ABOUT US

Who We Are

The Friends of the Quonochontaug Grange, Inc. (FOTQG) is a grassroots group of volunteers committed to the preservation and maintenance of the Quonochontaug Grange as an historic community resource and meeting place. Whether life-long, recent or seasonal residents of greater Charlestown, we recognize the importance and significance of the Grange as a gathering place for community members to come together for meetings, events, voting, meals and other purposes to enjoy the neighborly spirit upon which our community has been built.  FOTQG is a not-for-profit domestic corporation in the State of Rhode Island and is an I.R.S. recognized 501(c)(3) organization.  We have a formal long term lease arrangement with the Dunn’s Corner Fire District, the owner of the building, to operate the Grange facility.   We are governed by a five member board of directors that meets once a month to do its work.   An annual meeting is held in August.

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Why We Exist

For almost 70 years, the Grange has stood as a main gathering place for our community. Several years ago, the Grange Building was purchased by the Dunn’s Corners Fire District (DCFD). The DCFD, through its Operating Committee and Fire Chief, have operated and managed the Grange Building. Seeking to involve the broader community in the operation and management of the Grange and to secure its preservation as a community resource and gathering place, DCFD invited community residents to come forward and offer a plan to accomplish that goal.

In response, approximately 40 members of our community appeared before the DCFD Operating Committee in April of 2015 to express their desire to preserve the Grange and compile a plan for its long-term operation and maintenance. Those people were the first “Friends of the Quonnie Grange” and have formed a Rhode Island domestic non-profit corporation, Friends of the Quonochontaug Grange, Inc., which will work to arrange a long term lease with the Dunn’s Corner Fire District to manage and operate the Grange.  The formal lease was in place May, 2015.

The DCFD is to be thanked for its efforts to maintain and preserve the Grange. Since the DCFD has owned the Grange it has invested in major improvements including installation of a fire suppressor system, upgrade to electric service, handicapped ramp, and replacement windows for the meeting area.    The Fire Department has given many volunteer hours to make improvements and repairs to the Grange facility and grounds. We are very grateful for all of its efforts and those of the many volunteers.

Our Board of Directors:

        Ann Bettinger-DiRobbio, President

        Roy Jacobsen, Secretary

        Tom Doyle, Treasurer

        Mike Dirobbio, Director

        Debra MacManus, Director

        William Meyer, Vice President

        William Wilson, Director

Friends if the Quonochontaug Grange, Inc.

PO Box 1253

Charlestown, RI 02813

Email: info@quonniegrange.org

Website: www.quonniegrange.org