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...

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.

Tuesday, May 3, 2022