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College Council Awards

Annually at the College Councils Conference, the Supreme Council recognizes the accomplishments of college councils over the previous fraternal year. Awards are given to recognize councils for their achievements in membership growth, insurance growth and programming. In addition to the following awards, Star Council winners are recognized at the College Councils Conference Awards Banquet.

Membership Growth Awards– Two awards are given for membership – one for the council with the highest net gain and one for the council with the highest percent increase in membership. These awards are given based on membership numbers as of June 30, the last day of the fraternal year.

Insurance Growth Awards – Similar to membership, insurance growth is recognized with two awards – one for the council with the highest net gain and one for the council with the highest percent increase in insurance members. These awards are given based on insurance numbers as of June 30, the last day of the fraternal year.

Church Award – This award recognizes the council with the best program that engages its Newman/Catholic Center or Catholic Campus Ministry Office. This award seeks to recognize the council that has made the most significant contributions to growing and serving the university’s Catholic community as a whole.

Community Award – This award recognizes the council with the best outreach to the local community. Winning programs may include a partnership with a well-established organization like Special Olympics or Habitat for Humanity or may support specific local needs of the campus’ surrounding area.

Council Award – This award recognizes the council with the best council activity. Winning programs may involve retention activities, large council social events, engagement of alumni members or a spiritual program for council members.

Family Award – This award recognizes the council with the best family activity. Winning programs may involve work with community family centers, support of a local family in need, assisting with marriage retreats, discussion of Catholic family life among other family centered events.

Youth Award – This award recognizes the council with the best youth activity. Winning programs may involve work with local Catholic schools, assisting with diocesan and parish retreats for youth, tutoring, teaching youth catechesis classes and other events that support and engage area youth.

Culture of Life Award – This award recognizes the council with the best program to build and sustain a Culture of Life. While the Supreme Council encourages college Knights to participate in March for Life activities, those events will not be considered as an award winner for this category as many college Knights already participate in national, regional and local marches. Work with local pregnancy crisis centers, nursing homes, prison ministry, and other programs promoting the dignity of life at all stages will be considered.

Outstanding College Council Award – This award is given to the college council that best exemplifies the mission of the college program and has in a unique way, gone above and beyond what is reasonably expected to make a difference on campus and in the surrounding community. The winning council receives a trophy, an engraved plaque on the permanent Outstanding College Council trophy housed at the Knights of Columbus museum, a $500 check for the council treasury and coverage through various Knights of Columbus media outlets.

Applying for These Awards

Each college council should annually complete the Outstanding College Council Award Application, as this application not only determines the eventual Outstanding College Council but all of the council winners. The application should be completed by June 30 (the close of the fraternal year). Completed applications should be sent to college@kofc.org with the council number and name of the school included in the subject line (i.e. Notre Dame Council 1477 OCC Application). Councils may submit photos, flyers and other materials for consideration with their completed application.