Tuesday, February 7, 2023

 

February 07, 2023
Newsletter #56

Hi Member,


February is the shortest month of the year, but there's no shortage of activities from the Royal Arcanum.

In Memory of William J. Wire

We offer a short tribute to Bill Wire, our Past Supreme Regent and friend who passed away at the end of January.

From the Supreme Regent

Our Supreme Regent offers a quick and impactful suggestion for all Councils and Grand Councils.

February is the Month of

February may be the shortest month, but it still holds more than its share on the topics of awarenesses, observances, fun facts, and history.

Charitable Activities Highlights

Our members have been busy! Here's a list of some of the charitable activities they've been involved in.

College News

To be eligible for scholarships and grants, scholarship applicants must complete the remaining items on their checklist.

Inspirational Quote

Inspiration for us all.

Upcoming Dates

Update your calendar with these important dates.

   In Memory of William J. Wire

 

With a heavy heart, we bid farewell to our Past Supreme Regent, Past Chairman of the Executive Committee, and our friend, William J. Wire. Bill was a member of the Royal Arcanum for more than 57 years, joining in March 1965. His commitment to our society and the principles of our organization led him to go through the chairs in his council, Medora #1648, and continue through chairs of the Grand Council of Illinois.  In 2008, he was elected as Supreme Regent at the 99th Supreme Council Session and was elected Chairman of the Executive Committee following the 100th Supreme Council Session. He was awarded his Legion of Honor, the 90th member in Royal Arcanum history to achieve this distinction. Throughout it all, his wife Florence was lovingly by his side, encouraging and supporting him in all his endeavors. Bill will be missed by those lucky enough to know him. He passed from this life on January 26, 2023. May he rest in eternal peace.



 

   From the Supreme Regent

 

A Project for All Councils


Supreme Regent Maria DiBartolo suggests a simple project for all Councils and Grand Councils to help out their communities. She invites all councils to collect cereal boxes at their next gathering. Breakfast cereals are one of the most requested items at most food pantries. They are easy to acquire, not too heavy to transport, and are welcome contributions that provide a healthy breakfast to the needy.

Her suggestion is simple: Sponsor a collection of cereal boxes from your members and friends of your council, or even make a monetary contribution toward boxes of cereal. Then, select the charitable organization of your choice in your area that you think would most benefit from the donation. And of course, take a picture and write a bulletin article.

This is an example of how quick and easy it is to show the fraternal spirit of the Royal Arcanum, and can be used as a model for many future charitable projects for our councils.
 

 

   February is the month of...

 

 

Awarenesses

 

African American History Month


February hosts an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Gerald Ford first recognized February as Black History Month in 1976, expanding the week-long celebration that was begun in 1926 by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).
 

National Cancer Prevention Month


National Cancer Prevention month is focused on helping everyone understand the screening habits, healthy choices, and other lifestyle changes that can lower the risk for several types of cancer. While there’s no sure way to prevent cancer, you can help reduce your risk by eating right, staying active, not smoking, and getting screened.
 

Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month


Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month is a unified effort among Jewish organizations across North America and beyond, to raise awareness and foster acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities and mental health conditions and those who love them. Begun in 2009, February has been dedicated to recognizing people with disabilities and ensuring that they and their families are included in Jewish communities around the world, striving to meet the needs of the community and support uniting, empowering, and bringing all of us together.

 

National Cat Health Month


National Cat Health Month encourages cat parents to focus on their cat’s physical and emotional well-being, and educate themselves on signs of unhealthy behavior or illness. Take this month to prioritize your cat's health and take part in the many activities that focus on your cat's health.

 

Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month


Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month was founded in 2002 by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (A.S.P.C.A.). Rabbits are the third most common pet found at area animal shelters and they need loving homes. They can be great companions! Why not consider adopting a rabbit?
 

Holidays and Observances


World Cancer Day is February 4th, an internationally observed day marked to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. The primary goal of World Cancer Day is to significantly reduce illness and death caused by cancer.

 

Safer Internet Day is observed on February 7, an international education and awareness-raising effort, celebrated in over 100 countries. It’s a day to bring communities together to discuss the challenges families face navigating the digital world and empowers them to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically, and creatively.

 

National Donor Day focuses on five points of life: organs, tissues, marrow, platelets, and blood. Many health groups use this day to sponsor blood and marrow drives and organ/tissue sign-ups. National Donor Day was started in 1998 by the Saturn Corporation and its partner, the United Auto Workers. It is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and many nonprofit health groups.

 

Random Acts of Kindness Day was initiated in 1995 in Denver, Colorado by a nonprofit organization called The Random Acts Of Kindness Foundation. The idea behind it is to make the world a better place by spreading a little light around and making kindness a part of our everyday lives.
 

Word Day of Social Justice was established by the United Nations as an international day recognizing the need to promote social justice, which includes efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, human rights, and social protections. February 20 was chosen by the General Assembly, and adopted on 26 November 2007, with observance of the World Day of Social Justice beginning in 2009.

 

 

Fun Days

February has a LOT of dedicated days to food items, so let's get ready to set our plates!

February 2 is The Day of the Crêpe in France and is associated with the Catholic feast of Candlemas. On this day households all over France make crêpes. This is because it is believed that crêpes symbolize prosperity.

February 3 is Carrot Cake Day, an annual celebration thought to have started in the Middle Ages to combat the high price of sugar by using carrots as a natural sweetener.

Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is February 4, the first Saturday in February. It is thought that the unofficial holiday was first created in the 1960s by Florence Rappaport in Rochester, New York as a way to entertain her children on a cold and snowy morning. Also celebrated on the 4th is Stuffed Mushroom Day. Assuming, that is, that you have an appetite after breakfast.

February 5 is Chocolate Fondue Day, an excuse, if one is needed, to enjoy some gooey chocolate. 

Bagel and Lox Day is February 9. This holiday's origins are unknown, but it's also often known as National Bagel Day or Bagel Day. In 2018, Thomas', a division of Bimbo Bakeries USA, decided to move the date of National Bagel Day from February 9 to January 15 to avoid competing with National Pizza Day. But we say why not celebrate both?

Don't Cry Over Spilled Mik Day is February 11, an annual reminder that nothing good ever comes out of holding on to regrets.

February 15 is Gumdrop Day. Treat yourself to a bowlful of this colorful, chewy, and delicious candy. 

The United States National Confectioners Association has declared that Chocolate Mint Day be observed on February 19. For their sake, do your part.

International Dog Biscuit Day is on February 23, so your furry friend can have fun celebrating this month, too.

February 24 is Tortilla Chip Day. Tortilla chips were first popularized as a way to reuse misshapen tortillas by Rebecca Webb Carranza whose family owned the El Zarape Tortilla Factory in the 1940s.

If you're low on iron, you might consider celebrating World Sword Swallowers Day on February 25, but we remind you that this is a day for professionals only. It was created by the Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI) in 2008.

February 26 is Pistachio Day. It encourages people to add pistachios to their daily diets and take advantage of their health benefits.


Historical Events

This month has an amazing constitutional history when more than 1/5 of the amendments were adopted. It is second only to December, which saw twice as many (including the famous first ten, the Bill of Rights).

February 3, 1870:  The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, which guarantees the rights of citizens to vote, regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

February 3, 1913:  This day of the month also saw the ratification of the 16th Amendment, which grants Congress the authority to collect income taxes.

February 6, 1788:  Massachusetts became the 6th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, which would go on to replace the Articles of Confederation.

February 6, 1933:  145 years to the day after the Massachusetts ratification of the Constitution, the 20th Amendment was adopted, which set the date of the Presidential Inauguration to be January 20; and set the official opening of Congress as January 3.

February 7, 1795:  The 11th Amendment of the Constitution was ratified. It prohibited federal lawsuits against individual states.

February 10, 1967:   The procedures clarifying presidential succession in the event of the disability of a sitting president were set by the ratification of the 25th Amendment.

February 25, 1950:   Ratification of the 22nd Amendment occurred, limiting the president to a maximum of two elected terms, and a maximum of 10 years in office.


 

   Charitable Activities Highlights

 

New England Hemophilia Association


Founded in 1957, The New England Hemophilia Association (NEHA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of all persons with bleeding disorders and their families through education, support, and advocacy in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  The Grand Council of Massachusetts renewed its long-term support of this organization with an IFS project in December.
 

Ukraine Fraternal Project


Medora Council #1648 is the latest council to provide a donation to the Ukraine Fraternal Project through an IFS Project. The Fraternal Department has been able to provide 100% of the funds donated by Medora and the many other councils and members who supported this project through their contacts in Poland. The funds directly help the ongoing needs of the Ukraine people who are suffering the effects of an unjust war.
 

Pan-Mass Challenge for Dana-Farber


Alpha-Agassiz Council #1 threw its support to The Pan-Mass Challenge, a Massachusetts-based bike-a-thon that raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country. The PMC raises funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world leader in adult and pediatric cancer treatment and research. This was the first IFS Project from Alpha-Agassiz supporting the PMC, but represents a continued and long-established support of the Dana-Farber Institute.
 

Year-End IFS Reminder


All 2022 IFS Projects must be submitted no later than February 28, 2023. These are projects where the donation was completed in the 2022 calendar year.

Projects completed in 2023 can be submitted immediately.
 

   College News

 

Reminder of Next Steps for Scholarship Applicants


Scholarship applicants need to be sure all items on their checklist are completed and all documents before the deadline of March 31. If a confirmation of the application and a checklist of to-do items were never received from the Home Office, please contact us immediately by calling (888) 272-2686 or sending us an email to ensure your application has been received.


 

   Inspirational quotes

 

“We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.”

―     Mother Teresa

   Upcoming dates

 

Mark your calendar with these important dates:

  • 2022 Fraternalism in Action reports deadline: February 15, 2023
  • The Lorraine J. D'Emilio Legacy of Home projects run from September 1 to February 28
  • 2022 IFS submission deadline: February 28, 2023
  • Bulletin article submission deadline: March 28, 2023
  • Scholarship checklist items deadline: March 31, 2023
  • Dime A Day program completion: October 18, 2023

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for your post.

Our Home Office will review the post and publish shortly.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.