To ensure professionalism, efficiency, and respect in our remote collaboration, Royal American Companies has implemented a new Virtual Meeting Policy.

Key Highlights:

• Be Prepared: Test your camera and microphone, review the agenda, and familiarize yourself with the meeting platform.
• Camera Usage: Keep your camera on when presenting or if others have theirs on. If unable, notify participants.
• Professionalism Matters: Mute when not speaking, avoid distractions, dress appropriately, and stay engaged.
• Stay on Track: Follow the agenda, take notes if needed, and ensure productive discussions.

Thank you for embracing these guidelines and helping us maintain excellence in all our meetings! You can see the full policy here.

A new year means a fresh opportunity to make a difference! If you’ve been with Royal American for over a year, don’t forget that you’re eligible for 8 hours of Volunteer Time Off (VTO) annually.  VTO can be taken in 4-hour shifts to fit your schedule, but remember, it does not roll over! Now is the perfect time to plan ahead and get your hours on the books.

Sharla Fletcher, our Talent Acquisition Coordinator, made great use of her VTO this week by supporting the Emerald Coast Business Women’s Association at their Death by Chocolate event. Through her photo booth business, she donated her time and services, operating her 360 photo booth free of charge to help raise funds for scholarships benefiting women in Bay County. Sharla was joined by her colleague, Pam Bonk, our IT Office Manager, who also used her VTO to assist with event setup. Last year, Sharla’s booth had 375 groups in just 2.5 hours, and she was excited to give back again this year!

Sharla shared, “The event I volunteered at was Death by Chocolate, hosted by The Emerald Coast Business Women’s Association. I absolutely love this nonprofit organization, as they raise money to provide college scholarships for Bay County women who are at least 23 years old. The event featured a variety of desserts from local restaurants, caterers, and culinary programs, along with a large silent auction.

We had the pleasure of helping set up before the event, and once it started, I donated my time for the second year with my 360 photo business, PhotoMotion360, giving attendees a lasting memory to take home with them. I truly had a great time using my VTO to support such a great cause, and it was amazing to have Pam join in as well.”

Thank you for sharing, Sharla!

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We’d love to highlight your service on Dispatch! If you take photos while volunteering, please send them to marketingrequests@royalamerican.com.

Let’s make 2025 a year of impact… One volunteer hour at a time!

Tax season is here! We want to inform you about an important change that may affect how you receive your tax forms.

What is the Paperwork Burden Reduction Act?

On December 23, 2024, President Biden signed the Paperwork Burden Reduction Act (H.R. 3697) into law. This new legislation aims to streamline administrative processes and reduce unnecessary paperwork. One key change is that employers are no longer required to automatically provide paper copies of Form 1095-C to employees.

How Does This Affect You?

If you need a copy of your Form 1095-C, you can request one in writing. Here’s what you need to know:

– You may request a copy by emailing hrdept@royalamerican.com.

– The deadline for distribution of the form is March 3, 2025, so please send us an email AFTER this date.

If you do not request a copy, this form will not be automatically mailed to you. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the HR team.