Ultrasound Guidesheet | Knights of Columbus

Overview

The Knights of Columbus works together to purchase ultrasound machines for qualifying pregnancy centers. After the state and/or local council raises 50% of the cost, the Supreme Council will provide the other 50% to complete funding for purchase of an ultrasound. Or, if the council raises 100% of the cost of a vehicle outfitted to serve as a mobile medical unit for a pregnancy center, the Supreme Council will provide 100% of the funds for an ultrasound machine to be used in that vehicle. This initiative is funded by Knights of Columbus state and local councils with matching grants from the Supreme Council’s Culture of Life Fund. For Ultrasound Initiative resources, visit www.kofc.org/ultrasound.

Featured Program Requirements

For two program credits toward the Columbian Award – Contribute 50% of the cost of an ultrasound machine for a pregnancy center approved by the Supreme Council Department of Fraternal Mission.Qualification for this program will be determined from the information provided on both the Diocesan Evaluation (#10715) and the Ultrasound Application (#10716).

Please Note: Participating in the Ultrasound Initiative does not satisfy the programming requirements for the Pregnancy Center Support Program. The two activities are separate and cannot be double-counted.

Action Steps

Get council approval to raise the council’s portion of the cost of the machine or cost of the vehicle.
Identify a program chairman to oversee all action steps and delegate tasks, as needed. If coordinating with the parish, confirm pastor approval with grand knight, and then set up subsequent parish ministry collaboration meetings.
Contact your state council’s life director or ultrasound chairman 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. Databases available through organizations like OptionLine, Care Net, and Heartbeat International, are great places to search for a center in need.
Ask diocesan pro-life director for approval of the pregnancy center to be included in the Ultrasound Initiative. Complete the Ultrasound Diocesan Evaluation (#10715) and submit it to the Supreme Council Department of Fraternal Mission by emailing fraternalmission@kofc.org.
Await letter from the Supreme Council Life office to advise the state/local council that fundraising may begin.
Ask the pregnancy center to obtain a manufacturer’s price quote for a desired ultrasound machine or ultrasound machine and vehicle. Discounted prices for select machines are offered through preferred pricing agreements arranged by the Supreme Council. The list of preferred machines is provided to sponsoring councils after the pregnancy center is approved for funding by the local diocese and the Supreme Council.
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 Initiative! 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 (50% of the cost of the machine), submit the Ultrasound Application (#10716) for matching funds to state deputy for approval/signature and forwarding to the Supreme Council Department of Fraternal Mission through fraternalmission@kofc.org.
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.
• Immediately after your program is finished, complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784)
• At the end of the fraternal year, complete the Columbian Award Application (#SP-7)

Resources

#10699- Guidebook

#10715- Diocesan Evaluation

#10716- Application

#10535- Brochure

#10717- Vertical Poster

#10178- Horizontal Poster

Program resources can be ordered by your grand knight, financial secretary and/or program director on Supplies Online via Officers Online.

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