For Officers

‘The Year of the Volunteer’
For the 2009-2010 fraternal year, to recognize spirit volunteerism that is such a major part of the Knights of Columbus, councils are asked to recruit new members under the theme of the “Year of the Volunteer.”  By recruiting new members we will continue to grow our volunteer force to better serve the needs of our Church and the community.  Use this link to find information on the “Year of the Volunteer” membership campaign.

World Series of Membership
Step up to the plate and get ready to rally with councils throughout your jurisdiction to earn a winning spot in the Knights of Columbus World Series of Membership competition. Under this friendly competition, which steps into the batter’s box on July 6, jurisdictions will be divided into six divisions of teams of 12. The event is initially run in “Round Robins” of play, where each jurisdiction “plays” another jurisdiction for five “games.” Each “game” is defined as the membership intake processed for the day (3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss). Every week of play will be against another jurisdiction.  The regular portion of the competition will run for 11 weeks. Playoffs will then begin between the top eight teams (based on the number of points earned). Each playoff “game” will be based on two weeks of a percentage of intake. The losing jurisdiction of the first round will receive a $100 check for state council membership programs and the second round losing jurisdiction will receive $250. The second place winner will receive $500 and the overall winner will receive $1,000 and Orderwide bragging rights. So make sure your council is ready to recruit during this exciting competition and help your jurisdiction hit a grand slam.

Raising the quota bar
Starting July 1, the new membership quota will be based on the 7 percent net of your council’s membership (with a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 35
members).  This quota, up 2 percent from the previous year, affects qualifying for the Father McGivney and Star Council awards.

Silver Rose Off and Running with Large Expansion

Three roses began traveling through 29 jurisdictions and Mexico on May 20. In July, a torch will also begin its touring in Tolouca, Mexico, to the first International Guadalupe Festival in Phoenix on Aug. 8, 2009.  There it will join the Silver Rose on the west coast. Please visit the new Web site to follow the roses on their journey.

Knights of Columbus Family Week
Knights of Columbus Family Week (August 8-16, 2009) is an opportunity for our Order and the community to celebrate the family and our rich 127 year history. Let people throughout your community join your celebration and show the world that families make up the history of our communities and our Order. Use the link above to learn how your council can join Knights throughout the Order in our celebration of the family.

Knights of Columbus World Day of Prayer for Peace
 The Knights of Columbus World Day of Prayer for Peace strives to  unite Knights, other 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 American lives, 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.

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.

CIS—On the Move
Catholic Information Service has always provided you with handy, reliable—and attractively packaged—resources to help you and your loved ones grow in the knowledge and practice of our Catholic faith. Beginning in January 2009, however, you will notice a slight change at CIS. Due to the rising cost of paper, production and postage, we must change our pricing structure. The last time we did so was over a decade ago. While still drastically below the actual cost of producing our high quality resources, and still offering discounts for bulk purchases, CIS must increase its fees. The new prices are: 1-99 booklets--$1.00 each; 100-200 booklets--.90 each; 201-500--.80 each; over 500--.75 each. Of course, our resources are always available for no charge in a variety of electronic formats at www.kofc.org/cis. For imformation please contact the Catholic Information Service.

Knights of Columbus Launch News and Information Site for Catholics
The Knights of Columbus has 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.

Fathers for Good Web Site
In keeping with a longstanding commitment to build stronger marriages and families, the Knights of Columbus launched a new initiative at the 126th Supreme Council Meeting, called Fathers for Good. The centerpiece of the initiative is an interactive Web site, www.fathersforgood.org. The theme for the launch of the Web site is “A Father’s Identity,” which offers men resources on how to build a strong, loving and confident identity in a culture that often does not value fatherhood or masculine virtues. The Web site also offers sections on male spirituality and building a better relationship with God, topics that are often overlooked on other male-oriented sites.

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.

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.

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.