For Officers

Membership Blitz in October
Plan now for your council’s October Blitz in your local parishes. Use the link above for more information on organizing your event. Focus on all Masses during the weekend of October 11-12. Schedule a First Degree later in October or early November to initiate your new members. Now is the time to order recruitment materials for your event. Your council can obtain a Blitz material order form from the link below. Also, the link below will provide you with an outline of how to conduct your Blitz. Remember, a well planned Blitz will be the secret to any council's recruitment success.

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Blitz Order Form

Bishops Ask Catholics to Pray a 'Novena for Faithful Citizenship'
With the presidential election of 2008 now just nine weeks away, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has asked all Catholics in the United States to pray a novena for life, justice and peace called the Novena for Faithful Citizenship. The bishops encourage praying the novena on nine consecutive Tuesdays, beginning Sept. 2, on nine consecutive days beginning on Oct. 26, or any other combination that works for individual or group participants. Text of prayers and podcasts.

Knights of Columbus Launch News and Information Site for Catholics
The Knights of Columbus this week launched a brand-new Internet-based news and information service for Catholics everywhere – Headline Bistro. The new Web site provides a quick digest of daily news of interest to Catholics. Whether it relates to world affairs, politics or news specifically about the Catholic Church, you'll find links to the original sources here. You'll also find video clips, detailed state-by-state information about voting and public policy, and recommended books. The Web address is headlinebistro.com.

‘A People of Life’  Brochure and Poster Available
As members of the Knights of Columbus, we are all called to work toward building a culture of life. The new brochure “A People of Life – And for Life” (#4795) outlines the Order’s commitment to reversing the trend toward a culture of death and building a culture that values human life at every stage. The beautifully designed, full-color brochure clearly outlines the Order’s commitment to the pro-life movement and also offers five practical action items to help members, their families and all concerned people get involved in building a culture of life. A poster (#4804) with a similar design is also available. Use the title links above to view a pdf versions of the brochure and poster. Additional copies of this brochure and poster are available from the Supreme Council Supply Department.

Knights of Columbus World Day of Prayer for Peace
The Knights of Columbus World Day of Prayer for Peace seeks to unite Knights, Catholics and all people of good will – regardless of their religious faith – in prayer for peace. While Sept. 11 will always be remembered for the tragic loss of life, Knights hope that this somber occasion will be the foundation of an annual opportunity for a day of earnest prayer for peace in the world.

“Follow Me — Help Us Build Up the Church”
For the 2008-2009 fraternal year in the continuing spirit of Pope Benedict XVI’s historic visit to North America, your council is urged to invite qualified Catholic men to “Follow Me — Help Us Build Up the Church” by asking them to join the Knights of Columbus Use this link to find information on the “Follow Me — Help Us Build Up the Church” membership campaign.

Membership Recruitment Leadership Guide
The Leadership Guide for Membership Recruitment (#9290) offers a comprehensive plan aimed at developing strategies to assist councils in the  recruitment of new members and the retention of current members. Use the link above to see a pdf version of this guide and to print out copies for your council members. This guide is full of ideas on assessing your council’s strengths and utilizing that information to plan recruitment and retention activities. It also includes sample questionnaires and checklists on topics such as “Membership Satisfaction,” “Council Membership Inventory” (to determine the council’s effectiveness in implementing the Service Program), “Leadership Development,” and “New Member Orientation.” These forms can be duplicated and distributed to your council members. The pdf file in the link above includes “clickable” fields to allow you to complete the forms included in it. Additional copies of this guide can be ordered from the Supply Department.

Special Grand Knight Quarterly Incentive!
For every council that recruits five (5) new members gross between July 1 and September 30, 2008, its grand knight of record will be entered into a drawing for one of 25 $50 Visa® Gift Cards. Each grand knight whose council nets five new members during every quarter of the 2008-09 fraternal year will be entered into a grand prize drawing for one of two $500 Visa® Gift Cards.

Special District Deputy Quarterly Incentive!
District Deputies who report at least three First Degree exemplifications between July 1 and September 30, 2008, will be entered into a drawing for one of 25 $50 Visa® Gift Cards. First Degrees must be reported to the Supreme Council office by Oct. 15 on the Degree Exemplification Report Form (#450) in order to qualify Each district deputy who conducts and reports at least 3 First Degrees during every quarter of the 2008-09 fraternal year will be entered into a grand prize drawing for one of two $500 Visa® Gift Cards.

Supreme Knight’s State Convention Greetings
Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson has recorded a short greeting for attendees at state conventions. These remarks cover many of the events of the past fraternal year including the celebration of the Order’s 125^th anniversary, Pope Benedict XVI’s declaration of Father Michael McGivney as “Venerable” moving him one step closer to sainthood, the accomplishments of our insurance program, and the outstanding service by Knights worldwide throughout the year. If you did not have a chance to attend your jurisdiction’s convention, use these links to view Supreme Knight Anderson’s remarks and share them with your fellow Knights and your family.

 2008 State Convention Video

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We’re Targeting Outstanding Recruiters
There are great recruiters out there, people who are passionate to share their love of the Knights of Columbus with qualified Catholic men by asking them to join. The stories of these outstanding recruiters are the stories we want to share with all of our members. To do this, we need your help. We’re asking you to submit stories -- of recruitment success, details of proven strategies that your council uses, and unique recruitment ideas that have helped your council grow -- to us for possible use in Supreme Council publications. What we need from you is your council name and number, the outstanding recruiter’s name (a council officer, Knight, spouse, priest, or anyone who has helped to grow our Order), a color photograph, contact information (phone number, e-mail address), and a brief description of the recruitment accomplishments. Our staff will follow up on those stories that we decide to utilize. Send this information to Fraternal Services, Spotlight on Membership, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326. If you have any questions on this initiative please phone 203-752-4264, or e-mail fraternalservices@kofc.org.

Podcasting the Kingdom
The Catholic Information Service of the Knights of Columbus has produced a podcast version of the popular Luke E. Hart catechism course. The Luke E. Hart series, written by Professor Peter Kreeft, gives an introduction to the Catechism of the Catholic Church in 30 easy-to-read booklets. Now you can listen to them on your computer! Or you can download each program to your iPod or other mp3 player, so that you can listen while driving or jogging. You can subscribe to these podcasts on iTunes. To listen to these programs, go to www.kofc.org/cispodcasts. Now there are three easy ways of learning about your Catholic faith: order a free copy of a booklet from the CIS Web site, www.kofc.org/cis, read it on the same Web site, or listen to at www.kofc.org/cispodcasts.

FS Forms Online
Forms relating to the position of financial secretary, including the evaluation, application, and nomination forms, are now available online in the “Reports Online” section of the Order’s Web site. These forms are accessible to grand knights, district deputies and state officers (including executive secretaries and state new council development chairmen). Grand knights, financial secretaries and district deputies who haven’t registered user accounts for “Reports Online” can do so by going to www.kofc.org/registrationQA. To register for Reports Online you will need an invitation code which you should have received through the mail. If you have not received an invitation code please contact the customer service department at 1-(800) 380-9995. Forms can be found by using the “Forms” link on the left side of this page. There is no need to register an account to submit forms.

Marian Prayer Program
On Sept. 8, Feast of the Birth of Mary, Knights began spreading devotion to Our Lady of Charity through a new yearlong Marian Prayer Program for the intentions of Pope Benedict XVI.

Training Success as a Grand Knight
The grand knight is the highest ranking elected officer of his council. When he is successful in completing the duties of this office, his council will move forward and thrive. To assist grand knights in implementing their duties and adding an important page to the history of our Order, the Supreme Council is proud to make available this comprehensive training module. It was created to provide uniformity to the training message that our council leaders receive. Grand knights can view this training production at their own pace and utilize the information in it to guide them in their duties as council leaders.

District Deputy’s Success Starts With Training
For anyone to be successful at a job, he needs to be properly trained in all facets of his position. The Supreme Council is proud to announce a comprehensive training module for district deputies. It was created to provide uniformity to the training message that our district leaders receive. A DVD of the training module was recently mailed to every district deputy and is now available for district deputies to train and review at their own pace.

Retaining Members Important to Council Health
The growth of the Knights of Columbus depends not only on recruiting new members, but also on retaining current ones. These retention efforts for new members begin once he joins the Order. In addition efforts must be made to retain current members and to keep them enthusiastic about the Order. Use the link above to access information on starting your council's membership retention efforts.

Recruitment Strategies for Success
Recruiting new members is essential to the continued growth and well-being of your council and the Order. Offering a man membership in the Knights of Columbus gives him the opportunity to improve his own life and his community. Membership allows him to experience the fraternal bond that Knights share while growing closer to his family and his faith. For your council's recruiting efforts to succeed, you need to devise a plan of action and follow through on it. Use the above link to access ideas and materials to help your recruitment efforts, to keep our Order growing and strong, and to give every qualified man the opportunity to become a Knight of Columbus.

Knights of Columbus Essay Contest
As Knights, it is our obligation to fight for the Church; it is of paramount importance to strengthen the foundation of Catholic principles and teachings in the hearts and minds of the youth. The Order encourages all councils and assemblies to sponsor the Knights of Columbus Essay Contest at Catholic schools in their communities. The essay contest is a creative way to encourage young people to become citizens who are firmly grounded in the Faith.

Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge
The Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge, is designed for players to demonstrate the most basic of soccer skills — the penalty kick. The Soccer Challenge is open to all boys and girls in your community, ages 10-14. The contest will take place on the council, district, regional, state, and international levels.

Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship
The Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship is a great way to provide entertainment and enjoyment for the young people in your community. To sponsor a competition, all your council needs is the Free Throw Championship Kit, a couple of basketballs, a hoop and a bunch of kids. It is a great way to get out into the public and introduce the Order to your community — while providing youths with a rewarding activity that yields a chance for local, state or provincial, and international recognition.

Substance Abuse Awareness Poster Contest
Each year, councils throughout our Order participate in the Knights of Columbus Substance Abuse Awareness Poster Contest to help make young people in their communities aware of the dangers of the abuse of drugs and alcohol, to give a positive outlook for children to embrace, and to help carry them through the peer pressure to use alcohol and drugs. The posters’ thought-provoking visuals and slogans send the message that drugs and alcohol are not the way to go.

Reports Online Q and A
This article will help Officers understand how they receive access to Reports Online. All Officers and Chairman should continue to use the "Forms" link on this page to access forms that they need to submit to the Supreme Council.

10 Keys to Success
Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson shared his "10 Keys to Success" at the annual state deputies meeting in New Haven, and says they're just as important to grand knights and district deputies as they are to state deputies.

Promote Knights of Columbus Insurance
Council officers serve their members well by promoting the Order's insurance program at every opportunity, working closely with your general and field agent to make sure your members are fully aware of the outstanding products offered.