Fraternal Leader Advisory

July 2026

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Featured

FLA Live: July Edition – Fraternal Webinar Series

Join us Thursday, July 23 at 8:00 PM ET for the next edition of our monthly FLA Live! webinar series entitled Fulfilling Our Mission in the New Fraternal Year. With the updated requirements for the new Fraternal Year, it may be difficult to tell if your council is on track for success. Learn which trainings are most important, how to form strong pastor and field agent relationships, and how you can take advantage of new resources to achieve Star Council.

Changes to the Star Awards

Some of the requirements for the Star Council Award and Star District Award have changed. They include changes to the Columbian Award and Founders’ Award, as well as updates to required forms.

Learn More

Officers Online Access

Officers and Program Personnel that were in a role for the 2025-2026 Fraternal Year that had access to Officers Online will continue to have access to Officers Online under the same Username, as long as they are in an officer role with access.

To clarify the status of your account, please use the ACCOUNT ASSISTANT link under the SIGN IN button. If you know your Username, but can’t remember your password, use the PASSWORD RESET option in the same location. For further assistance, please contact Customer Service at 800-380-9995.

NEW: Annual Council Audit

The Council Audit changed from Semi-Annual to Annual for the 2025-2026 fraternal year. The new Annual Council Audit Report (#1295) is now live in Officers Online, due on August 15. Use the Annual Council Audit Worksheet (#1295A) to prepare the information to complete and submit your report. A training session for completing the Annual Council Audit Report is also available.

Council Audit Training

New: Heart of the Gospel Retreat is Ready for Your Parish!

Presented by Father John Riccardo of the Catholic apostolate Acts XXIX: Mobilizing for Mission, Heart of the Gospel features comprehensive guides and dynamic video presentations that equip Cor leaders to lead an impactful retreat for the men of your parish. This retreat walks men through the heart of the Gospel message and invites them to more fully embrace Christ’s mission.

Learn More

Star Award Changes

Changes to the Star Council Award

The Star Council Award recognizes outstanding achievement in membership, insurance and council programs and activities. Some of the requirements have changed. They include:

Administrative

In order to ensure that a council has fulfilled all administrative requirements, they must submit the online Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity (#1728), Report of Officers Chosen for the Term (#185), Service Program Personnel Report (#365), and Annual Audit (#1295).

Training for the Annual Council Audit Report can be accessed here.

Columbian Award

The requirements for the Columbian Award have changed significantly. Award requirements can be found here:

Training for the 2026-27 Columbian Award can be accessed here.

Founders’ Award

To earn the Founders’ Award, a number equal to 10% of Associate members on the July 1 council roster must meet individually with a field agent for a financial review (minimum of five and maximum of fifteen). A financial review with an insurance agent is a personalized check-in to evaluate your current financial protection, identify gaps or changes in your needs, and ensure your insurance and long-term financial strategies still align with your goals, family, and future plans.

Training for the 2026-27 Founders’ Award can be accessed here.

For a list of all the requirements to earn the Star Council Award, go to kofc.org/star.

Changes to the Star District Award

Some of the requirements for the Star District Award have changed. They include:

At least two councils in the district earn the Star Council Award. Districts with one council are not eligible.
Every council in district must submit the Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity (#1728), Report of Officers Chosen for the Term (#185), Service Program Personnel Report (#365), and Annual Audit (#1295).

For a list of all requirements to earn the Star District Award, go to kofc.org/star.

Training & Webinars

FLA Live: July Edition – Fraternal Webinar Series

Reminder: Monthly Council Spotlight

Each month, as part of our FLA Live! Fraternal Webinar Series, we feature a council that is excelling in membership growth, programs, evangelization, faith formation or building a strong brotherhood of men. We want to showcase YOUR council! Tell us the great things your council is doing in your parish and community. Please email us at fraternaltraining@kofc.org so we can put the spotlight on your council.

Fraternal Webinar Archives

Missed a fraternal webinar? Visit our archive of fraternal webinars to view them on-demand.

Training for Updated Awards Requirements

The requirements for the Columbian Award and Founders’ Award have changed! View our training sessions to learn more about these updated requirements:

The Columbian Award Explained

The Founders’ Award Explained

Training for the Online Annual Council Audit

The Council Audit Report is now submitted annually. To find out more about the process, view the Council Annual Audit training session.

Fraternal Training is Easy to Fit Into a Busy Schedule

Visit kofc.org/training to locate online training for state, council, district and assembly officers. These training sessions are available on demand, and the average length is only 30 minutes! Suggested Training by Officer Role is a great place to get started.

District Master and Assembly Quarterly Training

The next District Master and Assembly quarterly training entitled How to Grow Your Fourth Degree Exemplifications will be on July 20, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET. District Masters can email any questions to: Michael J. Porter, Fourth Degree Director of Training: MJPKNIGHT9282@AOL.COM

Programs

Plan for Success

Early and proactive planning is key to a successful year. Consider important dates and key seasons to ensure you’re prepared ahead of time for events and programs.

Visit kofc.org/fiaresources for all necessary Program Resources to aid your planning, including the updated Faith in Action Guidebook.
Use those tools and tips alongside the new and improved Fraternal Planner.
Plan an event to raise at least $500 for the RSVP, ASAP, Food for Families or Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids® program as part of the new Columbian Award requirements.

New Programs

Review the New Program Resource Guide for the latest additions to the Faith in Action portfolio including Build-a-Bed, ¡Viva Cristo Rey!, Gospel of Life, and more!

Forms & Resources

Fraternal Leadership Resources Sent to Council Leaders

Updated fraternal resources have been sent via mail to your council's financial secretary. These resources reflect changes for the upcoming fraternal year including new guidelines for the Founder's Award and Columbian Award. Here is the full list of materials that your council's financial secretary will receive:

Fraternal Leader Success Planner #5033
Fraternal Excellence Guide #11619
Faith in Action Guidebook #10907
Protocol, Meetings and Ceremonials Book #11620
Officers Online Access Infographic #11208
Suggested Training By Office Infographic #11843
Cor Leader Guide #11500
Cor Formation Content Guide #11696
Working With Men’s Ministries #11934
Fishers of Men Guidebook #24-0237

Officers Online Access

NEW: Annual Council Audit

Council Audit Training

Grand Knight

Highlights for Grand Knights

Familiarize yourself with the Fraternal Excellence Guide (#11619) and Protocol, Meetings, and Ceremonials (#11620)
Attend your district organizational meetings and contact your district deputy to schedule the Installation of Council Officers.
The Report of Officers Chosen for the Term (#185) and Service Program Personnel Report (#365) were due by June 30. Your council must submit these forms to be eligible for the Star Council Award.
Craft an effective communication plan to engage all council members. Form a committee to verify contact information and then update Member Management.
Appoint an Evangelization and Faith Formation (EFF) Director to support Cor in your council this fraternal year. Please submit your returning or newly appointed EFF Director by June 30 using this Council EFF Director Submission Form. This form supplements your council personnel report #365 as there is not a space for the EFF Director on the #365 at this time.
Contact your District Deputy to schedule the Installation of Council Officers.
Submit the Annual Council Audit Report (#1295) due August 15. Use the Annual Council Audit Worksheet (#1295A) to prepare the information to complete and submit the Annual Council Audit Report in Officers Online.
Schedule your fall membership drive and Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity.
Plan activities for the Fall season. These are great opportunities to invite men of the parish to join your council.

EFF Director

Highlights for EFF Directors

Take advantage of summer to strengthen Christ-centered brotherhood through a barbeque, yard games, service project or other fraternity-focused Cor session. Challenge each participant to personally invite someone new to experience Cor and see what a simple invitation can do.
NEW: The Heart of the Gospel is a ready-to-use retreat that provides a transformative faith experience for all the men of your council and parish. A great resource to use to launch or reinvigorate Cor in the new fraternal year. View the trailer and visit kofc.org/gospel.
Please ensure you or your Grand Knight submit the Council EFF Director Submission Form (this position is not listed on Council #365) to ensure you receive all Cor communications.

District Deputy

Highlights for District Deputies

Your first step as DD is to check in with your councils and see how they are positioned for a successful year.
Complete an Annual Report on Council Status (#944) for each council in your district, whether functioning or not. These easy online reports should be submitted right after the District Organization Meeting and are due by September 15. This form is required for Star District Award eligibility.
Ensure councils have submitted the Report of Officers Chosen for the Term (#185) and Service Program Personnel Report (#365). Submitting these forms via Member Management is the best way to ensure officers and directors receive timely access to Officers Online and critical communications from the Supreme Council.
Attend your jurisdiction organizational meeting and then schedule your district meeting shortly thereafter using our recommended agenda and notes as a guide.
Make sure council officers are receiving the Fraternal Leader Advisory. If necessary, have them subscribe here.
Conduct the Installation of Council Officers for each council in your district.

Financial Secretary

Highlights for Financial Secretaries

Make sure you have access to Officers Online and Member Management and Member Billing.
The Report of Officers Chosen for the Term (#185) and Service Program Personnel Report (#365) were due by June 30. Use the easy Member Management application to submit yours if still necessary.
Check your council's supply inventory and order Candidate Kits (#531) and other supplies as needed. Printed material over two years old should be discarded and replaced.

Patriotic Degree

Highlights for Patriotic Degree

The next District Master and Assembly quarterly training will be on July 20, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET: How to Grow Your Fourth Degree Exemplifications
District Masters can email any questions to: Michael J. Porter, Fourth Degree Director of Training: MJPKNIGHT9282@AOL.COM

Featured Officer Announcements:

July 23 at 8:00 PM ET - FLA Live: July edition - Fulfilling Our Mission in the New Fraternal Year Register Now
Changes to the Star Council Award and Star District Awards All Requirements
Officers Online Access – check your access for the 2026-2027 fraternal year – Infographic
Annual Council Audit – use the new report form and worksheet – Annual Council Audit Report Annual Council Audit Worksheet
Heart of the Gospel Retreat – for the men in your parish – Learn More

Important Links

Fraternal Operations

Training & Webinars

Celebrate McGivney

Forms

Programs

Membership Benefits

Merchandise & Supplies

Ceremonials

Inviting Men to Join

Engage Your Members

Employment Opportunities

The Knights of Columbus Fraternal Mission Department has fantastic job opportunities. Visit our website to find one that matches your skills and goals.

See Available Jobs

Thank you for your service to the Order.

Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions during your term.

Contact Fraternal Mission