By Destiny M., Grand Love & Representative to IN & KY

Hi! My name is Destiny M. and I’m your Grand Love and Representative to Indiana and Kentucky. I’ve had such an exciting year serving California Rainbow and I can’t wait to tell you all about my lovely office. 

As a Grand Officer, we have the opportunity to attend retreats that help us bond, travel to Official Visits, Receptions, and anything we can help assemblies out with as well. I had the absolutely fantastic opportunity to travel to both Indiana and Kentucky for their Grand Assemblies. I got to meet lots of new girls and adults, learn about their beautiful jurisdictions, and spot the differences between our jurisdictions and theirs. I’ve loved staying in touch with them and continuing to learn new things. Along with staying in touch with our Representatives, we’re also allowed to choose a team to work with during our Grand Year. I chose to work with the Membership Team this year and help find ways to gain membership and keep members in California Rainbow. The main tasks we take on when joining a team is attending the Zoom™ meetings and helping out with special projects or statewide events. At the end of the year, we’ll be writing our Representative reports, which consist of sharing what you learned about your jurisdictions throughout the year. At Grand Assembly, I’ll be participating in the Grand Cross of Color Ceremony as well as presenting the first bow lecture to the new initiates and California Rainbow. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to meet lots of new people and learn new things, not only about California Rainbow but other Jurisdictions as well. I’ve had an absolutely lovely time this year creating closer friendships and experiencing new places.

By Rosemarie K., Grand Nature & Representative to MT and ND

Being Grand Nature and Representative to Montana and North Dakota has been one of the greatest honors I’ve had during my time in Rainbow. As Grand Nature, I’ve been able to grow my appreciation for our natural world and share it with others. I’m so grateful that I’m able to impress on our new initiates at Grand Assembly the importance of spending time in nature and emphasizing the joy it can bring. As the Representative to Montana and North Dakota, I’ve been able to get to know Rainbow Girls and alumni from both jurisdictions and learn about the differences in the traditions of both our states. For example, in Montana, rather than granting wishes that are submitted by girls at Grand Assembly, they have a “wish wheel” that girls are able to spin if their name is drawn during a session. Once they spin the wheel, girls are able to win a dance break for everyone at sessions, a sweet treat, or a surprise. One difference I learned about California and North Dakota Rainbow is that girls are able to join Rainbow in North Dakota at 10 years old! This makes Rainbow open to so many more girls and makes their members more diverse in age. I’ve had so much fun filling this role this year and hope you’ve had fun learning more about my office! See you at Grand Assembly!

By Sara O., GEC, Lecturer & Representative to AR, LA and MS

Even though I have been in Rainbow for seven years, I am just like most of you, not having any idea of what most of the Grand Officers do, especially GEC, Lecturer, and Representatives. I’m still learning as I go.

As a member of the Grand Executive Committee, I feel very privileged to get to hear about, and actually be a part of, so many of the behind-the-scenes workings of California Rainbow. Having meetings virtually, I think, has made it easier for all of us to “get together” more often. As a Rainbow Girl, being asked for my input has been an honor and it is so impressive to me that our organization truly is “our” organization.

I’ve always loved writing and giving speeches, and as Grand Lecturer, that is a big part of what I get to do. I write all of my own speeches for Grand Assembly, my very own thoughts put into words, such an honor and responsibility. I also hear a lot of talk about being a part of  “the big three” at Grand Assembly. I’m excited to be part of the first three Grand Officers to walk in – showing off our beautiful dresses for the first time!

I am also the Representative to THREE states! Whew! Three! Even though I didn’t get to visit any of my jurisdictions this year, I did have the opportunity to correspond with them and learn some of the unique differences in each state. I think the biggest difference I found was in Arkansas. Did you know that a girl as young as 11 can be a Grand Representative? The Grand Representative to California this year may only be 11, but besides being really cute, she really impressed me with her maturity and knowledge of Rainbow, love you Leitzel.

Louisiana’s Grand Representative to California, Lily, is also Grand Chaplain and was able to visit California during her summer break. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet her, but our Grand Chaplain, Joyce did.

I learned that Mississippi’s Grand Representative to California is Zoie and is also Grand Patriotism. Mississippi’s Grand Service Project this year is raising funds and awareness for a hospital foundation that supports cancer patients and families.

Every Grand Office carries with it a lot of responsibilities and I am very honored to have been chosen to represent my assembly and California Rainbow this year as a member of the Pioneering Wolfpack.

By Kylie B., Grand Patriotism & Representative to IA/MO

Hey California Rainbow! I’m Kylie B.G your Grand Patriotism and Representative to Iowa and Missouri for Grand Assembly 2023. Have you ever wondered what a Grand Bow Officer does? Let me tell you! Outside of Grand Assembly, many Grand Officers travel. Whether that be locally or out of state. As a Grand Officer, you also learn new skills and improve the ones you already have. Such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and how to be a good role model. It’s also a good idea to learn about your representative states! A cool fact I’ve learned about Iowa is it’s the only state bordered by two navigable rivers; the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. A fun fact about Missouri is The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is the tallest man-made national monument in the United States. As a bow office at Grand Assembly, such as Patriotism, our most important job is to memorize and perfect our Initiation lecture. Another responsibility we have is to talk about Rainbow in our representative states. After a year of getting to know Rainbow in these states, I’d say there are some pretty cool differences from what we know in California Rainbow. 

By Nicolette W., Grand Immortality & Representative to IL

Hi there, Nicolette here, and I have the opportunity to serve as Grand Immortality and Grand Representative to Illinois this year! But what the heck does that mean? Well, being a Grand Officer is a lot of responsibility, adventures and mostly fun. My biggest responsibility is representing California Rainbow for the year. Going up and down the state to support my Grand Officer sisters and making memories along the way! I also get to be a part of a new member’s Initiation, which is my favorite part of my office. My lecture is unique and carries a lot of meaning and it’s a blessing to be the one to present the teachings of my office to them, as they begin their Rainbow journey. New beginnings can sometimes be a little scary, but having the chance to be a mentor to young girls is what Rainbow is all about. 

Being a Grand Representative is also an incredible opportunity to meet new people and travel. As Grand Representative to Illinois Rainbow, I had the remarkable experience to travel to Springfield and meet the wonderful girls from that jurisdiction. I got to spend a long weekend learning their traditions, making connections, and becoming a part of their unique Rainbow community. I even learned that Illinois is the home to one of the only rivers that flow backward! The Chicago river! I was able to write and present a speech teaching them about California Rainbow and I came back with loads of new knowledge and friends from a state I never thought I’d travel to. The friendships I made at their Grand Assembly are going to last a lifetime!

I am also part of a few state-wide teams that take up some of my free time. In no particular order, I am on the state Membership Team, Service Team, and Supreme Ritual Team. I love being a part of all of these teams and they make me feel like I’m really making a difference within California Rainbow. My time as a Grand Officer has already been one of the most memorable experiences of my life and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Thank you for the incredible opportunity to serve California Rainbow this year, this organization will always have a special place in my heart.

By Sakura O., Grand Treasurer, Honorary Drill Leader & Representative to ME and MA

Hey California Rainbow! I’m Sakura, your Grand Treasurer, Honorary Drill Leader and Representative to Maine and Massachusetts! I’m here to tell you a little bit about what I do throughout the year!

As Treasurer, I have the honor to work with our wonderful GEC Treasurer, Mrs. Stern! Like the Treasurers of our local assemblies, I am entrusted with the duty of writing out receipts for the checks turned in! I prepare the receipt book for the corps by writing out the names, amounts, and dates on a receipt. Phew, my hand was tired after that! I am also honored to present the amount that we raised for the Grand Service Project at Grand Assembly! It’s such a pleasure to see the results of all the hard work that we’ve done as a state throughout the year. 

As Honorary Drill Leader, I have the honor to plan our informal walk-in with the lovely Grand Drill Leader and the amazing Grand Directors. We pick the music and plan the formations and march for not only the Grand Officers, but the Choir, Observer Helpers, and Pages as well. We also plan the march for the Cavalcade of Flags at Grand Assembly, which is super fun! I also help the Grand Drill Leader out with escort!

 It’s such a delight to represent the stunning states of Maine and Massachusetts! I had the opportunity to visit both Maine and Massachusetts Grand Assemblies, and it was a lovely experience. Much like our Communication Connection, Massachusetts Rainbow sends out a monthly newsletter to keep everyone up-to-date on current events, available to sign up for on their website! It’s a super amazing way to stay connected, since their Editor keeps things looking well organized and easy to read, and includes cute graphics! Maine Rainbow does an amazing job of helping those in need, participating in an annual bike-a-thon, and assisting those with MS. 

Thanks so much for learning a little bit about my office and the jurisdictions I get to communicate with!

By Emily M., Grand Recorder & Representative to MD and WV

To begin the year, Mrs. Gewin handed me a huge stack of blank envelopes to be decorated for the First OV. This year I decorated them to encompass the famous picture frame on the apartment door from our GWA’s favorite show FRIENDS™. In the center of each frame was a printed photo from Grand Assembly 2022. These envelopes hold all of the quilt square designs and Grand Officer biographies for the Grand Family and I was excited to take on such a fun project. 

Have you been to a state event? Well, chances are you found the information about that event in the Communication Connection. On the last day of every month all flyers, forms and invitations are due to the email [email protected], I then spend hours building a monthly campaign to send out using MailChimp and a whole lot of help from Mrs. Marshall and Mrs. Gewin. I take so much pride in hitting that final send button to push that fantastic document into your inbox at the beginning of the month. 

As Grand Representative to Maryland and West Virginia, I keep in good contact with my correspondence from my states. I have had some great calls with these ladies and learned much about their jurisdictions for my Rep. Report at Grand Assembly 2023. Something I thought was crazy about West Virginia Rainbow is that they only wear white dresses. I couldn’t imagine a life without so many colorful formals. Maryland is interesting because the Grand Line advances consecutively from Charity to GWA. 

At Grand Assembly, I am responsible for delivering an entertaining show of Grand Communications with my partner in crime Mrs. Gewin at the close of each session. And to keep our careful records organized, a great big book of minutes from Grand Assembly will be creatively recorded for our history. I will make sure that this Grand Assembly 2023 is one for the books, literally.

By Hannah R., Grand Faith & Representative to Australia and the Orient Pacific

Hey California Rainbow! My name is Hannah R., Grand Faith and Representative to Australia and the Orient Pacific! Being a part of the Grand Family this year has been one of the most incredible experiences I’ve had in my life so far, and I’ve been given opportunities to serve California Rainbow in more ways than one. I served on the State Membership Team, was a part of the God Squad, was a part of the Grand Line, was a Representative for our state internationally, and got to demonstrate our beautiful Ritual through floorwork and memory work.

First, let’s discuss the Membership Team. This year, we had the opportunity to have our first retreat in Fresno, where we created new incentives and programs to help boost our numbers and retain our new and current members. We meet monthly to discuss ways we can make membership fun and exciting. Together, with the help of lots of Barbie™ music, I have had such a wonderful time getting to know the girls and adults on the team, and I’m so proud of all the things we’ve accomplished this year. California Rainbow has most definitely become louder and prouder, one new member at a time.

Another thing I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of is the God Squad. The God Squad participates in Devotionals and the Grand Cross of Color ceremonies, and it is made up of Faith, Religion, Chaplain, Christian Flag Bearer, and Dean of the Grand Cross of Color. Having the privilege of creating a Devotional of my choice has brought me closer to not only the members of the God Squad but the Grand Family and California Rainbow as well. They do not take place only to worship God, but to rekindle our love for our families and our friends through fellowship.

Next is being a part of the Grand Line, which consists of Grand Faith, Grand  Hope, Grand Charity, Grand Worthy Associate Advisor, and Grand Worthy Advisor. I get to take part in planning the Line Officer Luncheon at Grand Assembly, where we talk about the responsibilities of the Line Officers, do team building activities, and get insight from other girls who hold the same office as you from other assemblies. I also consult the Beyond the Line Faith chat to check up on how the Faiths in California are doing and what they’ve been doing to promote membership and lead their assemblies. In addition, I have the honor of leading new sisters through their Initiation journey at Grand Assembly. Being the first impression in their Rainbow journey is an unforgettable experience for not only me but them as well. 

In addition to being Grand Faith, I am also a Grand Representative as well! I am the Representative to Australia and the Orient Pacific. Throughout the year, I have communicated with correspondents in both countries, which consist of jurisdictions in New South Wales, Queensland, and the Philippines. Once I learned more about their Orders, I put together my Rep. Report for Grand Assembly, where I get to share the similarities and differences between our Orders with California. 

Finally, there is Ritual and floor work. I have always loved Ritual, and Faith is responsible for leading the candidates through Initiation with the help of the Drill Leader to perform one of the most memorable ceremonies of our Order. As we all know, Faith does a lot of walking during this ceremony, and being a part of this ceremony and inspiring the girls and adults of California has brought me so much joy this year.