November 01, 2022 Newsletter #53

Hi Member, Autumn is now in full swing. The brightest colors of the season have begun to fade into browns in most areas, and the cooler weather has made its first knock on the door in most places too, even if it hasn't yet settled in for a months-long stay. It's also the season when the cold-weather activities begin in earnest when the warming drinks and the savory meals return. Enjoy a quick read of the latest Royal Arcanum news in your cozy place. Annuity News There’s some great news about our annuity products. Get an early peek at some welcome news on the interest rates. November is the Month of November is the last full month of autumn, can you believe how fast this season is passing? Explore some interesting information about the month celebrated by the Topaz as the traditional birthstone and the chrysanthemum as its flower. Charitable Activities Highlights Our members’ charitable activities never stop! Here are some of the recent highlights of completed projects and current opportunities. Junior Christmas Gifts Be sure to plan your junior Christmas parties, complete with presents from the Supreme Council. Order your gifts today! Supreme Regent Visitations Santa isn’t the only one who wants to come to town. It’s time to plan a visitation by our Supreme Regent. College News Quick reminders for our college students and the college-bound. Inspirational Quote We offer this month a quote on the joys of giving. Upcoming Dates Time to update your calendar again!    Annuity news     4% Rate of Return for Annuities The Royal Arcanum is pleased to announce we are increasing the current Royal Arcanum annuity credited rate to 4% within the US. This increase will apply to all US annuities effective October 1st, 2022. Canadian Annuities are excluded. A letter will be mailed out to members who have qualifying annuities announcing the positive news.   New annuities that we offer will continue to maintain a guaranteed minimum annuity rate of 3% for the first 6 years and are guaranteed a minimum rate of 2% for the life of the annuity.  They will be issued with a current credited rate of 4% for the first 2 years, but if market rates decrease, we reserve the right to reduce the annuity to a minimum of 3% for years 3-6.   Royal Arcanum annuities continue to earn interest after the first six years, credited at the current rate, and with the minimum rate that they were guaranteed at the time of issuance. Now is a great time to encourage your family and friends to lock in their financial future.      November is the month of...     Awarenesses Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month November is dedicated to understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease and working to improve the quality of life for those with previously undiagnosed Alzheimer’s. Learn how to recognize signs of this dementia disease and support the exciting new research that is helping to identify and treat or prevent it.   American Diabetes Awareness November is set aside to bring attention to the disease of diabetes, and to help find ways to prevent or control it for those affected. Diabetes is a disease that affects about 37 million Americans. It occurs when your blood glucose is too high, which can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart, and has been linked to some forms of cancer.   COPD Awareness Month It is estimated that over 15 million Americans suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and that several million more are living with it without knowing it. COPD is a chronic lung disease that makes it very difficult to breathe, trapping air inside the lungs and causing the narrowing of the air passages, leading to emphysema. This national awareness month recognizes those who are suffering from this disease and those who care for COPD patients and hopes to work toward early diagnosis and treatment to improve the quality of life and health of those afflicted.   Epilepsy Awareness Month Epilepsy affects more than 2 million people in America. During their lifetime, 1 in 10 people will have a seizure; 1 in 26 will develop epilepsy. It is the fourth most common neurological disorder in the world. It can be caused by brain injury or be a family trait, but often the cause is completely unknown. The Epilepsy Foundation hopes to educate and build community action to help those living with epilepsy with their challenges.   Holidays and Observances Daylight Savings Time begins for all U.S. areas that observe it on November 6 at 2:00 A.M. local time. Fire officials recommend you use the time change as a reminder to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.   Veteran's Day is celebrated on November 11. Originally called Armistice Day to commemorate the day hostilities ended in World War I, it is dedicated to honoring those men and women who served and have been discharged from the armed services.   Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the U.S. on the 4th Thursday of November, and this year that falls on November 24. It celebrates the previous year's blessings and marks the unofficial beginning of the Christmas season. It’s usually the busiest travel time of the year.   Fun Days National Men Make Dinner Day is the first Thursday in November. This year it falls on November 3, which also happens to be National Sandwich Day. Dinner may not be so exciting this year.   November 13 is International Tongue Twister Day. Think they theorized this totally tough thing together?    November 18 is Apple Cider Day. Celebrate the taste of autumn with some freshly pressed ripe apples, or perhaps with a touch of fermented apple cider!   November 26 is National Cake Day. Be sure to finish your pumpkin pie in time to enjoy a slice of this celebration.   Historical Events November 1, 1512: Michelangelo’s paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, Italy were first exhibited November 3, 1913: The USA introduced the first permanent income tax November 8, 1731: The first US library was opened November 8, 1789: Bourbon whiskey was first distilled from corn November 9, 1872: The Great Boston Fire of 1872 burned about 65 acres of downtown Boston, consuming 776 buildings and much of the financial district November 11, 1926:  U.S. Route 66 was established November 19, 1620: The Mayflower reached Cape Cod November 22, 1954: The Humane Society of the United States was formed November 30, 3340 BC: The earliest known notation of an eclipse was recorded in what is now Ireland    Charitable Activities Highlights   Versatility Council Project Versatility Council #2501 is a longtime supporter of the Felician Sisters of North America. They have recently completed their International Fraternal Service project supporting the work of the Felician Sisters’ Haiti Mission. In 2012, the Felician Sisters have established a mission in Jacmel, Haiti, serving the poor in the region through their ministry of presence, a mobile clinic, schools, spiritual programs, and many youth programs that provide safe havens for the children in their care. They maintain a blog about their activities on their website that documents the struggles and successes they’ve experienced. The nation of Haiti is one of the poorest in the world and has suffered from political unrest, earthquakes, and hurricanes. They rely on donations to carry out their mission, and Versatility Council has stepped up to answer the call. They have received the maximum reimbursement offered by the IFS program to support the Sisters.   There are still two months left for councils to choose and complete an IFS project and receive a reimbursement of up to half of their donation for the 2022 calendar year. Donations must be completed by December 31, but requests for reimbursement are accepted until the end of February. Let the Haiti Mission inspire your council’s charitable desires and complete your IFS project before the year ends.   Dime A Day Drive Reminder Today marks the beginning of the new Dime A Day Drive that was introduced in the last newsletter! Collect your loose change between now and October 18, 2023, for a donation to I Honor Your Service America. Participants donating $35 or more will be entered in a random drawing next November.   Donald E. Ferry Jr. Spirit of Service Program The Donald E. Ferry Spirit of Service program runs until November 20. There’s still time for your subordinate council to sponsor a volunteer project for a children’s charity or charitable cause for the benefit of children and participate in this year’s program. Refresh your memory of the project with the program brochure and complete the application for your completed project. Completed applications and all supporting materials must be received on or before December 6.      Junior Christmas Gifts   We hope your councils will be hosting Christmas parties for their youngest members. We’re here to help with our thoughtfully chosen, age-appropriate gifts. Councils are encouraged to download the online order form and send it to the Home Office, or by calling our membership services department at the Home Office to order gifts for your council’s juniors. Be sure to order your gifts at least four weeks before the date of your party to ensure you receive your gifts on time. Be sure to take photos of your gathering for publication in our bulletin. Don’t forget that all children under 13 years of age must have a release form filed with the Home Office in order to use your photographs. If there are any junior members without a release form on file, please download the form and have it completed and sent in before or with the pictures and article you send in.    Supreme Regent Visitations   Our Supreme Regent Maria DiBartolo is looking forward to visiting each jurisdiction. The Deputy Supreme Regents are being contacted to help schedule and coordinate her visitations. Now is the time for your Grand Council to begin to plan for her visit as she shares her Into the Future program with your members.    College News   Reminder to Scholarship winners Scholarship winners, please remember that you must submit your tuition bills and include a copy of your student ID each year in order for the funds to be sent to your school. A letter is sent annually to scholarship winners as a reminder, but in case it was lost in the mail or overlooked, please be sure to complete this necessary task soon. Please call our office at 888-ARCANUM if you are a scholarship winner and have any questions.   Applications for Scholarships and Grants The Home Office is currently accepting applications for scholarships and grants. All applications must be received in the Home Office by December 31, 2022. To apply, call 1-888-ARCANUM or visit our website.    Care Packages for college students Royal Arcanum college students, would you like to receive a care package at the beginning of the new year for the next semester? Send us your address at school and we’ll send you a little care package to let you know the Royal Arcanum is thinking of you.      Inspirational quotes   “The simple gift of giving becomes an elaborate rich aftertaste of a natural blissful feeling, lingering endlessly in my lifetime.” ―     Wes Adamson    Upcoming dates   Mark your calendar with these important dates: The publication date of the next Bulletin is November 17 Donald E. Ferry Jr. Spirit of Service program deadline: November 20 Donald E. Ferry Jr. Spirit of Service submission deadline: December 6 Scholarship and Grant applications deadline: December 31 2022 IFS Donation deadline: December 31 2022 IFS submission deadline: February 28, 2023 Dime A Day program completion: October 18, 2023

 

October 04, 2022 Newsletter #52

Hi Member, Autumn officially began on Thursday, September 22, and with the change of seasons came a radical change in weather. We are most concerned with our Royal Arcanum members in Florida, the Carolinas, and the other jurisdictions impacted by this massive storm. Canadian News There is an important change for our members in Canada, as our relationship with those members will be changing soon. We worked hard to keep our northern members part of our family. Read about this important change. October is the Month of October marks the first full month of autumn, but we'll also highlight a few awareness and designations for the month you may not have known. Charitable Activities Highlights Our members have not been idle in maintaining their charitable work. Read about the latest highlights and hear about a new initiative announced at the Session. College News For those approaching or in their college years, we have some reminders. Don't miss a deadline! Join us on Linked In The Royal Arcanum has joined the LinkedIn world with a new professional profile. Read about this service and join us there. Inspirational Quote The Bard of Avon is this month's inspirational quote. Upcoming Dates Keep your calendar up to date with some important upcoming dates.    Canadian news     A change for our Canadian members Due to some significant increases in expenses imposed upon the Royal Arcanum as a financial service provider doing business in Canada, coupled with a current and projected stream of income from premiums from Canadian policies, the financial viability of maintaining a business presence in Canada has been exhausted. Faced with these business challenges, the Supreme Council of the Executive Committee, together with the Royal Arcanum Senior Management, made the difficult decision to exit our business operations in Canada. Current policies will be managed by Teachers Life Fraternal in Mississauga, Ontario. This move will preserve the full value of life insurance and annuity products for our Canadian members. Our Royal Arcanum family members in Canada remain important to us, and to that end, a new class of members was approved at the Supreme Council Session that was held in Annapolis. This allows our current Canadian members to remain as Royal Arcanum non-benefit members and will entitle them to continue to participate in the social and fraternal activities of our Society. This will allow them to continue to be eligible to continue to Receive the Royal Arcanum Bulletin Attend Supreme Council Sessions and Social Outings, including any mini-vacations Participate in the International Fraternal Service Program and receive reimbursements for their projects Participate in all Fraternal Department initiatives and programs Serve on the Fraternal Events committee Be honored for Veterans recognitions members beginning with their 25th year of membership Participate in the Royal Arcanum scholarship and grant programs Juniors may participate in the Junior Bulletin Page prizes and the Junior Writing Contest Receive Junior promotional items (Christmas gifts, etc.) Participate in the Youth of the Year Award Program Maintain all DSA credits and points previously earned as voluntary recommenders As part of the change in membership, our Canadian members will no longer be eligible for a voice and vote in the Supreme Council, be elected to any office in the Supreme Council, or earn any new DSA credits or Recommender Points for new Canadian policies. Our Canadian councils have been notified and been in discussions with the Executive Committee and Senior Management of the Royal Arcanum, and have been given information on how the changes affect their councils. We are continuing to support them and welcome their participation in this new class of membership.      October is the month of...     Healthy Literacy Month October is International Health Literacy Month, a time to recognize the importance of making health information easy to understand and the health care system easier to navigate. The primary target is for those in the health industry to be mindful of the jargon they use, it's also a call to learn what might be important in conversations about your health. Be sure you are informed about the health language that impacts you and your family.    Mental Illness Awareness The week of October 2--8 is Mental Illness Awareness week. It is intended to raise awareness of mental illness, fight discrimination and provide support for those affected by mental illness directly or indirectly through family, friends, or coworkers.    Bilingual Child Month Children who speak two or more languages are celebrated this month. Toutes nos félicitations ! Gratulacje! Herzliche Glückwünsche! Felicidades! Congratulations!   Long-Term Care Planning Month This month is dedicated to encouraging seniors to take a practical look at their potential need for services in the future and explore options should the need arise. Long-term care incorporates services outside of medical care, including everyday and basic personal care needs that are typically not covered by medical insurance, so planning is key to being prepared. Planning is not limited to seniors only — prepare for the future today.   National Dessert Month Have a sweet day by celebrating National Dessert Month with a special treat. Do you have a favorite dessert recipe? Share it with your Royal Arcanum family by sending it into the Bulletin.   Squirrel Awareness Month This month is an annual celebration of the cute furry creatures that scamper around our neighborhoods and local parks. Now is the time when they are preparing for winter. Experts estimate they store up to three years’ worth of food to help them make it through the cold winter months. Why not provide a few extra high-nutrient nuts for them before the bitter cold sets in?     Holidays and Observances There are many other days of observance in October, here are just a few: National German-American Day is October 6. Celebrate your heritage!  Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day are both observed on the second Monday of October. United Nations Day on October 24 celebrates the day the UN Charter went into effect. National First Responders Day honors those heroic men and women who spring into action when disaster strikes. We celebrate them on October 28. Halloween is October 31. It's a holiday you can celebrate from beyond the grave!   Fun Days October 4 is National Taco Day and National Cinnamon Roll Day. Time to eat! October 15 is Sweetest Day. Celebrated on the third Saturday of October, it was originally started in 1922 by Herbert Birch Kingston, a Cleveland candy store employee who felt that the city's orphans and shut-ins were often being overlooked and neglected. October 17 is Wear Something Gaudy Day. Some of us seem to celebrate it more often than once a year. October 22 is National Nut Day. Do you think the squirrels know this already? Historical Events October 1, 1908: The Model T went on sale for the first time October 4, 1582: The Gregorian Calendar took effect, with the next day declared as October 15, 1582 October 6, 1927: The first "talkie", The Jazz Singer, opened in New York October 8, 1871: The beginning of the Great Chicago Fire October 13, 1775: The United States Navy was founded by the Second Continental Congress October 19, 1987: "Black Monday", when the stock market fell 22.6%, the largest one-day drop in history October 21, 1879: Thomas Edison successfully tested an electric incandescent lamp for 13 hours October 28, 1881: The shoot-out at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona    Charitable Activities Highlights   Dime A Day Drive Your loose change can make a difference! At the Supreme Council Session, a new Fraternal Department program was introduced: the Dime A Day Drive. This new program runs from November 1, 2022, through October 18, 2023. Your loose change can make a difference during these 350 days. Money collected will be donated to I Honor Your Service America, a 501(c)(3) charity that is led by Arcanum member Laurie Wise Simms. Participants in this drive in the amount of $35 or more will be entered in a random drawing for (2) $150 participant awards on November 16, 2023. Details will be in the next Bulletin, but start saving that loose change today.   Update on our Fraternal Project supporting Ukraine Thank you to all of those who participated in our Session's Fraternal Project for Ukrainian infants and toddlers. We're happy to report on the success of your generosity: 962 Baby Gifts were provided (outfits, blankets, etc.) $4,000 in monetary donations 424 "Honor and Remembrance" sunflowers raised an additional $2,120 Thank you all! Ukraine's needs continue, and the Fraternal Department will continue to support them. If you missed the Session's collection, please know that donations are still being collected to support the Ukrainian people.   IFS Reminder Each year, every Subordinate and Grand Council is eligible for up to $1,000 of reimbursement under the International Fraternal Service Program. Donations must be made during the calendar year, so if your council hasn't yet reached its maximum reimbursement amount, consider participating and making your donation before the end of the calendar year. Reimbursement requests are accepted through the end of February of the following year.    College News   Scholarship winners: Submit your tuition bill Scholarship winners: Please remember that you must submit your tuition bills and include a copy of your student ID each year in order for the funds to be sent to their school. A letter is sent annually to scholarship winners as a reminder, but in case it was lost in the mail or overlooked, please be sure to complete this necessary task soon. Please call our office at 888-ARCANUM if you are a scholarship winner and have any questions. Applications for Scholarships and Grants The Home Office is currently accepting applications for scholarships and grants. All applications must be received in the Home Office by December 31, 2022. To apply, call 1-888-ARCANUM or visit our website.  Care Packages for college students Shout out to all members who are college students and would like to receive a care package at the beginning of the new year for the next semester: send us your address at school and we’ll send you a little care package to let you know the Royal Arcanum is thinking of you. Training reimbursement for SAT, ACT, PSAT, or LSAT All junior members age 18 and younger who are taking a training program for SAT, ACT, PSAT, or LSAT are eligible for reimbursement of up to $50. Mail a copy of your paid training program receipt to the Home Office. Resources for the college-bound Junior High and High School students may want to use the Choices Explorer to help them make choices for their future careers. They may also want to use XAP Reach Farther to help them pick a college, look for available scholarships, and gain access to hundreds of electronic applications. And don’t forget that the United States Department of Education has a vast amount of resources as well - take the time to plan your future now!      Join us on LinkedIn   LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network on the Internet, and now the Royal Arcanum has an official presence there. It's a social media site for the business world, where people and businesses connect with each other to build better business connections. Our expansion to become part of that world is an exciting new avenue of extending our reach. If you're a member of LinkedIn, follow our page.      Inspirational quotes   “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” ―     William Shakespeare    Upcoming dates   Mark your calendar with these important dates: Article deadline for the next Bulletin: October 9 The publication date of the next Bulletin is November 17 Scholarship and Grant applications deadline: December 31

 

September 06, 2022 Newsletter #51

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.    The 105th Royal Arcanum Session     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!      September is the month of...     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    Council Meetings and Activities   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.    Scholarships and Grants   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!    IFS Donation Highlight   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.      Summer Edition 2022 of the Bulletin   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.    Inspirational quotes   “Leadership is service, not position.” ―     Tim Fargo    Upcoming dates   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