By Cassie Ray W., Grand Outer Observer & Representative to OK and TX

As Grand Outer Observer I work with the Confidential Observer to give instructions to the Observer Helpers at Grand Assembly and receive reports from them at Grand Assembly. I also am responsible for guarding the “outer door” for Grand Assembly Sessions. As Representative to Oklahoma and Texas I am responsible to communicate with my counterpart Representatives from those states. In Oklahoma, girls must work their way up to being a Grand Officer by first putting in a specific amount of travel, then being a Page and Representative before they can apply to be a Grand Officer. Oklahoma is known as the Sooner State because of all the people that cheated in the Land Rush to get to their plot of land “sooner” than they would have following the rules. In Texas, girls wear white straight dresses and at Grand Assembly, they do the same entrance and exit drills every year that includes carrying a Bible with 7 color ribbons that are flipped around as they turn corners and change hand positions during the march. The Texas Grand Assembly is held in Waco which happens to be the birthplace of Dr. Pepper®.

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.

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 Gwendolyn C., Grand Service and Rep. to SC & VA

 I always knew Service was a beautiful lesson, but I didn’t fully understand its responsibilities until I became Grand Service and Representative to South Carolina and Virginia. Since I learned so much in this office, I figured I’d share a little bit about my job with you all today! 

 First, I was given the opportunity to write for the Pot of Gold in each edition and talk to all of California Rainbow about Service. It was an amazing chance to share ‘Service’s Views on Service’ and update CAIORG with ideas on how to promote their own service in their cities.

One of my absolute favorite parts of my office was being given the honor to lead The Service Team. This year we were in charge of hosting the 2nd Annual Statewide Canned Food Drive, where we contacted girls from each assembly in order that they could pick local food donation centers to support this winter. It was a perfect chance to bond with girls up and down the state, and help the community while doing it!

 Something else I get to do is pick four girls to be on The Service Team next year. They send in anonymous applications for their ideas on how to improve the work we do and contribute to the team, and the current team reads through them and chooses the most inspiring ones! 

 I also get to do some pretty cool stuff at Grand Assembly! Together, Grand Treasurer and I get to announce all the results for the Service Team as well as the new members. We also get to reward the assemblies that donate the most! Also at Grand Assembly, I am given the honor of performing the Service to Rainbow ceremony to award those certain few who go above and beyond to dedicate their time to Service, and are therefore honored with a special purple medallion as a thank you! 

Along with being Grand Service, I am a Representative to South Carolina and Virginia. I am their correspondent from the West, and am in charge of keeping in contact with them and reporting back to California how those states choose to run their jurisdictions! It’s probably one of the coolest parts of the job because I learn such interesting facts – for example, did you know South Carolina was the first state to leave the Union in the years leading up to the Civil War? Or did you know that many of the words we use today come from Virginia Native American language: Racoon, moose, hickory, and more? Once I’ve compiled facts and such about these states, I get to put them together in a report and present them to all of you!

And finally, the last role in my office is to pass it down to the next girl and teach her how to do all the stuff I just told you. And who knows, maybe that next girl is you? Whoever she is, I can’t wait to see all the amazing work she does for Rainbow. Well, until next time, CAIORG!

By Maria A., GEC, Dean of the Grand Cross of Color & Representative to CT and RI

GEC

As a member of the Grand Executive Committee, I attend all meetings, in-person or virtual, to discuss what is happening in California Rainbow. As a member of the GEC, I am to be the voice of the girls in the state so I traveled and visited other assemblies as much as possible. 

Dean of the Grand Cross of Color 

As Dean, I serve as Master of Ceremonies at the Grand Cross of Color Ceremony at Grand Assembly. Serving as Master of Ceremonies at the Grand Cross Ceremony in your Area helped me prepare. 

I also serve on the “God Squad” with Grand Faith, Grand Chaplain, Grand Religion, and Grand Christian Flag Bearer. The “God Squad” puts together and performs a devotion for the First GO Retreat, First OV, Last OV, and GWA Reception. As a “God Squad” member I could be asked to give a prayer at meals for camps or other Rainbow functions.

 I wrote four articles for the Pot of Gold newspaper. They are my GO introduction, Meaning of the Grand Cross of Color, Office Description, and Last Will and Testament. Writing an article on the “Meaning of the Grand Cross of Color” was my opportunity to explain the significance this office means to me.

At the Last OV, there will be a Grand Cross of Color practice in preparation for Grand Assembly. I learned how to tack the Grand Cross of Color Ribbon, and kept a needle and thread in my bag to assist Masters of the Grand Color of Color with their ribbon. I created a flyer for a list of all the Grand Cross of Color observances, and before Grand Assembly, counseled with Mrs. Regier to choose the active designate for the ceremony at Grand Assembly. 

Representative to Connecticut and Rhode IslandAs Dean of the Grand Cross of Color I also have the pleasure of being a Representative to Connecticut and Rhode Island. If possible, travel to your Rep. states. Go prepared with a memorized speech about California Rainbow, including your Grand Service Project, Grand Assembly date, and something fun about California Rainbow! As a Representative it’s my job to communicate and learn all about these states by reaching out to my counterpart in CT/RI, giving me information for my speech at Grand Assembly. Here are some fun facts that I learned! Mr. Potato Head®  was named the official “family-travel ambassador” of Rhode Island in 2000, and the Hasbro™ toy manufacturer’s headquarters is located in Pawtucket. The very first lollipop was created in New Haven by George Smith in 1908 in Connecticut.

By Kirsin M., Grand Musician and Representative to NJ & NY

Hi, California Rainbow! My name is Kirstin M. and I’m your Grand Musician and Representative to New Jersey and New York. I’ve had such an exciting year serving California Rainbow and traveling the country as a Grand Officer. I have made so many unforgettable memories and friendships, and I can’t wait to tell you all about them.

As Grand Musician, I have the fantastic honor of helping select the new Assistant to the Grand Musician. Getting to meet Abby at the first Official Visit has been one of the highlights of this Grand Year. Throughout the year in between events, I make sure to take the time to practice my instrument – that way Grand Assembly runs smoothly. Additionally, the Grand Musician is responsible for setting up and overseeing the Grand Ensemble. This includes helping run/conduct music practices. In addition to being the Grand Musician, my office also includes being a Representative to New Jersey and New York. This includes corresponding with your counterparts, completing a representative report, and traveling to their jurisdictions if you’d like. Outside of these jobs, I am also a part of the Grand Cross of Color team. While the Grand Musician is not always a part of the ceremony, this year I will act as part of the team. Finally, one of the most important jobs for the Grand Musician is playing at Grand Assembly. This year has been absolutely amazing, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve California Rainbow.