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New York International Order
of the Rainbow for Girls
W. Mark Sexson Assembly #15
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be mason-affiliated for my Daughter to join?
Absolutely not! There is no religious or mason-affiliated requirements other than the belief in a Higher Being of one's choosing to apply for membership in Rainbow.
Who Sponsors Rainbow?
Rainbow is sponsored by the Free & Accepted Masons, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Order of the Amaranth, and the White Shrine of Jerusalem. While all of these adult Masonic organizations have some religious basis, these are used to teach service and humanity to others.
Is Rainbow a religious group?
Absolutely not! However, the only religious requirement in Rainbow is the belief in a Higher Being. While there are some references to the Bible in our ritual, they are used as examples of goodness in individuals and of service to mankind.
We don't stress religion heavily as each member is encouraged to participate in the activities of her OWN house of worship, and practice the teachings of her own religion. Our main focus in incorporating it into our ritual is to highlight spiritual principles that help us become caring and compassionate.
Isn't Rainbow some kind of "secret society?"
Nope. While the twice-a-month meetings of the local assemblies are "closed," this means that only certain guests are permitted to attend the meetings. Any member of the Masonic Fraternity, Order of the Eastern Star, Order of the Amaranth, or Majority Member (Past Rainbow girls Alum) are permitted to attend meetings. This is because a Master Mason is our founder as well as these masonic organizations are our sponsors. However, parents and families are most invited to attend their daughters' Initiation when they become newly members.
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IN ADDITION**We also hold some "open" meetings, such as Installations (the event where girls are celebrated in moving up their offices), which family, friends, and others interested are invited to attend.
What do they do at Rainbow Meetings?
The idea of Rainbow meetings is to create a formality in which the girls are provided a structure in how the organizational aspect of the meeting is run. **
At each meeting, an opening ceremony is performed by the girls, signifying meeting has been called to order for business. At each meeting, the assembly conducts it's official business, as well as making plans for any of their upcoming activities.
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What other activities do the Rainbow girls participate in?
The projects and activities in Rainbow vary from assembly to assembly. Each 6-month term of office must include at least one project for fundraising, charity, and community service. The girls find creative ways to give back to their communities while having fun. They can think of a car wash, walk-a-thons, plant flowers in local parks, clothig drives, or have a rollerskating party. All the girls collectively make decisions on what activities of service and charity events they do for the year.
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You say the girls plan their own activities, and run their own meetings. Isn't there any adult supervision?
Each assembly has an advisory board consist of adults who supervise and chaperone the activities of the girls. The board consists of 7 to 15 members who are either members of the Masonic Fraternity, Order of the Easter Star, Order of the Amaranth, Majority Rainbow girls, or parents, grandparents, or legal guardians of the girls. However, the adults are there in an "advisory" capacity only, and are not there to dictate the activities of the assembly. This allows girls to provide their personal growth in learning how to facilitate their own plans as a group and work together. This is crucial in their Rainbow journey in learning conflict management, leadership skills, communication, and project management.​
How much does it cost for my daughter to be in Rainbow?
Honestly, very little. Each member needs a floor-length white dress and white shoes to wear in some formal assembly meetings. Girls are then expected to pay $25 of yearly dues to help pay for some of the materials, merits, and other expenses incurred throughout the year. Generally, if the girls are going on a trip or to the annual Rainbow convention known as Grand Assembly, they will hold fundraisers to help cut down on their personal expenses for the project.
Is there a dress code for these meetings?
Keep remembering all these things are made in formality. Just as a gentlemen's society is meant to wear a suit, it is a custom that our young ladies are to wear a floor-length white dress. However, this is only for specific occasions: Initiation, Installation, Grand Assembly, and other formal events. Usually regular meetings girls wear "street dress" which is skirt/dress that is one inch above, on, or below the knee. No sneakers, tattoos showing (for 18-21 in the membership), or 90% of their attire be in the color black. Again, this dress code is for structural, business-like purposes so the girls feel like they are in an exclusive family-friendly bond with our group. These are traditions and customs that have been shared for many years in our order.
Why Rainbow?
That is the ultimate question. What does this organization offer that sets it apart from other organizations, scouts, or sports?
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The opportunities and benefits of membership in Rainbow are unlimited! Not only is it a place to meet new people, experience new things, and carry the girls well into the future, but girls are given the chance to travel (in-state and beyond), hold offices, plan and run meetings and activities, work as a member of a team, gain public-speaking skills, and to learn and excel in a variety of leadership positions.
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There are opportunities to earn pins and awards using our state merit system where you receive points for each act of service you perform. Many of the girls' yearly dues allocate to their recognition in achievements. As they watch older members of our assembly continue to accumulate awards, it motivates and engages young or new members to do the same creating a community of service participants. We also hold public-speaking/memorization competitions which allows girls to gradually gain confidence in speaking in front of groups. When our members are 18 and older, they are eligible to apply for The Rainbow Scholarship as well as other scholarships other Masonic-affiliate organizations hold dedicated to youth groups like ours.
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And lastly, the girls learn to love community service and the support of charity projects. When girls are given the freedom to delegate their own projects, their enthusiasm enriches everyone's skills in making it happen. Community service is an every day part of belonging to Rainbow and this is why we are always valuable additions when applying for honor society, school scholarships and/or college applications.
How Do I Find Out more about Rainbow?
If you're interest in joining, go to our Contact page above and send us a message!
Or you can contact the Mother Advisor, Karessa Abe.
Her email is: kabe3890@gmail.com
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If you would like to find out more about Rainbow, you can visit our International website: www.gorainbow.org or
our New York State website at: www.nyiorg.org to find the right jurisdiction for you to join.