Frequently Asked Questions
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls is a non-profit service organization for girls between the ages of 11 and 20. Rev. W. Mark Sexson founded our order in McAlester, Oklahoma in April of 1922. Rev. W. Mark Sexson sought to develop an organization where young women could build self-confidence and leadership skills, all while serving their community. The organization promotes community service, as well as love and service to their schools, their homes and to each other.
Rainbow members are between the ages of 11 and 20 years old. Rainbow welcomes everyone, regardless of race, creed, color or national origin. Parents can be assured that the values promoted by Rainbow are positive and uplifting. The lessons encourage members to be strong in spirit and kind in heart, respectful toward nature, and giving toward all humanity.
Absolutely! We want all parents to enjoy Rainbow with their daughter(s). Parents and adults can be as involved in the assembly as they want to be. Parents can attend all meetings as well as all of the fun activities.
In today's world, parents are apprehensive about any activity that may be considered "secret." But Rainbow is different. Here are a few facts to keep in mind:
- Similar to a sorority that brings groups of women together, Rainbow does have some closed meetings that only members attend. However, parents, grandparents and/or legal guardians are always invited to attend all closed meetings.
- Families are welcomed and encouraged to participate in many activities and, if they choose, can become involved with Advisory Boards.
- No actions will ever be required of members that would be against their personal beliefs or the beliefs of their church or home. Further, members are never asked to make pledges or participate in activities that would be contrary to their moral values or make them feel uncomfortable.
We primarily work to raise money for worthy causes, especially our Grand Service Project. Our Grand Worthy Advisor picks the Grand Service project at the beginning of her year and we spend that year raising money to donate to that cause. All assemblies meet twice a month to hold meetings, to vote out money to pay bills, take sign-ups for upcoming activities and to practice our ritual and floor work. We also have fun activities, such as ice cream socials, going to local fairs, visits to the beach and trips to ice rinks when the season rolls around. We also travel all over the state and occasionally to other states visiting other rainbow girls within the order.
Rainbow does have a dress code policy that applies to members and adults, whether attending a local Assembly, Grand Assembly or Supreme Assembly, or when representing Rainbow elsewhere.
The dress code specifies formal dresses for special meetings and semi-formal attire for other meetings. Surprisingly, Rainbow Girls enjoy the chance to “dress up” and discover the difference it makes when presenting themselves with grace and self-respect.
The formal meetings and open ceremonies of Rainbow can be found in a book called the Ritual. When a member holds an office in the Assembly, she learns her station's lecture from this book. By presenting a memorized lecture, Rainbow Girls learn about public speaking and leadership.
We have 10 lessons that we teach: Love, Religion, Nature, Immortality, Fidelity, Patriotism, Service, Faith, Hope and Charity. These 10 lessons teach us how to treat each other, our family, and our community.
Contact supremedeputy@gocarainbow.org to help you find the closest assembly to you and contact the Mother Advisor of that Assembly. Then ask if you can attend any upcoming activities so you and your family can meet the other members and adults. If you are ready to join now, then request a application for membership from the Mother Advisor. After you fill it out and get 2 members and one adult to sign it from the assembly then we begin the process of initiating you into the assembly.
The only requirement is that you be ready to make friends and have a lot of fun getting to know the girls of the assembly and helping others in your community.
Yes and no. Originally the Rainbow Girls were created for Masonic daughters and their friends, but today any girl who is interested in joining Rainbow Girls is welcome.
There is a connection between Masons and Shriners. All Shriners have a Masonic heritage, but not all Masons choose to become a Shriner.
Today there are over 411,000 Shriners in the world who work to keep the 22 Shriners Hospitals running. To date, Shriners have helped more than 800,000 children facing serious medical problems at no cost to the parent or the child.
