Can you crack the Grange code? If so, you can present your skills at the National Grange Session and test your skills against other Grangers from across the country.
You can obtain a copy of the code book and the cipher by request from the Assembly of Demeter, High Priest Bruce Croucher, 2514 County Road 25, Clifton Springs, NY 14432, (315) 462-3067, or croubr@fltg.net. Or, you can contact your state master or state youth director for additional information.
The winners of the contest will have to recite a portion of the opening ceremonies during the Evening of Excellence. Participants will be judged in their oral presentation of the code. There will be two categories:
Novice – for beginners learning the code (can compete in contest for up to 2 years.) Novice contest winners will advance to the Patron Contest next year.
Patron – for members with two or more year’s experience.
The judge(s) will be selected by the High Priest, Assembly of Demeter, certified and able to issue the Award of Merit code reading card to qualifying members.
Novice contest
Novice contestants will present to the judge the following items from the code book: The Use of the Gavel, Degree Words (1st-4th) Annual Password, Voting Sign, Sign (1st-4th) and Patrons Grip. Novice contest winners will have to compete in the Patron Contest next year.
Patron contest
The Patron contest is designed to follow the code reading Award of Merit card requirements.
From Section I, contestants must read:
| Opening | Page 2-3 | |
| The Use of The Gavel | Page 5 | |
| Salutations for all Degrees | Page 7 | |
| Password At Outer Gate | Page 8 | |
| Degree Words | 1st Degree | Page 9 |
| Degree Words | 2nd Degree | Page 13 |
| Degree Words | 3rd Degree | Page 15 |
| Degree Words | 4th Degree | Page 17 |
| Annual Word | Page 19 | |
| Voting Sign | Page 19 |
From the Section II, they must read:
| Passing To Different Degrees | Page 4-5 | |
| Signals at the Inner Gate | Page 6-7 | |
| Signal At Outer Gate: | 1st Degree | Page 8 |
| Signal At Inner Gate: | 1st Degree | Page 8 |
| Sign: | 1st Degree | Page 9 |
| Salutation: | 1st Degree | Page 10 |
| Signal At Inner Gate: | 2nd Degree | Page 13 |
| Sign: | 2nd Degree | Page 14 |
| Salutation: | 2nd Degree | Page 14 |
| Signal At Inner Gate: | 3rd Degree | Page 15 |
| Sign: | 3rd Degree | Page 16 |
| Salutation: | 3rd Degree | Page 16 |
| Signal At Inner Gate: | 4th Degree | Page 17 |
| Sign: | 4th Degree | Page 18 |
| Salutation: | 4th Degree | Page 18 |
Contestants select two of the elements in Section III to compete.
| Sign of Caution | Page 10-11 |
| Sign of Distress page | Page 11 |
| Patrons General Sign | Page 12 |
| Sign of Recognition | Page 20-21 |
| Patrons Grip | Page 22 |
| Patrons Test | Page 23-24 |
In case of a tie, the judge can select another portion for the contestants to read to break a tie.
The guidelines for earning an Award of Merit Card are on the following page.
Code Book Reading Award of Merit
Note: Participant may elect to read the entire code book. In electing this option, the participant will be allowed five mistakes
SECTION I:
| Opening | Page 2-3 | |
| The Use of The Gavel | Page 5 | |
| Salutations for all Degrees | Page 7 | |
| Password At Outer Gate | Page 8 | |
| Degree Words | 1st Degree | Page 9 |
| Degree Words | 2nd Degree | Page 13 |
| Degree Words | 3rd Degree | Page 15 |
| Degree Words | 4th Degree | Page 17 |
| Annual Word | Page 19 | |
| Voting Sign | Page 19 |
(Participant cannot make a mistake within Section I.)
SECTION II:
| Passing To Different Degrees | Page 4-5 | |
| Signals at the Inner Gate | Page 6-7 | |
| Signal At Outer Gate: | 1st Degree | Page 8 |
| Signal At Inner Gate: | 1st Degree | Page 8 |
| Sign: | 1st Degree | Page 9 |
| Salutation: | 1st Degree | Page 10 |
| Signal At Inner Gate: | 2nd Degree | Page 13 |
| Sign: | 2nd Degree | Page 14 |
| Salutation: | 2nd Degree | Page 14 |
| Signal At Inner Gate: | 3rd Degree | Page 15 |
| Sign: | 3rd Degree | Page 16 |
| Salutation: | 3rd Degree | Page 16 |
| Signal At Inner Gate: | 4th Degree | Page 17 |
| Sign: | 4th Degree | Page 18 |
| Salutation: | 4th Degree | Page 18 |
In addition to the above, participant must select two of the following six options in completing Section II.
| Sign of Caution | Page 10-11 |
| Sign of Distress page | Page 11 |
| Patrons General Sign | Page 12 |
| Sign of Recognition | Page 20-21 |
| Patrons Grip | Page 22 |
| Patrons Test | Page 23-24 |
(Participant is allowed three mistakes within Section II)