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One of the
real benefits of Grange membership is the opportunity to have an effective voice
regarding the public policy issues that affect our lives because a basic precept
of the Grange is its adherence to grassroots policy development. Each of the National
Grange's current 1000 separate legislative policy positions all started as resolutions
that were written and adopted by a Community Grange chapter somewhere across the
nation. It
is therefore important that Grange members understand the correct procedure for
drafting resolutions. Some people are still intimidated at the idea of writing
a Grange resolution. They shouldn't be. It isn't that difficult. The following
guidelines can help your Grange write and adopt successful Grange resolutions.
- A resolution
is a statement of policy or position on an issue.
- Each
resolution should have a clear and concise title.
-
Each resolution should address only one issue.
The
goal of the resolution is to inform and educate the reader in order to inspire
them to take action approving the resolution. To do this, a successful resolution
must do two things: 1) identify and explain the problem that needs to be addressed
(the WHEREAS portion) and 2) propose a solution that will address the problem
as identified (the RESOLVED portion). The
first portion of a resolution identifies and states the problem that needs to
be addressed. The problem should be stated in factual terms. Opinions are not
expressed in this portion of the resolution. Each fact should be listed as a separate
sentence or paragraph that begins with WHEREAS, and is followed by a semi-colon.
The final WHEREAS ends with a semi-colon followed by "therefore be it". The
RESOLVED portion of the resolution states the action that you propose to address
the problem identified in the WHEREAS portion of the resolution. Because resolving
most problems involves an exercise of judgment, this is the portion of the resolution
where the author expresses their opinions. If the author proposes more than one
solution, each separate solution to the problem should be listed as a separate
sentence or paragraph that begins with the word "RESOLVED". When a resolution
contains multiple "RESOLVED" statements, they are linked by the phrase "and be
it further" at the end of each RESOLVED statement, except the last one. When properly
written, this section "stands alone" or clearly restates the problem in summary
form and explains to the reader the action necessary to address that problem,
without having to refer back to the "Whereas" statements. Once
a resolution has been written and submitted to the Grange, it may be referred
to a Resolutions Committee for consideration and action before being presented
to the entire Grange. All actions reported by the committee should be by majority
vote of the Committee. The Resolution Committee can take any of the following
actions: 1.)
Recommend approval of the resolution as written.
2.) Recommend rejection
of the resolution.
3.) Amend the resolution or redraft it as they so decide;
or
4.) Recommend that the resolution be transferred to another committee,
be tabled, or referred for further study to avoid action on it directly. SAMPLE
RESOLUTION WHEREAS,
this is the part of the resolution that explains the issue or problem; and WHEREAS,
each resolution should address only one issue or problem; and WHEREAS,
each "Whereas" statement should address only one fact, idea or supporting argument
related to the issue or problem; therefore be it RESOLVED,
that this is the part of the resolution that restates the basic issue or problem
and proposes a solution to the issue or problem identified in the "Whereas" statements;
and be it further RESOLVED,
that each "Resolved" statement should address a separate action to be taken or
solution proposed to resolve the issue or problem; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the "Resolved" statement should stand alone and the action
proposed therein should be clearly understood by the reader without having to
refer back to the "Whereas" statements. | 
