COUNCIL RECOVERY PROGRAM (CRP)

Every state should have a recovery program for the resumption of local council operations. The Council Recovery Plan provides a good foundation for such programs, and focuses attention on assisting parish recoveries. It imposes little additional work beyond what district deputies should already be doing with their councils. No extra reporting requirements are imposed on the state councils. States may modify or amend the Council Recovery Program to address the unique needs of their jurisdiction.

The suggested procedure for state councils is:

1. Modify or amend the Council Recovery Plan as needed.
2. Assign a representative to assist each council. Ideally, this will be the district deputy, but jurisdictions may assign other fraternal leaders to this role.
3. Arrange training for state council representatives. The state council representatives should attend the Supreme Council webinar and review the Council Recovery Program resources. Regional Training Directors can provide tailored training upon request.
4. Contact councils. The state council representative should contact council leaders and direct them to meet with their pastors, using the agenda in Appendix A: Pastor Meeting Agenda. They should also arrange to meet the council leaders in person or virtually.
5. Coach the councils. The state council representative will meet with council leaders and complete the Appendix C: Council Assessment. Using Appendix B: Council Leader and District Deputy Meeting Agenda as a guide, they will assist them in developing a council-specific recovery plan. The state council representative shall demonstrate the resources available to council leaders and sign them up for supreme and state distribution lists and online content. Wi-Fi access is needed for this meeting. 

1. Review Council Recovery Program Resources. The district deputy or state council representative should review all Council Recovery Resources and attend the Supreme Council webinar.
2. Review the list of assigned councils and make contact with council leaders. The district deputy or state council representative will then review his list of councils and contact council leaders. They may need to contact more than just the grand knight or financial secretary to ensure contact. During this initial contact, they should do two things:
   1. First, they should prepare the council to meet with their pastors using Appendix A: Pastor Meeting Agenda as a guide.
   2. Second, they should set a date for a council meeting in which the council will complete Appendix C: Council Assessment.
3. Conduct meeting with council leadership. The district deputy or state council representative will meet with each of their councils. They will use Appendix B: Council Leader and District Deputy Meeting Agenda as a guide. The council will also complete Appendix C: Council Assessment at this meeting. Coming out of this meeting, the council should have a council-specific recovery plan.

Recovery plans will be unique for each council. The CRP provides a basic framework and can be modified as needed. 

1. Meet with Pastor. Council leaders should meet with their pastor to offer assistance and identify how the council can help with parish recovery actions. Prior to the meeting, review the agenda and checklist in Appendix A: Pastor Meeting Agenda. At a minimum, every council should complete this step even if they are unable to manage a more comprehensive recovery program.

2. Meet with State Council Representative.
   1. Council leaders will complete Appendix C: Council Assessment. This provides a starting point for a recovery plan.
   2. Review the completed assessment with the state council representative and develop a council-specific recovery plan using Appendix B: Council Leader and District Deputy Meeting Agenda as a guide.

3. Engage council members in recovery activities and fraternal events. Council leaders must reach out to all members and encourage them to participate in the recovery activities. They should bring the members and their families back to successful meetings and events. The state council representative can offer training and other resources to facilitate effective communications.

• Council Recovery Program Guidebook (#11177)
• Subscribe to the Fraternal Leader Advisory
• Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784)
• Officer’s Online and Member Management (#185 / #365)
• Guidelines for Council Meetings (#10318)
• Knights of Columbus Public Relations and Publicity Guide (#2235)
• Fraternal How To Videos 
• Virtual Operations Resources
• Tips for Council Budgeting
• Sample Council Budget
• Appendix A – Pastor Meeting Agenda
• Appendix B – Council Leader and District Deputy Meeting Agenda
• Appendix C – Council Assessment
• Appendix D – Suggested Methods to Engage Members
• Appendix E – Sample Program Ideas