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