Supreme Assembly is now Virtual

From the Supreme Worthy Advisor:

Dear Supreme Family.

I want you to be the first to know, and please feel free to share with your jurisdiction, that given our COVID-19 pandemic situation, Supreme Assembly 2020 will be held virtually this summer.

The Nevada 2020 Committee has agonized over the potential of this decision since March 17, hoping and praying our situation would not be as it is now, but, it is. The Peppermill has acknowledged they cannot host us at this time and has released us from our contract and all penalties. Many of you have expressed concerns about your own ability to travel as well as the potential of an additional 14 day quarantine upon your return home, as well as concerns about traveling with your girls, housing girls together, social distancing, flights, costs with parents who have been out of work for months, etc. These are the same concerns we are hearing throughout our Rainbow world regarding Grand Assemblies.

My heart breaks for our newly appointed Acting Supreme Officers, but please assure them “I have a plan” and we will incorporate them, in their new dresses, in every way possible in July.

There is much information to be released over the course of the next few days, but it is important to share this now as the Peppermill will begin cancelling our rooms and will send guests an email notification of that cancellation beginning tomorrow. We will also be working with Cvent to have registration, meals, etc., refunded, AND will establish the new registration fee and whatever other items (such as the Supreme t-shirt, proceedings, etc.) will be available. We will establish a new registration date, etc.

I appreciate each of you who have joined us in prayerful support and in your patience as we approach this new adventure.

Rainbow Love,
Joanie Jacka,
Supreme Worthy Advisor, 2018-2020

Updates to the Website

Things to check out!

• If you click on the years on Past Grand Worthy Advisor Page you’ll find term information for what is known about each of our Past GWAs (grouped by decade)

• I finally remembered to link pictures on the Grand Assembly Photos Page (The sad part was I had the pages for months, just forgot to link them)

Activities cancelled through June 12th

All Ohio Rainbow events shall remained cancelled through June 12th, an extension of the previous date. The Grand Master’s letter is attached below.

Ohio Rainbow activities cancelled through May 31

Greetings all, 

Please note that all Rainbow events shall remain cancelled through at least 5/31, an extension from the previous 5/10 date. This comes as result of our Grand Master’s wise decision to follow the guidance of our Governor. 

Thank you, 

Whitney Poma

Supreme Deputy, Ohio

International Order of the Rainbow for Girls 

Grand Assembly 2020 Postponed to 2021

Please note that Grand Assembly 2020 has been postponed until July 8-11 of 2021.

This was a tough decision but clearly became the right decision for the prosperity and health of Ohio Rainbow by consensus of the Executive Committee, our Grand Worthy Advisor, and our Grand Worthy Associate Advisor.

To our members and Advisory Board Members:
We understand that this change sparks a lot of questions about Grand Officer terms, majority, scholarships, Grand Rep Reports, etc... Your Mother Advisors, Board Chairmans, and Grand Deputies all have the answers to these questions so please reach out to them accordingly.

To our broader Rainbow family including Majority Members, Sponsoring Orders, and beyond:
We look forward to re-uniting with you again soon and appreciate your continued support of our Order as we continue on our mission of building excellent leaders and citizens while serving and enriching our communities.

We look forward to meeting again in person as soon as it is safe to do so but in the meantime, we will continue to see you virtually!

Until we meet again -
Mom Whitney
Supreme Deputy, Ohio

BIG NEWS!

It was announced this evening via Ohio Rainbow’s first Facebook Live that our Grand Worthy Advisor Celine has been appointed Acting Supreme Worthy Advisor for Supreme Assembly in Reno, Nevada this July!

We are so happy for you and so proud of you Celine! Can’t wait to see you be absolutely amazing in the Supreme East!

Celine also announced that she would be doing “Live Wednesdays” on the Ohio Rainbow Facebook page. Check it out each Wednesday! I bet she will be particularly excited this Wednesday!

ALL OHIO RAINBOW EVENTS CANCELLED UNTIL 5/10/2020

A new update from our Supreme Deputy Whitney Poma including new directive from the Grand Master of Ohio.   

Hi All,

An updated directive has been shared by our Grand Master.

We will be following his declaration of canceling all activities until  May 10th. Please also regard his words about finding a process for communication and bookkeeping of essential bills and correspondence.

Again, I sincerely urge you to meet digitally during your regular meeting times to reinforce continuity and community.

The current dispensation in place is still applicable.

Thinking of you all and wishing you health,

Whitney Poma
Supreme Deputy, Ohio
International Order of the Rainbow for Girls

For those interested in seeing the directive from the Grand Master, click here

Needing ideas to help with social distancing?

• Make sure you know your ritual part!

• Learn a new ritual part! What would you like to be next term?

• Facetime with members of your Assembly - virtual hangout!

• If you are a high school senior / in college - apply for Masonic scholarships - those due dates are coming up soon!

• Are you a Grand Representative? Get a start on those Grand Representative Reports / Flags / Costumes!

• Make sure you’re keeping up with your schoolwork :)

• STAY SAFE AND STAY HEALTHY!

ALL OHIO RAINBOW EVENTS CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

From Supreme Deputy Mom Whitney Poma:

Sadly, we have arrived at the time where I believe it is essential to cancel *all* Ohio Rainbow activities, including those for your local Assemblies and Districts, until further notice--likely until the public schools are re-opened.

In light of recent announcements from Governor Mike DeWine regarding the impending closure of bars and restaurants and in the interest of our continued safety for our Rainbow families and our surrounding communities, we need to do our part to stop the spread of this virus. 

A few important notes:

1. I strongly encourage you to coordinate virtual meetings using modern technologies for remote meetings like freeconferencecall.com. Continuing to meet virtually will help your Assembly to remain engaged and offer a much needed relief from the social distancing that is occurring around us. 

• Not tech savvy? Ask around for support! There's a good chance one of your girls knows how to! 

• Ritualistic work should not be performed during any virtual group meeting. Please only discuss items specific to your meeting's agenda. 

2. If you have extenuating circumstances or need counsel about how to proceed with essential business from an otherwise cancelled event, please discuss with your Grand Deputy and seek my guidance if further advice is needed. I am happy to help. 

3. While this is tough for all of us, please reach out to me discreetly via email or phone if you know of any families in our jurisdiction that are facing extenuating circumstances as result of what's happening surrounding COVID-19. I can't promise to be able to offer any assistance but can try.

Governor DeWine's latest comments:

https://fox8.com/news/coronavirus/governor-dewine-to-give-update-on-state-response-to-coronavirus-26-confirmed-cases/

Covid-19 Updates

It’s been a very interesting few days in Ohio, from the first cases in Cleveland (and now 4 in Cincinnati), to the Governor’s mandate closing schools for 3 weeks and banning mass gatherings.

In concern of health (and mandates), the following events have been cancelled or postponed (new date included if known):

• Tri-Youth Initiation and Dance in Cleveland 3/14

• Grand Reception in Findlay 3/29 (rescheduled for 5/16)

• Tadmor Shrine Circus (postponed to September)

• Zenobia Shrine Circus

• Aladdin Shrine Circus

If you have information about a local event being cancelled or postponed that you would like me to share - please email me at ohiorainbow20@gmail.com!