Sign In For Members Join Sign In
  • Donate

  • For Members

  • Who We Are

  • Our Mission Our Faith Our History Supreme Officers About Membership Video Library
  • What We Do

  • Charity Insurance Invest Donor-Advised Funds Programs Scholarships Churchloan
  • Get Involved

  • Join Donate Find a Council Store College Councils
  • News Hub

  • Latest News Columbia Knightline Faith Response Social Media Hub
  • Contact Us

  • Safe Environment Program

  • Careers

  • Who We Are

    What We Do

    Get Involved

    News Hub

    Holding a Recruitment Drive: Step by Step Guide

    Recruiting is a goal for every Knights of Columbus council, but it is especially crucial for college councils, who must replace their entire membership every four years. As your council strives to grow and reach its intake goals, a recruitment drive is essential to your success. Here are some steps to consider.

    Choose a Week

    The timing of your recruitment drive is crucial to its success. Scheduling this drive during Homecoming week, may not be successful, while holding it in conjunction with a student-activities fair or campus ministry open house could work well. Hold a drive at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, if not multiple times per term.

    Plan the Recruitment Week

    Once you select a week to hold your council's recruitment drive, plan out the event. Be sure to include the following:

    Pulpit Announcement

    Obtain your chaplain's permission to make a brief announcement about the council and the recruiting drive following student Masses. At the end of Mass, have council members  - wearing Knights of Columbus apparel  - available to answer questions, hand out flyers and assist with membership documents.

    Information Night/Fraternal Benefits Night

    Plan an informational night where prospective members can learn more about the Knights of Columbus and what your council does. Reach out to your field agent and ask him to present on the legacy of Father McGivney and the Order's insurance program. 

    Faith, Fraternity and Service Events

    Expose prospective members to all parts of the Knights of Columbus by holding events in the areas of faith, fraternity and service. These events don't need to be large-scale programs and can be as simple as  gathering for daily Mass, grabbing dinner as a council at the dining hall or helping a local parish with a project.

    First Degree Ceremonial

    Top off your recruitment drive with a First Degree exemplification. If your council has a First Degree team or plans to use the First Degree video, make sure everyone's practiced and ready to go. If you'll be relying on a First Degree team from a local council, give them plenty of notice to prepare. Most councils hold the First Degree on the weekend following their pulpit announcement 

    Post-Degree Activity

    Recruitment drives generate a lot of excitement, and new members expect the council to remain vibrant and exciting. In order to keep up the momentum, make sure to conduct an event for new members a few days after the First Degree Ceremonial. It can be as simple as a fraternal dinner with the officers or something more involved, such as a community service project.

    Promoting Your Recruitment Drive

    In addition to your announcement(s) following Mass, create flyers and posters to distribute around campus. If your council has a Facebook page (and/or Twitter account), promote your drive using social media. Also, wearing Knights of Columbus gear, especially during a recruitment drive, helps create awareness of your council. The more your council's presence is made known, the more prospective members you'll attract.

    Supplies for Your Recruitment Drive

    To aid you in your recruitment drive, Form #100s, Candidate's Kits, brochures, posters and other materials are available for free from the Supreme Council. Please click here for further information about ordering supplies.

    College Councils

    Knights of Columbus 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven, CT 06510 203-752-4000

    Connect With #KOFC

    Who We Are

    Our Mission Our Faith Our History Supreme Officers About Membership Video Library

    What We Do

    Charity Insurance Invest Programs Scholarships Churchloan

    Get Involved

    Join Donate Find a Council Store College Councils

    Member Resources

    Sign In For Members Safe Environment Program Brand Assets Benefits
    This website uses cookies, including third-party cookies, to optimize the functionality of the website and for website analysis and statistics. To find out more about cookies and how to change your cookie settings, please go to our Cookie Policy. Click Allow if you agree to the use of cookies.