Service to the Community

Some college councils are located at Newman Centers, which also serve as the community parish. Other college councils function as independent student organizations. In both cases, their membership involves people from the parish and the student body. This gives them a broad range of ideas for programs that benefit both the campus and the community at large.

Over the past few years college Knights have shared many ideas at the annual college council conference. The following are some of those ideas. Some of these may be designed to fit your campus or council's programming goals. Generally, college Knights perform various activities in five different categories:

Church:

  • Weekly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
  • Host a pro-life Mass
  • Lead the rosary prior to Mass or host a weekly rosary
  • Participate in the RSVP Program: supporting seminarians
  • Co-sponsor religious events with campus ministry
  • Busy Persons' Retreat (prayer and reflection for an hour a day)
  • Fund pro-life materials that circulate throughout the campus
  • Sponsor an inter-religious discussion

Council:

  • Monday 'Knight' Football (watch the football game and have a social)
  • Hold dinners at area restaurants or in campus meeting rooms for members
  • Plan trips, such as a ski trip, sporting event trip, pilgrimage, seminary tour, etc.
  • Host and participate in a college council vs. college/local sports event
  • Host yearly award banquets/parties/dances
  • Sponsor tailgate parties, and include alumni members on the guest list
  • Host the state convention/state/district meetings

Community:

  • Conduct food/clothing drive for local charities
  • Assist unwed mothers' program and promote alternatives to abortion
  • Conduct pro-life activities (debates, marches, Masses)
  • Build homes for those in need of shelter
  • Perform yard chores for local churches, religious centers, parks, campus facilities, etc.
  • Visit a veterans hospital/nursing home
  • Sponsor a blood drive with local Red Cross
  • Sell Easter flowers/poinsettias/roses

Family:

  • Sponsor a gift drive to collect Christmas presents for less fortunate families
  • Sell care packages for Christmas, Valentine's Day or finals week
  • Place pro-life inserts into church bulletins
  • Host a potluck dinner/picnic for families of members, students, local residents
  • Sponsor a mother-son dinner dance for members and students
  • Host a family Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas party
  • Host a K of C Family Weekend with alumni and their families

Youth:

  • Raise funds for new textbooks for local schools
  • Conduct a textbook drive and donate books to inner-city schools
  • Visit children's hospitals and deliver gifts during the holidays
  • Conduct a free throw program in local schools or host regional and state competition
  • Sponsor a monastery or seminary tour for high school students to learn about vocations
  • Clean and update local playgrounds
  • Sponsor and volunteer at a youth camp
  • Teach religious education at a CCD, CYO, or other religious instruction environment
  • Sponsor a pizza party for area youth
  • Conduct an essay contest or substance abuse poster contest
  • Sponsor local Special Olympics athletes