Jul 12, 2022 Newsletter #47

Hi Member, July is nearly half over, and the Session that was delayed for two years is now just over a month away. We're looking forward to seeing all of you in Annapolis after the long interval. Power outage and food safety IFS Donation highlight PerkSpot reminder Inspirational quote Upcoming dates    Power outages and food safety   Summertime can come with storms or wildfires that can interfere with our power supply. This causes many inconveniences, temporarily removing the modern conveniences of electric lights, television, and the Internet. If your place has sump pumps, it can also lead to basement flooding. But there is one more severe loss it can cause: the loss of power to your refrigerator can cause your food to spoil. Worse, you may not be sure what is now dangerous to keep and what is safe. Some guidelines help you ensure your food remains safe, even if you have to throw away some or all of your food. Familiarize yourselves with these food safety guidelines before the power goes out. The CDC highlights some of the basics of food safety and power outages. Before the power goes out The CDC recommends setting your refrigerator to 40 degrees or below. Other experts suggest that the ideal temperature is actually between 38 and 35 degrees. Many newer refrigerators have digital temperature settings, but they can be off by a degree or two. Experts recommend erring on the side of colder to ensure the temperature doesn’t rise above 40 degrees. Consider using an external calibrated thermometer to get a correct reading. The freezer is generally best kept as close to zero degrees as possible. There are also strategies on how warm your food should be before being stored and other food safety hints that you might want to review. When the power goes out To keep the temperature as cold as possible in the refrigerator and freezer, keep the doors closed during a power outage. A refrigerator will keep food safely cold enough for up to 4 hours of a power outage, and a freezer can keep foods frozen for up to 48 hours if your freezer is full, or up to 24 hours for a half-full freezer. If power is out for more than 4 hours, consider moving perishable foods to a cooler with ice or cooler packs, if available. You might also ask a neighbor if they have a generator and have room for a few items to tide you over until the power comes back on. After the power comes back on Throw out any perishable food in your refrigerator if you have been without power for 4 hours or more. This includes meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, and leftovers. Remember that 4 hours can be considered a maximum: also throw out any food with an unusual odor, color, or texture. Never taste food to determine if it’s safe, though smelling it is usually safe to do. You can also measure the temperature of the foods you’re unsure about. If any of them are over 40 degrees, discard them. Remember, with a little bit of planning and some careful checking, your power outage can stay only an inconvenience and not a life-threatening event.    IFS donation highlight   The International Fraternal Service (IFS) Program was created to assist Subordinate and Grand Councils to promote and participate in community projects, with the Supreme Council reimbursing half of the costs of approved projects, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year. This popular program has been used by 17 different Subordinate Councils and 7 different Grand Councils over the past 5 years, with the Supreme Council reimbursing the councils more than $80,000 during that 5-year period. The donation process is simple and can be completed electronically by emailing the IFS form and required documentation to the Home Office for processing. One recent request came from Integrity Council #586 for a project supporting the Brandon Caserta Foundation. Brandon was a member of Integrity Council and was an active duty service member whose death was an effort to draw attention to the need for changes in the military. The foundation has made it its mission to provide assistance, guidance, education, and resources to active-duty service members, veterans, and their families to help to stop the suicide epidemic in the Armed Forces and in veteran communities. The foundation championed The Brandon Act, which was passed into law this past March. Integrity Council has given a great example of how to support the organizations your council cares about most, and make their donations count for more. The IFS Committee encourages all councils to connect with community needs in their area and support them with an IFS project.    PerkSpot reminder   Last month we introduced the new PerkSpot Mobile app that makes it easy for you to access one of the most money-savings benefits of being a member of the Royal Arcanum. As a reminder, you can download the app or just log in or sign up. The Royal Perks program provides terrific savings for our members, and summertime is no exception. Save on travel and hotels, tickets and attractions, movie tickets, groceries, and move. If you haven’t yet created an account, you’re missing out on the savings you deserve. Sign up now and start saving!    Inspirational quotes   “Give for the right reason — and that is, give for no reason at all.”  ― Frank Sonnenberg, The Path to a Meaningful Life    Upcoming dates   Don't forget the upcoming deadlines: Nominations deadline: July 15 Session reservation deadline: July 15 Session arrival: August 21 Session meetings: August 22 to August 24 Session check-out: August 25

 

Jun 28, 2022 Newsletter #46

Hi Member, Welcome to Summer! As the temperatures go higher, the days will slowly get shorter. Summertime seems like an idyllic time of year, especially when the snow piles up in winter, so don't waste the precious days of summer now that they're here. Summer for us includes the 105th Supreme Council Session, ideas for fraternal gatherings, an update on our Summer project, and a not-summer-specific topic to think about while enjoying the relaxing summer days. Supreme Council Session - COVID safety Summertime event ideas Summer Project Update Life events and your insurance needs Upcoming deadlines    Supreme Council Session - COVID Safety   CDC reports that Annapolis, Maryland, which is in Ann Arundel County, is at a Low community level! They are also currently on a downward trend, which appears to be favorable for the timing of the Supreme Council Session, now only 54 days away. The Executive Committee continues to monitor the situation and is making plans to prepare for our Session with safety in mind. What can you do? The CDC recommends you stay up to date with your COVID-10 vaccines and get tested if you have symptoms. Those with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask, and they remind us that you may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others. For those who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, the CDC has additional protective recommendations.          Summertime event ideas   Many of our councils take a break from meetings during the summer, but that doesn’t mean our fraternal events have to stop. Why not plan a fun summertime event with your council! Here are some quick ideas that your members can easily enjoy. Plan a picnic Who doesn’t enjoy a shady spot and a cold drink enjoying friends, food, and fun? Invite your friends and neighbors (members and non-members alike) to join together for a day in the warm weather. Kids will enjoy races and games, and it’s a great opportunity to talk about the Royal Arcanum. Make it a combination charitable event by having your members bring some non-perishable food for the local food pantry. Scavenger Hunt This activity is always a hit with our junior members at our Supreme Council Sessions and mini-vacations. Why not plan a scavenger hunt for your members? Adult members will enjoy trying to find things in the area. Members can take pictures of an obscure landmark or see how many different Royal Arcanum pens they can. Local businesses will be happy to have members get a receipt from their store or a takeout menu from their restaurant — and it allows you to talk about the Royal Arcanum in your local community. It’s fun for everyone. Parades and Festivals Does your local community sponsor a parade, a community block party, or a larger festival? There are a lot of great opportunities to get involved. They are usually looking for volunteers for different things, often with limited volunteer time so you can still enjoy the event. You can get more involved by signing up to march in the parade or even sponsoring a booth at a festival. You can even keep it purely fun — wear your Royal Arcanum hat, shirt, or pin and go as a group. Theme gatherings Pick any theme your members are interested in and ask everyone to bring a food or beverage related to the theme. Dressing up in keeping with the theme is a plus. This easy-to-arrange activity just needs an idea and a place to gather. Pick an idea and get started:        - Island Luau - island wear, tropical fruits, and luau music        - Wild West - jeans and cowboy hats, grilled meats, and lively music        - Underwater - Coral and aqua clothing, seafood, and of course drinks of all kinds        - Colors - Bold colors to wear, drink, and eat These are just starters. Create your theme, get together with your Royal Arcanum friends, and have fun!      Ukraine Project update   The unjust war in Ukraine is continuing, and the suffering it is causing is sadly continuing, too. Here's an update on the Ukraine Fraternal Project that provides some hope, an understanding of the needs, and what you can do to help. Phase 1 - Providing immediate help The war is now into its fourth month, and the suffering it has been causing continues every day. It has been especially hard on the children, who have left behind their homes, and often their fathers, who are trying to save their country. The children will run and hide when they hear an ambulance or police siren, having become accustomed to seeking shelter when the warning sirens have sounded. We're happy to report that to date we have collected and donated over $22,000to the Ukrainian Fraternal Project! A well-deserved thank-you goes out to all the councils, members, and friends who have contributed to help provide this much-needed help. Everything has been confirmed as received by those churches and organizations that are helping the Ukrainian refugees. Monies wired directly over have been securely received, and shipments, which typically take about 10 days to clear customs, are confirmed by emails, texts, or phone calls. Every dollar matters and everything you have given has been used to provide for the families in need. No, not refugees: they refer to them as their Ukrainian guests, and what a powerful image that portrays. The families who have had to flee their homes and seek safety are welcomed as guests and treated as guests by their hosts. Sometimes their guests will return home during periods of safety, to reconnect with their homeland and see what can be salvaged. 95% of them become returning guests since it isn't safe for them to remain in Ukraine. We're proud to say that all donations that are sent over to help have been brand new, not used items. Specific needs are requests -- sometimes towels for all their Ukrainian guests or clothing, or recently, for a washing machine to help lauder the clothing for a converted Parish Center that is now a guesthouse. Your donations are making a difference in everyday lives!   Phase 2 - Our Summer Project Our Summer Project is a Newborn and Toddler Shower for the many young children who are forced to be away from home. We're collecting clothing for children, targeting sizes 6 months to 4T, and will be shipping them after our Session directly to those hosting the guests from Ukraine. If you're able to bring new clothing to the Session, know that it will be sent very shortly afterward to those who have been forced to flee their homes. In addition to the Shower, the "Share Some Sunshine" facet of the project focused on monetary donations. For a five-dollar contribution, you can reserve a sunflower that will be sent along with gifts and donations to the child guests from Ukraine. This gesture of sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine, has become a worldwide symbol of support for Ukrainians against their Russian invaders. You can make your donation to honor someone or as a thinking-of-you gesture. Please contact our Fraternal Director Cindy Macon to make a donation and Share Some Sunshine.    Life events and your insurance needs   Life events can be fun, exciting, scary, and exhausting. There are often many details to take care of, and when they're finished, we can feel like it's time to take a deep breath and relax. There's one item, though, that is often skipped in the list of things to do - how the events have changed your insurance needs. Have any of these life events happened to you recently? Perhaps they've occurred elsewhere in your family, or among your friends? Direct them to us to be sure these life changes are matched by any needs to change their insurance protection. Change in marital status Your new family status may need changes to your existing policies (think of a change in the amount of coverage, payment method, or beneficiaries) or call for new coverage. Parenthood - each time! Welcoming new children into your family is a moment of great joy! Don't forget that our Royal Arcanum policies are the least expensive for newborns, and can with significant additional benefits, such as eligibility for scholarships or grants in the future. Homeownership Buying a home is likely the single most expensive purchase of your life; selling your home may be the single greatest income event of your life. It's a great time to remember to be sure you're covered so your family keeps their roof over their heads, or if selling, to consider an annuity with a guaranteed return -- especially during these trying times in the economy. Changing jobs Insurance coverage is often a benefit provided by employers. But in many cases, leaving a job means leaving that insurance behind. New jobs may not provide coverage, may provide less coverage, or may have a waiting period before its available. Don't be caught uninsured. Retirement Congratulations on your retirement! Don't forget that, like changing jobs, it may mean your work-provided insurance is no longer covering you. If it is offered, it may be an excessive term policy at a time you might be better served by a whole life policy. Perhaps it's time to consider an annuity? Whatever life events you experience, be sure your needs are met. Review your insurance, and if you need a change, contact us today.      Upcoming deadlines   Don't forget the upcoming deadlines: Bulletin article deadline: July 8 Nominations deadline: July 15 Session reservation deadline: July 15

 

Jun 14, 2022 Newsletter #45

Hi Member, The 105th Supreme Council Session is just over 2 months away, with only 1 month left to submit reservations and nominations. If you haven't yet completed your reservation or sent in your nomination, now is the time to ensure your room is ready and your desire to serve as an officer is registered. The 105th Supreme Council Session New RoyalPerks mobile app Bulletin deadline    Official Call for the 105th Supreme Council Session August 21-25, 2022 The Official Call to the Supreme Council Session has been sent to the officers and Supreme Council members of the Royal Arcanum. The Session in Annapolis is open to all Royal Arcanum members, and attending the Session is also available to guests at our discounted rate. Below are the key portions of the invitation, the reservation requirements, and a few highlights of the trip.   Official Call Dear Members: The 105th Session of the Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum is hereby called to convene on August 21, 2022 at the Crowne Plaza Annapolis Hotel, 173 Jennifer Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. The phone number of the hotel is 1-410-266-3131.   It is important that all Officers, Representatives, Members, and Guests arrive on Sunday, August 21, 2022, beginning with Registration in the hotel’s– Ground Floor –Arundel A Foyer from 1:00 P.M to 5:00 P.M.  Dinner will be at 7:00 P.M. in the Queen Anne Room.  The meeting will begin Monday, August 22, 2022 at 8:30 A.M in the Arundel A Room and continue through Wednesday, August 24, 2022.  Guest room check-in time is 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 21st.  Check-out time is at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 25th.   Reservations All attendees (officers, representatives, members, and guests) MUST submit a completed reservation form and send with a $50 deposit per adult to the Supreme Treasurer by July 15, 2022.   Please see the Royal Arcanum Bulletin for a reservation form; you may also print a form from the Royal Arcanum website (www.royalarcanum.com).  The deposit is non-refundable for cancellations made on or after July 15, 2022 or if penalty by the hotel is applicable. Please Note:  Changes made after July 15, 2022 to hotel (room accommodations/dates of stay) reservations are subject to penalty charges by the hotel.  Except for emergencies, officers, members and guests will be responsible for any charges incurred.  The reservation form is available in the Spring 2022 Bulletin, on page 30.   COVID Precautions The Supreme Council looks forward to hosting this year’s event.  Being mindful of lingering COVID-19 effects or possible surges, the site committee is being attentive to arranging the activities with everyone’s safety in mind and for all to be comfortable while being respectful of other guests. The meeting and meal rooms are spacious to accommodate our attendees.  Social distancing measures will be followed as needed.  Hand sanitizers and disposable masks will be available for the meeting for those who wish to use them.  Although there are no restrictions currently in place in Annapolis for indoor mask-wearing or for providing a ‘Proof of Vaccination’ card, kindly be aware that situations may change as our event approaches.  Please be prepared!  As a global community, we’ve experienced a change to routines; everyone’s cooperation to policies and procedures that will be in effect for the Session will be appreciated.   Charitable Project At the request of the Fraternal Events Committee volunteers, this year’s fraternal project is being sponsored on Wednesday, August 24th as a Newborn and Toddler Shower to aid Ukrainian refugee babies.  Monetary donations and gifts (Sizes 6 Months thru 4 Toddler) for the project are welcomed and will be gratefully accepted.  In conjunction with the 145th Anniversary milestone of the Royal Arcanum being recognized this year, the “Share Some Sunshine” facet of the project is an easy way for members and friends who wish to participate to do so.  For a five dollar contribution, you can “reserve” a sunflower in honor or in memory of someone (family, friend, officer, member, etc.) or as a “Thinking of You” gesture.  The sunflowers will be included with the gifts and donations to be sent for the Ukrainian infants and toddlers.   Other Key Event Information   Daily breakfast buffet is included The Fraternal Celebration Dinner will be on Tuesday, August 23, replacing the formal banquet. Neat attire suggested, no need for tuxedos or evening gowns. "Seeing Purple" Theme Party and Dinner is on Wednesday, August 24. All are encouraged to wear something purple as we celebrate the Royal Arcanum's 145th anniversary. A Special Ceremony will be held, details to be given at the Session          Get the new PerkSpot Mobile App   Save everywhere you go with the new PerkSpot Mobile App The new PerkSpot mobile app makes maximizing the benefits of your Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum private discount portal easier than ever. Download the app from the Apple App Store or from Google Play today for on-the-go access to thousands of deals on everyday essentials and big-ticket items, including premium perks that are negotiated and verified by PerkSpot for Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum members to be the best of the best. Login to the PerkSpot mobile app with your Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum discount portal email address and password and start saving!    Bulletin Deadline Reminder   The summer bulletin article deadline is July 8 Does your council have any event updates and pictures for the Summer Bulletin? There's less than a month left: the article deadline is July 8. Send your story in today.

 

May 31, 2022 Newsletter #44

Hi Member, We have just a few short items for you in this edition: celebrating our scholarship and grant winners and previewing some of the awareness days for June.    2022 Scholarship & Grant Winners The Royal Arcanum is proud to announce the winners of our 2022 scholarships and grants!   Joseph E. Hallinan $10,000 Scholarship Justin Koplinka of Dobbs Ferry #1823   Lloyd E. Williams $10,000 Scholarship Nina Pantaleone of Sons of Poland #2016   $8,000 Scholarships Penelope Aboud of Integrity #586 Amanda Butto of Versatility Council #2501   $5,000 Scholarships Matthew Crawford of Fort Dearborn #278 Judith Kolek of Pawtucket #537   $1,500 Scholarships Sydney Jacobs of Woodside #1358 Caden Fowler of Group Colorado #1998 Jaclyn Giurintano of Sons of Poland #2016 Alyson MacDougall of Integrity #586 Connor Deboda of Integrity #586 Emma James of Integrity #586 Anthony Torricella of Claremont #1655 Michael Tomaszkowicz of Sons of Poland #2016 Paytyn Bavaro of Fort Dearborn #278 Javonta Hairston of Home Office - ACA #13   $750 Grants Kiersten Echon of California Group #1999 Wanda Marfo of New York Group #5100 We’re proud of all our winners and all applicants! The Royal Arcanum is happy to award this $62,500 in total to our deserving members. Spread the word on this and all the benefits of Royal Arcanum membership.    June is the month of... Global Day of Parents is observed on June 1st. This worldwide celebration, founded by the United Nations, marks a day to focus on the key role that parents play in the full and harmonious development of children for the well-being of families and society as a whole. June 5th is World Environment Day, a day to connect with nature and understand environmental issues in order to move towards sustainable consumption. International Albinism Awareness Day is observed on June 13. Albinism is an inherited genetic condition that occurs in all racial and ethnic groups throughout the world. It reduces the amount of melanin pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes. Many people with albinism have impaired vision or are legally blind. They can sunburn easily, and the condition sadly causes social problems because since they look different, they are ostracized. World Blood Donor Day is on June 14. This day was set aside to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their life-saving donations. World Music Day is an annual summer solstice music celebration. Celebrated since 1981, it encourages all musicians to perform on the streets and organize free concerts. It is now celebrated in more than 120 countries. United Nations Public Service Day is celebrated on June 23, which celebrates the value and virtue of public service to the community. How fitting that it’s also Royal Arcanum Day, the celebration of the founding of the Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum in 1877.

 

May 17, 2022 Newsletter #44

Hi Member, Here's what's on our minds this time: 2022 Spirit of Service program is ready to start Planning for the Annapolis Session trip I wish I knew... The Royal Arcanum Facebook page The Royal Arcanum scholarship winners will be announced by May 27th and published in our next newsletter on May 31st.    2022 Spirit of Service program starts soon The Donald E. Ferry Jr. Spirit of Service Memorial Award is preparing to start its 2022 program. This program is dedicated to the memory of Donald E. Ferry Jr. and focuses on his drive to "See a Need and Take the Lead” in support of children’s charity or charitable programs for the benefit of children. It runs from June 1 (International Children’s Day) through November 20 (Family Volunteer Day) and is open to subordinate councils that sponsor a volunteer activity supporting children. The full guidelines are in the program brochure, which along with the program application are on the Royal Arcanum website.    Planning for the Annapolis Session trip As the excitement builds for finally gathering together again this August at our Session in Annapolis, we wanted to remind you of the wonderful vacation area this is. You may want to consider coming early or staying late and enjoying all the things to do in the area.   What to do The city of Annapolis is a great location! Learn about the top ten things to do in Annapolis.    What's the weather The long-range forecast for the Session calls for highs in the upper 80s and lows around 70. Keep an eye on the weather when the dates approach with the 10-day forecast to be sure you're prepared.   Day trips from Annapolis Don’t forget you can choose to explore the area around Annapolis, too. There are some great places to visit that are less than an hour away - such as Baltimore and Washington, D.C. - and other interesting locations not much further away. Consider extending your stay with Annapolis as your base and taking some day trips before or after our Session.    I wish I knew... How well do you know the Royal Arcanum? Any questions about our products? What about offices in the subordinate, grand, or supreme council? Any programs you have a question about? Any questions about events or people in our history? Whatever your question, we’re ready to find the answers. We invite you to submit questions to us that you’ve been wondering about. We’ll do our best to track down the answers, and highlight the most interesting questions and answers in future issues of the newsletter.    The Royal Arcanum Facebook page Are you on Facebook? Do you check our Facebook page regularly? It’s a great place to learn about council activities, articles about current topics, or learn of changes in the Home Office schedule for holidays or weather closures. For example, a recent Facebook update on our page gives some ideas on how to save money as gas prices rise. Make checking our Facebook page a regular routine in your daily updates.

 

May 03, 2022 Newsletter #43

Hi Member, We bet you're excited about May arriving! It's not much more than 100 days until the long-awaited Session in Annapolis, with reservations and nominations due in less than 75 days. The NBA and NHL have finished their regular seasons, and the MLB season is well underway. Warmer weather is here and with it an ideal time for fraternal and charitable efforts to begin in earnest. Let's take a look at all the excitement that the month of May brings. May is the month of... Grand Councils: Prepare your representatives Looking to increase your protection? The AFA Fraternal Pinboard    May is the Month of... May is the third month of the year with 31 days, and what a lovely time of year to get an extra day. The month's name is likely to have come from the Roman goddess Maia, who watched over the growth of plants and represents the focus on things giving life throughout the month. Some of the days of life-giving related celebration this month included May 1: Lei Day in Hawaii, first observed on May 1, 1928 May 8: Mother's Day, celebrating the women who gave us life May 21: Armed Forces Day, honoring all those who serve in all branches of the United States military and protect our lives May 23: Victoria Day, a Canadian celebration that includes marking the beginning of the summer season in Canada May 30: Memorial Day, remembering those who gave their lives while serving in the military May also hosts many awareness campaigns, including   Celiac Disease Awareness Month Celiac disease is a chronic digestive genetic autoimmune disease that damages the small intestine. Millions are victims of this disease, which is triggered by eating foods containing gluten but doesn't always cause an immediate onset. Research searching for a cure continues.   Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Appreciation Month Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, or EDS, is a group of inherited disorders that affect connective tissue and cause hypermobility, fragile skin, and chronic fatigue among other severe and life-threatening health issues. Its cause is unknown, and the founding of EDS Awareness Month in 2006 was established to help bring education and funding for research.   National Stroke Awareness Month / World Stroke Month Learn the signs of a stroke, the risks, and how to take action during National Stroke Awareness Month. Become familiar with their FAST campaign and learn how to recognize the symptoms of a stroke and how to respond and help save lives: Face - Ask the suspected stroke victim to smile, and see if one side of the face droops Arm - Ask the person to raise both arms, look to see if one arm drifts lower than the other Speech - Ask the person to repeat a single sentence and listen for slurred speech Time - Call 911 if you suspect that you see any signs of a stroke. Time can make a huge difference in recovery, and even between life and death.    Grand Councils: Prepare your representatives Each Grand Council in good standing is allowed a minimum of two representatives to the Supreme Council Session. Representatives from each jurisdiction are the heart and soul of the Royal Arcanum, and their voice and votes are the most important part of selecting the new slate of officers and the leadership they provide to our society. Prepare your Grand Council for representation by encouraging your subordinate councils to have members move through the chairs and serve as their council's Regent -- a requirement to be considered as a Supreme Council representative. First-time representatives provide for more available members to run for Supreme Council offices. Trips to the Session for representatives include reimbursed travel expenses and trip costs, to the extent approved by the Supreme Council. If you haven't been thinking about your jurisdiction's representation, now is a great time for your Grand Council to think about it, and include the selection in your election of officers. We look forward to meeting more of your local members at our upcoming Session.    Looking to increase your protection? Are you looking to increase the amount of insurance protection you have? We can do that! Call the Home Office to get started Members seeking to increase their insurance protection should contact a Service Specialist at the Home office at 1-888-ARCANUM (1-888-272-2686). A Service Specialist will take your information and send you the filled-out application and illustration for your signature. You can even complete the application electronically and set up electronic payments.   Increase your current policy or start a new one Each person has different circumstances. You may want to increase the amount of your current policy -- which may require additional medical certification -- or you may want to obtain a Simplified Life policy, which has fewer medical questions and no exam is needed. The choice is yours.   Recommenders can still earn points The Royal Arcanum member who recommends and helps you with coverage choices can earn their full points. Just let the Service Specialist know the member who has recommended you to call the Home Office, and they will earn their Distinguished Service Award points. You can even recommend yourself! Call today and find out if an increase in protection is right for you.    The AFA Fraternal Pinboard Did you know that the American Fraternal Alliance (AFA, of which the Royal Arcanum is the last surviving founding member) is the online host of the Fraternal Pinboard? The Fraternal Pinboard highlights Alliance members' fraternal activities, highlighting a wide variety of events and activities. It's a great place to look for inspiration for our own councils' plans. Visit their site today, bookmark it, and read it regularly. Fraternalism does make a difference, and it's alive and well across the United States.  This is just one of many interesting pieces of information that can be found on the AFA website. Add a new place to browse to your routine.