2007 California State Grange Resolutions
RESOLUTIONS THAT PASSED AT 2007 STATE SESSION
Conservation & Environmental Affairs
08-008R - National
Title: The Grange Take A Firm Stand Regarding Global Warming
Proposed By: Gazelle Grange #380
Whereas: With the passage of AB32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, California established the nation’s first environmental law of it’s kind, making climate change a priority, and
Whereas: Climate change and the release of greenhouse gases have the potential to dramatically change many aspects of human life, including our environment and economy, and
Whereas: Federal, state and local efforts are needed to protect our communities and demonstrate leadership on what could be one of the greatest environmental changes of time. Therefore be it
Resolved: The CSG recognizes and advocates the need for sustained leadership and commitment at the federal, state, regional and local levels to develop strategies to combat the effects of climate change.
07-009R - National
Title: Support Wider Use Of Wind Power
Proposed By: Gazelle Grange #380
Whereas: Of the several energy sources now in use in America as alternatives to dependence on fossil fuels, i.e. petroleum and coal, wind power is many areas has proven to be a clean and reliable source of power. Therefore be it
Resolved: That the CSG and the National Grange initiate legislation and lobby for a wider use of wind energy in appropriate areas suited to sustaining wind power development. And be it further
Resolved: That the equipment used in production of wind power be inspected by local utility companies under the guidelines of the Public Utility Commission, and upon decommissioning the equipment be removed and the landscape returned to its natural condition.
07-039 – State
Title: Adoption Of Solar And Renewable Energy “Green” Construction Technologies By State
Architects For State School Building And Remodeling Upgrades
Proposed By: Marshall Grange #451
Whereas:: Existing national programs such as High Performance Schools and Smart School Design Technologies, offer approved plan details based on research and development programs provided by The Sandia National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, United States Dept. of Energy, and the Rocky Mountain Institute of Technology, for use by various state architects for the development of construction techniques for upgrading existing schools and building new schools, with an emphasis on “green and renewable energy” items; and
Whereas:: California and Federal government agencies offer lucrative financial incentives to schools seeking to upgrade their respective schools with green and renewable solar energy construction projects; and
Whereas: The California Public Utility Commission and the California Energy Commission departments offer financial incentives for solar energy designs and renewable energy conservation measures such as approved boilers, lighting and electrical wiring upgrades, passive solar construction techniques, solar hot water and electricity energy systems, reflective roofing products, dual pane windows, and insulation upgrades; and
Whereas: California schools are currently experiencing severe infrastructure problems that require immediate attention, for safety and modernization concerns, as well as addressing operational costs of utilities and maintenance issues; and
Whereas: The rapidly increasing operational costs of school utilities that are still heavily reliant on fossil fuels and utility company electricity, of which the costs are fluctuating greatly, thereby removing funds for school books, materials, extra-curricula sports programs, teacher salaries, and school bus transportation costs; therefore, be it
Resolved: The CSG lobby the California Office of State Architects and the American Institute of Architects, California Chapter working on California schools and public buildings to utilize designs featuring solar and “green” renewable energy technologies when designing projects and remodeling upgrades.
07- 064 - State
Title: Formation Of Environmental Law Committee
Proposed By: Conservation & Environmental Affairs Committee
Whereas: “Environmentalists” have gotten a sometimes bad rap in regards to issues surrounding private property; and
Whereas: Many citizens do not realize the function of certain documents, including the Environmental Impacr Report (EIR); and
Whereas: EIR’s are required only on projects that are controversial and have the potential to significantly damage the environment; and
Whereas: EIR’s and their required mitigations have the potential to be costly to a project proponent; therefore be it
Resolved: That the CSG Master appoint a committee charged with developing a list of references on environmental laws, pertinent to private land owners.
Education
07-040 - State
Title: Solar Energy Curriculum In California Schools
Proposed By: Marshall Grange #451
Whereas:: With California leading the business world in solar energy system manufacturing and installations, it stands to reason that we need to develop a proactive and forward thinking plan to educate and nurture a readily available engineering management and labor employee work force; and
Whereas:: The solar energy industry is currently operating in a multi-hundred Billion dollar gross growth industry, and is growing at a rate of 25% per year; and
Whereas: The current solar industry managerial, manufacturing and construction work force is made up of “baby boomers” who are reaching retirement age, and there has been no proactive effort to train a replacement workforce to address present and future engineering, manufacturing, distribution, marketing, construction, or other related solar energy employment opportunities; and
Whereas: Foreign countries have been surpassing the United States in total amount of Postgraduate jobs in engineering, math professors, doctors, and general solar energy labor workforce employees; and
Whereas: California needs to retain its leadership role in maintaining a technology based knowledgeable solar labor pool, with proficiency in solar and renewable “green energy” business management positions, standardized research and development positions and manufacturing, and contracting skills; therefore, be it
Resolved: That the CSG initiate and support legislation requiring the inclusion of solar and renewable energy technology curriculum for California schools Regional Occupation Program (R.O.P.) and Certified Technical Education classes (C.T.E.)
Grange Activities
07-033 – National
Title: Sustainable Seafood
Proposed By: Bodega Bay Grange #777
Whereas: “Sustainable Seafood” refers to fin fish and shell fish that are harvested from the wild or from aquaculture in quantities and using methods that will ensure the long-term health and stability of the species and the larger aquatic environment; and
Whereas: Sustainable seafood can be divided into two harvest categories: wild capture fisheries and aquaculture; and
Whereas: Sustainable seafood has become available through retail outlets that carry products certified as being sustainable. Therefore, be it
Resolved: The CSG shall support and promote the use of sustainable seafood and urge the National Grange to support this resolution.
07-036 – National
Title: Nation-Wide Grange Amber Alert Assistance Program
Proposed By: Pleasant Valley Grange #675
Whereas: Children are abducted everyday by predators that would harm them; and
Whereas: Since 1996, AMBER Alert programs have helped save the lives of over 200 children nationwide; and
Whereas: The members of the various Granges nation-wide are uniquely qualified to assist the AMBER Alert programs; therefore, be it
Resolved: That the Master of the National Grange appoint a committee to research and make recommendations to enable a nation-wide Grange program to provide assistance to the AMBER Alert System.
07-048 – State
Title: Requirements For Master
Proposed By: Sonoma County Pomona #1
Whereas: There have been a number of Subordinate Masters in the past year that have either sold, tried to sell or transfer title for Grange Halls without permission to do so and have committed numerous violations of Grange Law; therefore, be it
Resolved: All newly elected Subordinate Masters, as a condition of remaining in office, must complete the Masters training module as prescribed by the Office of the California State Grange and the Master of the California State Grange.
07-058 - State
Title: Resolution Of Appreciation For The U.S. Air Force
Proposed By: Good Of The Order Committee
Whereas: The United States Air Force has played and continues to be a vital role in defense of our nation and freedom throughout the world; and
Whereas: The United States Air Force was established as an independent military force by the Defense Organization Act, signed into law by President Harry Truman September 18, 1947. Prior to that time the Air Force was known as the U.S. Army Air Forces. The beginning started in 1912 with the establishment of Aeronautical Division of the Army Signal Corps; therefore be it
Resolved: The California State Grange, meeting at its 135th Annual Convention in Sacramento, California, salutes and commends the United States Air Force on its 60th anniversary; and be it further
Resolved: The California State Grange presents it confidence to all the men and women of the United States Air Force; and be it further
Resolved: The Secretary of the CSG send copies of this resolution to the Honorable Michael W. Wynn, Secretary of the Air Force; General Teed M. Moseley, USAF Chief of Staff; the Air Force Times newspaper.
07-059 - State
Title: Give Gia Right To Use Csg Mailing List
Proposed By: Grange Activities Committee
Whereas: CSG policy prohibits the use of its membership list for sales/marketing purposes; and
Whereas: The Grange Insurance Association contributes financially to the California State Grange; and
Whereas: The Gramm-Leveh-Bliley Law prohibits Grange Insurance Association from providing its po9licy holders information to anyone outside the Company; and
Whereas: A review shows that many California Fraternal members do not carry Grange Insurance; therefore, be it
Resolved: That the CSG policy be amended to permit Grange Insurance Association the right to use the membership list for marketing purposes; and be it further
Resolved: That this amendment become effective immediately following this annual Session.
07-062 - State
Title: Solar Energy Systems For California Grange Halls
Proposed By: Grange Activities Committee
Whereas: California Grange halls are experiencing increasing utility and operating costs, due in part to rising fossil fuel and electricity costs; and
Whereas: The American population appreciates participation in energy conservation and environment awareness, and this interest can profit the participating Subordinate Granges in reduced energy costs and renewed interest in the Patrons of Husbandry; therefore, be it
Resolved: That the CSG establish a pro-active policy of “energy independence” by promoting the installation of “Green” renewable energy technology; and be it further
Resolved: That the CSG establish an Energy Conservation Committee to provide assistance to Subordinate Granges
Grange Law
07-002 - National
Title: Allow Expaned Use Of Affiliatrt56e Membership
Proposed By: Gazelle Grange #380
Whereas: There is a great value to many small, rural Granges in having members of neighboring, sometimes more active Granges becoming affiliate members to provide additional support and sharing of ideas, and
Whereas: Current Grange policy permits an individual to be a full dues-paying member in not more than two Granges; therefore be it
Resolved: That the CSG and the National Grange work to amend the “Digest of Laws” Article 4, Section 4.5 to permit a Grange member to be an active dues paying member in his/her home Grange and an active affiliate member in as many other Granges as is of value.
Concurred with by Siskiyou Pomona Grange on 1/20/2007.
07-015R - National
Title: Offices Held By Affiliate Members
Proposed By: Mc Cloud Grange #831
Whereas: Currently it is not in keeping with Grange policy for a member to hold the same office in his/her home Grange and in any affiliate Grange to which this member belongs, and
Whereas: This limiting restriction can hamper a Grange’s progress and strength; therefore be it
Resolved: That the CSG urge the National Grange to adopt policies that permit an affiliate member to hold any office, with the exception of Master, Treasurer or Secretary, in more than one Subordinate or Pomona Grange at the same time.
Concurred by Siskiyou Pomona #6
07-042 - State
Title: CSG Election Of Officers By-Law Change
Proposed By: Election Review Committee
Whereas:: CSG now uses the “Australian Ballot” (all nominees on one ballot); and
Whereas:: A resolution to change the election to duplicate the Washington State Grange voting system has been presented; and
Whereas: The By-laws need to be changed to reflect this change; therefore, be it
Resolved: That the CSG change the CSG By-laws, Section 15.2, deleting all and inserting in its place:
The election shall be in the charge of an election committee who shall be appointed annually by the Master. This committee shall conduct the election, prepare and tabulate the ballots, and report the results as hereinafter provided.
Each ballot shall have printed on it the year, office and be numbered and color coded. Election to office must be by ballot, and nominations shall be made from the floor. Each officer shall be elected upon a separate ballot according to name and rank as provided for in the National Grange Digest. After nominations for each office, the candidates shall be presented from the floor and then allowed to state their name, Grange, occupation and Grange experience. The delegates will then vote on the nominees or a write in. The election committee shall arrange for sufficient teller tables and tellers to facilitate the rapid counting of the ballots. The election committee will then proceed to collect and count the ballots, announcing the result to the assembly in regular session only. It shall require a majority of all votes cast to elect. If upon the first ballot any nominee does not receive a majority of all votes cast, a second ballot (or more) shall be prepared with the names of the two nominees receiving the highest votes thereon.
07-051 – State
Title: Change In Section 18.4 Csg By-Laws
Proposed By: Grange Law Committee
Resolved: That the By=Laws of the CSG, Section 18.4 be amended to read:
Subordinate and Pomona Grange standing committees – Standing committees for the Subordinate and Pomona Grange may consist of Agriculture, Conservation, Education, Good of the Order, Grange Women’s Activities, Junior, Legislative, Membership, Publicity, Taxation, Youth and other such committees as may be authorized by the Grange.
Health
07-011 - National
Title: Support The Paul Wellstone Mental Health And Addiciton Equity Act
Proposed By: Gazelle Grange #380
Whereas: Nationwide in America, mental health and addiction programs have usually not returned afflicted individuals to mainstream society, but have instead kept many patients in tax-supported treatment and benefit programs and left many others without any assistance or treatment; and
Whereas: Solid treatment programs could return many of those afflicted with mental illness to active, productive life styles that are not tax supported; and
Whereas: Pending legislation could be helpful to many of those who are mentally ill or have addiction problems; therefore, be it
Resolved: That the CSG and National Grange study and support the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act to end insurance discrimination against Americans living with mental illness and addiction.
07-060 – National
Title: Improve Identification Of Products Containing Peanuts Or Peanut Derivatives
Proposed By: Health Committee
Whereas: An allergy to peanuts is one of the deadliest in the food chain; and
Whereas: Many products containing peanuts do not clearly state that fact; and
Whereas: Currently, the emphasis on avoiding use of trans fats, it has been suggested that some cooks may wish to use peanut oil; therefore, be it
Resolved: That diners in any establishment serving food be clearly informed if food served them has been cooked in peanut oil or if peanut products are used in the facilities.
Labor and Judiciary
07-013R - State
Title: Cat And Dog Law Would Invade Privacy
Proposed By: Mc Cloud Grange #831
Whereas: Clearly there is in many areas an overly excessive population of cats and dogs which are often neglected. And
Whereas: Some solutions are needed and can be dealt with by individual communities, and
Whereas: There is proposed state legislation mandating the neutering of all cats and dogs; therefore be it
Resolved: That the CSG urge non-support of legislation to neuter all cats and dogs; and be it further
Resolved: That individual community Granges lead the way to educate communities regarding the problems arising from uncontrolled populations of dogs and cats.
Concurred by Siskiyou Pomona #6
Public Policy
07-010 - State
Title: Re-Evaluate Use Of California’s Three Strikes Law
Proposed By: Gazelle Grange #380
Whereas: California prisons are all becoming crowded and the construction of additional prisons is proposed; and
Whereas: California’s three strikes law helps to fill our prisons; therefore, be it
Resolved: That the CSG urge California’s government to carefully study the evaluation system used to define what constitutes a “strike.”
07-020 - State
Title: Identification Of Crops
Proposed By: Monterey Pomona #17
Whereas: California farmers are proud of the crops they grow, and there is a diversity of food grown in this state; and
Whereas: Many tourists and Californians alike are unable to identify the crops from the roadway as they drive; therefore, be it
Resolved: That the CSG, and local Granges as well, encourage California farmers to place a sign alongside their fields stating what is currently being grown there.
07-052 – National
Title: Broadband Access In Rural Areas
Proposed By: Bayside Grange #500
Whereas: There is greater need for broadband access in rural areas to improve health and safety, enhance educational opportunities, and promote cultural and economic development, and
Whereas: High speed internet access can bridge geographic barriers and deliver economic benefits to rural communities, yet it remains largely unavailable in rural communities; therefore be it
Resolved: That the California State Grange and the National Grange shall support measures to rapidly implement broadband access in rural communities.
Taxes, Fiscal Policy
07-012 - State
Title: Keep Proposition 13 In Place
Proposed By: Gazelle Grange #380
Whereas: The Jarvis-Gann Proposition 13 has greatly assisted home owners who previously were often excessively pressured by their property tax burden; and
Whereas: Young families who are able to purchase homes do not face the excessive and discouraging tax burden that would confront them if Proposition 13 was lost to them; therefore, be it
Resolved: That the CSG adopt and maintain a solid position supporting keeping the Jarvis-Gann Proposition 13 in place.
Concurred with by Sikiyou Pomona Grange on 05/29/2007
Water
07-034R – National
Title: Establish Ostrum Point Dam
Proposed By: Lookout Grange #415
Whereas: Because of instability of soil base at other locations, the Ostrum Point area was carefully evaluated and found feasible as a location for construction of a dam; and
Whereas: There is a need in Big Valley for adequate storage of water for agricultural use and at times flood control, the dam at the Ostrum Point site will meet these needs and be a source of electricity and recreation; and
Whereas: Robert Shaw, his family and his father before him, along with others in the community, have worked toward development of this important project since 1927, therefore it is appropriate to proceed to construct this dam; therefore, be it
Resolved: That the CSG and the National Grange lobby the Department of Water Resources and the Bureau of Reclamation respectively to conduct a new feasibility study based on current conditions, taking into account the possibility of power generation, to determine the feasibility of the Ostrum Point Dam.
07-043 – National
Title: Water Storage
Proposed By: Kings River Grange #562
Whereas:: The rivers of California need to be harnessed to conserve the water for domestic use as well as for irrigation, and hydroelectric production and recreation; and
Whereas:: There are millions of acre feet of water wasted to the ocean each normal to wet year that could be saved in lakes and reservoirs that provide recreation for thousands of recreationist as well as provide water for hydroelectric, domestic and irrigation uses; and
Whereas: We are out of water now and no new water storage projects have been built in the last 30 years in California. The population then was under 20 million. Today it is estimated at 35.5 million, with the projected increase in population to double in the next 40 years. We need all the water we can get; and
Whereas: Plus the effect of global warming to lessen the winter snow pack with the snow line to raise 1100 feet (California Agriculture, Vol. 56 number 3, May/June 2002), this will leave the Central Valley of California without the spring and summer runoff that replenishes our underground water storage used for domestic use and crop production; therefore, be it
Resolved: That the CSG and National Grange push the State and National Governments to build more dams and reservoirs to conserve and regulate the flow of water down stream on the rivers of California.
Concurred with by Kings County Pomona #28
07-045 – National
Title: Delta Water Transfer Facility
Proposed By: Fresno-Madera Pomona #24
Whereas: The recent (June 2007) shutdown of both the State and Federal pumps at Tracy has triggered emergency declarations throughout the areas served by both the Federal and State Water Projects south of the Delta; and
Whereas: There are a number of major ecological problems caused by the continued transfer of the large flows of water within the Delta; and
Whereas: Many of these problems would be self-correcting if the transfer was accomplished outside of the Delta; and
Whereas: There would be a good chance of correcting others if the transfer of these waters were accomplished outside the Delta; therefore, be it
Resolved: The CSG shall support the construction of an isolated water transfer facility outside of the Delta from the Sacramento River to the California Aqueduct near Tracy.
Concurred with by Kings County Pomona
07-046 – National
Title: Water Storage On The Kings River
Proposed By: Kings County Pomona
Whereas: The Kings River has flood releases on a semi-regular basis; and
Whereas: These flood releases cause downstream flooding and damages along with the loss of large amounts of good quality surface water to the ocean; and
Whereas: Additional storage on the Kings River would alleviate this problem and allow for the use of additional water that is now lost to the ocean; therefore, be it
Resolved: That the CSG support building additional storage on the Kings River if it is economically feasible when proposed.
Concurred with by Fresno-Madera Pomona Grange #24
07-047 – National
Title: Water Storage On San Joaquin River
Proposed By: Fresno-Madera Pomona #24
Whereas: For the past number of years it has been known that the water storage on the San Joaquin River (Friant Dam) does not have sufficient capacity; and
Whereas: The recent agreement for the San Joaquin River improvement project requires using approximately one-half of the water stored behind Friant Dam to accomplish its goals for restoring the San Joaquin River to a live river with salmon returning to Friant Dam to spawn; and
Whereas: This water is being taken from all the current water users allocation; and
Whereas: Anytime there is a normal to above normal precipitation year there are flood releases from Friant Dam above a level that can be used; and
Whereas: These excess flood releases goes down river often causing huge flooding and loss of a large amount of good quality water to the ocean; and
Whereas: Additional water storage on the San Joaquin River above the Friant Dam would alleviate this problem; therefore, be it
Resolved: That the CSG supports building additional water storage on the San Joaquin River above Friant Dam.
Concurred with by Kings County Pomona Grange
07-050 – State
Title: Water Bond Proposition
Proposed By: Fresno-Madera Pomona Grange #24
Whereas: The Governor of the State of California has proposed a Water Bond proposition to be put on a forthcoming ballot, and
Whereas: This bond has been proposed to support the construction of:
1. A dam on the San Joaquin River above the Friant Dam
2. An off-stream storage dam at the location commonly known as the Sites Dam in Colusa County in the Sacramento Valley above the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta
3, Building the out of the Delta Water Transfer Facility, to bypass the delta with the water exports from North to South
4. Increasing the amount of storage at the Los Vaqueros Dam that supplies the San Francisco Bay Area
5. Other locally-determined water projects; and
Whereas: The first three of these projects are standing California State Grange policy and we supported the construction of the Los Vaqueros Dam; therefore be it
Resolved: The California State Grange lobby our legislators to include these projects and the funding for them, in the possible upcoming Water Bond Proposition for facilities as follows:
1, A dam on the San Joaquin River above Friant Dam
2. An off-stream storage dam at a location North of the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta
3. Building an out of the Delta Water Transfer Facility, to bypass the delta with the water exports from North to South; and be it further
RESOLVED: The CSG support the Water Bond that is proposed for an upcoming ballot as long as it does not vary significantly from Standing California State Grange Policy.