The
International Order of the Rainbow for Girls is a junior organization for
girls BETWEEN the ages of 11 and 20, from Masonic, Eastern Star, Amaranth
homes, and the friends of members of Rainbow girls. At the age of 20, or
upon marriage, which ever occurs first, girls who are members in good
standing are eligible for Majority Membership. A girl must be sponsored by
two other girls who are either active members in good standing or a majority
member, and at least one adult whom must be a member in good standing of
either the Masonic Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, or Order of the
Amaranth.
The International Order of
the Rainbow for Girls (IORG) is a service organization. The girls learn
about charity, hope, and service through their work and involvement with
their annual local and Grand (state or country) service projects.
On April 6, 1922,
the degrees of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls were first
exemplified on a class of one hundred seventy-one girls in the auditorium of
the Scottish Rite Temple in McAlester, Oklahoma. If you would like to know
more about the history of the Order, the Supreme Temple or the founder,
click on History.
Basic Information about the
International Order of the Rainbow for Girls
The following information is available below:
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What will a girl gain from the International
Order of the Rainbow for Girls?
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What is the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls?
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What do Rainbow Girls do?
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How often are the meetings?
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Who can attend the meetings?
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Is the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls a religious
organization?
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The Ritual of the Order.
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What do the seven colors of the Rainbow represent?
What Will A Girl Gain From
Rainbow?
The International Order of the
Rainbow for Girls emphasizes the following: (1) Effective Leadership; (2)
Church Membership and active Participation in the church of your choice; (3)
Patriotism; (4) Cooperation with Equals; (5) Love of Home; (6) Loyalty to
Family and; (7) Service to Humanity.
The International Order of the
Rainbow for Girls helps promote self-esteem and leadership in its members.
As a member, a girl will learn valuable public speaking skills and will
attend meetings preside over by girls her own age. While there is always
adult advisors to provide direction, all meetings are conducted by the
girls.
If given the opportunity to
rise to the position of Worthy Advisor of her local Rainbow Assembly, a girl
will learn to plan a program beneficial to all members and, by carrying out
these plans, become a director and leader of people. Furthermore, she will
learn the proper way to conduct a business meeting.
In addition, to their local
Assembly, girls may have the opportunity to advance to leadership positions
on a statewide level. They will also have the opportunity to apply for the
various scholarship funds available to those members who meet the academic
qualifications.
What Do Rainbow Girls Do?
Members of the Rainbow are
active in their churches, schools, and communities. They raise money for
various charities through bake sales, dinners and car washes, and they
extend themselves in service to their communities, churches and their
sponsoring organizations. Rainbow Girls have many fun activities and
opportunities to make lifelong friendships.
How Often Are The Meetings?
Most Rainbow Assemblies meet
twice a month. In addition to the bi-monthly meetings at her local Assembly,
she will have the opportunity to visit other statewide or International
Rainbow Assemblies, where she will meet other girls her own age who are
members of the same organization.
Who Can Attend A Rainbow
Meeting?
Rainbow Members in good
standing, as well as any Mason, Eastern Star or Amaranth in good standing,
any Majority member of Rainbow, and any parent, grandparent or legal
guardian of an active Rainbow Girl is eligible to attend a meeting of the
International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.
Is Rainbow A Religious
Organization?
No. The International Order
of the Rainbow for Girls is a service organization. Rainbow does, however,
encourage each member to be an active participant in the church of her
choice.
Ritual Of The Order
The Ritual for the
International Order of the Rainbow for Girls is a book of ceremonies used
primarily for the Opening, Closing and Initiation of a Rainbow Assembly.
Members of the Order recite, from memory, the ceremonies contained in the
Rainbow Ritual.
The Seven Colors of the Rainbow
are represented by seven stations, strategically placed in the shape of a
bow. Each station is represented by a color, and each color teaches one of
the seven lessons of Rainbow. The stations and lessons of the Rainbow are
as follows:
Red
is the
first color station and represents Love. It
emphasizes the importance of love of home and family.
Orange
is the second color station and represents Religion.
It emphasizes the importance of membership and active
participation in the church of your choice.
Yellow
is the third
color station and represents Nature.
It emphasizes the
importance of spending time in the out-of-doors.
Green
is the fourth color station and represents Immortality.
It
emphasizes that even though our body dies, our souls live on
forever.
Blue
is the fifth color station and represents Fidelity.
It
emphasizes the importance of loyalty to the Order and to the
Rainbow Girl’s family and friends.
Indigo
is the sixth color station and represents Patriotism.
It
emphasizes the importance of respecting the laws of our country
and its flag.
Violet
is the seventh color station and represents Service.
Service is
the foundation of Rainbow and emphasizes the importance of
providing unselfish acts of service to our home, community and
sponsoring orders of Rainbow.
The leadership structure of
Rainbow begins with the local Assembly and extends to the State and
International Assemblies. Each local Assembly is made up of five line
officers (Rainbow Girls who lead the Assembly under the direction of a
Mother Advisor and Advisory Board) and thirteen appointed officers. The
adult governing body of each Rainbow Assembly is known as the Advisory Board
and is comprised of seven to fifteen adults from various Masonic
organizations
When a girl joins Rainbow, she is conducted
through an inspired, colorful initiation ceremony during which the meanings of
our colors are explained to her. This ceremony is provided for in the Rainbow
Ritual which contains beautiful, timeless and time-honored ceremonies used at
Rainbow meetings. Rainbow will change girls' lives and help prepare them for a
positive and rewarding future. As a Rainbow Girl, they will have a tremendous
amount of fun, learn many important things, and become a better person.
Rainbow Girls, simply stated, bring joy to others less fortunate and, by so
doing, learn to be better people themselves. Along the way, they learn many
important life skills including public speaking, parliamentary procedure,
proper etiquette and posture, and how to interact well with others.
