Convention Insider: Making Councils More Inviting

Convention Attendees Discuss Membership Growth

Membership growth is one of the Order's top priorities, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson told attendees of the convention's Membership 365 seminar.

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In his remarks to the attendees of the Membership 365 seminar/discussion held at the 2015 Supreme Convention on Monday, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson pointed to the example of the family members of nine people killed at the Emanuel AME Church earlier in the summer who publicly forgave the alleged killer.

“Through their forgiveness they gave a magnificent witness of what it means to be a Christian,” the Supreme Knight said. “That’s the kind of witness our Knights of Columbus councils bring to their communities through their good works. Through this witness we will grow by attraction.”

Deputy Supreme Knight Logan Ludwig followed the supreme knight’s remarks by saying that “the greatest value of the Knights of Columbus is the difference we make to our members, our communities and our parishes.”

The seminar focused on making Knights of Columbus councils/membership attractive to prospects. Supreme Director Paul Lambert led a discussion on making a lasting impression through the First Degree, including utilizing the First Degree DVD when needed, and also focusing on Star Council status.

Supreme Director Tom Harger followed with a discussion on the need to nurture newly developed councils to grow and earn Star Council status.

Javier Martinez, supreme director from Texas, made remarks on the potential that ethnic groups, including Hispanic Catholics, offer to help grow the Order. During the discussion, one attendee suggested that the Knights of Columbus can be a useful bridge to a parish pastor in reaching out to ethnic communities in his parish.

“Don’t play the membership game without a potentially valuable player – your Knights of Columbus insurance agent,” Supreme Director and Chief Insurance Officer Tom Smith told the meeting attendees. He emphasized the need for cooperation between the fraternal and agency sides of the Order for the mutual success of both.

The seminar ended with the debut of the Order’s new membership recruitment video.