Points & Hours
When members join Rainbow, each dedicates herself to a life of Service to her Assembly and community. Members are recognized for devotion to Rainbow and to the community in two ways.
The first method is by rewarding "points" which are given for participation in the Assembly activities. It is the Assistant Mother Advisor's job to keep track of points. Merit Service Bars are awarded for points earned.
The second method is by providing service. Service hours are recognized for gifts of time and effort toward others who may benefit from these gifts. Payment may not be accepted by a member for service provided, either as money or as an exchange of one service for another. For example, babysitting in exchange for someone sewing a dress is not service. Members give of themselves to others who may be less fortunate, or in need of assistance, and in return, the member receives a feeling of good will and appreciation.
Rainbow members are encouraged to provide service each day. It is not difficult to find opportunities of service. Service is one of the most important lessons our Order teaches.
Merit Point System
Following is a list of activities by which members can earn points:
| Attending regular Assembly meetings (each) | 5 points |
| Attending Assembly practices (each) | 5 points |
| Ritualistic performance (per term) | |
| Memorization | 5 points |
| Floor Work | 5 points |
| Delivery | 5 points |
| Rainbow Sunday Attendance (see note) | 10 points |
| Founder's Day Attendance (see note) | 10 points |
| Visiting other Assemblies | |
| In town | 10 points |
| Out of town, less than 50 miles | 20 points |
| Out of town, over 50 miles | 30 points |
| Attending all Sessions of Nevada Grand Assembly, Supreme Assembly, or Grand Assembly in another Jurisdiction (points can be pro-rated) | 100 points |
| Substituting for an officer and providing that ritualistic part, by memory | 10 points |
| Donating refreshments for an activity or meeting | 10 points |
| Loyalty and dependability, per term | 10 points |
| Committee Chairperson of Assembly activity | 20 points |
| Committee Member of Assembly activity | 10 points |
| Attending and assisting at fund-raising projects | 10 points |
| Preparation, participation and clean up at Assembly event, per hour | 10 points |
| Recorder, per term | 50 points |
| Treasurer, per term | 50 points |
| Musician, per term | 50 points |
| Church attendance (with proof of attendance) | 10 points |
| Dues paid prior to January 1 | 10 points |
| Submitting completed Petition for Membership | 25 points |
| Bringing an Eastern Star, Mason or Majority Member to a meeting | 10 points |
If an Assembly has a major event which requires a great deal of work, the Chairperson may be given up to 50 points for a job well done; girls working on this project may be awarded additional points as well. These awards are made at the discretion of the Mother Advisor and Assistant Mother Advisor.
After girls earn their Merit Bars, Pot of Gold, and Wreath, they may be awarded additional Service Charms or Pins, by tradition of the Assembly. Typically, each additional Service Award represents an additional 500 points.
NOTE: If unexcused from Rainbow Sunday or Founder's
Day celebrations, ten points will be deducted for each unexcused absence. These two events are mandatory for all Rainbow members. Family
vacations, for example, are excusable absences, while visiting with girlfriends
is not an acceptable reason for not participating in these special occasions.
(8/96)
Service Hours
When fulfilling family duties and responsibilities, girls are not earning
service hours. Family duties and responsibilities may include babysitting
younger siblings, elderly relatives, cousins, helping with household chores,
etc. Reward for these efforts is the love and support of our family.
Service hours are submitted to a designated adult in the Assembly; she, in turn, compiles this information and submits it to Grand Assembly for an annual tabulation toward the state-wide goal of service, a by-word of all Rainbow girls.
Each Rainbow girl is responsible for keeping an accurate account of the hours she provides in service to her community and to her Assembly. Some Assemblies do this by placing a note in the "Service Box" at the Worthy Associate Advisor's station prior to the meeting, filling out points and hours forms, or by announcing the number of hours of service provided between meetings and the service itself as part of roll call. Non-Assembly service hours require some form of verification that the service was rendered, such as a note from the person receiving the gift. Rainbow members should follow the specific guidelines in this area from their own Assembly.
Attached is an example listing of some activities which are considered service
in the Rainbow tradition, divided into two major classifications: Rainbow/Fraternal
and Non-Rainbow. Rainbow girls are encouraged to discuss their particular
service efforts with the Mother Advisor if there are questions regarding
how to record or verify her efforts.
Rainbow/ Fraternal Service
- Fund raising projects to earn money for annual Grand Assembly expenses.This does not include expenses for your Assembly to attend Grand Assembly
- Fund raising projects for Rainbow scholarship programs
- Special projects designated by the Supreme Officer including, but not limited to making corsages, assisting with Rainbow Trails by selling advertising, helping with hospitality bags for dignitaries at Grand Assembly and other tasks as requested
- Working on the Grand Worthy Advisor's service project
- Working on floats and other projects which promote Rainbow
- Attending installations of other fraternal groups
- Entertainment; making and serving refreshments
- Attending or assisting with Eastern Star or Masonic Services
Non-Rainbow Services
For your church (Church attendance is not considered Service hours; attendance is recognized and rewarded with points toward with Merit Bars.)
- Preparing for, assisting, or teaching Sunday School or other church-sponsored classes
- Babysitting for church activities, without compensation
- Choir practices and performances at services
- Camp counselor or aid (8 hours per day maximum)
- Bible school assistance
- Attendance at seminars, teachers' training, church activities
For your community
- Collecting canned goods for the community chest/food distribution center
- Collecting funds/goods for charitable organizations
- Volunteering at a hospital or nursing home, such as Candy Striping
- Making tray decorations for hospitals, nursing homes, meals-on-wheels, etc.
- Babysitting for non-related families, without compensation
- Elder sitting with non-related sick or elderly people. This could include reading to them, playing cards, visiting
- Shoveling sidewalks after winter storms; yard clean-up projects, such as raking leaves and pulling weeds
For your school - Service hours are not awarded for participation in school projects where grades will be given, or when working on special projects for a teacher or coach.
- Tutoring a student, without compensation
- Assisting a teacher whose class, sport, or activity you have no participation in.
Some form of verification is necessary for all non-Rainbow/Fraternal
service hours.