Royal Arcanum News and Events

 

November 07, 2023 Newsletter #65

Hi Member, A blast of winter air closed out the month of October for many of us, bringing us a stark reminder that autumn can have wintery weather. This November, we bring warm thoughts to all our members. Home Office News Our Chief Operations Officer Nick Benoit has been busy advocating for us. Hear about his latest exploits on behalf of our members.   November is the Month of... Awareness Days, Holidays, Observances, Fun Days, and Historical events are presented for November. Charitable Activities Highlights Michigan provided an inspiring IFS project benefiting a local charitable organization that specializes in helping visually impaired children.   College News It's a busy season for those enrolled in and planning for college. Be sure to read this section for your important reminders. Inspirational Quote This month's quote reflects on the power of charity. Upcoming Dates Update your calendar with these important dates    Home Office News     COO Nick Benoit Testifies Before the State Legislature...   For several years, Nick Benoit, our Chief Operations Officer, has been working with the Massachusetts state legislature to get a change in the law regarding the investment limitations placed upon fraternal insurance companies such as the Royal Arcanum. On October 24, Nick was called to testify in support of H1100, the Massachusetts Fraternal Investment Bill. This bill requests to amend the maximum stock investments allowed from 25% of surplus to 10% of assets. This would bring the investment rules for fraternals in line with many other states in the United States, such as Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The amendment would allow the Royal Arcanum to invest on a more level playing field and participate in future stock market bull runs, which would in turn benefit our members and the many charitable endeavors championed by our councils and their members.   ...Then Flies to Washington, D.C. for meetings with Members of Congress   Nick is also a member of the Board of Directors of the American Fraternal Alliance (AFA), and in that role, he caught an early-morning flight to Washington, D.C. to visit Congressional members from five different states. The AFA advocates on behalf of members by working with state and federal policymakers and regulators to support and elevate the fraternal movement. Nick was also invited to attend the arrival ceremony for the Prime Minister of Australia at the White House. It was a busier-than-usual week for our hard-working COO. Congratulations and thank you, Nick!    November is the month of...     Awarenesses   MONTH   Bladder Health Month   Bladder Health Month is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of maintaining a healthy bladder. Bladder health is especially important to women, as they suffer from more UTIs than men, incontinence is often linked to pregnancy and childbirth, and women are more prone to overactive bladders. Use this month to bring up conversations about bladder health and to seek medical advice to find appropriate care as needed.   https://www.urologyhealth.org/media-center/bladder-health-month   Diabetic Eye Disease Month   More than 25 million Americans have diabetes. Keeping track of blood sugar levels is well-known, but did you know that diabetic eye disease is the leading cause of vision loss in working-age adults? Early detection and timely treatment can reduce severe vision loss from diabetic retinopathy by 95%. Make November the month you commit to getting a comprehensive eye exam at least annually.   https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/outreach-resources/diabetic-eye-disease-resources/national-diabetes-month   National Marrow Awareness Month   Bone marrow transfusions can give patients a second chance at life. This month, we honor the achievements of transplant doctors and donors, and encourage people to donate so those with life-threatening diseases can live a longer life.   https://ncpa.org/newsroom/qam/2020/11/19/its-marrow-awareness-month-and-you-can-help WEEKS Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week 2nd Full Week of November, November 12-18, 2023   Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week (HARA) was first celebrated in 2016. It seeks to improve human knowledge of the relationship between humans and animals and to improve the way animals are treated. It's an opportunity to increase your knowledge of the interrelationships and to work to improve better future of the connections between animals and humans.   https://www.animalsandsociety.org/news/hara-week-2022-world-kindness-day/   International Fraud Awareness Week 2nd Full Week of November, November 12-18, 2023   The first documented instance of fraud goes back to 300 BC, when a Greek shipping merchant was caught committing bottomry fraud (where a loan is taken on the ship, using the ship as collateral. Fraud is still big business today: one need only think about the 64.8 billion swindled by Bernie Madoff in his Ponzi Scheme. Educate and protect yourself against fraud to help secure your assets.   https://www.fraudweek.com/   National Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week November 11-18, 2023   Every year, the week before Thanksgiving, Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is held to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness. The National Coalition for the Homeless holds events to help educate people, provide service opportunities, fundraise, and advocate for the hungry and the homeless. Make observing this week a part of your Thanksgiving tradition.   https://hhweek.org/ DAYS   National Stress Awareness Day The first Wednesday of November - November 1   Stress has been recognized as harming all aspects of life, including physical ailments caused by or worsened by stress. It is an ideal time to practice gratitude as a model of life. Don't let the fast-paced life in this modern world or the holiday season give you stress. Some hints to relieve stress include starting a mindfulness journal, mindful breathing, meditating, exercising, communicating with others, and taking the time to relax and unwind.   https://thriveworks.com/help-with/stress/stress-awareness-day/   World Tsunami Awareness Day November 5   The United Nations has called on all of us to take part in World Tsunami Awareness Day to promote awareness of the risks of these rare but disastrous events that can impact a large number of people living in coastal communities. Their "Get To High Ground" initiative encourages and supports assessing the risk of a tsunami and encourages supporting those impacted by tsunami events.   https://tsunamiday.undrr.org/   Microtia Awareness Day November 9   Microtia is a congenital disability that occurs when the ear or ears do not fully develop during the first trimester of pregnancy. It affects about 1 in every 9,000 children born. Those with microtia face hearing loss, and social acceptance. It is not known why it occurs, and treatment is currently about offering support and correction post-birth. Make yourself aware of this disease and support work to advance the treatments available.   https://earcommunity.org/today-is-national-microtia-and-atresia-awareness-day/669257/ Holidays and Observances   National Authors Day - November 1, 2023   In 1928, Nellie Verne Burt McPherson wrote to author Irving Bacheller to share her appreciation of his work. A member of the Illinois Women's Club, she lobbied the General Federation of Women's Clubs to dedicate a day to honor American authors. By 1949, the U.S. Department of Commerce officially made November 1st Author's Day   https://writingandwellness.com/2020/10/26/20-ways-you-can-celebrate-national-authors-day/   World Kindness Day - November 13, 2023   The World Kindness Movement introduced World Kindness Day in 1998 to help focus on the positive power that kindness brings. It starts with the foundational concept that human beings are inherently kind, and calls us all to show that kindness in simple ways in everything you do. Let this celebration remind you to be kind in every situation in ways large and small.   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Kindness_Day   World Television Day - November 21, 2023   In 1996, the United Nations proclaimed World Television Day to give recognition to the impact that television has in many economic and social contexts. It celebrates not the device, but the change it has produced, making the world a little smaller as we globally share celebrations and tragedies that may occur down the block or half a world away. It helps form and maintain global communities that could not have been imagined when television was first invented.   https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-television-day Fun Days   Deck Everything Day is November 1, and is for those who can't wait for December to decorate for the holidays. Decorating (or decking) for winter celebrations started with the Romans around 300 AD and has been particularly popular for more than the last 80 years.   https://nationaltoday.com/deck-the-everything-day/   Zero Tasking Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in November, or November 5 this year. It encourages everyone to enjoy some peace and quiet instead of trying to squeeze in a few tasks in their spare time.   https://www.eduvast.com/general-knowledge/zero-tasking-day/   National Family PJ Day is on November 14. It celebrates the ultimate comfort loungewear and encourages us to put on our jammies and relax with our families.   https://www.birthdayanswers.com/holidays/national-family-pj-day/ Historical Events   November 2, 1734: Daniel Boone was born near Reading, Pennsylvania. November 3, 1948: The infamous, incorrect headline "Dewey Defeats Truman" was published on the front page of the Chicago Tribune. In reality, Truman won the presidency. November 4, 1922: The tomb of King Tutankhamun was discovered, famous because the tomb was largely intact. The artifacts of King Tut's tomb later toured museums around the world. November 5, 1877: Henry B. Pierce, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, approved the Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum to operate as a Fraternal Benefit Society. November 7, 1885: The first of Canada's transcontinental railways, the Canadian Pacific, was completed. November 8, 1895: X-rays were discovered by Wilhelm Roentgen in Würzburg, Germany. November 9, 1872: The Great Boston Fire began in a dry-goods warehouse at a location that's within half of a mile from the present Home Office building. It grew to destroy almost 800 buildings at an estimated damage cost of more than $75 million. The fire's red glow was said to be seen for almost 100 miles.  November 10, 1483: Martin Luther was born in Eisleben, Saxony. In 1517, he famously nailed his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle church, calling for the reformation of the Roman Catholic Church. November 13, 1927: The Holland Tunnel that runs under the Hudson River between New York City and Jersey City was opened. It was the first U.S. underwater tunnel. November 14, 1840: Artist Claude Monet was born in Paris, France. He pioneered impressionistic painting, most famously in his Haystacks, Poplars, and Rouen Cathedral series. November 18, 1477: The first book in the English language was printed by William Caxton. The book was called The Dictes and Sayengis of the Phylosophers. November 19, 1493: Christopher Columbus discovered Puerto Rico on his second voyage to the New World. November 20, 1962: President John F. Kennedy announced that the U.S. had lived the blockade of Cuba, ending the Cuban Missile Crisis. November 23, 1887: William Henry Pratt was born in London. He later changed his name to Boris Karloff and gained fame as a horror film actor, most famously as Frankenstein's monster. November 25, 1881: Angelo Roncalli was born in Sotte il Monte, Italy. In 1958 he became the 261st Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and adopted the name Pope John XXIII. In 1963 he convened the 2nd Vatican Council, which modernized the mass and increased openness to other religions. He was canonized as a saint in 2014. November 28, 1520: Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan became the first European to cross from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean through the southern tip of South America, which is now known as the Strait of Magellan.    Charitable Activities Highlights   Penrickton Center for Blind Children   The Grand Council of Michigan and Detroit Council #21A selected a joint IFS Project in support of the Penrickton Center for Blind Children. The Penrickton Center was established in 1952 in Taylor, Michigan by three families (Penman, Ricker, and Wigginton) as a day center for blind preschoolers, as no such program existed in their area. They have grown over the years, adding a 5-day residential program in the late 50s, and a program to serve blind children who also had one other disability in the 60s. They focus on children 1 through 12 with their individualized programs, working to promote their independence in all aspects of their daily lives. The presentation of their donation coincided with the jurisdictional visit of our Supreme Regent Maria DiBartolo. Together they toured their facilities and saw first-hand the wonderful services they are providing to the children.       College News   A Call for Scholarship & Grant Applications   Don't let the generous Royal Arcanum Scholarships and Grants go unclaimed! Eligible junior members should apply now for Royal Arcanum academic scholarships and grants. The end-of-the-year deadline is fast approaching. Call 1-888-ARCANUM or visit our website before it's too late.    Notice to Previous Scholarship Winners   Don't forget that scholarships are paid directly to the college of scholarship winners, and to ensure the funds are sent to the correct institution, scholarship winners must submit their tuition bills to the Home Office. Be sure to keep your scholarship money flowing by contacting the Home Office with any questions.   College Care Package Lists are Being Compiled   All Royal Arcanum college students can request to receive a care package, but they must request it to receive it. Early next year, in time for the new semester, the Junior Department will send out care packages to students at their college addresses. Contact us now with your "temporary home" address at school -- even if that address is your permanent home for commuting students. Let us know how things are going with you when you do -- you just might see your college story in the next Bulletin!      Inspirational quotes   “Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.” ―   St. Francis of Assisi    Upcoming dates   Mark your calendar with these important dates: Daylight Saving Time Ends: November 5, 2023 Fall Bulletin Publication Date: November 17, 2023 Donald E. Ferry Jr. Spirit of Service Award project completion by: November 20, 2023 Youth of the Year Award Nominations deadline: November 30, 2023 Monthly Lend a Hand—Lift a Heart submission deadline: November 30, 2023 Donald E. Ferry Jr. Spirit of Service Award submission deadline: December 6, 2023 Winter Begins: December 21, 2023 Scholarship and Grant Applications deadline: December 31, 2023 Fraternalism in Action annual program completion: December 31, 2023 Lorraine J. D'Emilio Legacy of Hope Projects end: February 28, 2024 Winter Bulletin Article Submission deadline: January 15, 2024

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