Hi Member,
With this issue, the Royal Arcanum newsletter is moving from biweekly to monthly. Watch for the newsletter in your mailbox on the first Tuesday of every month.
The 105th Royal Arcanum Session
After a long wait, we finally were able to meet for our 105th Royal Arcanum Session in Annapolis last month! It was wonderful to gather together old friends, mark the milestones since our last Session, and welcome in the new round of officers.
September is the Month of
September will bring Summer to a close and heralds the beginning of autumn. What else is September known for? We'll highlight a few things that might be of interest, perhaps something you didn't know.
Council Meetings and Activities
Is your council coming back from a summer break (or a longer pandemic break)? Gather your members together with these ideas for your next meeting.
Scholarships and Grants
School is back in session, and that means we've opened the window for applications for Royal Arcanum scholarships and grants. Refresh your mind on what aid is available.
IFS Highlights
Charitable acts are a hallmark of the Royal Arcanum; read about the most recent projects in our International Fraternal Service program.
Summer Edition 2022 of the Bulletin
The latest bulletin publication date was August 19. If you haven't already received it, it's in the mail. Time to prepare for the next issue.
Inspirational Quote
Get inspired this month!
Upcoming Dates
Mark your calendar with these important upcoming dates.
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Annapolis was Wonderful!
The Royal Arcanum Session in Annapolis, Maryland was a success! Our officers, representatives, and guests met to conduct the business of our Order, renew friendships and forge new ones, and add a semblance of normalcy to the topsy-turvey times of the past few years.
Our New Supreme Regent
Supreme Regent Maria DiBartolo with her husband Freddy
Congratulations to our newly elected Supreme Regent, Maria Bettina DiBartolo. Maria has been serving as our Acting Supreme Regent since early 2020, and the membership endorsed her work by unanimously electing her as our new Supreme Regent. Maria hails from Claremont Council #1655 from the New York Jurisdiction. She's excited to share her new program Into the Future with all our members during her upcoming visitations.
All Elected Officers
The full list of the newly elected officers is below. Congratulations to all!
Supreme Regent: Maria Bettina DiBartolo
Supreme Vice Regent: Nicole Covelli
Supreme Orator: Karen Lockaby
Sitting Past Supreme Regent: Peter D. Ferrara
Supreme Secretary: Antal (Tony) Basa
Supreme Treasurer: John Crisanti
Supreme Auditor: Richard J. Macon
Supreme Chaplain: Evelyn Magarban
Supreme Guide: David Covelli
Supreme Warden: Robert Galdon Jr.
Supreme Sentry: Mark Hefner
Elective Members of the Executive Committee:
Cynthia A. Macon
Janice S. Brazas
Errica Conforto
Carl J. Krzystofczyk
Committee on Laws:
Paul F. D'Emilio
Joanie Francis
Matthew P. D'Emilio
Committee on Finance:
Richard J. Macon
Ralph Ferrara
Joseph R. Macon
Supreme Trustees:
Freddy DiBartolo
Joseph Conforto
Nicholas G. Benoit
Anthony Basa
Committee on Juniors:
Anita Ferrara
Genevieve A. Macon (life member)
Antoinette Malone
Kaitlyn Lockaby
Ruth Rupnik
Committee on Appeals:
Gregory Hahn
Lillie Mae Panichelli
Andrew Basa
Christine Piscitelli
Session Activities
In addition to the reunion of old friends, this Session included new representatives who were inducted into the Supreme Council. Despite the smaller than usual attendance, we were able to carry on our business with our usual forms and dignity. Our additional activities included our Color Guard, Garden of Remembrance, the 1105 Trailblazer Ceremony, honoring a new Legion of Honor member, and welcoming four new Life Members of the Supreme Council. Evenings included three dinners and the ever-popular Game Night featuring Bingo and Let's Make a Deal.
More to Come!
Your new Supreme Regent and officers are looking forward to an exciting term of spreading the word about the benefits of being a member of the Royal Arcanum through our existing programs and new initiatives. We look forward to heading Into the Future with all of you!
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Healthy Aging Month
September is designated as National Healthy Aging Month to raise attention to the health and well-being of older adults. It takes an effort to stay as healthy as possible - there's no retirement from taking care of yourself. Educate yourselves on how to age healthily, whether you're in your golden years, approaching them, or caring for loved ones as they age.
National Food Safety and Education Month
The Partnership for Food Safety Education has designated September National Food Safety and Education Month. It's a time to focus on the best practices in food safety to avoid foodborne illness. Don't think this is something you've learned once and you're done: new research has made learning food safety new, in part, for all of us (remember when you were taught you were supposed to rinse a raw chicken before cooking?). Keep yourself and your family safe by learning food safety practices today.
National Life Insurance Awareness Month
The benefits of obtaining life insurance are highlighted during September, which has been designated as National Life Insurance Awareness Month more than 20 years ago. The average cost of a funeral and burial varies by state: California's average cost is more than $11,500, New York's is nearly $10,800, and the average cost in Michigan is more than $6,900. Many today rely on term insurance for work, but if your employer doesn't offer it or if you're caught between jobs, the financial cost can be devastating, especially considering that the median bank account balance in America is only $5,300. This makes life insurance for all members of your family important, not just the wage earners of the family. Share these sobering figures with your friends and family, and encourage them to review their life insurance needs today.
Holidays and Observances
September has a number of days of observance - do you know all of these?
Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September to honor the contributions of laborers
Native American Day is observed on the fourth Friday of September to honor those inhabiting America before the discovery of "the New World"
Grandparent's Day celebrates the bond between grandparents and grandchildren on the first Sunday after Labor Day
Constitution Day commemorates the ratification of the governing document of the United States on September 17
The Autumnal Equinox marks the transition from summer into fall and takes place this year on September 22
Fun Days
September 5 was National Cheese Pizza Day. Did you celebrate Labor Day with a pizza margarita?
September 9 is National Teddy Bear Day. Stuffed bears were named Teddy Bears after President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear during a hunting trip.
September 16 is National Play-Doh Day. It was originally created to be a wallpaper cleaner but was later marketed for arts and crafts and playthings.
September 19 is International "Talk Like A Pirate Day". AAAARRR you going to participate?
Historical Events
September 2, 1666: The Great Fire of London begins, and burns for 5 days
September 18, 1709: The birth of Samuel Johnson, compiler of the first English dictionary
September 5, 1774: The 1st Continental Congress was called to order
September 23, 1848: Chewing gum is produced commercially for the first time
September 22, 1862: President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
September 1, 1939: World War II officially stars with the invasion of Poland
September 11, 2001: Islamic terrorists hijacked four planes and crashed them into buildings in New York City and Washington, D.C., and into a field in Pennsylvania
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Has your council taken the summer off? Perhaps you've been missing from meetings for longer than that, due to the pandemic. We hope that you can welcome your members back this month and put a toe back into your regular activities.
Our newly elected Supreme Regent is open to scheduling visitations to your jurisdiction. Deputy Supreme Regents can work with their Councils and Grand Councils to arrange the best time to invite her and have her share her new program with your members. Hint: Sundays and Mondays are usually the best days of the week for her.
Charitable projects are a staple for Royal Arcanum members. From hands-on projects to financial donations, the Supreme Council supports the efforts of councils through our many programs. Gather with your members to support the needs of your community and reconnect with each other.
As always, we're eager to hear about your involvement. Take a few photos and write up a short summary and send it along to our Bulletin team. |
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Once again, a new school year has begun. This is an exciting time, especially for graduating high school seniors who are members and can compete for scholarships or be gifted with a non-competitive grant.
Competitive Scholarships for graduating high school seniors under the age of 20 - (Two) $10,000 total ($2,500/year)
- (Two) $8,000 total ($2,000/year)
- (Two) $5,000 total ($1,250/year)
- (Ten) $1,500 total ($375/year)
Non-Competitive Grants (chosen at random for all qualifying applications)- (Five) $600 (High School Seniors)
- (Ten) $250 (College Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors)
Continuing Education Grants- (Four) $750 (Awarded on a competitive basis to students enrolled in Undergraduate programs who have completed at least one year in an accredited college and are not winners of a competitive scholarship)
Scholarship applications are accepted now through the end of the year.To apply, call 1-888-ARCANUM or visit http://royalarcanum.com/collegecareer.html. - Applications are due by December 31, 2022
- Members must be in good standing to participate in all programs
- Include a photograph of yourself in your application that we can use for advertising winners.
- Please note that after your application is received, you will be notified by the Home Office of the remaining items required to complete the application process (turning in the form is just the first step). If you don't hear from the Home Office within a month of submitting your application, please reach out to them by phone.
- All components of the application must be submitted and completed by March 31, 2023.
Good luck to everyone!
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Double Win for Fort Dearborn's IFS Project
Finding and supporting a cause can be fun, adventurous, and make a big impact. A recent project by Fort Dearborn Council #278 is a great example. The council purchased books from the Oshkosh, Wisconsin Scholastic BOGO Book Fair at Oaklawn Elementary School, and donated them to Advocate Healthcare Charitable Foundation at Lutheran General Children's Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois -- thus helping to support two communities of children. Read all about it in the latest Bulletin.
The Grand Council of Rhode Island supports Ukraine
Prior to the Session, the Grand Council of Rhode Island added their support for the Summer Fraternal project for the displaced Ukrainian children. They added their voice and funds to all our members who have been helping this ongoing charitable effort. The IFS Committee reminds all councils to file for an IFS Program reimbursement of up to half of their donation (subject to the annual donation reimbursement limit) by completing an IFS project form.
The project was a great success at our Session! Updates will be provided in the next Bulletin, but here's a sample of the outpouring of support from our councils and members. Our own Roy Al is lost in a field of sunflowers representing donations made in honor of or in memory of, with the money being used to send needed supplies for the children of Ukraine.
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The Summer Edition 2022 of the Royal Arcanum Bulletin is out! Read about our scholarship and grant winners, revisit some treasures from our past, catch up on our members' activities, slip into the kitchen to whip up a recipe from the Baker's Box, get informative updates from our officers and Home Office, and let the kids enjoy the Junior Games.
Articles and photos must be in the editorial office by October 9, 2022. But there's no reason to wait! Council updates on activities and member highlights are welcome at any time. All charitable and community activity is especially appreciated. Or have you tried any of the recipes in the latest bulletin? Hint: They are delicious, and a great way to entice a few new members to attend.
We'd love to hear from you or your junior members. Drop us a line today. |
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“Leadership is service, not position.” ― Tim Fargo |
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Don't forget the upcoming deadlines: - Scholarship and Grant applications open: September 1
- The publication date of the next Bulletin is November 17
- Scholarship and Grant applications deadline: December 31
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