Introduction:
Ohio Rainbow’s Executive Committee is working hard to create a Grand Assembly experience that is both memorable and safe for all participants. It’s our goal to have an experience that’s as close as possible to the likes of a pre-pandemic Ohio Grand Assembly while also ensuring the safety of our youth members and advisors. The plans outlined herein are as close to final as we can advise at this time.
Key Information:
Location: Dayton Masonic Center - 525 W Riverview Ave, Dayton, OH 45405
Dates: Saturday, July 31st 2021 - Sunday August 1st, 2021
Who: Residents of Ohio who are permitted to attend Rainbow functions per usual/as outlined by our Statutes. Otherwise stated for additional clarification: those who are typically able to attend Rainbow functions are able to attend so long as they live in Ohio. For safety reasons, we are not welcoming out-of-state guests.
12:40 - Pledge Ceremony and Pledge Lunch/Craft - RSVP with your Pledge Mom by July 24th (candidates due by July 4th)
12:40 (also welcome to join after Pledge Ceremony - Majority / Alumni Member gathering - interested in attending? Please RSVP here by July 24th
Forms for Registering:
Assembly Registration Form - Each Assembly should submit one Registration form, likely by your Advisory Board Chairman, Mother Advisor, or Grand Deputy. This form includes a luncheon RSVP section
Non-Assembly Registration - If you are not currently affiliated with a specific Assembly but would like to attend Grand Assembly then you can register at the door at Grand Assembly as we have done in year’s past. You will be required to answer the below COVID Screening Questions and complete a Supreme Assembly Liability Waiver at the door. Copies will be available to you.
GWA’s Luncheon Registration - Advanced registration required - no tickets sold at the door. If you are not registering for the luncheon within the above Assembly Registration Form as a member/advisor associated with an Assembly then please email Crissy Willeke at crissy.willeke@yahoo.com to request a reservation for the GWA’s luncheon by 7/1.
COVID Screening Questions - as a part of our COVID guidelines, all attendees must be able to answer no to these questions upon arrival.
Supreme Assembly Liability Waiver - ALL attendees will be required to submit a signed waiver upon arrival.
Mother Advisors should plan to have forms A1, A2, and A3 from the Youth Protection Program Paperwork on hand for each registered member of their Assembly at Grand Assembly, per usual.
Lodging:
The decision to utilize overnight lodging is each registrant’s choice and as such they are fully liable for overnight accommodations. Finding and booking lodging is the responsibility of each registrant. This responsibility also bears your ability to select accommodations that meet your specific budget needs.
Attendees from Assemblies can choose if they’d like to all stay at the same location and could thus have a representative from the Assembly (such as Board Chairman or Mother Advisor) make a reservation.
With a busy weekend of other regional events being hosted in Dayton, we encourage all to make their overnight accommodations as soon as possible.
There are hotels in the area currently offering rates as low as $75. Whether you book at one of the hotels that Ohio Grand Assembly has reserved a block with or not is entirely your choice.
Meals:
No meals are provided within the cost of the Grand Assembly registration. There is an OPTIONAL Grand Worthy Advisor’s Luncheon for an additional $12 on Saturday the 31st at 3pm for which you can RSVP for within the Assembly Registration Form (if registering with an Assembly) or you can email Crissy Willeke at crissy.willeke@yahoo.com to request a reservation.
Those participating in Installation (appointed and elected grand officers, auxiliary, and reps, committees, etc..) will receive a boxed dinner on Saturday at 7pm.
That said, general attendees should plan for the following on their own:
Saturday:
Breakfast prior to opening session
Lunch between opening and closing session (if not attending the GWA’s Luncheon)
Dinner after the closing session
Sunday
Breakfast before Installation
Lunch on way home after Installation
FAQ:
When are Grand Assembly Practices happening?
Floor Officers Only:
July 10th, Noon to 4pm
Northwest Masonic Temple in Columbus
All Grand Officers (Reps, Auxiliary, Floor):
July 24th, Noon to 5pm
Dayton Masonic Center Auditorium
Business casual wear for both practices
When and where are Grand Representative Flags, Reports, and Costumes due?
Reports: Due to Joyce Conley by 6/1.
Flags: Bring to Grand Officer’s Practice on 7/24 at the Dayton Masonic Center. They will be judged and on display at Grand Assembly.
Costumes: The parade will be held Saturday of Grand Assembly. Descriptions of costumes will be due at the practice being held on 7/24 at Noon at the Dayton Masonic Center. We will not be presenting the Flags during the parade so there is no need to provide a flag escort to carry the representative’s flag alongside her in the parade.
Will we be utilizing Flag Tributes & Escorts?
Yes - Flags will be escorted and receive their tributes during elections on Saturday afternoon.
Will we have Grand Deputy escorts?
No.
Will we have heralds?
No - we may have one youth member or advisor who plays the processional song and/or taps during memorial but that person will be identified as needed by the Supreme Deputy.
Do we need to submit a District Banner?
Yes - bring your banner to Grand Floor Officer’s Practice on 7/10. The committee will take them home and judge them before Grand Assembly and they will be on display at Grand Assembly.
Will additional honor court members be identified?
No - Our Grand Worthy Advisor has previously identified girls for honor court who will be utilized in special ways at Grand Assembly.
Will there be virtual elements for Grand Assembly so those who are unable or uncomfortable in attending may still observe?
We are working to make this a possibility but are not able to advise details at this time.
Will there be marches?
Dignitaries and committees will start in their seats. The Grand Officers (Reps, Auxiliary, and Floor) will have marches that are more simple than a pre-pandemic year.
Will there be a jewelry room?
No - please contact Melissa Cooley with your order requests prior to Grand Assembly (~June 15th) who will then fulfill your order at Grand Assembly. Melissa will share more information about deadlines for orders soon.
Will there be mascots this year?
Yes - Assemblies are encouraged to create and bring mascots for Grand Assembly but they will not be judged.
Will there be scrapbooks this year?
Yes - Assemblies are encouraged to create their scrapbooks but they will not be judged or on display this year for safety precautions.
Will there be a choir this year?
No - there will not be a choir this year for safety precautions.
Will there be a choir book cover contest?
No - there will be no choir book cover contest since there will be no choir book or choir.
Will there be a minute book cover contest?
Yes - please submit entries to Crissy Willeke by July 1st.
Will there be Super Teams or a Friday Night Party?
No - these activities are cancelled due to safety precautions.
What COVID Safety Protocols will be in place?
Please visit the following URL For the latest guidelines. https://ohiorainbow.org/news/2021/5/25/covid-guidelines-as-of-52521
Will registrants be required to attend the luncheon?
The luncheon will be an additional and optional expense for registrants to attend if they would like. If they opt not to attend then they will be on their own to make their lunch arrangements for the day.
What lodging is available?
Registrants are responsible for their lodging plans and must choose whatever option they feel is best for their safety amid the pandemic. For example, individuals may opt to not stay overnight (if 2 day), stay at a local friend or family member’s house, book an AirBNB, stay in a hotel, etc… - this decision is entirely yours and is your responsibility and liability.
Ohio Grand Assembly has negotiated rates and blocks of rooms at local hotels but these are purely suggestions and not required locations for lodging. Details will be shared very soon. You are encouraged to seek lodging in the meantime. Rates for the hotel blocks are looking to be roughly $130/night - $150/night for a room with 2 queen or full beds.
What amenities will be available at the Dayton Masonic Center?
Changing Rooms:There will be designated changing rooms for each major group of participants (attendees at large, dignitaries, Ohio Grand Assembly Advisors, Ohio Grand Assembly Grand Officers).
Security: Security will be provided by the Dayton Masonic Center but all attendees will be responsible for their belongings.
Parking: Parking is complimentary and located on the west end of the building.
Will there be live candidates for Initiation?
Yes. Candidate names have already been collected for inclusion in the program. If you know of a potential candidate please reach out to your District’s Grand Deputy.