- Our Assembly was created from the merging of two different assemblies, Harmony #12 and Pilgrim #6. The two merged because
of lack of members between the two.
- Our Assembly meets at St. Luke's Church in Woodhaven Queens, NY. We meet at a church because the local Masonic temples have
been sold.
- Harmony-Pilgrim is sponsored by Independence Chapter #25, OES, and Alamania Lodge.
- When you are installed as WA, your gavel is given to you as a gift from the Assembly. Each Worthy Advisor also is given a
memory album to fill with mementos from her term. This is usually given to her by her family. When she is retiring, the WA-elect
will write a degree for her and it is performed by the Assembly. It contains memories from her term.
- In our Assembly (and most of the state), the WA selects a mascot, theme, and colors.
- We try to hold Installations on Saturday or Sunday; it depends on what day is open at the Temple we use just for Installation.
Installations are usually held in the late afternoon.
- At Installations, we use carry-ins selected by the incoming WA. They can be simple, or very extravagant. The WA usually
gives a small gift to her installing team, which she has selected. The only requirement is that the out-going WA is on the
installing team. All officers getting installed are to be dressed in floor length white gowns. The installing team may wear
colored floor length or white gowns if they choose. The gavel and memory album are presented to the WA at the installation.
- The only item that is passed down is the Assembly's crown. Each Worthy Advisor has been installed in it.
- The only awards given out at installation are the memory bars.
- Opening March. Our assembly lines up per the ritual and walks straight to the East, then diagonally to each corner of the
altar, and then forming two crosses.
- Hudson Valley meets in the local Masonic Temple. They are sponsored by the Masons who meet in the building
we do. Also they get a lot of support from other Masons and Eastern Star that are in the same county.
- Assembly Traditions. In our Assembly we always tell the new initiates that part of the ceremony is that
downstairs during refreshments they have to ride a greased pig! It always gets them going. One initiate once said
"Bring it on, I'm ready to go"... it was so funny. We also partake in Ooga-Booga, Desert, and other "initiatory" things. ("Desert" is a secret initiation thing similar to something like Ooga-Booga.)
- In our local Assembly the Worthy Advisor usually chooses a theme, mascot, flower, colors, song and charity.
However I would note that every Assembly in NY is different.
- Installations in our Assembly vary. It usually depends upon the preference of the Worthy Advisor. Sometimes it is
held on at the regular meeting time. Other times it is held on a Saturday day or evening. If not on a regular meeting
time we get a special dispensation from the Supreme Inspector allowing us to change it. In our Assembly we usually serve
light refreshments afterwards.
- Installation details. The members usually have carrying pieces for Installation. Some flowers, others candles,
stuffed animals, whatever the W.A. decides. Usually the W.A. gives her Installing team a gift, but not all the other
girls. When on the Installing Team we try to coordinate colors with the colors of the W.A. term, but if not possible we
usually wear white. In our Assembly we also have a tradition of all the girls chipping in money to buy the W.A. her
mascot (the one she has chosen) and the W.A.A. presents it to her at Installation.
- At Installation, the Past Worthy Advisor presents the new Worthy Advisor with her jewel and the WA gives the PWA
her PWA's jewel.
- We usually have a Rainbow Dad or a Rainbow Sweetheart. The Worthy Advisor chooses them. The Dad we require to
be a Mason so they can sit outside the door during our meetings. Sometimes the WA will make them a funny crown our hat
as a "jewel" for the term.
- We usually do Merit and Attendance awards during Installations. Girls get their drops for attendence and their
color bars, pot of gold, and wreath. Hudson Valley has also created an additional merit program called the 500 club.
You get drop pins for every 250 and 500 service points you collect.
- Farewell/retirement traditions. We usually get the WA's mascot and do an informal degree for her. For each event
that took place during her term we have a special piece of memorabilia to pin to the mascot.
- We do wear white dresses at our meetings, as I know some Assemblies do not. Our Worthy Advisor is crowned at
Installation with the song "My Task" being sung. She is the only one in the Assembly who wears a crown. At retirement
the Worthy Advisor proceeds to the altar (usually to the tune of her song). There she kneels. She opens the bible to
the back and signs it. In our Assembly we usually sign: Name, Theme, & Dates of term. After that she takes off her WA
jewel and places it on the altar and then she takes off her crown. It is all very nice to see.
- We used to do some things together, but both Assemblies are struggling right now. We do have joint initiations from
time to time, to help each other out.
- The first Grand Assembly in New York was held in 1940.
- The official state publication is the "Empire Rainbow". It was started many, many years ago and is sponsored by the
NYS Masons. We usually have 3 publications a year.
- Proficiency: There are 14 questions on the oral examination.
-
1. Name of the founder, two titles he held, date and birthplace of our Order.
2. Give all signs and tell when they are used.
3. Give the Test Oath.
4. Tell what you do as a member of an investigating committee
5. Give the line-up for officers for opening.
6. Which officers are elected? For how long?
7. Which officers are appointed? For how long?
8. Describe the raps of the door.
9. Name the contents of the Pot of Gold.
10. Give a diagram of the oficers on the floor.
11. Give a short report on proper ways to display the American Flag.
12. Give the "American's Creed"
13. Name the Rainbow districts in New York.
14. Give the names of the following state and district officers:
A) Supreme Inspector or Deputy
B) Grand Worthy Advisor
C) Grand Deputy
D) Grand Lecturer
E) Your Area Lecturer
- Merit Bars.
-
Top Pin: attendance at 16 regular stated Rainbow meetings within 1 year.
Color Bars:
40 points per bar.
20 points from at least two of the itmes for each bar (listed)
20 points from any combination of items on the Service list.
Red: Ex. Attendance at speical district functions (4pts.)
Dues paid by Jan. 31 (5pts.)
Orange: Ex. Working with children (2 pts. per hour)
Attendance at Rainbow Sunday (5pts.)
Yellow: Ex. Beautify America (5pts.)
Participation in outdoor Rainbow Activity (3pts.)
Green: Ex. New Candidates (8pts. first, 5 pts. thereafter)
Promoting Rainbow (5pts.)
Blue: Ex. Serving on Committee (5 pts. chariman, 3pts. member)
Attendance at State Functions (4pts.)
Indigo: Ex. Participation in Flag program (4pts.)
Supporting Scholarship fund (1pt. per $1.00)
Violet: Ex. Acting as Big sister (3 pts.)
Aiding sister assembly (2pts.)
Pot of Gold: 80 pts.
1. Must have all merit bars
2. One item minimum from each of the listed bar merits
3. Remainder of points taken from the Service list
4. Must pass the proficiency test.
Wreath: 50 pts.
To be earned by special Service and Charity from the starred items on the Service list. A girl may also choose to write a report on the Founding, History, and Meaning of Rainbow (500 word minimum) to earm 30 points.
- In New York, term lengths are usually six months. Installations are usually held in January and June/July or Sept.
- Only the Worthy Advisors and the Grand Worthy Advisor wear crowns. The Worthy Advisor/GWA kneels at the altar and
"My Task" is sung. At the last verse the Mother Advisor/Supreme Inspector will crown them. It's very beautiful.
Lyrics to "My Task":
-
To love someone more dearly everyday
To help a wandering child to find it's way
To ponder o'er a noble thought and pray,
And smile when evening falls,
And smile when evening falls,
This is your task.
To follow truth as blind men long for light,
To do your best from dawn of day till night
To keep your heart fit for His holy sight,
And answer when He calls,
And answer when He calls,
This is your task.
And then your savior by and by to meet,
When faith hath made her task on earth complete,
And lay your homage at the Master's feet,
Within the jasper walls,
Within the jasper walls,
This crowns your task.
- New York Rainbow has "Raindrop" groups, which are like Pledge groups. Although, they have very few at this time.
- Songs sung at Initiation. Love: Love Divine; Religion: I love the tell the story; Nature: In the Garden;
Immortality: Abide with me; Fidelity: God will take care of you; Patriotism: America the beautiful; Service: Somebody
- The choir sings "Onward Christian Soldiers" when marching into the Assembly room.
- Opening March. We usually march with our hands at our sides, normally.
- For opening and closing of the bible, there are no standard songs. It is up the the Assembly. At Grand Assembly
the GWA usually chooses them.
- Closing March. NY Rainbow has an official Closing. After the line officers exit their stations and are walking
around the room we get into a cross formation in front of the altar. We then kneel to the cross in the front of the
room and sing the Old Rugged Cross.
-
On a hill far away
Stood an old rugged cross.
The emblem of suffering and shame.
And I loved that old cross,
Where the dearest and best,
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at least I lay down.
I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it someday for a crown.
-
Round about the altar's glowing light,
We are met in comradship tonight.
Faith and Hope and Charity,
Guide our golden memories.
And so before we close our eyes to sleep,
Let us pledge each other that we'll keep.
Rainbows friendship strong and deep
Till we meet again.
- Dress code. During meetings white (some Assemblies allow street dresses), and during dances, Grand Officers
Receptions, etc. any color except brown or black. For Installations, the Installing team sometimes wears colors.
Our initiates wear white also.
- At Grand Assembly around the hotel we wear skirts or dresses. The G.O.'s wear white gowns during sessions.
They do not all have to be alike either.
- Hoopskirts are not worn in New York.
- How Grand Officers are chosen. Grand Officers submit a form to the Supreme Inspector who appoints the Grand
Officers and Grand Representatives. The Grand Worthy Advisor is nominated by her Grand Deputy. She must be at least
18 years old. Then she goes for an interview. She is interview by PGWA's who have been out of office for at least 6
years. The PGWAs choose the girl who can best do the job. The GWA and Grand Officers are announced at our Homecoming
reception.
- To be eligible for a Grand Office you usually have to be at least 15, and be Charity or above in your Assembly.
To be a Representative, at least 13, and Charity or above.
- Grand Representatives are considered Grand Officers.
- There is no limit on number of times you can be a Grand Officer, or the number of Grand Officers each Assembly can have.
- The GWA has a mascot of her choosing.
- Grand Officers Duties. Just to know Initiation parts and open and closing for Grand Assembly and if they are
called upon during the year for reactivations. The Grand Representatives have to give a report during our Grand Rep
session at Grand Assembly on their jurisdictions.
- The duties of the GWA include attending all State Functions for the other Masonic Organizations including Grand
Chapter, Grand Court, Grand Lodge, Demolay State Convention, Triangle Convention and Constellation Conclave, among others.
Triangle and Constellation are two other girls youth groups in New York. The GWA is also strongly encouraged to visit the
Assemblies in New York State. She is also requried to be at Grand Family Weekend and other State functions.
- The Grand Cross of Color Team is made up of Majority Rainbow girls. They are not considered Grand Officers. Their
duties are to perform the degree at GA.
- Grand Choir members. They are chosen by the Mother Advisors usually. If they want to do it they can.
- Grand Pages. Must be at least 13 and are chosen by the Mother Advisor. The Grand Page Chairwoman chooses what
pages will be personal pages to certain people. They are like assistants to those people. They also assist in
escorting people to the East during sessions.
- New York does not have Sentinels or Tilers helping during Grand Sessions.
- Grandies dresses. Not matching; they wear the dresses they choose too. They must be white. The local Assembly girls
who are not officers wear street dresses or skirts.
- Special Grand Assembly appointments. Grand Lecturer and Area Lecturers. They are appointed by the Supreme Inspector.
- New York does a Baby Dedication when we have babies! The Mothers and their babies will come in front of
the Grand East and Mom Betsy, our Supreme Inspector, will say a few words to the babies and give each one of them
a pin. New York also does Majority Recognition.
- At Grand Assembly, New York does a calvacade of flags that is phenomenal. It might not be as good as Supreme's but
it's fabulous!
- Special awards and honors. New York Rainbow awards a Temple Pin to someone who goes above and beyond the call
of service. Usually not given to girls, but majority, adults, etc. who give a lot of time to Rainbow. The Supreme
Inspector choses who receives it. It is a gold pin with the face of the Supreme Temple on it.
- New Grand Cross designates receive a notice in the mail. The Grand Cross ceremony is held at Grand Assembly.
- During meals at Grand Assembly we do a lot of singing. We sing "Singing in the Rain" (Rainbow style), "Get Your
Elbows Off the Table", "If You're proud to be in Rainbow", "Thunderation", "From East to West...", "We're assembly 43,
43, 43...", "If you can't hear us..." and many more!
Lyrics:
-
"Thunderation"
Thunder, thunderation,
We're the RAINBOW delegation,
When we shout with determination
We create a great sensation....
"From East to West"
From East to West
From East to West (shouted back)
Rainbow girls are the best
Rainbow girls are the best
I said from East to West
I said from East to West
Rainbow girls are the best
Rainbow girls are the best
Na na na na na
Na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
(There are many verses to this... but you get the idea)
"We're Assembly 43..."
We're Assembly 43, 43, 43,
We're Assembly 43 where is 38?
(Then #38 replies and asks where another # is)
"If You Can't Hear Us"
We're from CGR (district)
We couldn't be prouder
But if you can't hear us
We'll shout a little louder
(keep repeating louder)
- Grand Officer receptions. We hold three Grand Officer Receptions throughout the year in honor of the Grand Worthy
Advisor and her Grand Officers. There is one in the Northern, Central and Southern areas. The last reception is held in
the GWA's area and is called Homecoming. At the receptions the girls in the area who are not Grand Officers will perform
a skit. They are entertaining evenings and a great way for the state to get together.
- We have a Grand Family Weekend in the fall.
- New York is working on a Majority Association as we speak!
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New York
updated on 08-30-01
Local (Assembly) Level:
Harmony-Pilgrim Assembly No. 6, Woodhaven (NYC):
Hudson Valley Assembly No. 43, Livingston: (instituted approx. 25 years ago)
Area (District) Level:
Hudson Valley/R.H. Meyer:
Grand (State) Level:
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