CA Rainbow Girls

The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls in California

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From Old Favorite Jeans to New Tote Bag

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By Colleen W.

It’s back-to-school time and we all have clothing that we loved last year that is either too small, too worn, or just out of fashion now, but we still love the piece. I am going to show you how easy it is to create a brand new tote bag from your worn-out jeans.

Supplies List:
Thread
Needle
Scissors
Marker
Old Jeans

  1. The first thing you need to do is mark where you are going to cut.  For the body of the bag, you want to draw a line as close to the crotch seam as you can. You can always go lower if you want to use the legs as a double pouch too.  Next, you will need to measure 2 handles on one of the legs about 2 ½ inches wide and 20” long.  If your leg isn’t wide enough, no worries, there is a backside to the leg and you still get 2 out of one leg.
  2. Now you’ll want to cut along those lines so that you have the body of the bag and 2 strap pieces.
  3. Next, you will turn the body of the bag inside out and stitch about a ½” from the edges of the bottom to close your bag.  While you’re at it stitch the zipper closed.  Then turn the straps right sides together and stitch along the edge to create a tube.  Carefully turn your tubes inside out so the right side is showing and your seam is hidden.
  4. Then stitch your straps where you would like on the waistband of your bag.  I chose to use the front belt loops as an attachment point, but you can put them wherever is most comfortable for you.

And there you have it, a zippy little tote bag you can use anytime!

Top Five Tips How A Youth Group Can Stay Connected During COVID-19

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By Elise S.

Being shut in doesn’t mean we have to shut out opportunities to support one another and promote your non-profit youth group. In fact, new ideas for ways to stay connected seem to be popping up every day! Here are a few to inspire you to reach out and stay connected during the COVID-19 Pandemic!

1. Host a Facebook or Instagram Live Q&A About Your Organization

Since people are more active on social media, this is the perfect opportunity to spread the word about your youth group! You can create a Facebook and/or Instagram Live event to tell everyone why you love your organization so much. Write out an agenda for your presentation, and try to involve everyone in the group. Be sure to include a few pictures and descriptions of group activities in your presentation. To be prepared ahead of time, have everyone write out what they plan to say, as well as some fun facts about your non-profit, and some ice-breaker questions to get the conversation started. You also write out some typical questions and answers, and even invite alumni to join you and talk about how your youth group has helped them in college and careers!

2. Drive-By Parades.

Have you seen what teachers and friends have been doing for each other? They have been holding drive-by parades or “carades” for their students or friends! So, why not do the same thing with the youth members and adults! Not only is this encouraging to the members, and an excuse to get out of the house, but it is also a great publicity tool! You might even want to make posters and decorate your car to cheer up your friends (and for even more publicity)!

3. Wear your Organization Shirts and Merch on your Video Calls.

Have you ever noticed athletes and public figures wearing hats and shirts with company logos? They’re doing this to promote a company or organization they support! We can do the same thing when video calling friends (and let’s admit it, we’re spending lots of time on video calls)! A t-shirt can be a conversation starter! Who knows, you may even get to talk about it with your friends and gain a prospective member!

4. Write Letters or Make Calls to Members.

Something that makes everyone happy is getting letters! One way we can encourage each other is by sending letters to active and inactive members. Another way you can keep in touch with members and adults is by giving them a call! This is a good way to cheer up, stay connected and reconnect with alumni, inactive members, active members, and adults!

5. Have a Virtual Game Night.

Another way you can have fun and stay inside is with online games! Have a Zoom call while you play on-line games, bingo or multi-player card games so you can talk during the game! You can plan this with your youth group and invite prospective members!

And don’t forget – encourage your members to share on social media using hashtags. Choose popular hashtags for a higher chance of the general public landing on your accounts, such as #fun #kids #stayinghome. Use a hashtag generator site such as https://ritetag.com/ or https://hashtagify.me/. It’s also good to include hashtags that are member only used hashtags in your organization and/or for an event. The International Order of The Rainbow Girls California https://gocarainbow.org/ uses #caiorg and #whyitainbow. It will help keep members posts organized in one hashtag location.

By doing these 5 simple things you can boost spirits, have fun, stay connected and share about your organization! This is just a start to the activities you could host!