be assigned.
Whereas sections:
State the problem or concern in the first section. State facts, not opinions!! Note that ‘WHEREAS,” is capitalized; and a comma is followed by “and” at the end of each paragraph.
Each fact should be a separate paragraph, preceded by “WHEREAS,” and the last paragraph ends with “therefore be it.”
Resolve section:
Calls for the desired action and by whom the action is required… usually in support of some action or opposes some action. If there is more than one action or solution requested, tie them together with the words “and be it further” at the end of the first “Resolve” section. Properly written, this paragraph is a summary of action desired and policy to be set. REMEMBER, the resolve section(s) of a resolution should make sense if none of the WHEREAS sections are present. Read the RESOLVE to see that the full meaning is clear when standing alone.
Signature/Date:
A resolution submitted to a higher level of Grange or to elected officials should be signed by two Grange leaders: Grange Master (President), Grange Secretary and/or Legislative Chairperson of that Grange. If the Grange can provide a Grange seal on the document, all the better, but it is not required. The date in the lower left hand corner is suggested so that the body receiving the resolution will know when the Grange adopted this position.
It is suggested that resolutions pass from Subordinate (Community) Granges through Pomona Granges and then, when adopted at that level, to be forwarded to State Grange when the issue is of state or national significance.
As the deadline for submission of resolutions to State Grange is September 1st of each year, a resolution from a Subordinate (Community) Grange must go directly to State Grange when there is no meeting of the respective Pomona Grange prior to the State Grange convention in October.
Resolutions postmarked or personally delivered after September 1st must have (30) copies provided to be considered by the delegates at the October meeting.
Resolutions submitted to State Grange are to be sent directly to the Legislative Director at her home address:
Cindy Benson-Pollard
401 Charles Ave,
Syracuse, NY 13209
Tel: 315-414-9335
DISTRICT DIALOGUE
Subordinate/Community Granges or Pomona Granges are encouraged to arrange a visit to their State Senator and/or State Assemblyman’s office sometime during the year. During the Legislative Session (January through June), state-elected representatives are generally in Albany Monday through Thursday each week. Good days to arrange a visit in the home office would be either Friday or Saturday.
Be prepared to discuss a few issues that your Grange is more interested in. Ask for the elected representative’s opinion. Encourage their sponsorship of legislation that would bring about the desired action. If their opinion differs from the Grange’s position, gather more information to share with your members back home which may influence a resolution to reverse our Grange position. Maybe you can encourage them to reverse their opinion if it is different from the Grange’s stand.
Above all, thank them for their time and for getting acquainted with members from the local Grange. You might have a copy of the current State Grange Policy Manual and the current year’s priorities that you could leave with them. Encourage them to continue the dialogue if they would like an opinion on other issues that they deal with.
New York State Senate Member Information here
New York State Assembly Member Information here
View/Dpwnload/Print the 2026 Legislative Handbook here
Want to get emails in relation to State Grange activities? Click here and supply the requested information.
NEW YORK STATE GRANGE
2026
Calendar of Events, Activities, & Dues Dates
January 1 Junior Grange Annual Dues Report Due
January 8 NYS Agricultural Society Meeting, Rochester
January 9 Empire State CAO Meeting , Rochester
January 9 – 11 Northeast Leaders Conference – Vermont
January 16 – 18 Winter Youth Weekend – Stanford Grange – Dutchess County
January 19 Executive Committee Meeting, 9:30 a.m. – Headquarters & Zoom
February 15 Empire State Granger Copy Due
February 26 – 28 Central NY Farm Show – State Fair Grounds – Syracuse
March 15 Empire State Granger Copy Due
March 23 Executive Committee Meeting, 4 p.m. – Zoom
March 27 – 29 Spring Youth Weekend – Walton Grange – Delaware County
March 31 Subordinate Dues to State Secretary
March 31 Junior Grange Quarterly Report Due to State Secretary
April 1-30 GRANGE MONTH – Plan a special public activity/event
April 15 Art/Photo Entries due at HDQ for Judging
April 15 Talent Entry Report Sheets due to the State Lecturer
April 17 – 19 Northeast Lecturer’s Conference – State Grange Headquarters – Cortland
April 20 Woodworking, Quilting, & Needlework due at HDQ for Judging
April 24 Executive Committee Meeting, 2:30 p.m. – Hybrid
April 25 Lecturer/FAC Conference – State Grange Headquarters – Cortland
April 26 State Dart Ball Tournament – State Grange Headquarters – 9 a.m.
May 14 – 16 NYS FFA Convention, Buffalo
May 15 Empire State Granger Copy Due
June 7 State Bowling Tournament – Cort-Lanes Bowling Alley, Cortland, 12 Noon
June 19 Executive Committee Meeting – Lux Hotel & Conference Center, Waterloo – 9:30 a.m.
June 30 Subordinate Dues to State Secretary
June 30 Junior Grange Quarterly Report Due to State Secretary
July 7 Executive Committee Meeting – Headquarters – Budget – 9:30 a.m.
July 12 State Golf Tournament – Vassar Golf Course – Poughkeepsie – 12 Noon
July 15 Empire State Granger Copy Due
July 27 – 31 Grange Camp “Kids Day Out Events;” 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday, July 27 – Brunswick Grange, Rensselaer County Tuesday, July 28 – Colonel Harper Grange, Delaware County Wednesday, July 29 – Wide Awake Grange, Ontario County Friday, July 31 – Kendrew Grange, St. Lawrence County
August 1 Cornhole Tournament – State Grange Headquarters – 9 a.m.
August 26 – Sept. 7 New York State Fair – Syracuse
September 1 National JG Report due
September 5 Grange Day at the New York State Fair – Syracuse
September 12 State Grange Health Fair – Headquarters – 9 a.m.
September 15 Empire State Granger Copy Due
September 15 Lecturer’s Reports due to State Lecturer
September 15 Community Service Yearbooks due to Director
September 18 – 20 Fall Youth Weekend – Jefferson County
Sept. 18 – Oct. 4 Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) – West Springfield, Massachusetts
September 25 Executive Committee Meeting – Headquarters – 3:30 p.m.
September 26 State Grange Legislative Day – Headquarters – 9 a.m.
September 27 Grange Day at the Big E – West Springfield, Massachusetts
September 30 Subordinate Dues to State Secretary
September 30 Junior Grange Quarterly Report to State Secretary
October 16 – 20 154th Annual New York State Grange Session – Lux Hotel & Conference Center in Waterloo, Seneca County
October 20 New York State Grange Cultural & Educational Foundation Meeting – Lux Hotel & Conference Center in Waterloo
October 20 Executive Committee Meeting – Lux Hotel & Conference Center in Waterloo
November 15 Empire State Granger Copy Due
November 10 – 14 160th Annual National Grange Session – Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
December Executive Committee Meeting - TBA
December 31 Subordinate Dues to State Secretary
December 31 Junior Grange Quarterly Report & Dues due to State Secretary
As of 01/19/2026
Download/Print here
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