Action Steps
- Get council approval to raise the council’s portion of the cost of the machine or cost of the vehicle.
- Contact your state council’s life director for guidance. When necessary, with state deputy’s approval, create a fundraising partnership with the state council, chapter, district or other local councils.
- Identify and partner with a pregnancy center that meets Knights of Columbus guidelines and is in need of funds to purchase an ultrasound machine or funds to purchase a vehicle and ultrasound machine.
- Ask the pregnancy center to obtain a manufacturer’s price quote for a desired ultrasound machine or ultrasound machine and vehicle.
- Ask diocesan pro-life director for approval of the pregnancy center to be included in the Ultrasound Program. Complete the Diocesan Evaluation (#10715) and submit it to the Supreme Council Department of Fraternal Mission.
- Supreme Council Life office sends letter to advise state/local council that fundraising may begin.
- Establish a special council charity account to receive donated funds.
- Lead the fundraising campaign for the council’s portion of the cost of the machine with fundraising activities, such as:
- Second collection at Mass
- Laps for Life
- Baby Bottle Boomerang
- Solicit council members at a meeting and/or by mail/email
- Raffle/silent auction
- Pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinner, etc.
- Build public interest for the Ultrasound Program! Promote in your parish and larger community through a variety of efforts:
- Bulletin announcements
- Pulpit announcements
- Posting on your council and parish website / social media pages
- When the council’s portion of the funds are collected, submit the Ultrasound Application (#10716) for matching funds to state deputy for approval/signature and forwarding to the Supreme Council office.
- Expect three to six weeks for application processing/check approval.
- Upon check receipt, make check presentation to pregnancy center with Catholic/local press invited. Refer to Public Relations and Publicity Guidelines (#2235).
- To gain credit for your program, complete the associated reporting forms and submit them to the Supreme Council Department of Fraternal Mission. Remember to retain copies for your council records.
- Immediately after your event is finished, complete the Life Report Form (Forthcoming)
- At the end of the fraternal year, complete your Columbian Award Application (#SP-7)
Please note: Participating in Ultrasound program does not satisfy the programming requirements for the Pregnancy Center Support program. The two activities are separate and cannot be double-counted.
