Our Grand Worthy Advisor Isabella put together a video to walk down memory lane with the Leading Lemurs that is followed by an announcement about Grand Assembly 2020.
Grand Representative Travel Blogs – Michigan
By: Shalyn M., Grand Executive Committee, California Flag Bearer, Circulation Manager and Rep. to Michigan
In June I had the privilege of attending Michigan’s Grand Assembly along with my Past Grand Deputy Mrs.Angie Thomas. I was welcomed by the Grand Worthy Advisor, Samantha, along with the Supreme Inspector. I met some of the girls at their first session of Grand Assembly. Their session consisted of the opening of a regular meeting along with a business meeting after that. I had the pleasure of spending some time getting to know the girls over multiple lunches and dinners together. We bonded over playing games back at the hotel room along with a deep conversation over the different foods they have in Michigan to California. I even had the pleasure of touring the Masonic Pathway Retirement Home. During this time we got to bring cards to the Seniors that are staying in the retirement home. I even had the pleasure of attending their Saturday night party which consisted of an Indoor Water Park! Although, I didn’t have a swimsuit where I could join in the fun I did enjoy getting to talk to the young ladies who also weren’t participating about their amazing state. I learned so much about how our states are different as well as similar, like how their Grand Officers are chosen, how many assemblies there are in Michigan, how old the girls that are Grand Officers usually are, and so much more. That night ended with me getting to go to my favorite place on earth, Olive Garden. This trip taught me so much about Michigan Rainbow. From the moment that I arrived, to the second that I left the girls and adults of Michigan Rainbow made me feel so welcomed and excited to be there. I will cherish those memories for a lifetime and hope to attend their Grand Assembly again in the future. Thank you!
Grand Representative Travel Blogs – Illinois
By: Chloe H., Grand Immortality and Rep. to IL
It was such a blast to travel to Illinois! My Mother Advisor and I headed to the airport early on Thursday, and I was so excited to take selfies with her in my new Immortality hat and jacket from my grandie. We landed at the St. Louis airport and met Holly W., one of my fellow Lemurs, and her mom to get the rental car and make the few-hour drive to Springfield, Illinois for Grand Assembly. It was the 4th of July, so we could see fireworks as we drove, and when we passed the “Welcome to Illinois” sign we tried to take a picture of it, but Mrs. Winter ended up accidentally taking a selfie instead, which we joked about for the rest of the trip.
When we made it to Springfield, we were greeted by the Illinois Rainbow girls at our hotel. They have their Grand Assembly at the same hotel every year, in downtown Springfield, and we were told to try the famous “lobby water” — which turned out to be filtered water with some fruit in it. We met Robin, a friend of Holly’s who grew up in Illinois Rainbow but now lives in California. She gave us lots of tips on how to make the most of our time here in Illinois!
The first event was the Grand Cross of Color ceremony. We went to the breakfast and got to sit with some of Illinois’ Grand Officers, who told us all about the adventures on the Grand Line, and we watched the Grand Cross of Color team rock the ceremony. Then, for the first session of their Grand Assembly, we watched the Grand Officers walk out in beautiful purple dresses and we got to see the Grand Worthy Advisor, Gabby H., reveal her Grand West. The Grand West is a whole side of the room that the Grand Worthy Advisor decorates according to her Grand Assembly theme, and Gabby’s Grand West was beautiful purple mountains.
Later in the weekend, we went to their Grand Banquet, where all the girls pile into the room and enjoy an amazing dinner. The Grand Officers and other honored guests sat on a dais, and that was when the donations for the Grand Service Project were revealed. The Illinois girls raised a ton of money for the Shriner’s’ Hospital of Chicago, where the Grand Worthy Advisor herself was once a patient. It was very exciting!
We also learned a lot about Abraham Lincoln: we visited his house in Springfield, and his law offices, and we visited Old Salem, which is a recreation of the tiny town he lived in as a young man. We also ran around the state capitol building in the dark, which was quite an adventure! We got to take some pictures with the statues. Then, we went to Texas Roadhouse® for dinner, and had some bread rolls that changed our lives!
What an adventure in Illinois! I will always remember my travels there, and I’m so grateful to still be in touch with the Illinois girls I met.
Grand Representative Travel Blogs – Oregon
By: Ryanne G., Grand Hope and Representative to OR/Brazil
Hi everyone! It’s me, Ryanne, Grand Hope and Representative to Oregon and Brazil. This summer, I was so lucky to be able to travel to Pendleton, Oregon to visit their “Adventure Awaits” Grand Assembly and was absolutely amazed by everything Oregon Rainbow had to offer. Most of their Grand Assembly was very similar to California’s, just on a slightly smaller scale. They had beautiful decorations, sparkling new Grand Officer dresses, and even an exciting informal walk-in… just like us! They also have a very talented Grand Choir and Grand Pages for all of the line officers, who are also announced at their “Grand Officer Announcements”. The Meerkats of 2019 truly shined and I am so excited to see what the future holds for the Hedgehogs of 2020. Being able to travel to their sessions and sit in the East definitely reinforced my love for my jurisdiction and reminded me how wonderful it is to be able to learn and share all of the incredible ways that each jurisdiction is different. I loved watching all of Oregon show their spirit and excitement for service and community, and I really look forward to seeing their jurisdiction grow. I couldn’t be more proud to represent California in such a beautiful state full of such beautiful Rainbow adventures, awaiting in the future!
Grand Representative Travel Blogs – Rhode Island
By: Holly W., Grand Executive Committee, Dean of the Grand Cross of Color and Representative to CT/RI
Hi California Rainbow! My name is Holly and I am a Member of the Grand Executive Committee, Dean of the Grand Cross of Color, and Representative to Connecticut and Rhode Island. I’d like to share with you my trip to Rhode Island. I was fortunate to be joined on my trip by my friends, Lucy and Angellina. When I arrived at my hotel room I got a wonderful bag that had goodies and information about some of Rhode Island’s landmarks. I knew we had to visit some in our spare time. I had so much fun at the, “Believe in Your Own Magic with Rhode Island Rainbow” Grand Assembly sessions. I had the opportunity to meet so many new people including my counterpart, Eryka, and the Grand Worthy Advisor Hannah, who would be the new rep to California! One of the coolest things I learned was that the Grand Line, Grand Chaplain, and Grand Drill Leader all wear crowns during Grand Assembly. All the Grand Officers have matching dresses and bows that match the theme. The Grand Worthy Associate Advisor moves up to Grand Worthy Advisor and this year her name was Holly, how funny is that?! Holly chose the theme, “Find the Key to Your Dreams with Rhode Island Rainbow” which is an Alice in Wonderland theme! This year they will be supporting the American Heart Association as their Grand Service Project. In between sessions Angellina, Lucy, and I got to visit some awesome places like the Roger Williams National Park. Roger Williams just so happens to be my relative and after sharing this with my counterpart Eyka we found out she was also related to him! So I guess we are very distant cousins. Next, we toured some lighthouses, got to eat lobster, and drink milkshakes the size of our heads! They were so good but boy! were we full! After sessions were over we decided to take that list I got earlier and try to visit as much as we could. One of the most memorable things we did was visit a memorial to the world’s largest chicken but the funny thing was that we didn’t know it was a memorial. We thought we were traveling to see an actual chicken so, after an hour of traveling, we found out that the chicken had unfortunately passed away many years before. We ultimately spent less than a minute there just to take a picture! Next, we visited the Newport Creamery where we had coffee milk, the state drink. One of the last things we did was visit the Roger Williams Zoo. Unfortunately, there were no lemurs, but we got to pet armadillos, goats, and sheep! Last, but by no means least, we got to go to the Breakers, a mansion owned by the Newport family. It was absolutely stunning and after our tour, we decided to run around the lawn, explore the garden, and of course, visit the gift shop! Finally, it was time to head back to California! I had so much fun in this wonderful state and I wouldn’t trade it for the world! I have memories that will last a lifetime and new friends that I’ll get to see again in April when they come to visit California to attend our Grand Assembly!
Grand Representative Travel Blogs – Montana
By: Sarah B., Grand Nature and Representative to MT/ND
Hi! It’s Sarah, Grand Nature and Representative to Montana and North Dakota. I had the opportunity to attend Grand Assembly in Montana with a few girls from my Assembly. We arrived in Montana at a crazy hour in the morning after a wild plane ride. Grand Assembly started the next day, and it was exciting. To pass the time, we walked around downtown Bozeman trying local coffee shops and looking at bookstores. Grand Assembly was held at the Bozeman Masonic Center in Bozeman, Montana. I got to meet the Representative to California, Trinity. It was so fun to meet so many girls. The floor is very different from California, they open their Grand Assembly by singing a song about Montana while creating an M and they walk really fast. Songs were also all different. Montana has something cool called chocolate chances, where you have to try to find the chocolate with a golden ticket for a prize. I was especially excited to learn about their theme, “Books are a Dream Held in your Hand.” The Assemblies helped read to local schools and donated books, as their service project. I had a wonderful time visiting!
Grand Assembly 2020 Postponed
Dear California Rainbow Girls, Adults, Alumni and Friends….
I hope this message finds you all taking care of yourselves, as well as your family and friends. I find myself taking this opportunity to check up on those who may need my help and support, as well as looking to find joy in the simple pleasures in life.
As you all know, we are living through some exceptional circumstances and after much prayer, and several conversations with the members of our Grand Executive Committee Board of Directors, the decision to postpone Grand Assembly has been made with the hope of finding a new date and potential location. Please know that the decision didn’t come easy, even in light of the national emergency our country is facing, but we know it was a necessary one.
With the current information regarding COVID-19, the declarations by both the Federal Government and State Government, as well as many local jurisdictions, I have decided that in the best interest of our Rainbow family that all Rainbow events that bring us together should be cancelled, but hopefully rescheduled using the many technological tools that we have. Events like Grand Cross of Color and Service to Rainbow announcements can be made in a virtual setting or using Facebook live. Instead of having our girls attend their local meeting, set up video conferencing through Zoom or Skype, where the girls can meet up on line and host their meetings in a manner that is right up their alley! Let the girls lead us through this with new and unique ways to stay connected. Since most, if not all of them, are now out of school, this gives them a great way to keep in touch! They can conduct all of their business in this manner, just no ritual work please. The Recorder should still take minutes and report them and the Treasurer should still give her report. Invite your prospective members to participate as well. We have the opportunity to help our girls maintain as much normalcy as possible and help guide them through what can be a stressful situation.
I offer my deepest gratitude for the many calls and messages checking on me and offering support and prayer. I sincerely appreciate your understanding of our decision to postpone Grand Assembly at this time. Our goal, as we have walked this path, has always been what is best for our girls and all who attend Grand Assembly. We know that it is a time when we reunite and celebrate in only the way Rainbow people can and the thought of not having that time together has weighed heavy on us. In the end everyone’s safety must come first.
I am sure that there are many questions about what is next. We are actively working on plans that include dates and locations. The reality is that Grand Assembly may be different from what we have experienced in the past, and as I talked with Isabella today, I shared that I know no better group of Grand Officers who are capable of handling the unique challenges and opportunities that lie before us than our Leading Lemurs. Our goal is to make sure we have a Grand Assembly to remember for them and all of California Rainbow.
Your support and understanding will be appreciated. We are always looking for ideas and out of the box thinking so please let us know your thoughts. I would also ask that you please share this information with your Assemblies, alumni, adults and parents.
Lastly, I ask that you keep our Grand Officers in your thoughts and prayers. They are an amazing group of young women and I know they will find the strength to move forward as we navigate the situation.
As we work through the process of postponing Grand Assembly, we will share more information as it becomes available.
Sealed investing in the promise of Rainbow,
Dana Regier
Supreme Deputy – California I.O.R.G
Grand Representative Travel Blogs – Hawaii
By: TaylorAnn Q., Grand Fidelity and Representative to AK/HI
Hawaii Rainbow really knows how to welcome their guests! I had the amazing opportunity to attend a meeting in Hawaii and learn a lot about their jurisdiction. I was welcomed by Honolulu Assembly No. 1, where I got to meet the Supreme Deputy, Grand Worthy Advisor, and a few Assembly girls. Their leis are so beautiful and I learned that the Supreme Deputy makes them special for each and every girl that receives one. They are traditionally for their Past Worthy Advisors once they earn that title, but they also give them to Representatives to Hawaii who come to visit. In Hawaii, they have lots of fun with their events and work really well with the other Fraternal orders. During the meeting, the girls and adults of the Assembly suggested that my family and I visit the Polynesian Cultural Center. We had an absolute blast learning about the culture of the several islands and even got to participate in some fun island activities, like weaving fish out of leaves. It rained every day on our trip but that did not stop us! We went snorkeling three times, went to the eternal flame, attended the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, attended a luau, and so much more. They are even planning on sending three girls out to our Grand Assembly, how cool is that? The girls and adults of Hawaii Rainbow made my trip so memorable and I hope to go back soon!
Grand Representative Travel Blogs – New Hampshire
By: Christian W., Member of the GEC, Rainbow Flag Bearer and Representative to CAN/NH/VT
Hi California Rainbow! It’s Christian, your GEC, Rainbow Flag Bearer and Representative to Canada, New Hampshire, and Vermont! When I started this year I did not think I would have the chance to go to any of my Jurisdictions. So when I had the opportunity to attend New Hampshire’s Grand Assembly, I was ecstatic, not only because I had the chance to visit one of my Jurisdictions, but because it would be my first on the East Coast and flying!
With a total of four flights, my mom and I were in New Hampshire. Once we got to the hotel, we met the now Junior Past Grand Worthy Advisor as she was on a scavenger hunt that led to where she got her quilt. We also saw their Grand Assembly room. Unlike California Grand Assembly they had their Grand Assembly all in the same hotel. The first day of sessions was similar to sessions in California. They have marches called drills that are like our informal opening, however, all of the Assemblies can make a drill and perform it at their Grand Assembly and that is what they have as their grand talent.
Grand Representative Travel Blogs – Indiana
By: Amanda M., Grand Love and Representative to IN/KY
Hi, I am Amanda M.! This summer I traveled to Indiana for their Grand Assembly and it was amazing. Their theme was “Under The Sea”, it was beautiful.
One of the biggest differences I noticed was that the Representatives, and some selected members, got to vote on who is going to be in the Grand Line. They also do this magnificent curtsy when they escort guests instead of bowing and let’s just say I was a little confused about what to do for escort.
They sure know how to have fun at their Sunday night party! We swam in the pool and I saw my first firefly. I tried to catch it but it didn’t really work out. We also visited where the Indy Derby is held, it was so amazing to see it in person!
