Nov 16, 2021 Newsletter #31

Hi Member, November is more than half over already! Are you getting the chance to enjoy the autumn? We hope so and hope you'll enjoy these latest topics in this newsletter. Scholarship application reminder Cyber Security Caution Keeping in touch with our members Easing of COVID Travel Restrictions    Scholarship Deadline Reminder Applications are being accepted for the Royal Arcanum competitive scholarships and non-competitive grants. Don't delay, make sure members who are eligible apply now! To apply, call us today at 1-888-ARCANUM or visit our website to find the application forms. Applications are due by December 31, 2021. Please include a photograph of yourself in your application that we can use for advertising winners. After your application is received, you will hear back on the next steps required to be submitted. If you don't hear from them, follow up to make sure your application was received. All components of the application must be submitted and completed by March 31, 2022.    Cyber Security Caution There was a recent meme going around that was posted by a police department that read: Without giving away your pet's name, your mother's maiden name, or the name of your favorite high school teacher, Tell us your passwords. This is, of course, the reverse of what many scammers are doing - posting social media trivia questions asking personal information that can be used to break through security barriers and get at your passwords and accounts. There are always new ways these cyber thieves are using to try to get at your money. Here are a few tips to keep in mind and keep and stay safe.   Keep your software up to date. Software companies regularly update their software to close security holes that are found. Keep your software up to date to use the latest security fixes. Beware of suspicious emails and phone calls. You can't rely on caller ID to know who is calling. Emails can look official, but the email address they are coming from may be slightly different from an official address. Beware particularly if asked for an urgent reply, threatening costs for a delay, and asking for your login ID and password, banking or credit card information. When in doubt, contact your bank or credit card using already verified emails or phone numbers. Use a good password. Don't use the same password for every account - if one account is compromised, thieves could get into every other account using the same password. Experts recommend using a password manager. Most will not only keep your passwords, but will help generate unique passwords, check if you are reusing passwords, and even notify you if your password has been compromised. Be careful where you click. Don't go to unknown websites or click on links or attachments from unknown senders. And don't assume the email is from the displayed name on the email. Check the email address, especially if the email doesn't sound like the way that person normally communicates with you. Keep your personal data private. It is never safe to send information like your passwords, social security number, or account numbers in an unsecured email, and especially as a response to an unexpected request. Use antivirus or anti-malware software. Every Internet-connected device can be compromised, be sure to use protective software that will watch out for threats and protect you. Back up your data. Be sure to back up your important data regularly. Smartphones can be backed up to your computer or to the cloud. Computers can be backed up to external drives or the cloud. Your backup schedule should be based on how often your data may change - whenever you've made enough changes that you would be lost if you lost your data, it's time to back up. For most, it is either weekly or monthly. For more information, visit the US Government's Cybersecurity & Information Security Agency.    Keeping in Touch Your Supreme Council strives to keep our members up to date in many ways. Are you getting all the information you want? Here's a run-down of how you stay in the loop. The Royal Arcanum Website Our website, royalarcanum.com, contains a vast amount of information about our organization and its history, our products, our elected officers, downloadable forms for various purposes, digital versions of our Bulletins, and much more. Quarterly Bulletin Four times a year, we mail out a full-color magazine, our official Royal Arcanum Bulletin to our members. Each issue contains updates from some of the elected officers and articles and pictures from members. Information about upcoming events, such as the Session, will be included, as well as information about our products and any recent updates. One Bulletin is sent per household unless additional copies are specially requested. Weekly Newsletter This newsletter goes out to members whose email we have on file and contains timely topics we think will be of interest to our members. Reminders of actions, such as scholarship applications or the upcoming Session are provided in a short, easy read, alongside interesting general interest topics. Any members who don't receive the email newsletter can be added by simply making a request. Facebook Are you on Facebook? Are you following our Facebook page? Find us at https://www.facebook.com/RoyalArcanumBoston and "like" us to add our posts to your newsfeed.  Direct Emails Our Fraternal Department sends direct emails through email lists to our members on a regular basis. It's the best way to keep up with the fraternal activities and programs throughout the Royal Arcanum, and all other fraternal news shared by our Fraternal Director. Let us know if you're not getting these informative emails. Direct Mail Officers and Supreme Council Representatives receive direct mailings for important updates such as summaries of meetings of the Executive Committee, notices that council reports are due, and other important topics. Postcards are sent to applicable junior members to remind them about scholarship application deadlines. Our Junior department sends birthday cards and other friendly greetings to our junior members. Are we missing some way of communicating you'd like to see? Let us know!    Travel Restrictions Eased The US and Canada have both eased travel restrictions, allowing for non-essential travel across the borders.! While things are certainly not back to normal, we welcome the ability to again share our friendships with our members in the USA and in Canada in person again.

 

Nov 02, 2021 Newsletter #30

Hi Member, Welcome to November! For most, the summer weather is now a distant memory, and some strong autumn storms have already rolled through. We hope everyone has been spared the worst of these storms and will enjoy a few updates from the Supreme Council. November is the month of... 2 months left for 2021 IFS donations Session reservations are being accepted CDC vaccine updates    November is the Month of... November is here, and change of weather is best known for Halloween, but the spooky thing is that we forget how many other things this hard-working month is known for. Here's a small selection of things to know about the 10th month.   What's in a name? Last month, we noted that October was the eighth month in the old Roman calendar. This month, we'll point out that the old Latin word "novem" means "nine", as this was the ninth month in the old Roman calendar. Notice a theme here? Wel bet there won't be any wondering about the source of next month's name. Veteran's Day The celebration of Veteran's Day on November 11 traces back to the end of World War I, the Great War, which saw the end of fighting on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The day is previously celebrated as Armistice Day, and in Canada is known as Remembrance Day.   Thanksgiving Day The United States celebrates Thanksgiving Day on the 4th Thursday of November, celebrating the autumn harvest, harkening back to the 1621 celebration between the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Native Americans. Despite the common depictions of the Pilgrims, the first official national celebration wasn't until 1863. It still represents one of the busiest travel times as families gather together to celebrate.   Gluten-free Diet Awareness Month November raises awareness to those who have celiac disease and those who are sensitive to gluten in wheat, grains, barley, and rye. For those with celiac disease, gluten inflames their intestines and damages the villi in the intestines. Over time, the loss leads to more severe health problems. Those sensitive to gluten experience intestinal issues that may be less severe, but are still problematic to their health. This is a great month to discover all the delicious meals that can be made while avoiding gluten. Awareness of Cancers Month There are many types of cancer, each devastating to those diagnosed. November highlights the awareness of Lung cancer, Pancreatic cancer, and stomach cancer. November has spawned the rise of Movember and NoSHAVEmber to help raise funds for cancer research. November also is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month, because cancer strikes our pets, too. It's a great time to make a donation to help advance the treatment of cancer.   National Scholarship Month We regularly highlight the Royal Arcanum scholarships at this time of year and the steps needed for applying. While this is a great benefit for our members, National Scholarship Month was established to remind everyone of the many scholarship opportunities out there.    2 months left for 2021 IFS Donations The International Fraternal Service Program offers a generous reimbursement of half of qualifying donations, up to $1,000 each year. Donations are based on the calendar year, so there are only two more months left to make donations and qualify for reimbursement for the 2021 calendar year. Review the IFS program, download the IFS form, and have your council make a donation before the end of the year. Reimbursement requests are accepted through the end of February the following year.    Session reservations are being accepted Officers and councils should have received a flying and a "Save the Date" magnet about the 105th Session in March 2022. Watch for all the detail and the reservation form in the Fall Bulletin, which we hope will be arriving in a few weeks. The Session will celebrate 145 years of fraternal service to our members and our communities, and as always will discuss important issues and elect the officers to lead us until the next Session.    COVID Vaccine Boosters The FDA and CDC have recently reviewed and approved COVID booster shots for the more at-risk members of the community. We encourage those who are eligible to consider getting a booster shot if they qualify. For those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a booster is recommended to everyone over 18 who received the original vaccine at least 2 months ago. For those who received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, the booster is only approved for those who are 65 or older, or those who are 18 or older and either are in a long-term care setting, have qualifying medical conditions or work in high-risk settings. For all cases, the booster is only approved if the second dose of the original vaccine was received at least 6 months ago. Of course, if you haven't yet received any of the vaccines, you're encouraged to get vaccinated if you are eligible against this virus that has killed more than 750,000 in the US alone.

 

Oct 19, 2021 Newsletter #29

Hi Member,  The year is moving on, and we have some interesting and informative information for you in this edition.  October is the Month of... Notice: No 2022 Pocket Calendars Scholarship Applications are Being Accepted A Message from our Junior Director    October is the Month of... October is best known for Halloween, but the spooky thing is that we forget how many other things this hard-working month is known for. Here's a small selection of things to know about the 10th month.   But if it's the tenth month, why October? The early Roman calendar, which is thought to have been introduced around 750 BC, was a lunar calendar. This system only contained 10 months, and October was the eighth month in that cycle, which started in Martius, now known as March. Each month had 30 or 31 days and only totaled 304 days. So what happened to the other 60 or so days? They were nameless, and two lunar cycles in the winter were skipped. It was about 40 or 50 years later that another two months were introduced, but historians aren't sure if they were added to the end of the calendar or with one at the beginning and one at the end. In any case, the current calendar we all use was last updated by Pope Gregory in 1582 -- in October! Despite its current placement as the 10th month, the original name of October stuck. Explore the history of the calendar before and since Roman times.   ADHD Awareness Month Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting both children and adults around the globe. Learn about ADHD and the latest on diagnosing and treating it.   Adopt a Shelter Dog Month The American Humane Society has designated October as Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. It's a great time to help a dog waiting to find a forever home from one of the more than 5,000 community animal shelters nationwide or the equally large group of rescue groups and animal sanctuaries. Now is the time to make a tail wag!   Breast Cancer Awareness Month 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. This year, it is estimated that more than 40,000 women and 500 men will die from breast cancer. Knowing your family history and getting screened are two powerful ways to be aware and allow for early detection when survival rates are highest. Were you aware that the two greatest risks are simply being a woman, and getting older? Raise your awareness and help support efforts against this disease.   Italian American / Polish American Heritage Month October is a month to celebrate the heritage of many different ethnic backgrounds. Two of them are Italian Americans and Polish Americans. Celebrate by appreciating the immigrants who made this country a melting pot of cultures.   Bat Appreciation Month We love to see bats as decorations for Halloween, but do you know how they help the environment through their diet of invasive insects? Learn more about these little creatures and gain some respect for them beyond their ability to insight fear of vampires.    Notice: No 2022 Pocket Calendars The change in weather might not have set in yet, but there's no doubt a new year is headed our way. We wanted to let you know that we will not be ordering pocket calendars for 2022. We're taking a break from them for a few reasons. First, because there won't be any visitations before the end-of-March Session, calendars would all have to be mailed, and this increases the overall calendar cost. Waiting until the Session would mean missing the first quarter of the year, which would decrease the value of the calendars. Also, we have had a declining number of members interested in pocket calendars, as many are moving to use calendars on their smartphones. Ordering calendars in smaller quantities increases the per-calendar cost. With just these three factors, it was decided to take a break for 2022 in pocket calendars. We wanted to let you know early so those who still use them can keep an eye out for one for themselves when shopping this autumn.    Calling for Scholarship Applications Applications for our Royal Arcanum Scholarships and non-competitive grants are now being accepted. More than $60,000 in scholarships and over $8,000 in grants are available. Remind your eligible members that the initial applications must be in the Home Office by December 31, 2021. Don't let this opportunity for an award pass you by! To apply, call 1-888-ARCANUM or visit http://royalarcanum.com/collegecareer.html. Applications are due by December 31, 2021. Please include a photograph of yourself in your application that we can use for advertising winners. After your application is received, you will hear back on the next steps required to be submitted. If you don't hear from them, follow up to make sure your application was received. All components of the application must be submitted and completed by March 31, 2022. Do you know of family or friends with children that are not yet members? Talk to them today about signing up so they can take advantage of this golden opportunity when they reach college age! It's just one of the many benefits of membership.    A Message from our Junior Director One of the tasks that I enjoy most by being Junior Director is searching for and purchasing Christmas gifts for our juniors. Sometimes it is really a challenge because children today have so many toys, games, electronics, etc. It’s completely different from the time when we were growing up. We love to tell our children and grandchildren stories that begin with, "When I was your age..." Some of us were lucky if we received one toy because most of the time we would get clothes, shoes, and other necessities.  Today's generation is easily spoiled by their parents and grandparents.  As a grandmother, I love the thrill and excitement of seeing my grandchildren open presents and receive surprises.     As more Covid restrictions are being lifted, hopefully, more councils in our jurisdictions will be hosting parties for our youngest members. In November, Christmas gifts for juniors will be available from the home office for the appropriate age groups. Let your council officer download the form online or request them by calling the home office.   To our college students that would like to receive a care package at the beginning of the new year for the next semester, please send us your college or home address.   Wishing you all a safe Halloween and a peaceful and joyous Thanksgiving with your family. Take this holiday to remember to be thankful for all that we have.     Yours in V.M.C. Errica Conforto

 

Oct 05, 2021 Newsletter #28

Hi Member, With autumn comes reminders of important deadlines. These and other news is included in this edition of the newsletter. Highlights of the Executive Committee Teleconference Anything missing from our website? Bulletin Deadline: October 9 Scholarship Winners need to submit their tuition bill    Highlights of the Executive Committee Teleconference The Executive Committee recently met by teleconference. Here are some highlights from that meeting. A more detailed summary has been sent to the Supreme Council Officers - contact your local or grand council for more information.   Investments increased from March through July The Royal Arcanum investment portfolio is reviewed by the Executive Committee on a regular basis. The last period under review was from March through July 2021. The market value of the portfolio increased by about 1.34% during that period.   Upcoming Session Plans for the upcoming 2022 Session in March in Annapolis, Maryland are advancing. The Session Committee has been working to ensure a safe and successful Session. Members of the Executive Committee have been reaching out to identify those who are planning to attend; if you are planning on coming but haven't been contacted, let us know, we're glad you'll be joining us!   Business summary Our life insurance operation has seen an 8% increase in new business application volume compared to 2022.  We have received accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, effective August 2021, which is an exciting step for our organization. The Sales department reported an increase in newly appointed agents across the 31 states in which we are licensed, which should help us continue to increase our sales.   Scholarships awarded over $64,000 Our Junior Director reported that over $64,000 in scholarships and grants were awarded this year! This enticing benefit is a great reason to encourage friends and families with pre-college children to join the Royal Arcanum.   Home Office upgrades Keeping up with advances in technology is a requirement of business these days. Our Home Office recently upgraded their computer server and key backend software to support the ongoing growth in business and everchanging needs of support.   Charitable projects before the end of the year Our Acting Supreme Regent Maria DiBartolo has asked all councils to take on at least one more charitable project before the end of the year. Every project is helpful, and if your council hasn't yet reached its IFS reimbursement limit, your charitable gift can go further. Plan a charitable project today.    Website Resources Needed? Did you know there are many member resources on our website, www.royalarcanum.com? You can find common forms for members such as a Change of Address form or the Change of Beneficiary form. We also have resources for councils such as the annual report instructions & forms and brochures & forms for council programs such as the International Fraternal Service program and the Donald E. Ferry Spirit of Service Award program. We have electronic copies of our most recent Bulletins, Scholarship applications, and the Royal Perks program. We have information on all of our protection products, both insurance and annuities. You can find our constitution and history, our officers, and junior games and puzzles (along with coloring pages then we've received back from our junior members). Is there something else you'd like to see on our website? We're in the midst of making a few updates, and it's a great time to add any missing information you may want to see. Drop us an email to let us know what we're missing and we'll see if we can get it into the upcoming update.    Bulletin Deadline: October 9 If you have any articles for the upcoming Bulletin, please submit them as soon as possible. We have a firm deadline of October 9 to have the best chance of the Bulletins getting out to our members on time. Articles received after the deadline will be considered for the next quarterly Bulletin. As always, be sure to include a high-res photo if you're including pictures, and be sure to identify everyone in the photos. Thanks!    Scholarship Winners: Tuition Bills Due Please note that Scholarship winners must submit their tuition bill and include their student ID each year in order for the funds to be sent to their school. A letter is sent out annually to scholarship winners as a reminder. In case it got lost in the mail or was overlooked, please be sure winners from your council complete this important task. Please call our office at 888-ARCANUM if you are a scholarship winner and have any questions.

 

Sep 21, 2021 Newsletter #27

Hi Member, Welcome to Autumn (well, tomorrow, anyway! In this edition, we're asking for pictures of Fall to share, reminding you about the upcoming Session, a reminder of a member benefit, and a correct from the last newsletter. Autumn is Almost Here The Royal Arcanum Session is only 6 Months Away Royal Perks Member Benefit Scholarships and Grants Correction    Autumn is Almost Here! The start of the Fall season officially begins with the autumnal equinox, which is on September 22 this year. The date marks the time there is an equal amount of daylight and nighttime, each occurring for twelve hours (in Latin, the word equinox means 'equal light'). It is also a time when councils return from their summer break and begin to meet regularly again. In-person meetings may not be possible for some councils, but we encourage your members to come together if they can -- perhaps an outdoor meeting while the weather is still nice, or by phone or by video chat using the Royal Arcanum video chat service. We're here to support you in any needs you may have to bring your council together. And as the colors turn and the autumn adventures start, why not snap a picture or two and send them to us to share. Enjoy the seasonal change!    The Royal Arcanum Session is only 6 Months Away! The 105th Supreme Council Session is a short 6 months away: March 27 through 31, in Annapolis, Maryland. Our pandemic-delayed gathering coincides with the currently predicted hope that the pandemic will be under control, and allow us to meet to perform the business of our Order. While the focus of the Session is on our Session and the events surrounding it, Annapolis is a beautiful location, with historical and other attractions only a short distance away. The Annapolis Visitor's site provides a vast amount of information about the area. More detail on the Session and its plans are being finalized and will be shared in the bulletin, letters to councils and officers, and of course will also be included in this newsletter. Mark your calendar now!    Royal Perks Member Benefit One of the benefits of membership in the Royal Arcanum is the Royal Perks program. This is a personal online savings resource for all members – a place to find discounts and rebates on goods and services from many of the best-known brand names, online and off. Over 5,000 Royal Arcanum members have registered, and they have saved over $15,000. Nearly 400 new members have registered so far this year -- will you be the next to sign up and save through this free member benefit? Sign up and start saving today!    Scholarships and Grants Correction In the last newsletter, the last line noted that the final components of the application, which are provided by the Home Office after the initial application is received, must be completed by March 31, 2021. The correct date is next year, March 31, 2022. We are sorry for any confusion that may have caused. It all starts with the application, so please call us today at 1-888-ARCANUM or visit http://www.royalarcanum.com/collegecareer.html.