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
