News and Events

Mid-Year Meeting of State Deputies in Washington, D.C.

'Tremendous opportunities' for Growth Await Knights in 2008, Supreme Knight Says

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson addresses state deputies at their mid-year meeting in Washington, D.C.

Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson told state deputies gathering for their mid-year meeting in Washington, D.C., Friday evening that “tremendous opportunities” for growth in membership, insurance and charity await Knights of Columbus at every level during the coming year. View video

The theme of the opening session Saturday morning was strategic planning for growth in membership, new councils, insurance coverage, fraternal service and charitable efforts.

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“Have a team in place to advance the plan so you don’t have to start over every one or two years, when a new state deputy starts,” Supreme Knight Anderson said. “You have to sow wheat and oats. Have a plan for immediate growth but also a plan to develop growth over the long term – three, four and five years down the line.”

He also said that the potential for growth for the Knights of Columbus is virtually unlimited, given the fact that the Catholic Church is growing in every jurisdiction where the Order is active. Growth among Hispanics, who are the fastest growing population in many jurisdictions, is especially important, he said.

George Hanna, vice president of Fraternal Services.

In a presentation on “The Importance of a State Strategic Growth Plan,” George Hanna, vice president for Fraternal Services, said that one of the surest ways to attract new members is through consistent and effective programming in areas of family life, pro-life issues and support of the Church. The state deputy should develop a strategic plan and communicate it to the districts and councils, he added.

“You must have a vision for growth and communicate that vision,” Hanna said. “But the vision is not the destination, it is not where you stop. The vision should leave room for others to build on and go beyond.”

He said the membership Blitz, which is scheduled twice a year by the Supreme Council is not the only goal for membership growth. “The Blitz is the beginning and aid, but each jurisdiction must be membership active 24/7, 365 days a year.”

Louis Barbour, director of Council Growth and Development.

Louis Barbour, director of Council Growth and Development, spoke on New Council Development, Round Tables and Council Reactivation.”

“This is a great year: the 125th anniversary of the Knights of Columbus, and you are the state deputy for this historic year,” Barbour said. “We can make this the best year ever in terms of membership and council growth, and in charitable giving,” adding that there is no alternative: “What if we do not grow? Who will replace all our efforts for the most needy?”

After Saturday morning’s general session, supreme officers, board members and regional program consultants joined the state deputies in a series of workshops dealing with strategic growth plans, using the Shining Armor Program to aid in recruitment and retention, developing a partnership with the insurance field force, and ideas for new council development.

Saturday evening, the state deputies and supreme council board members will be joined by vice supreme masters of the Fourth Degree, as well as a large contingent of Washington area Knights in regalia for the official dedication of the Knights of Columbus Incarnation Dome at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Message from Our District Deputy

Worthy Grand Knights,

I’m forwarding this information to you to ensure that each council has or is in the process of setting up a retention committee. As you can see the state is not happy.

Fraternally Your

Richard P. Watson

District Deputy.

-----Original Message-----
From: State Deputy [mailto:ctstatedeputy@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2007 12:23 PM
To: State Council-Email
Cc: Jim Roy; Scott Flood; Ralph Grandpre; Bob Goossens; Fr. Juan Diego Brunetta; Tom Vita; State Council-Email
Subject: Retention Committees - Suspensions

Worthy District Deputies,

Of the 178 councils in CT - only 24 have identified their Council Retention Chairman. The State Council has a long standing policy on suspensions - NAMELY: no council will be allowed to suspend members if they have NOT setup an active retention committee.

Implicit in this policy is the requirement to notify the State Deputy of the Name, Address and most importantly Phone Number and E-mail address of the committee chairman.

I am constantly amazed at how few councils are following this policy! Effective immediately - I will be enforcing this requirement. With each suspension submission to Supreme - I get an email asking how I want to handle the suspension request.

Several things must happen - or the suspensions will be denied:

Proper 1845 process must be followed:

Council's must make an honest effort to contact members
"No Phone" is not an acceptable excuse for NOT contacting delinquent members - try www.whitepages.com or similar computer sites. If I can find a number - the committee can also
A current Form 365 must be on file with State Deputy - identifying Retention Chairman

Worthy DD, if you are in doubt about your councils - let me just say that only 36 councils have submitted the form 365 this fraternal year - and - only 24 bothered to name a retention chairman. Don't let your councils be surprised by a rejection from Supreme. Get a current copy from your FS's - check for the retention chairman and ensure it is forwarded to Supreme, DD, and State Deputy.

Vivat Jesus!

Phil Guerrette
State Deputy
Connecticut State Council
Knights of Columbus

ANNUAL FOURTH DEGREE PICNIC REGISTRATION FORM

WHEN: July 27^th at 1:00 p.m.

Name of Attendee (Please print or type): ______________________________________

Mid-Year Meeting of State Deputies in Washington, D.C.

ANNUAL FOURTH DEGREE PICNIC REGISTRATION FORM

WHEN: July 27th at 1:00 p.m.

Name of Attendee (Please print or type): ______________________________________

Mid-Year Meeting of State Deputies in Washington, D.C.

WHEN: July 27^th at 1:00 p.m.