Don't forget to apply to compete in the 3rd Annual Speech Competition. The deadline is coming soon ... February 15, 2020 DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 29, 2020!
Alumni Spotlight – Stay at Home Mom
Being a part of Rainbow gave me so many valuable tools for life. I’m a stay at home mommy to two fantastic boys and a military wife. I gained the confidence to organize moves across the country and the determination to manage a household with all that entails both when my husband is home and the many months he is deployed. One thing I never anticipated in my life was having to constantly make friends and be able to find people to rely on in new places, thanks to the Masonic family I always have someone I can call on to help in moments of struggle.
-Keri, CA IORG Alumni
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Grand Representative Travel Blogs – North Carolina
By: Kate T., Grand Religion and Representative to AL/GA/NC
I had such a magical time at North Carolina’s Harry Potter® themed Grand Assembly Sessions of “Friendship and Courage,” led by their Grand Worthy Advisor, Summer, and her Grand Officers.
I got to learn about, and witness, many of North Carolina’s unique traditions, including their baby dedication and even got to be a part of my counterpart, Eris’ Representative Report skit! I was able to spend time with many Rainbow girls around the United States, including Kylee, my counterpart from Nevada. Everyone was so sweet and amazed that I came from California!
During majority, I listened to a beautiful rendition of “I Know Why God Made the Rainbow” from a majority Rainbow girl from California. After their new Grand Worthy Advisor, Gracie, and her Grand Officers were installed for the 2019-2020 term of “Grace and Hospitality,” I got to visit some family members, the Waffle House, and the Duke Lemur Center’s gift store!
Grand Representative Travel Blogs – Arizona
By Anna Liese T., Grand Drill Leader and Representative to AZ/NM
Hello California Rainbow! My name is Anna Liese and this year a few girls from Natoma Assembly and I had an amazing time at Arizona Grand Assembly. We met so many lovely people there, including their 2018-2019 Grand Worthy Advisor, Katie A., the Representative to California from Arizona, Jo M., their Supreme Inspector, Mrs. York, and many more.
Their theme was “Leave Your Rainbow Legacy,” and everywhere you looked, you saw tons of beautiful sunflowers. Many girls throughout the jurisdiction were a part of Grand Assembly acting as Grand Officers or Representatives, and the California Representative, Jo, gave an amazing speech about California’s 2019 Grand Assembly to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song! All of the out-of-state Representatives got to sit in the East and all brought greetings from their jurisdictions. The Grand Officers all looked stunning in their bright red dresses. We attended an exciting session where the new Grand Worthy Advisor, Lucy H., and Mrs. York announced all the new 2019-2020 Grand Officers.
This Grand Assembly was quite a new and fun experience and I cannot wait to see all the things Arizona Rainbow will accomplish this upcoming year.
2020 Membership Incentives!
By: Membership Team
Hey CA Rainbow! The Membership Team has been working on some incentives for initiating girls into Rainbow and we’re so excited to finally be able to share them with you all! Both girls and Alumni can participate so be sure to tell all of your friends and invite them to a Rainbow event! There are also prizes for new Pledge girls! Prizes will be awarded in 2021.
Click on the image at right to download the flyer or visit Resources | Membership Team on this website.
Grand Representative Travel Blogs – Pennsylvania
By Cameron M., Grand Choir Director and Representative to OH/PA
Over the summer, I was lucky enough to get to travel to Pennsylvania for their Grand Assembly in Altoona. It was held at the Jaffa Shrine Center from July 10th through the 14th.
The theme for this year’s Grand Assembly was “Dare to Know.” The assembly room was decorated with Mary Poppins themed decorations, such as a carousel, umbrellas, and a penguin cardboard cutout. The Grand Worthy Advisor Miss Nikki Roland’s service project was to raise money for the Autism Society of America.
Since Pennsylvania was the first state I traveled to as a representative, it was the first time I had to give a speech in the Grand East which was both nerve-wracking and exciting! However, once I was done, I felt proud knowing I had done my best to represent my state well.
After sessions were over, there was a dance party held downstairs. I was called onto the dance floor midway through eating my pizza to dance with some of the Grand Officers! Although I’ll admit my dance moves while in my hoop skirt were not the best, I had fun dancing the night away and chatting with my new friends.
One of the stops we made while in Pennsylvania was at the Fred Rogers Center in Westmoreland County. I remember watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood on PBS when I was little, and it touched my heart to learn more about the life of this amazing man.
My experience in Pennsylvania was an overwhelmingly positive one. It was great getting to learn more about one of my jurisdictions and make friends with girls I might not have the chance to meet otherwise!
Grand Representative Travel Blogs – Ohio
By Cameron M., Grand Choir Director and Representative to OH/PA
This summer, I had the pleasure of attending Ohio’s eighty-eighth annual Grand Assembly in Gambier! It was held on the beautiful campus of Kenyon College from July 11th through the 14th.
Ohio Rainbow had many fun competitions throughout the year, and many girls got to win prizes for the work they had done. As an out-of-state guest, I even got to judge one of these competitions – a mascot competition, where assemblies submitted mascots they had created.
After sessions were over, we all went to an outdoor carnival with games, snacks, and dancing! I had fun playing games with a few of the girls, and at the end of the night we pooled our tickets together so that we could all get a prize.
On our way out of Ohio, we stopped by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. As a music lover, it was amazing to get to learn more about bands I had grown up listening to and recognize things from bands I listen to today!
Overall, I’m so thankful I had the chance to travel to Ohio. I had so much fun meeting new friends and learning more about Ohio Rainbow!
Support The Painted Turtle and Let The Kids Be Kids
“There are nearly 20 million children who fight a life threatening condition in the United States and for these children the illness is always present and it cannot go away.” -Isabella L., Grand Worthy Advisor
During the year of 1999, Paul Newman, Page Adler, and a few others co-founded the life changing non-profit, The Painted Turtle. Adler says she drew her inspiration from the experience she had as a young adult volunteering at Newman's first camp for children with serious medical conditions, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Connecticut. "We wanted to level the playing field and say to kids, 'You can be like any other kid,'" said Adler, who co-founded the camp with her husband, award-winning music producer Lou Adler, and other philanthropists, including actors Paul Newman and Jami Gertz, and NBA coach Larry Brown. The organization coined its name due to the widespread species of turtles found in most of the United States. Adler says, "It's an animal that has a tough exterior and a soft interior, very much like these kids that we're serving."
“At The Painted Turtle for children ages 6-17 with all kinds of chronic pain, 90 of them to be exact, can participate in a camp of their dreams, absolutely free. Not only is their trip free of cost, it is free from judgment.” - Isabella L., Grand Worthy Advisor
According to The Painted Turtle’s website, their goal is “to reach beyond illness and inspire children with life-threatening diseases to become their greater selves.” and to “to empower campers—to make new friends, try new things, build self-confidence, and become more independent in their medical care. In short, we aspire to help our campers discover all that is possible in their lives.” Their website also states that their mission is “to provide a year-round, life-changing environment for these children and their families – one that allows children to participate in an authentic camp experience by supporting their medical needs and offers their families care, education, and respite.” Since opening in 2004, the magical environment of The Painted Turtle has served thousands of campers and family members at their year-round camp programs.
The oasis is a 17-acre developed site on 173 acres in the Angeles National Forest located in Lake Hughes, California. The Painted Turtle has many activities that they offer at their state of the art camp, which include horseback riding, ropes course, arts and crafts, woodshop, archery, team building experiences, fishing, boating, singing and dancing.
“Every child deserves to fun, feel accepted, and be included.” - Isabella L., Grand Worthy Advisor
California Rainbow is excited to learn about and support our 2019-20 Grand Service Project this year, The Painted Turtle. For more information and a virtual tour, visit thepaintedturtle.org
By: Hannah W., Assistant Grand Editor
Did You See The Double Rainbow?
I decided to take a little journey to find out what was really at the end of it and what I found was – you guessed it, a leprechaun! Bouncing up and down, this little leprechaun told me her name was Goldie and she was more excited to tell me what was in her pot of gold than the Grandies are at Revelations! Contrary to what legend says about her pot of gold, the coins that are filled in it are not made of physical gold but instead something priceless; the acts service she saw the members of California Rainbow for Girls create this year towards Megan’s Wings – the non-profit organization they have chosen to support for the 2019-20 year.
Goldie first explained to me what Megan’s Wing’s goal is and how it was founded. Megan’s Wings started in memory of Megan Savage, who lost her battle to leukemia at the age of nine in April of 2003. As a tribute to their daughter, the Savage family created Megan’s Wings. They named the organization Megan’s Wings because whenever they are lucky enough to see a butterfly it reminds them of her. Megan’s Wings is a non-profit is based in Upland, California. They help families navigate their journey with pediatric cancer by supporting their financial, emotional, and physical needs.
“The course of our lives can change in an instant. One simple action or short phrase can alter our life forever.” – Hannah H., Grand Worthy Advisor.
California Rainbow primarily supports their chosen non-profit by working hard throughout the year raising funds through fundraisers and drives. Each assembly comes up with their own special ways to do this. In just a short time, at Grand Assembly, they will present the funds they raised to the Megan’s Wings founders.
My green loving friend then told me about a few of the times California Rainbow had the luck of the Irish with them and were able to work hands on with Megan’s Wings:
Members of Citrus, Sunshine, and San Fernando Valley Assemblies volunteered with one of Megan’s Wings founders, Kim Savage to help clean up Megan’s Home. Their goal for the day was to make the house spotless before a little boy came home from his last day at chemotherapy. Megan’s Wings and California Rainbow worked together so that he would get to play freely in his home and yard without any worries.
For the 4th of July, Hannah H., Grand Worthy Advisor, Kaitlyn D., Grand Worthy Associate Advisor and Grand Historian, Kellianne B., Grand Choir Director and Representative to Ohio/Pennsylvania, and members from San Fernando Valley Assembly worked with Kim Savage, Co-Founder of Megan’s Wings at City of Hope Medical Center located in Duarte, California to make life a little more joyful. They held a party and spent the day doing hair and nails, playing games, and participating in arts and crafts with the families and children affected by pediatric cancer.
California Rainbow even teamed up with Megan’s Wiings for a fundraiser at San Manuel Stadium to see the Inland Empire 66ers play!
Goldie then told me that all of the assemblies and areas in California Rainbow were making an enormous impact on Megan’s Wings. Here are just a few examples of pure gold;
Serena’s Bay Area Buddies
These seven Assemblies raised $6,981.46 for our Grand Service Project Megan’s Wings which they presented at their OV! The girls in the area went to the Oakland Observatory, held a sleepover, and then hosted a Service OV at the Masonic Home in Union City.
Marshall’s Martians
Natoma Assembly held a community service event at the Palladio Fall Festival. At the event they made sure to showcase a jar to help raise money for Megan’s Wings.
This little leprechaun’s pot of gold must have weighed a ton because these were only a few of the many, many gold coins she had in it.
Goldie didn’t only have a heart of service but she was full of puns! She wanted me to ask you to MARCH for Megan’s Wings by carrying the fundraising momentum throughout March until Grand Assembly. You can still help! One great suggestion is to make a Personal Pledge to the Grand Service Project. A Personal Pledge is a pledge to give up something or do something, in order to receive a donation – for example, to donate the cost of a cup of coffee instead of having that morning Joe one day! You can turn these pledges in at Grand Assembly. You can also donate any amount through the donate button on www.gocarianbow.org or click the donate button on our March for Megan’s Wings Facebook post!
Make sure to take all your potatoes, lucky charms cereal, and four leaf clovers to Ontario, CA from April 6-9 2019 for Grand Assembly, The Winter Solstice: All That Glitters and Snows!
Hannah Williams
Public Relations Team
Did you miss out on something at the Last OV?? Step right up!
Marshall’s Martians took us to Sacramento to see The Greatest Show and boy oh, boy, did it start out with a bang! Our ringmasters brought in Mrs. Marshall’s area which included the following assemblies, Natoma, Camellia, and Rose. Not only was every Grand Officer and our Supreme Deputy inside of “The Big Top” but get this, the ringmasters brought 30 members from Natoma, Camellia and Rose assemblies to participate in the Last OV!
Our Grand Worthy Advisor, Hannah H., spoke about how a young boy named Diego had many struggles while going through his treatments with chemotherapy and although he had many battles to fight, he kept hope and his faith near to his heart. While Diego was facing problems with transportation for his treatments, to help him no longer face this struggle Megan’s Wings were able to buy Diego and his family a car. This is a prime example of how Megan’s Wings goes above and beyond when they find someone in need. “When faced with adversity people can do one of two things; they can either overcome it or succumb to it.” -Hannah H. Grand Worthy Advisor
To View Hannah’s Speech from the Last OV, Click Here!
Have you made your Personal Pledge to the Grand Service Project yet? This is a new fundraising opportunity to raise money for our statewide service project, Megan’s Wings. A Personal Pledge is a pledge to give up something or do something, in order to receive a donation.
The new Membership Team members were announced and will serve for one year. The newest member from the south is Emily M. from Fullerton/Yorba Linda Assembly and from the north is Kaelyn S. from Marysville Assembly.
The new southern Leadership Team members will serve for two years. The southern member is Katie S. from Visalia Assembly and the northern member is Megan L. from New Hope Assembly.
The new Grand Marshals (Vivacious Vans) for Grand Assembly 2019 are the following girls:
Emily M. from Fullerton/Yorba Linda Assembly
Emily M. from San Jose Assembly
Abigail S. from Marysville Assembly
Makena M. from Oak Summit Assembly
The Pages for Grand Assembly are:
Supreme Deputy: Isabella L. from Golden Star Assembly
Grand Directors: Cristina M. from Natoma Assembly
Grand Worthy Advisor: Cameron M. from Fidelity Assembly
Grand Executive Committee: Kamryn M. from Redding Assembly and Jordan M. from Rose Assembly
Pot of Gold: Ryanne G. from Woodland Assembly
Sound: Carshe’la B. from Concord Assembly and Angelina R. Buena Park Talent: Sami M. from San Fernando Valley Assembly and Destiny M. from Roseville DeReimer Assembly
Decorations: Alexandra H. from Natoma Assembly
Registration: Beth H. from Unity Assembly
See you at the next greatest show in Ontario, CA from April 6-9 2019 for Grand Assembly, The Winter Solstice: All That Glitters and Snows!
Hannah Williams
Assembly Resources Committee, Public Relations Team
