Greetings all!

February 4- State Board Meeting- Derry! What a super successful time we had today! A huge thank you to all those board members who took the time out of their busy schedule to be at our meeting today, and to all of you present THANK YOU for being there with open minds and accepting hearts as we tried something ‘new’ in the presentation of our important information.  I thank Phyllis Wall and Allie Smith for their assist in planning the schedule with me, to Phyllis, Allie, and Jenny Taylor who assisted with presentation of the valuable information, to Donna Becker, Leslee Steele, and Deb Wall who assisted with setting up  for the event, to all my Grand Coordinators who sent me information to include in the days Powerpoint presentation, to Tracey Thompson for putting together the new version of the MA Handbook and the Powerpoint presentation with me, and to Derry for hosting the event at their Masonic Temple. It was a wonderful day of communications and sharing of ideas that I dearly hope will translate into valuable information and usefulness for our board as they work with our girls. Attached to this email is the Powerpoint as promised for MA and Chairpersons full of information to share with their board members.

Recapping the month of January we had 8 wonderful Installations with 3 new Worthy Advisors installed. Several newly initiated girls took on the responsibility of officer for their first term. We had a terrific School of Instruction done by Mom Morrison at Plymouth Assembly.

We are now into the final 5 months as we prepare for Grand Assembly 2012. Forms are now out and are available on the NH Rainbow website.  Tracey  Thompson will be needing lots of help with various jobs at Grand sessions-PLEASE contact her and offer your assistance; Grand Assembly needs your help in selling advertisements for the Grand Assembly Ad Booklet- please be sure to sell ads to businesses as well as take out personal ads and messages to send to your girls. Soon Cathy Morrison will be letting all the assemblies know dates, times, and parts for Ritual Competition. Our girls do a beautiful job with ritual and floorwork;  it would be wonderful to see full participations from each assembly! Jen Martz Grand Hope has contacted assemblies regarding have a breakfast, lunch , or dinner to benefit the Scholarship program for NH Grand Assembly, please make sure you complete this project by June 1. Each Grand Officer should plan to bring at least one theme based  Raffle Basket to sell chances for at Grand sessions which will further help to raise money for Davids House. Grand Assembly projects are in full swing and I trust each assembly is working very hard to complete them- Kaytee and I can wait to see what ideas the girls have come up with as they work toward awards at sessions.

We have lots of upcoming events coming up. Here is a list- with explanation of those events I need assist with- or need sign ups for:

February 6- Milford- initiation 7pm

February 11- Demolay Valentine Dance -7- 10:30pm – Milford Masonic Temple- cost $7 (or $6 with one can of food), dress semi-formal or whatever  we  expect girls to wear at typical Rainbow dance (no jeans)

February 12- School of Instruction- Milford-1:30 pm registration- program from 2-4pm

February 25- Rescheduled Jr GEC meeting- JR GEC to meet at Manchester 12:30pm Chili’s on So. Willow St- then to visit Girltopia event St Anselms College 2-4pm- bring money if you plan to eat lunch or have beverages at Chili’s.

March 3- Official Visitation – Queensland – in Derry- more info to come out as to start time

March 17- Miss Service – Captives Carnival- 1-5pm -Penacook Masonic Temple- Sara Matthew Miss Service needs help from girls to help with carnival games/events, and helping Captives with calls to friends and family to raise their bail money. Donations of food and beverages are welcome and will offset expenses.

March 22-24- MD Grand Assembly (need to know who plans to attend)

March 23-25- CT Grand Assembly(need to know who plans to attend)

March 24- NE Brotherhood night- need lots of girls/adults (at least 12-14) to serve dinner-

Manchester Masonic Temple- working with Demolay on this- shirts will be given out to girls and boys participating Mom Smith will need names of girls and size of T-shirt for them to wear no later than March 1^st. Set up tables at 1:30pm , serve dinner at 4pm, clean up  expected- should be heading home by 7pm. Profits raised go towards assemblies that work the dinner.

March 29-30 NY Grand Assembly
March 31-Apr 1- Demolay state degrees, then Lock-in – at Concord Racquet Club (be reminded April 1 is Rainbow Sunday as April 8^th is Easter) More info to come from Demolay soon

April 1- Rainbow Sunday in your own area

April 14- Official Visitation – New South Wales- in Goffstown- 1pm
April 14- Installation- State Master Councilor (this will be a 7pm event) – Location TBA
April 21- Rescheduled – Charity Costume Ball- Rochester (hope for no snowstorm!)- Jordyn Hotchkiss Grand Charity will again send out information regarding this event – but should  be similar as to what was planned in Fall.

April 28- NH Consistory Scottish Rite – Flag Tribute

April 29- tentative Grand Officer Try-outs
May 5- Grand Faith Statewide Membership “Field Day” event! Mid-day event to be held at Concord Masonic Temple- Iron Works Rd. More info to come out on this event soon- please save the date as it should be lots of fun! Most importantly this will be a terrific way to introduce potential prospects to NH Rainbow.

It certainly looks like a full schedule over the next few months but with everyone working together as a team I know NH Rainbow is going to do great!!!!

Much Love

Joan

Grand Assembly is approaching fast – have you downloaded your forms yet?

This time of year ….with new starts to school and return to assembly meetings after vacation time off is always a renewal time for me.  I have taken a little break from the busy year to spend time with my family and friends, and to take time for myself, reflecting on the past year, evaluating what needs improvement, and soon I will return just as all of you will do to our busy Rainbow family. It is not like I have not seen people over the past two months since Grand Assembly sessions, but at least not to the same intensity that there was previous to Grand sessions. I look forward to seeing you all again, and frequently, very soon!

Grand Assembly 2011 went extremely well, and I must say that this is all due to the wonderful leadership of Stephanie Morrison, as well as all her Grand Officers and Representatives, who did a fantastic job throughout the entire weekend. A huge thank you must go out to Tracey Thompson for coordinating all the intricate needs throughout the weekend and to the MANY adults who helped out throughout the weekend.

We definitely have had a busy summer- with trips to Rhode Island, Vermont, Canada, and even Wisconsin Grand sessions by some of our girls and adults. While in Rhode Island some Rochester and Nashua girls helped out at the Rainbow Booth for Masonic Family day in Portsmouth and I hear that the face painting was the busiest table  there with so many people stopping by to learn about Rainbow.  It was nice to see Courtney and the Rochester girls installed in July, and I am sure her Mateys will have a ‘shiver me timbers’ good time this term. We had a very good showing at the NASCAR Races this year- and I thank all that worked for Rainbow that weekend. We had a terrific time Tie dying t-shirts at David’s House, and they want us to come back next year to again help them out! Rachel, Allie Smith, Jenny Taylor and I made our way to Kansas City and learned a lot about new ideas coming from Supreme Assembly. The Shrine Parade was loads of fun- and a huge thank you again to the Hussmans and Aznives who coordinated truck and decorating aspects. A few of us went up to Plymouth to see Amanda official retired after five terms as Worthy Advisor, and this was great way to thank her for her years of service. Then it was on to the Grand Officer Reception in Exeter. Congratulations to the Exeter Girls on a job well done. It was fun to travel round the Australian continent and learn so many factoids, although…. I am not sure I am as much trouble as my character portrayed- am I?? Last stop was the Grand Rep and Grand Officers retreats which both went very well.

As I sit here to write this column- I have just returned from NH Grand Chapter sessions.  Our GWA Kaytee did an Awesome Aussie Job speaking to Grand Chapter on Thursday evening, and 22 of our girls did  us proud representing NH Rainbow at the Drill and Degree presentation on Friday evening, Kaytee,  Jordyn, and Nikia performed at the Flag presentation on Friday morning, and I was delighted to have Kaytee, Brigid, and Amanda present at the Installation on Saturday evening. Mom Susan and I  send a big thank you to Kaytee,  Jordyn, and Nikia for sitting at the Youth Table on Friday while we were present at sessions.

I hope and trust everyone throughout the state is safe and sound after Hurricane Irene swept through our state today. Please keep everyone in flood prone areas in your thoughts and prayers, as I know it will be a difficult next 24 hours while the rivers crest.

Now- for upcoming events:

September 9- State Board Meeting- Tilton- 7-9pm. We will be going over the year term info with Kaytee Peek GWA there to answer any questions that you might have. All Board members are invited to attend. Dress casual.

September 11- OES Reception of the WGM and WGP and their Grand Officers- Manchester- 2pm.  Girls  should dress formally. Kaytee and I would be pleased to have many Rainbow Girls in attendance.

September 17- School of Instruction –Rochester. TimeTBA- more info coming out from Mom Morrison soon.

September 23-25- NASCAR Races- All Grand Officers 16 years of age and older should try to work one day per race weekend. Sign up with Mom Britko at auntielisab@gmail.com  This is a Grand Assembly fundraiser that makes a lot of the programs and events done by NH Rainbow affordable.

September 24- Statewide Pledge Day- Nashua- 10am-12noon- more info coming out from Mom Sherry soon. Rainbow Casual dress.

October 7-9- Leadership Camp- Richmond NH (near Swansey)- the venue for this event has been changed to Camp Takodah- more information will be coming out regarding this from Ashley Steele soon.

October 15-  Demolay Lock-in- Concord Racquet Club. The girls have been invited to a dinner at Concord Temple  on Saturday, after which the SMC has a presentation planned for the top five Grand Officers. Then all will head over to the Racquet Club for fun and games. Registration sheets and information is attached. Deadline is October 1, health forms are a must (may use the NH Grand Assembly Health form instead of the Demolay one- just as long as you have a health form when you arrive at the place.

October22-23- GO Day weekend- Exeter -Saturday is Rehearsal of GOs starting at 1pm. Sunday- GO Day event starts at 1pm.  Kaytee and I hope that we can bring in lots of candidates at this event! Dress is formal gown for GO and GR. Dresses for all females.

October 29- Halloween Charity Ball for Davids House- Rochester- more info to come from Jordyn Hotchkiss Grand Charity. This will be a Costume Ball so get your costume prepared!!

At any or all events Abby Currier Grand Immortality and Honored Station has asked everyone to bring David’s House Wish List items. Make sure that you tag your items with your assembly number so that she can keep an accurate accounting of what assembly brings in the most items!

Also Kaytee wishes to again to have NH Rainbow participate in the Fez-tival of Trees at Bektash Shrine Center. Her theme will be all about Nature – so lets start collecting all sorts of Tree decorations /ornaments that respresent nature in its finest etc and bring them to any or all events so that we will have a mighty fine Feztival Tree!

That does it for this months’ ramblings. Please be aware that I will be taking my annual vacation August 29- September 1 and will be gone from NH. Any problems that may arise while I am gone – please contact  Jack Paul, Chair of GEC.

See you all on September 9th!
Much Love
Joan