Councils should conduct two meetings monthly – a council meeting and an officers’ planning meeting. The grand knight should preside at both of these meetings and is responsible for setting the agenda. For complete guidance, best practices, sample agendas and scripts, please consult The Guidelines for Council Meetings (#10318) PDF below.
District deputies should conduct at least two district meetings per year – one after the State Organizational Meeting and one after the State Midyear Meeting. These meetings should gather all councils in the district to pass along announcements, new initiatives and training.
This publication identifies a system of rules that explain the correct conduct and procedures to be followed in formal situations.
Council Operations can and should continue during periods that councils cannot meet in-person, such as the current pandemic. Below you will find tools and resources for your council to continue operating in a virtual setting.
Please take note of this Disclaimer of Endorsement and Protection of Membership Information
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, our duty is to lead our families, protect our parishes, and serve our communities, remembering always that where there’s a need, there’s a Knight. Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson has challenged Knights to take this moment as an opportunity to “deepen our commitment to the very principles which define us: charity, unity and fraternity.” Learn more about this program at kofc.org/neighbor.
There are many within your community who may not be able to participate in Faith in Action programs and activities physically but could do so digitally or online. This presents an opportunity for your council to enhance existing and future programming by adding a digital/remote programming component. This resource and style of programming does not replace the current model or guidelines for Faith in Action programs. All program guide sheets and specifications should still be followed. While In-person programming is and should always be the preference and norm, remote programming is meant to add on to and enhance current program guidelines and requirements.
Keeping in touch with your members to ensure they are doing well or to see if they need assistance is the foundation of creating a spirit of fraternity within your council.
Councils can and should continue to hold meetings in a virtual setting when in-person meetings are not possible. Be sure to follow The Guidelines for Council Meetings. Below are some tools to help you meet a virtual setting.
While councils are holding virtual meetings, it is possible to continue voting on elections and motions in the virtual setting. Be sure to follow The Guidelines for Council Meetings. Below are some tools to help you vote in a virtual setting.
Officers Online has a number of tools to help keep your council up to date on all administrative tasks including, but not limited to emailing members, downloading rosters, and adding new members.
Use these documents as tools to enhance your knowledge as a fraternal leader in the Knights of Columbus. The instructions, rules and advice provided in these resources will help you in setting an example of charity, unity and fraternity.
As a fraternal leader, be sure you are up to date on all new initiatives and trainings to be successful in your role. Register for our monthly webinars and view the training video library.
As Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said, “A basic responsibility of every family - and especially the Christian family - is the protection of their children.” Ensure that your council is up to date on all Safe Environment requirements.
Council, Assembly, and District Award requirements for the 2020-2021 fraternal year have been revised in light of COVID-19.
The announcement of these changes can be found here. Details on the adjustments for each of these awards are outlined below. Additionally, a Frequently Asked Questions document can be found here.
The Star Council Award recognizes outstanding achievement in membership, insurance and programming. In order to achieve the Star Council Award, a council must earn the Father McGivney, Founder’s, and Columbian Awards. Additionally, the council must submit both the Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity (#1728) and Service Program Personnel Report (#365). In the United States and Canada councils must also be fully compliant with applicable safe environment requirements.
2020 – 2021 Revised Requirements: Columbian, Father McGivney, Founder’s, and thus Star Council Award requirements for the 2020-2021 fraternal year have been adjusted in light of COVID-19. Details on the adjustments for each of these awards are outlined below. Additionally, a Frequently Asked Questions document can be found here.
The Star District Award recognizes outstanding achievements in membership, insurance and overall excellence by the councils within the territory of a district deputy.
2020 – 2021 Revised Requirement: The district reaches 70% of combined adjusted council membership quotas. (This is the only 2020 – 2021 adjustment for Star District.)
This award recognizes excellence in your council’s membership growth. To win this award your council must meet or exceed its yearly membership quota. The quota for 2020-2021 is 5% net increase in the council’s membership as of July 1, 2020 (minimum of three and maximum of twenty). There is no application that must be completed in order to earn the Father McGivney Award.
2020 – 2021 Revised Requirements: The membership quota for the Father McGivney Award has been reduced by 20%. Find your current quota on Officers Online. Take that number and multiply by 0.80. This is your adjusted membership goal. When necessary, round numbers using standard practice. For example: 5.1 through 5.4 round to 5 and 5.5 through 5.9 round to 6. A simple table of “current” and “revised” quota numbers is posted here and on Officers Online.
This award recognizes excellence in your council’s promotion of our top-rated insurance products. To win this award your council must host two approved Fraternal Benefit Seminars, in conjunction with your General Agent or Field Agent. If a council adequately promotes and participates in the event, they may submit the Fraternal Benefit Seminar Form (#11077) to their General Agent within 30 days of the event. All forms are due at the Supreme Office by June 30.
2020 – 2021 Revised Requirements: Councils that promote and participate in an approved Fraternal Benefit Seminar between March 1 and June 30 will receive double credit and automatically qualify for the Founder’s Award. Councils that promoted and participated in one approved seminar prior to March 1 need to participate in one additional seminar to qualify for the Founder’s Award. Be sure to leave enough time for the form to be submitted by June 30.
This award recognizes excellence in your council’s programming and charitable outreach. To earn this award your council must conduct and report programs in each of the four program categories (Faith, Family, Community, and Life) for a total of 16 program credits, with four in each category. A completed Columbian Award Application (#SP-7) must be received by the Supreme Council office by June 30 in order to earn this award.
2020 – 2021 Revised Requirements: Councils must earn 10 program activities or credits: two each in the Faith, Family, Community and Life categories, and two additional program credits in any category. Featured programs count for two program activities or credits, so long as Featured Program Minimum Requirements are completed.
Councils should conduct two meetings monthly – a council meeting and an officers’ planning meeting. The grand knight should preside at both of these meetings and is responsible for setting the agenda. For complete guidance, best practices, sample agendas and scripts, please consult The Guidelines for Council Meetings (#10318) PDF below.
District deputies should conduct at least two district meetings per year – one after the State Organizational Meeting and one after the State Midyear Meeting. These meetings should gather all councils in the district to pass along announcements, new initiatives and training.
This publication identifies a system of rules that explain the correct conduct and procedures to be followed in formal situations.
Council Operations can and should continue during periods that councils cannot meet in-person, such as the current pandemic. Below you will find tools and resources for your council to continue operating in a virtual setting.
Please take note of this Disclaimer of Endorsement and Protection of Membership Information
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, our duty is to lead our families, protect our parishes, and serve our communities, remembering always that where there’s a need, there’s a Knight. Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson has challenged Knights to take this moment as an opportunity to “deepen our commitment to the very principles which define us: charity, unity and fraternity.” Learn more about this program at kofc.org/neighbor.
There are many within your community who may not be able to participate in Faith in Action programs and activities physically but could do so digitally or online. This presents an opportunity for your council to enhance existing and future programming by adding a digital/remote programming component. This resource and style of programming does not replace the current model or guidelines for Faith in Action programs. All program guide sheets and specifications should still be followed. While In-person programming is and should always be the preference and norm, remote programming is meant to add on to and enhance current program guidelines and requirements.
Keeping in touch with your members to ensure they are doing well or to see if they need assistance is the foundation of creating a spirit of fraternity within your council.
Councils can and should continue to hold meetings in a virtual setting when in-person meetings are not possible. Be sure to follow The Guidelines for Council Meetings. Below are some tools to help you meet a virtual setting.
While councils are holding virtual meetings, it is possible to continue voting on elections and motions in the virtual setting. Be sure to follow The Guidelines for Council Meetings. Below are some tools to help you vote in a virtual setting.
Officers Online has a number of tools to help keep your council up to date on all administrative tasks including, but not limited to emailing members, downloading rosters, and adding new members.
Use these documents as tools to enhance your knowledge as a fraternal leader in the Knights of Columbus. The instructions, rules and advice provided in these resources will help you in setting an example of charity, unity and fraternity.
As a fraternal leader, be sure you are up to date on all new initiatives and trainings to be successful in your role. Register for our monthly webinars and view the training video library.
As Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said, “A basic responsibility of every family - and especially the Christian family - is the protection of their children.” Ensure that your council is up to date on all Safe Environment requirements.
Council, Assembly, and District Award requirements for the 2020-2021 fraternal year have been revised in light of COVID-19.
The announcement of these changes can be found here. Details on the adjustments for each of these awards are outlined below. Additionally, a Frequently Asked Questions document can be found here.
The Star Council Award recognizes outstanding achievement in membership, insurance and programming. In order to achieve the Star Council Award, a council must earn the Father McGivney, Founder’s, and Columbian Awards. Additionally, the council must submit both the Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity (#1728) and Service Program Personnel Report (#365). In the United States and Canada councils must also be fully compliant with applicable safe environment requirements.
2020 – 2021 Revised Requirements: Columbian, Father McGivney, Founder’s, and thus Star Council Award requirements for the 2020-2021 fraternal year have been adjusted in light of COVID-19. Details on the adjustments for each of these awards are outlined below. Additionally, a Frequently Asked Questions document can be found here.
The Star District Award recognizes outstanding achievements in membership, insurance and overall excellence by the councils within the territory of a district deputy.
2020 – 2021 Revised Requirement: The district reaches 70% of combined adjusted council membership quotas. (This is the only 2020 – 2021 adjustment for Star District.)
This award recognizes excellence in your council’s membership growth. To win this award your council must meet or exceed its yearly membership quota. The quota for 2020-2021 is 5% net increase in the council’s membership as of July 1, 2020 (minimum of three and maximum of twenty). There is no application that must be completed in order to earn the Father McGivney Award.
2020 – 2021 Revised Requirements: The membership quota for the Father McGivney Award has been reduced by 20%. Find your current quota on Officers Online. Take that number and multiply by 0.80. This is your adjusted membership goal. When necessary, round numbers using standard practice. For example: 5.1 through 5.4 round to 5 and 5.5 through 5.9 round to 6. A simple table of “current” and “revised” quota numbers is posted here and on Officers Online.
This award recognizes excellence in your council’s promotion of our top-rated insurance products. To win this award your council must host two approved Fraternal Benefit Seminars, in conjunction with your General Agent or Field Agent. If a council adequately promotes and participates in the event, they may submit the Fraternal Benefit Seminar Form (#11077) to their General Agent within 30 days of the event. All forms are due at the Supreme Office by June 30.
2020 – 2021 Revised Requirements: Councils that promote and participate in an approved Fraternal Benefit Seminar between March 1 and June 30 will receive double credit and automatically qualify for the Founder’s Award. Councils that promoted and participated in one approved seminar prior to March 1 need to participate in one additional seminar to qualify for the Founder’s Award. Be sure to leave enough time for the form to be submitted by June 30.
This award recognizes excellence in your council’s programming and charitable outreach. To earn this award your council must conduct and report programs in each of the four program categories (Faith, Family, Community, and Life) for a total of 16 program credits, with four in each category. A completed Columbian Award Application (#SP-7) must be received by the Supreme Council office by June 30 in order to earn this award.
2020 – 2021 Revised Requirements: Councils must earn 10 program activities or credits: two each in the Faith, Family, Community and Life categories, and two additional program credits in any category. Featured programs count for two program activities or credits, so long as Featured Program Minimum Requirements are completed.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please email fraternalmission@kofc.org or call (203)752-4270