Dec 28, 2021 Newsletter #34

Hi Member, As the year draws to a close, here's to hoping that 2021 was kind to you, and hoping that 2022 will be a very happy year! Calling for nominations for Supreme Council offices Reserve your place at the Session Last chance for scholarship applications Bulletin article deadline approaching Happy New Year!    Calling for Nominations for Supreme Council Offices Section 19 (1), 20, and 21 of the Constitution The offices, including the committees, shall remain the same. By March 15 of the year of the Supreme Council Session, the Chairperson of the Supreme Council Executive Committee shall appoint a Committee on Nominations consisting of four Supreme Council Session members (current or past), representing the diversity of our Order, plus the Supreme Regent, who will serve as chairperson for the purpose of developing a slate of officers for the ensuing Supreme Council Session. It is suggested that an announcement of this appointed committee and the nominations procedure be included in the “CALL” to the Session and in the Fall Edition of the Bulletin. At the REGISTRATION DESK on OPENING DAY of the Supreme Council Session a list of the Nominations will be distributed to the representatives. It is recommended that a brief bio of not more than 75 words for each nominee be included. Only for those officers seeking Election to an Executive Committee position, a biography of no more than 200 words is recommended. Lengthier submissions will not be evaluated. On THE SECOND DAY of the Supreme Council Session additional nominations may be made from the floor. All those being nominated shall have been contacted by the member making the nomination in order to insure that those being nominated are willing to have their names on the slate. A bio on each nominee of not more than 75 words would be helpful. (A resolution will be presented at the beginning calling for nominations on the second day.) On THE THIRD DAY of the Supreme Council Session, printed ballots including the names of all nominees shall be distributed. In the case of the Line Officers and the Executive Committee, there must be individual ballots (unless the Constitution is changed), but the other committees may be elected on one ballot. Additional nominations will not be entertained at this time. Delegates will cast their votes, which will be counted by the two appointed tellers and the Judge of Elections, who will count the votes. (A resolution will be presented at the beginning to nominate and elect all Committeepersons and Trustees, collectively unless there is a contested election. In the case of the two Finance Committee Members, Supreme Trustees, Committee on Juniors and Committee on Appeals, if there are more than four nominees, the four receiving the highest vote will be declared winners). THE NOMINEE with the majority of votes based on our established ratio between delegates and officers, shall win the election to his or her respective office. In the case of the committees, the required members for each committee with the highest number of votes shall be elected (the four Supreme Trustees, the three members of the Committee on Laws, the two additional members of the Finance Committee, the four members of the Committee on Juniors, and the four members of the Committee on Appeals). Send bios to Chairman James O’Neill, 6196 Kaski Court, San Jose, CA 95123 or email to: oneillje@comcast.net. Bios should in the Chairman’s hands by January 31, 2022.    Reserve your place at the Session The Royal Arcanum 105th Supreme Council Session is accepting reservations. Come join us at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Annapolis, Maryland from Sunday, March 27 through Thursday, March 31. Reservations with a deposit of $50.00 per adult must be received by February 24, 2022. All reservations must be made through the Royal Arcanum Home Office. Please complete the reservation form and send it in to reserve your place.    Last chance for scholarship applications All 2022 Royal Arcanum Scholarship Applications must be received by December 31, 2021. There are only a few days left to meet the application deadline. Call today at 1-888-ARCANUM or visit our website to begin the application process. Initial applications are due by December 31, 2021. Please include a photograph of yourself with your application; we will use it in the Bulletin to advertise winners. Once your application is received, you will be contacted on the next steps required; the initial application is not the final step in the process. If you don't hear from them, be sure to follow up to make sure your application was received. Since the application must be received before the end of the year, be sure to apply now! The remaining components of the application process must be submitted and completed by March 31, 2022.    Bulletin article deadline is approaching Do you have some news from your council to share and publish in the Winter 2022 bulletin? There are only a few weeks left to meet the publishing deadline.   Send pictures and stories of your Christmas activities Let us know about your recent fraternal and charitable activities Share any interesting news about your members The Bulletin editors are always looking for news and interesting topics about our members. Share your stories by sending in an article today.    Happy New Year to One and All Wishing you and all your loved ones a happy new year! Looking for some New Year's resolutions? Here are some wonderful ideas! Pick one or more of these ideas, or share ideas of your own. You'll help to make 2022 a better year for you and for others. Every small gesture of fraternalism helps to grow the spirit of the Royal Arcanum and makes our world a better place. Reach out to a member you haven't spoken to this year. Our second year in the pandemic may have kept you from talking to one of your own council members, or made you miss someone in another jurisdiction. Call or write to them. Consider reaching out to a council member who has never attended meetings and invite them to your next social event. Participate in one new charitable project. Resolve to give a little of yourself this year by participating in just one additional project. Make someone else and yourself feel better through your acts of kindness. Enhance your council meeting. Bring a fresh idea to one of your council meetings this year to make it inspire your other members. Be creative! Bring a quick, hands-on project for everyone to share, or bring an article to read to inspire everyone. Even consider a guest speaker, perhaps from one of the organizations you support. Think of just one extra sparkle to share with your members. Invite one new person to your council meeting. Of course it can be hard to convince someone to attend meetings, but it's surprisingly easy to askthem. They may decline your invitation, but then again, they may not. It's always nice to be invited. Invite one non-member to join the Royal Arcanum. Doesn't it sound appealing to be part of a group that reaches out in friendship, supports charitable organizations, has exciting meetings, and extends invitations to new people? That's what we stand for and have for nearly a century and a half. Share your joy with someone sometime this year!

 

Dec 14, 2021 Newsletter #33

Hi Member, The holiday season is in full swing! Here are a few year-end tidbits to start your day. December is the month of... Less than a month to apply for Scholarships Keeping Councils Active Christmas Greetings    December is the Month of... The last month of the year is certainly a busy month. That's not just for holiday celebrations! Look at all the things that call December their month. December's Numbers Game December was originally the last month in the calendar, but the tenth month, and so the name December. But that's not the only numbers jumble for this month: It originally only had 30 days. Around 700 BC, when the winter months of January and February were added, December's days were changed -- shortening it by one day, leaving it with only 29 days. It wasn't until the Julian calendar was introduced that it gained back that day with interest, giving it 31 days.   Bill of Rights Day December 15 is known as Bill of Rights Day, which commemorates the ratification of the first 10 amendments to the constitution on December 15, 1791. The celebration of this event was first officially recognized in 1941.   Wright Brothers Day Time flies, but what did it do before the invention of the airplane? That and other aviation trivia can be discussed on December 17, Wright Brothers Day. On that day in 1903, Orville Wright flew their plane for about 12 seconds, covering 120 feet. His brother Wilburalso flew the plane that day, for an astonishing 852 feet and 59 seconds.   Winter Solstice December 21 will be the shortest amount of daylight in the northern hemisphere. The solstice will occur at 10:59 A.M. EST, and it marks the astronomical first day of winter. As the days begin to lengthen, the coldest weather of the year sets in. So bundle up, but enjoy the extra sunshine.   National Handwashing Awareness Week National Influenza Vaccination Week Both of these important health awareness weeks have just passed, but if you missed them, don't ignore them. National Handwashing Awareness Week was December 1 - 7, and National Influenza Vaccination Week was December 5 - 11. Both contribute to a healthier you and make things healthier for those around you.      Less Than a Month to Apply for Scholarships The 2022 Royal Arcanum Scholarship Application window closes in less than a month! Eligible members have many opportunities to win scholarships or grant money, but only if their application arrives on time. Call today at 1-888-ARCANUM or visit our website to begin the application process. Initial applications are due by December 31, 2021. Please include a photograph of yourself with your application; we will use it in the Bulletin to advertise winners. Once your application is received, you will be contacted on the next steps required; the initial application is not the final step in the process. If you don't hear from them, be sure to follow up to make sure your application was received. Since the application must be received before the end of the year, be sure to apply now! The remaining components of the application process must be submitted and completed by March 31, 2022.    Keeping Councils Active As the colder weather moves in, it may be harder for your council to stay active. We all long for the "before" times, and thanks to all we've learned, we should be able to get back to staying connected. Even with the new omicron variant spreading, we now know the successes and limitations of social distancing, masking, handwashing, and vaccines. We've also learned of the differences when gathering with those we don't live with: how viruses spread differently based on indoor or outdoor activity and who is part of the gathering. For our councils, this can mean a return to something closer to pre-pandemic times. For those lucky enough to be in warmer weather climates, meeting somewhere in the open air -- or with good air exchange, such as with open windows -- the risk of infections is reduced greatly. For colder climate areas, meeting indoors in winter is a must, but risks can still be minimized. Are all your members vaccinated and exercising safe practices? Meeting in person may be viable. Is your meeting space isolated from nonmembers? Perhaps using a restaurant that has a private room, with wait staff that masks, is a reasonable option. Perhaps one of your members can host a meeting at their house? These and other creative ideas can help our councils stay connected. Don't forget to try whatever works. Perhaps only small groups meet together at one time. Telephone, text, or email each other to keep in touch. The Royal Arcanum Video Chat tool is another great, free option. How is your council staying connected? Let us know and share a few stories or pictures to inspire other members. For example, Members of Medora Council #1648 recently found a way to reimagine with annual Christmas gathering. Last year, it was canceled out of an abundance of caution. This year, one member, Juanita Glassi, generously volunteered to host at her house. Attending members brought appetizers and desserts to share, and acting Regent Barabra Mugnolo brought a selection of Christmas-themed gifts to raffle off. It was the first in-person Medora gathering since before the pandemic began. While not all members were able to attend, and the typical full dinner party with restaurant wait staff didn't happen, the smaller fully vaccinated group was delighted to join together again.      Have a Merry Christmas! Sending you the best wishes for a very Merry Christmas season! We are happy you are our members and look forward to sharing our fraternal activities with you all again next year! Send us pictures of your celebrations so we can share them in future newsletters and on Facebook! Don't forget to include release forms for any minors under age 13 that do not have a form already on file with the Home Office.

 

Nov 30, 2021 Newsletter #32

Hi Member, Only one month left in 2021. Before everyone gets too busy with their holiday plans, we wanted to remind you of the end-of-year activities you should keep in mind. Only 1 month left for Scholarship applications Your Year-End To-Do List Year-End Giving The Bulletin should be arriving soon    1 Month Left for Scholarship Applications There's just one month remaining to apply for the Royal Arcanum scholarships and grants! Don't let your college-bound members miss out on free money. The Royal Arcanum offers scholarships and grants to members ranging from $10,000 scholarships to $250 grants -- but only those who apply are eligible. Call today at 1-888-ARCANUM or visit our website to begin the application process. Initial applications are due by December 31, 2021. Please include a photograph of yourself with your application; we will use it in the Bulletin to advertise winners. Once your application is received, you will be contacted on the next steps required; the initial application is not the final step in the process. If you don't hear from them, be sure to follow up to make sure your application was received. Since the application must be received before the end of the year, be sure to apply now! The remaining components of the application process must be submitted and completed by March 31, 2022.    Year-End To-Do List The end of the year is a good time to think back about the year that's been. Perhaps you've made some life changes, or just haven't reviewed your important documents lately. Now is a good time to make sure all your documents are in order. Take a few minutes and check to see if you need any changes. Beneficiaries: Your insurance and annuity policies are important financial documents, and we are required to pay beneficiaries as listed or updated for your policies. If things have changed, or you just haven't checked for a while, take a few moments to ensure your beneficiaries are up to date. The law requires we pay beneficiaries as listed, or to the estate of predeceased beneficiaries, and changes cannot be made after death. Please be sure your beneficiaries are correct. Contact information: Have you moved? Changed phone numbers? Have a new email address? Have you updated us with your new contact information? Please be sure we have the most up-to-date address, phone number, and email address. Do you pay using CHECK-O-MATIC? If you have or are planning to change your bank account, be sure to update your auto-payment information. Be sure to update these changes for all your important financial documents, not just your Royal Arcanum policies. Better to check twice than forget to make changes.    Year-End Giving As you make your list and check it twice, don't forget those less fortunate. There are many opportunities for charitable actions and many good organizations in need. It's a great fraternal act to close out the year! The Royal Arcanum supports service, cash, and other donations through a variety of programs. IFS Program The International Fraternal Service Program provides reimbursements to Grand and Subordinate Councils for half of their donations, for up to $1,000 each year. If your councils haven't yet reached their annual reimbursement limit, there's still time to make a donation. Lorrain J. D'Emilio Legacy of Hope Award Program Councils are invited to sponsor a volunteer activity for the charity or cause of their choice each year from September 1st through the end of the following February for the Lorraine J. D'Emilio Legacy of Hope Award Program. This hands-on program (monetary donations are not eligible for this program) should best exemplify how members provide a measure of hope through fraternal service and charitable work, and one council will win a $1,000 donation from the Supreme Council to the project's charity or cause. The winning council will also be awarded $300. Fraternalism in Action Program Every council can annually participate in the Fraternalism in Action Programand earn up to $1,000 each year for their council. Included in the program are listing the charitable activities the council participated in during the year and other fraternal activities that can include giving of funds or time. Make your council's fraternal work go further and submit a report today. Donald E. Ferry Jr. Spirit of Service Memorial Award This program runs from June 1st through November 20th to sponsor a volunteer project for the benefit of a children's charity or charitable cause. If your council participated, applications for the award are accepted through December 6 each year, so there's still time to apply. Personal Fraternal Activities We know our members are very generous and give of themselves in many ways that aren't recognized by one of our programs. We still care and want to hear about your charitable activities.  Let us know what you've done!      Fall Bulletin Arriving Soon The Fall Royal Arcanum Bulletin should be arriving in your mailboxes any day now. Of course, the Post Office has been working through mail delays, and this is the beginning of the holiday shipping season, so no delivery date can be guaranteed. Looking for a sneak peek? This edition of the Bulletin and issues going back to the Spring of 2012 can be found on our website.

 

Nov 16, 2021 Newsletter #31

Hi Member, November is more than half over already! Are you getting the chance to enjoy the autumn? We hope so and hope you'll enjoy these latest topics in this newsletter. Scholarship application reminder Cyber Security Caution Keeping in touch with our members Easing of COVID Travel Restrictions    Scholarship Deadline Reminder Applications are being accepted for the Royal Arcanum competitive scholarships and non-competitive grants. Don't delay, make sure members who are eligible apply now! To apply, call us today at 1-888-ARCANUM or visit our website to find the application forms. Applications are due by December 31, 2021. Please include a photograph of yourself in your application that we can use for advertising winners. After your application is received, you will hear back on the next steps required to be submitted. If you don't hear from them, follow up to make sure your application was received. All components of the application must be submitted and completed by March 31, 2022.    Cyber Security Caution There was a recent meme going around that was posted by a police department that read: Without giving away your pet's name, your mother's maiden name, or the name of your favorite high school teacher, Tell us your passwords. This is, of course, the reverse of what many scammers are doing - posting social media trivia questions asking personal information that can be used to break through security barriers and get at your passwords and accounts. There are always new ways these cyber thieves are using to try to get at your money. Here are a few tips to keep in mind and keep and stay safe.   Keep your software up to date. Software companies regularly update their software to close security holes that are found. Keep your software up to date to use the latest security fixes. Beware of suspicious emails and phone calls. You can't rely on caller ID to know who is calling. Emails can look official, but the email address they are coming from may be slightly different from an official address. Beware particularly if asked for an urgent reply, threatening costs for a delay, and asking for your login ID and password, banking or credit card information. When in doubt, contact your bank or credit card using already verified emails or phone numbers. Use a good password. Don't use the same password for every account - if one account is compromised, thieves could get into every other account using the same password. Experts recommend using a password manager. Most will not only keep your passwords, but will help generate unique passwords, check if you are reusing passwords, and even notify you if your password has been compromised. Be careful where you click. Don't go to unknown websites or click on links or attachments from unknown senders. And don't assume the email is from the displayed name on the email. Check the email address, especially if the email doesn't sound like the way that person normally communicates with you. Keep your personal data private. It is never safe to send information like your passwords, social security number, or account numbers in an unsecured email, and especially as a response to an unexpected request. Use antivirus or anti-malware software. Every Internet-connected device can be compromised, be sure to use protective software that will watch out for threats and protect you. Back up your data. Be sure to back up your important data regularly. Smartphones can be backed up to your computer or to the cloud. Computers can be backed up to external drives or the cloud. Your backup schedule should be based on how often your data may change - whenever you've made enough changes that you would be lost if you lost your data, it's time to back up. For most, it is either weekly or monthly. For more information, visit the US Government's Cybersecurity & Information Security Agency.    Keeping in Touch Your Supreme Council strives to keep our members up to date in many ways. Are you getting all the information you want? Here's a run-down of how you stay in the loop. The Royal Arcanum Website Our website, royalarcanum.com, contains a vast amount of information about our organization and its history, our products, our elected officers, downloadable forms for various purposes, digital versions of our Bulletins, and much more. Quarterly Bulletin Four times a year, we mail out a full-color magazine, our official Royal Arcanum Bulletin to our members. Each issue contains updates from some of the elected officers and articles and pictures from members. Information about upcoming events, such as the Session, will be included, as well as information about our products and any recent updates. One Bulletin is sent per household unless additional copies are specially requested. Weekly Newsletter This newsletter goes out to members whose email we have on file and contains timely topics we think will be of interest to our members. Reminders of actions, such as scholarship applications or the upcoming Session are provided in a short, easy read, alongside interesting general interest topics. Any members who don't receive the email newsletter can be added by simply making a request. Facebook Are you on Facebook? Are you following our Facebook page? Find us at https://www.facebook.com/RoyalArcanumBoston and "like" us to add our posts to your newsfeed.  Direct Emails Our Fraternal Department sends direct emails through email lists to our members on a regular basis. It's the best way to keep up with the fraternal activities and programs throughout the Royal Arcanum, and all other fraternal news shared by our Fraternal Director. Let us know if you're not getting these informative emails. Direct Mail Officers and Supreme Council Representatives receive direct mailings for important updates such as summaries of meetings of the Executive Committee, notices that council reports are due, and other important topics. Postcards are sent to applicable junior members to remind them about scholarship application deadlines. Our Junior department sends birthday cards and other friendly greetings to our junior members. Are we missing some way of communicating you'd like to see? Let us know!    Travel Restrictions Eased The US and Canada have both eased travel restrictions, allowing for non-essential travel across the borders.! While things are certainly not back to normal, we welcome the ability to again share our friendships with our members in the USA and in Canada in person again.

 

Nov 02, 2021 Newsletter #30

Hi Member, Welcome to November! For most, the summer weather is now a distant memory, and some strong autumn storms have already rolled through. We hope everyone has been spared the worst of these storms and will enjoy a few updates from the Supreme Council. November is the month of... 2 months left for 2021 IFS donations Session reservations are being accepted CDC vaccine updates    November is the Month of... November is here, and change of weather is best known for Halloween, but the spooky thing is that we forget how many other things this hard-working month is known for. Here's a small selection of things to know about the 10th month.   What's in a name? Last month, we noted that October was the eighth month in the old Roman calendar. This month, we'll point out that the old Latin word "novem" means "nine", as this was the ninth month in the old Roman calendar. Notice a theme here? Wel bet there won't be any wondering about the source of next month's name. Veteran's Day The celebration of Veteran's Day on November 11 traces back to the end of World War I, the Great War, which saw the end of fighting on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The day is previously celebrated as Armistice Day, and in Canada is known as Remembrance Day.   Thanksgiving Day The United States celebrates Thanksgiving Day on the 4th Thursday of November, celebrating the autumn harvest, harkening back to the 1621 celebration between the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Native Americans. Despite the common depictions of the Pilgrims, the first official national celebration wasn't until 1863. It still represents one of the busiest travel times as families gather together to celebrate.   Gluten-free Diet Awareness Month November raises awareness to those who have celiac disease and those who are sensitive to gluten in wheat, grains, barley, and rye. For those with celiac disease, gluten inflames their intestines and damages the villi in the intestines. Over time, the loss leads to more severe health problems. Those sensitive to gluten experience intestinal issues that may be less severe, but are still problematic to their health. This is a great month to discover all the delicious meals that can be made while avoiding gluten. Awareness of Cancers Month There are many types of cancer, each devastating to those diagnosed. November highlights the awareness of Lung cancer, Pancreatic cancer, and stomach cancer. November has spawned the rise of Movember and NoSHAVEmber to help raise funds for cancer research. November also is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month, because cancer strikes our pets, too. It's a great time to make a donation to help advance the treatment of cancer.   National Scholarship Month We regularly highlight the Royal Arcanum scholarships at this time of year and the steps needed for applying. While this is a great benefit for our members, National Scholarship Month was established to remind everyone of the many scholarship opportunities out there.    2 months left for 2021 IFS Donations The International Fraternal Service Program offers a generous reimbursement of half of qualifying donations, up to $1,000 each year. Donations are based on the calendar year, so there are only two more months left to make donations and qualify for reimbursement for the 2021 calendar year. Review the IFS program, download the IFS form, and have your council make a donation before the end of the year. Reimbursement requests are accepted through the end of February the following year.    Session reservations are being accepted Officers and councils should have received a flying and a "Save the Date" magnet about the 105th Session in March 2022. Watch for all the detail and the reservation form in the Fall Bulletin, which we hope will be arriving in a few weeks. The Session will celebrate 145 years of fraternal service to our members and our communities, and as always will discuss important issues and elect the officers to lead us until the next Session.    COVID Vaccine Boosters The FDA and CDC have recently reviewed and approved COVID booster shots for the more at-risk members of the community. We encourage those who are eligible to consider getting a booster shot if they qualify. For those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a booster is recommended to everyone over 18 who received the original vaccine at least 2 months ago. For those who received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, the booster is only approved for those who are 65 or older, or those who are 18 or older and either are in a long-term care setting, have qualifying medical conditions or work in high-risk settings. For all cases, the booster is only approved if the second dose of the original vaccine was received at least 6 months ago. Of course, if you haven't yet received any of the vaccines, you're encouraged to get vaccinated if you are eligible against this virus that has killed more than 750,000 in the US alone.