Mar 22, 2022 Newsletter #40

Hi Member, The Spring, or Vernal Equinox, was just a few days ago on March 20. That means that from now until the Summer Solstice on June 21, we'll have a little more daylight each day; and that even as the days shorten until the Autumnal Equinox on September 22, the days will still be longer than the darker winter months. It's time to celebrate and make plans to enjoy 2022! Time to hold meetings again? Session Spotlight Ukraine's need remains urgent Product Focus: Medicare Supplement    Time to hold meetings again? The COVID-19 pandemic is officially more than two years old. Many lives have been touched during this challenging time: it's estimated that more than 6 million people have died worldwide, with more than 450 million infected. Jobs have been lost, savings have been raided, and billions have been spent by governments to try to protect and help their populations. But this isn't the Royal Arcanum's first pandemic. Just in the last century, our organization has seen the 1968 H3N2 virus pandemic, the 1957-1958 H2N2 virus pandemic, the 1918 flu pandemic, just to name a few. We have survived those as a people and as a society, and we're confident that today's pandemic will soon be a memory. Does that mean it's time for us to begin to meet in person again? Perhaps it's time to at least consider it. The CDC notes that for those fully vaccinated and without any comorbidities, the risk of hospitalization and death is very low. It should be noted, though, that the risk of infection is still present. The CDC provides a count-by-county map of their assessment of the risks. We have learned much in the past two years, including the effectiveness of masking, keeping a reasonable distance, especially from those with an unknown vaccination and infection status, the importance of airflow, and of course, how to treat infections. It's recommended that all factors are taken into account along with the considerations of your own council's membership and their own comfort with the risk of infections. The current trends are promising, and warmer weather can allow for safer, open-air options. We are all looking forward to our new normal and a resumption of council activities!      The Session is a "GO!" We're getting excited about the upcoming Session! With five months to go, we're beginning to get into full swing in planning our Session in August after a two-year hiatus. Reservations Reservations are begin accepted! Despite the delay and rising prices, we are holding to the same trip prices! The reservation deadline isn't until July 15, but there's no reason to wait. Secure your room today! Reservations with a deposit of $50.00 per adult must be received by July 15, 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.   Nominations   Nominations for Supreme Council Officers are also due by July 15. See the official call for nominations that was published in December for details, and remember that the deadline for nominations has been extended. Send bios to Chairman James O’Neill, 6196 Kaski Court, San Jose, CA 95123, or email to: oneillje@comcast.net by July 15.   Dress Code As you begin to plan for the Session, you may be pleased to hear that the Executive Committee has considered the likely temperatures in Annapolis in August and has confirmed that the dress code will be business casual for the meetings. That means that no suit coat or ties are required during the Session business, though some may want to bring something extra to wear in case the air conditioning is overactive. The formal dinner has also been toned down, and instead of calling for the traditional white coat and black tie dress code, if available, we will only be dressing semi-formally for the traditional dinner, with a suit or sports jacket and tie suggested for the men. We are still working on fraternal activities outside of the Session business. Please let us know if you have any specific requests before we finalize the plans, or if you just want to explore some options. Your committee would love to hear from you.    Ukraine's need remains urgent Thank you to all the members and councils who have already responded to our Ukrainian Fraternal Project. Our Fraternal Communications Director, Cindy Macon reports that she has already collected over $11,000, which she has forwarded to her contacts in Poland. But the need remains, and it is urgent. You can see on the news the hardships that this unjust attack has caused. The reports that civilians are being targeted are very real, and families and children, even those lucky enough to leave everything they have and get over the border, are suffering To Grand and Subordinate Councils, Supreme Council Officers, and Members who have not yet joined this effort, we urgently ask that consider sending some help in any amount. You are invited to send donation checks made out to the Royal Arcanum to: Cindy Macon, Fraternal Director 24 East 43rd Street Bayonne, NJ 07002 We know that some of you may have provided support, either from your council or personally, through other organizations. We thank you, but we also kindly ask that you drop a note to our Fraternal Director letting her know of your support, as reporting the involvement of our members and councils in charitable projects is a key element in our organizational and governmental reports. Please let her know of any contributions that you've made in any way. Thank you for all of your selfless charitable support!      Product Focus: Medicare Supplement Did you know that the Royal Arcanum now offers Medicare Supplement insurance plans? If you have Medicare Part A & Part B (traditional Medicare), you may choose to pay for the costs that Medicare requires you to share, or you can offset some of those costs with a Medicare supplement insurance policy. There are no provider networks or referrals required, so you can see the doctors you want and get coast-to-coast coverage, and emergency care anywhere in the world. Did you also know that you don't have to wait for the enrollment period to start or to switch Medicare Supplement insurance plans? Why not consider the Royal Arcanum's plans, and share the information with your friends who may be looking for supplemental insurance. We'd love to add them as members!

 

Mar 08, 2022 Newsletter #39

Hi Member, There are been a lot of changes since our last newsletter, from the favorable CDC on masking to the troubling attack on Ukraine. Our newsletter this month adds a perspective for our members on these events, as well as tries to add a bit of normalcy with a few regular topics. We're proud of our charter to help our members and our community and know with certainty that we will celebrate good news and pull together to help against bad news. Thank you all for being a part of our fraternal family. New CDC Guidance March is the month of...  Royal Arcanum - Ukrainian Fraternal Project Bulletin article deadline approaching    New CDC Guidance On Friday, February 25, the CDC updated their COVID-19 tracking status and guidance to reflect the changing aspect of the virus. They have recognized the positive impact of vaccinations and treatments of coronavirus infections, and have pivoted from a sole focus on new cases and transmission to a new Community Level status. This new three-state status level is posted weekly for all counties in the United States. These levels now include hospitalization measurements, recognizing that while COVID-19 infections may still occur, there are a growing number of cases with a reduced risk of severe illness and death. They continue to recommend self-assessment of risks for those who are more likely to have severe complications from contracting COVID-19, but it provides a change in recommendations based on medical advances. More detail on community levels and checking individual counties is available on their website. The Canadian response, recommendations, and updatesprovide a tremendous amount of information on cases, trends, travel information, and more. We are happy to report that as of right now, Maryland's Anne Arundel County, which includes Annapolis where our August Session is located, has a CDC Community Level status of Low, which recommends that those who are up to date with their vaccinations, are not experiencing any symptoms or a recent exposure, and are not part of an immunocompromised or high-risk group, may choose to go maskless. We are hopeful the situation will continue to improve by the time of our August Session.    March is the month of... March is the month of the beginning of Spring and includes the celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 17 and St. Joseph's Day on March 19. Three great reasons to enjoy this month, but we should also keep in mind the more sobering awareness campaigns that are called to mind in March.   Endometriosis Awareness Month The entire month of March Endometriosis Awareness Month, when we stand together in support of the more than 176 million women worldwide who suffer from endometriosis. Helps support the push for funding so that a cure can be found.   Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month Multiple Sclerosis is a noncontagious but devastating disease of the central nervous system, affecting the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. Common signs of the disease include trouble walking, difficulty maintaining balance, fatigue, numbness or tingling, and vision problems. As the symptoms develop over time, diagnosis is often delayed, further challenging those affected.   National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month March is also National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, a life-long condition with no cure that may occur during development in the womb or at birth. Many therapies and adaptive strategies support someone with CP throughout their life, but there is still so much more progress needed.    Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month This month also calls us to increased awareness of Developmental Disabilities, a condition usually diagnosed during a child’s development that impairs several areas of development such as physical, learning, language, or behavior. Early diagnosis is one of the keys to limiting the impact of this disability, and the support of organizations that provide specialized support to those in need are great targets for council charitable projects.    Royal Arcanum - Ukrainian Fraternal Project Cindy Macon, our Fraternal Communications Director, has reached out with a request for help with the devastation created by the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. If you did not receive her emailed invitation to help, please let us knowand we'll be sure to add you to her email list. The Fraternal Department encourages you and your councils to provide help for the people of Ukraine who are watching their homeland destroyed. Fraternal benefit societies such as ours have a long history of providing help to those whose lives have erupted into turmoil, and we're inviting you to provide your support. There are many organizations providing help to the Ukrainian people, and we applaud you for any help you may be providing. Through her many journeys to Poland, Cindy has made contacts with reputable outlets there that provide aid to refugees. You are invited to send donation checks made out to the Royal Arcanum to: Cindy Macon, Fraternal Director 24 East 43rd Street Bayonne, NJ 07002 Both council and individual donations would be most appreciated. Thank you for rising to the need of this global tragedy through your support and prayers.      Bulletin deadline approaching The Royal Arcanum Bulletin will be accepting pictures and articles until the end of March for the Spring Bulletin. There's still time to let your fellow Arcanians know what your council has been up to and what your plans are for the Spring. Why not use this as an opportunity to think about plans and then let us know with a Bulletin article submission.

 

Feb 22, 2022 Newsletter #38

Hi Member, We've got a few short reads for your mid-winter newsletter today, with two items thinking ahead to the summer. Can you almost feel the warmth of the sun just thinking about summer? Maybe you will with the topics we have for you. Annapolis in Summer Scholarship completion reminder Celebrate our 145th Anniversary this coming June Be on the Lookout for Scams    Annapolis in Summer Still thinking about coming to the Session in Annapolis, Maryland this coming August 21 to 25, 2022? Why not invite your family and friends to join you. Aside from coming to the Session and all the wonderful plans around the business of the Supreme Council, Annapolis is a wonderful place to visit. Take a look at their visitor's guide and think about visits to the Art District, the City Dock and Ego Alley, and enjoy their Main Street. August is a wonderful time to visit, and family and friends just might be looking for a reason to get out and about this summer. Share the excitement of our location and invite others to join you for a terrific late summer adventure!    Scholarship Completion Reminder We hope all the scholarship applicants met their end-of-year deadline to get their applications started, but that's just the first step! Now is the time to finish the steps needed to be sure you are considered for the scholarships and grants. Everything must arrive in the Home Office by March 31. Be sure to get it done right away! While you're at it, be sure to include a recent picture of yourself if you didn't include one with your application. Reminder, everyone who sent in an application should have received a confirmation from the Home Office, along with a checklist of items that will need to be completed before the application is finalized. Call the Home Office immediately if you haven't received the confirmation and checklist. Please call (888) 272-2686 or send us an email to ensure your application has been received. Only applicants who have completed all necessary steps and sent in all required documents will be considered for consideration. Don't delay, act today!    Make Plans for our 145th Anniversary Did you know that the Royal Arcanum will be 145 years old this June? That's a tremendous achievement, one that few organizations can claim, and it's a great reason to take on a special project or have a special celebration to mark the event. Reach out to your council's officers and plans for the 145th Anniversary celebration. Make a special donation to mark the event, or join with your community to take on a needed sponsorship, or work with another group in some special fraternal or charitable project. To celebrate the successful completion of your project, you might want to plan a special event for your council members (and maybe some new friends, if you've partnered with another organization) to mark our 145th anniversary on June 23rd.      Be on the Lookout for Scams It seems as if there's another rise in scams, so it's a good idea to be sure you're as safe as you can reasonably be in protecting yourself. There was even a story recently of a woman in Florida who lent her phone to a teen who said his phone battery was dead, and where he managed to transfer almost $4,000 from her accounts in minutes right in front of her! Here are a few tips to help keep yourself safe. Know who is contacting you. Don't believe any email from the Home Office or any of the Executive Committee who are urgently requesting you to help them by buying gift cards or sending them money. Yes, there are fundraisers that are held, but we never ask for any urgent action. If you receive a request and you think it's legitimate, you can always check by initiating contact yourself to call the Home Office to see if this is a legitimate fundraiser. We'll say it again: urgent requests are suspicious. Don't just be on the lookout for bogus requests from those saying they are from the Royal Arcanum. Be suspicious of calls saying they are from the IRS, from your bank, from Social Security, or on behalf of a relative. A message that tries to scare you into immediate action should make you question the request. Check with a trusted person. Even if you think something is on the level, it's always prudent to check with a trusted friend or relative. They won't be as emotionally rattled by the urgent request you may have received, and they can suggest a calmer approach to verify suspicions or remove any concerns for legitimate requests. Be sure to protect your assets. Using good passwords or other security measures may slow you from instant access to your phone apps, but it may save you in the long run. In the case of the Florida woman mentioned, she did not have a face ID verification on her cash transfer app; if she had, the teen wouldn't have been able to complete a transfer. Stay safe!

 

Feb 08, 2022 Newsletter #37

Hi Member, Crazy winter storms have ravaged the continent since our last newsletter, with a record-tying snowfall in Boston followed by a massive system that spanned from Texas to New Brunswick! There were even freeze warnings into southern Florida. We hope you were all safe. If you have any interesting pictures or stories, share them with us and we'll share them with our members. Don't forget to check in with your neighbors and relatives that live alone to make sure they are safe and with power, food, and water. A small fraternal gesture may mean a great deal to someone alone and in distress. The Supreme Council Session has been rescheduled! February is the Month of... Time for your annual information verification Tax time is here    The Supreme Council Session is Rescheduled for August 21 to 25 We are pleased to announce that we have finalized the rescheduling of the Session for August 21 to 25, 2022. Arrival is on Sunday, August 21, our Session business takes place on Monday through Wednesday, and departure is on Thursday, August 25. It's been delayed for two years, but we're very hopeful that the pandemic is receding and we'll finally be able to safely travel and gather together again. We're sure that everyone has been feeling cooped up for the last few years, and we sincerely hope that you all decide to join us in Annapolis this August to reconnect with each other. Please encourage all your members to try to attend, and extend that invitation to any of your family and friends that need a vacation break. Our fraternal family will welcome them. Long-time members know just how enjoyable our gathers are, and how the fun increases with every person in attendance. New deadlines for reservations and nominations will be posted as the time of the Session grows nearer. The Session Reservation Form and Nominations Procedure will appear in the Winter 2022 issue of the Bulletin. Any reservations and nominations already sent in will remain on deposit and on file. Save the dates on your calendar now!    February is the Month of... February marks the midpoint of winter and is the shortest month of the year, but it's still packed with plenty of interest. Most of us could rattle off the most common commemorations, such as Groundhog's Day, Valentine's Day, President's Day, and Black History Month. This time we'll delve into a few lesser-known facts about February.   Responsible Pet Owner's Month February is National Responsible Pet Owner's Month, dedicated to taking on the responsibility of owning a pet and giving them the love and care they deserve.   Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month You should feel inspired just by reading the title of this celebration! National Planting the Seeds of Greatness Month calls us to take the idea of New Year's resolutions to the next level, and commit to finding the greatness that lies in each of us. What a great idea to share with your children and grandchildren, and for each of us to celebrate in our own lives!   International Friendship Month What a welcome time for the celebration of friendships! Pandemic-weary and with headlines of troop build-ups in Eastern Europe, it's time to focus on the positive and friendships that cross political borders. Take the time to reach out to the special friends you have beyond the borders of your country. Send a card, make a call, or send a message to stir those friendships that grow our understanding of each other across the globe.    Time for an Annual Check-up Did you remember to do a year-end check to update any changed information for your policies? We didn't remember to remind you, but it's never too late to catch up and do a check on all your important information. Make sure your Royal Arcanum policies are in order: Beneficiaries: Are there any changes to your beneficiaries since you've last checked? 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 or changed other contact information? We might not be the first place to think about when things change, but it is important to give us the most up-to-date way to contact you if your address, phone number, and/or email address changes. Are your policies using CHECK-O-MATIC? If you've changed your bank account, be sure your policies stay current by changing your bank account with us. The Royal Arcanum isn't the only place you should verify is in order. Any other estate documents or important financial or medical providers should be kept up to date -- think wills, power of attorney, banks, and other insurance carriers. It only takes a short while to verify everything is in order, especially if you make it an annual task. Do it now and sleep easy knowing everything is in order.      Tax Time Tasks The IRS has opened receiving tax returns for this season, along with a warning things might take a bit longer to process again this year. But don't rush to file before getting all your paperwork in order. There are things that have changed in recent years, too, and you need to make sure all your paperwork is in order before filing or submitting your information to your accountant. Don't forget these important items: Collect all W-2, 1099, Interest, and Dividend notices. Check all your expected sources of income. Remember, if you don't receive them, the IRS still requires you to report them. Did you receive a stimulus payment last year? That needs to be reported, too, even if you aren't taxed on it. Look for Letter 6475 from the IRS indicating your total 2021 Economic Impact payments. Don't forget about tax form 1095-B, especially if you are participating in the Healthcare marketplace. While it isn't required to be sent when filing taxes, you will want to make sure you get any reduction in healthcare premiums correct. Check with your accountant or visit the handy online resources at the IRS to be sure you get every bit of a tax refund you deserve -- or at least be sure you've paid all the taxes you owe and avoid penalties.

 

Jan 25, 2022 Newsletter #36

Hi Member, With winter weather firmly settling in, remember the days are getting longer, and spring is only two months away. The Omicron spike is beginning to drop in places where it hit first, giving us hope for an easing of our COVID-weary isolation. No update yet on the Supreme Council Session Scholarship Applicants: Get your Documents in! IFS Donations for 2022 are Being Accepted    The Supreme Council Session: No Update yet The Executive Committee and Home Office have been working to reschedule the Session, but there is no update that can be communicated yet. Your officers are working hard to identify and negotiate a contract for our Session and ask for your understanding that such matters can take a bit of time. When we have plans confirmed, we will share that news. As a reminder, the deadlines for reservations and nominations have also been postponed. The new deadlines will be announced when the rescheduled Session dates are determined. If you have already sent in your reservation, your deposit will be kept on account for you. If you have already sent in your nomination, that will also remain on file. We look forward to having information to share in the near future.    Scholarship Applicants: Get your Documents Sent in! Scholarship applicants, be sure to get in all your documents, along with a recent picture of yourself, before the deadline of March 31. Don't wait, complete the process right away. As a reminder, every application should have received a confirmation of their application from the Home Office and a checklist of items that will need to be completed before the application is finalized. If you never received a confirmation, please contact the Home Office immediately. Please call (888) 272-2686 or send us an email to ensure your application has been received.    2022 IFS Reimbursement Requests are Being Accepted Don't forget that each Subordinate Council and each Grand Council is each eligible for reimbursement of half their qualifying donations, up to $1,000 each year! Why not help your community and/or your council's favorite charities? We look forward to sending your council a reimbursement check soon! Still haven't sent in a request for a 2021 donation? We are still accepting requests from last year as long as they are sent into the home office by the end of February.

 

Jan 11, 2022 Newsletter #35

Hi Member, As we continue to welcome the new year, we mix our hope for the future with the realities of today. This year promises to be filled with many changes, including new Supreme Council Officers in our next election. Another Postponement of the Supreme Council Session January is the Month of... Next Steps for Scholarship Applicants IFS Deadline for 2021 Reimbursements    The Supreme Council Session has been Postponed (again) We've had a trying couple of years adapting to COVID-19. It has affected our everyday lives, including the cancellation of many planned in-person events. We're fortunate that many of our members have been able to pivot their fraternal efforts and continue to contribute to many communities across North America. At the same time, we understand we would like to have in-person events back as soon as we can. The Royal Arcanum continues to prioritize the health and safety of all our members, and with that being said, we will be postponing our planned March Supreme Council Session. Additional details will be announced as soon as the rescheduled dates are confirmed. Due to the postponement, the deadlines for reservations and nominations will also be postponed. The new deadlines will be announced as soon as the rescheduled Session dates are determined. If you have already sent in your reservation, your deposit will be kept on account for you. If you have already sent in your nomination, that will remain on file. We'll keep you posted on session news in the coming weeks.  Hang tight with us!      January is the Month of... Ring in the new year with a bit of trivia about the month of January.   National Bath Safety Month Start the year by staying safe! January is National Bath Safety Month. The simple ritual of bathing, which goes back to ancient times, is the cause of thousands of deaths each year by drowning. Many more are injured from slipping and the soapy-slick surfaces. Learn how to keep your bathroom safe.   National Blood Donor Month Giving blood is giving life! What a perfect way to start the year by supporting National Blood Donor Month. Blood donation is safer than ever before and benefits millions of people, including cancer patients, organ recipients, accident victims, and many more. The Red Cross and other blood banks rely on donors like you to fill the need.   National Hobby Month Not sure what to do with your time during the cold winter months? Why not take up a new hobby during National Hobby Month. Find something new, or rediscover a forgotten joy by changing your routine to include a little self-indulgence of a hobby. It will help to bring a smile to your own face, and depending on the hobby, may help you to help others as well.   National Mentoring Month Use this month to focus on how we can all work together and help our younger people during National Mentoring Month. Mentoring produces benefits in both the mentor and the student, especially in improving confidence, developing communication and organizational skills, providing new experiences. The mentoring relationship can be very rewarding and help to provide help to those struggling to learn. Look into a mentoring program in your area.      Next Steps for Scholarship Applicants We were pleased to receive so many scholarship applications before the initial application deadline ended on December 31st. Thank you and good luck to all our applicants. You should receive confirmation of your application from the Home Office and a checklist of items that will need to be completed before the application is finalized. All materials requested must be provided by March 31. Be sure to watch for your application needs and keep the deadline in mind to ensure you're in the running for a scholarship or grant.    IFS Deadline for 2021 Reimbursements Council International Fraternal Service Projects that were completed in 2021 but haven't yet submitted their request for reimbursement are not out of luck. There's still have time to send in a request until the end of February. Councils that made a late December donation may choose to wait to receive an acknowledgment letter from your charitable organization to include with their submission. Such acknowledgments help our Fraternal department has to provide required reports on our fraternal work, including reports that help us keep our non-profit status. We know that not all organizations do provide acknowledgment letters and that some projects, especially non-cash donations, may not lend themselves to getting an acknowledgment letter. Other forms of proof of donation are acceptable and identified in the request form.   2022 Donations may also be submitted The IFS Committee is also already open to receiving any 2022 donations your council may make. Maximum council reimbursements are reset each year, and any donations made after January 1st qualify for a new yearly limit for donation reimbursements. We look forward to your continued generosity to your community and all your fraternal efforts!