Royal Arch Research Assistance (R.A.R.A.) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt foundation incorporated in the State of Kentucky in 1974. It is governed by a Board of Directors who are all Royal Arch Masons. The General Grand High Priest is the President. The Board Secretary receives all contributions, keeps records, and sends out receipts, certificates, and awards. Each works with the R.A.R.A.  Representatives and the Ambassadors for each state, together with the Regional Deputy General Grand High Priest to coordinate Chapter. In this way, the Grand Chapters in their Regions will be encouraged to participate publicly to demonstrate our community involvement. Through greater visibility to the public, the hope is to generate a greater commitment to this endeavor and promote Royal Arch Masonry. There are three Regional Coordinators to provide public relations and fundraising assistance under the direction of the Executive Director.

What is Central Auditory Processing Disorder? Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) is a hearing deficiency that does not allow those afflicted to distinguish sounds that can be heard by those with regular hearing. When a sound occurs, the sound is taken into the inner ear and delivered to the brain and the brain translates what is being heard. When a person is deaf, the part of the ear that delivers the sound to the brain does not function. When a person has central auditory processing Disorder (CAPD), the part of the brain that translates what the ear delivers does not function properly. The person with CAPD can hear sounds, but how the brain translates the sound is incorrect, and the result is a garbled message. People who have CAPD have normal hearing, so they are not considered hearing impaired. The neurological processing of the sounds they hear is impaired, which is why it’s called a processing disorder. Research is developing paths of opportunity to correct this problem, and your Royal Arch Research Assistance (R.A.R.A.) contributions support these efforts.

If you think your child is having trouble hearing or understanding when people talk, have an audiologist (hearing specialist) exam your child. Only audiologists can diagnose auditory processing disorder.

What can you do? You can join our cause through your support of R.A.R.A. activities. Why? Simply and directly—Because as Royal Arch Masons, WE CARE!