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.