Duties of Council Officers
Icon | Office | Duties |
|---|---|---|
Chaplain | The Chaplain provides spiritual guidance and direction to the Council. The Chaplain is selected by the Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight and the three Trustees on an annual basis in accordance with the rules of the Bishop of the diocese. His jewel is the Isabella Cross in silver and blue suspended from a black ribbon. | |
Grand Knight | The Grand Knight is the top ranking officer of the Council. He oversees all of the Council's activities and is elected by the members of the Council. Some of his duties include presiding over meetings, countersigning orders and checks, reading vouchers and notices relative to the Fourth Degree. His jewel is an Anchor which is suspended from a purple ribbon. The Anchor is indicative of Admiral Christopher Columbus and has also been a variant form of the Cross for centuries. | |
Deputy Grand Knight | The Deputy Grand Knight is second ranking officer of the Council and is elected by the members of the Council. He shall preside in the absence or inability of the Grand Knight. His jewel is the Compass, also known as the Compass of Virtue, suspended from a purple ribbon, with the four main points representing Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. The 32 points around the outside of the compass represent the virtues which a man can possess. The compass is an important tool in navigation. | |
Chancellor | The Chancellor shall assist the Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight in the performance of their duties and shall take charge during the incapacity or extended absence of both. He shall exercise a special interest in new members and members who are sick or in distress. His jewel is the Skull and Crossed Bones on the Isabella Cross and is suspended from a black over white ribbon. The Crossed Bones remind us of our mortality. | |
Recorder | The Recorder keeps the minutes of the meeting and the historical records for the Council. He is elected by the Council members. In the absence of the Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, and Chancellor the Recorder will run the meeting. Also, he is responsible for the correspondence of the Council as directed by the Grand Knight. The Recorder's jewel is Crossed Quill Pens suspended from a white over yellow ribbon. The Quill pens are symbolic of his record keeping functions of the Scribe. | |
Financial Secretary | The Financial Secretary handles all of the financial transaction record keeping. This includes issuing and collecting bills, issuing membership cards, etc. The Financial Secretary is appointed by the Supreme Knight and is compensated in a manner approved by the Board of Directors. His jewel is the Quill Pen (record-keeper) and the Key (money, safe-keeping, and secrecy) crossed and is suspended from a white over yellow ribbon. This symbolizes his record keeping functions. | |
Treasurer | The Treasurer is responsible for the funds of the Council and is elected by the members of the Council. His duties include such functions as maintaining bank accounts and issuing checks based on receipts turned in by the Financial Secretary. His jewel is Crossed Keys, which represents responsibility for the safe keeping of the funds, suspended from a blue ribbon. | |
Lecturer | The Lecturer is responsible for the entertainment at the Knights of Columbus meetings and functions. He is selected by the Grand Knight on an annual basis. His jewel consists of the Scroll over the Lyre suspended from a white over blue ribbon. The Scroll and Lyre represent Literature and Music. | |
Advocate | The Advocate is the Chief Legal Officer for the Council as is elected by the members of the Council. His jewel consists of a Scroll and Sword suspended from a yellow ribbon. The Scroll represents the legal literature and law and the Sword represents his authority to enforce those Laws. | |
Warden | The Warden assures that all members at meetings possess the current membership card and is elected by the members of the council. He is custodian of all Council property except funds and is in charge of properly setting up the Council Chamber. He directs the activities of the Inside and Outside Guards. His jewel consists of Axe bound by Fasces and is suspended from a red over black ribbon. Guards or protectors of Roman Magistrates generally carried the Axe and Fasces as a sign of Authority. | |
Guards | The Inside and Outside Guards each have the same symbol for their jewel. They are in charge of security at the meetings and are to assist the Warden as needed. The jewel for the Guards consists of an Crossed Axes and Key, representing their authority as sentries at the door, is suspended from a white ribbon. | |
Trustees | There are three Trustees in each Council, titled as 1 Year Trustee, 2 Year Trustee, and 3 Year Trustee. They oversee the financial transactions of the Council, review all bills and financial reports and audit the Council's financial records semi-annually. Their jewel is the Crossed Key and Sword, which represents their financial authority, is suspended from a green ribbon. | |
District Deputy | The duties of the District Deputy are many and varied. The District Deputy is responsible for the supervision of the councils in his district and for the enforcement of the laws and rules of the Order. It is his duty to see that council officers understand their duties and responsibilities. |
Membership Director
- Appointed annually by the Grand Knight. - Oversees recruitment and retention for the Council as well as insurance promotion. - Collaborates with the Grand Knight in setting the calendar of membership programs for the fraternal year. - Manages the recruitment and retention committees and insurance promotion chairman as they implement the Council’s membership growth program. - Ensures that Membership Applications (#100) are transmitted by the Financial Secretary to both the Membership Records Department at the Supreme Council and the general agent. - Keeps the Council’s public relations chairman informed of all membership programs and activities for promotion to the parish community and to local media.
Program Director
- Appointed annually by the Grand Knight. - Oversees the Faith in Action areas of Faith, Family, Community, and Life. - Ensures the subordinate directors meet regularly, plan appropriate events, and are following his guidance. - Collaborates with the Grand Knight in setting the calendar of programs for the fraternal year.
Family Activities Director
The Family Activities Director reports to the Program Director. The individual appointed to this position should work to strengthen and nourish wholesome home life through the sponsorship of activities involving entire families, even when the age range of family members vary. This person should work to stimulate togetherness within families. He should be comfortable discussing and planning family programs that support and encourage service to the community and faith formation of Council and parish families. - Appointed by the Grand Knight, in consultation with the Program Director. - Responsible for all Family based Council programs. - Assigns committee chairmen and develops committees that support family programs such as the many Supreme-recommended Family programs in the Faith in Action program model. - Supports the areas of education and religious devotions of families, recreational activities and remembrance of fallen Brother Knights, and support of their widows and family members.
Faith Activities Director
The Faith Activities Director reports to the Program Director. The individual appointed to this position should be comfortable discussing and planning faith formation activities for the Council. He must be comfortable developing ties with other parish ministries to advance the needs of the whole parish community at the pastor’s direction. He works with and understands the information available for faith development through the Order’s Catholic Information Service. - Appointed by the Grand Knight, in consultation with the Program Director. - Responsible for all Faith based Council programs. - Assigns committee chairmen and develops committees that support vocations, parochial services and religious devotions. - Collaborates with the Program Director on which Supreme-recommend programs the Council will conduct in the fraternal year and any other Faith programs. - Promotes membership in the Father Michael J. McGivney Guild and promotes the cause for his canonization (fathermcgivney.org). - Keeps accurate records of the council’s Faith programs for reporting to the Program Director, along with completing reports for the Refund Vocations Support Program (RSVP), if applicable, and all other Faith programs. - Provides the Council’s Public Relations Chairman information about all Faith programs and activities for promotion to the parish and local media.
Life Activities Director
The Life Activities Director reports to the Program Director. The individual appointed to this position should be comfortable discussing and planning efforts within the context of supporting and affirming life in all stages and in all conditions. Notably, he strives to promote programs that support and encourage the advancement of the pro-life movement, people with intellectual disabilities, and persecuted Christians. - Appointed by the Grand Knight, in consultation with the program director. - Responsible for all Life based Council programs. - Assigns committee chairmen and develops committees that support right to life issues, civic involvement, pro-life education, pregnancy centers, and more. - Collaborates with the Program Director on which Supreme-recommend programs the Council will conduct in the fraternal year and any other Life programs. - Keeps accurate records of the Council’s Life programs for reporting to the Program Director, along with completing reports for the March for Life, Special Olympics and Ultrasound, if applicable, and all other community programs. - Keeps the Council’s Public Relations Chairman informed of all Life programs and activities for promotion to the parish and local media.
Community Activities Director
The Community Activities Director reports to the Program Director. The individual appointed to this position should be comfortable discussing and planning efforts in the broader community. He directs programs that support and encourage service to the community that fight poverty, aid the individual, promote athletic events, and sponsor larger programs and campaigns. He should be comfortable contacting and coordinating with organizations that align in key areas of community assistance along with local government agencies. - Appointed by the Grand Knight, in consultation with the Program Director. - Responsible for all Community based Council programs. - Assigns committee chairmen and develop committees that support civic involvement, public safety, the environment, health services, neighbors in need, morality and decency, and support cultural diversity. - Collaborates with the Program Director on which Supreme-recommend programs the Council will conduct in the fraternal year and any other Community programs. - Keeps accurate records of the Council’s Community programs for reporting to the Program Director, along with completing reports for the Coats for Kids, Global Wheelchair Mission, and Habitat for Humanity programs, if applicable, and all other community programs. - Provides the Council’s Public Relations Chairman information about all Community programs and activities for promotion to the parish and local media.
Retention Chairman
The Retention Chairman works to keep the Council's members active. He implements programs and practices that provide mentors for new members and regularly communicates with the members to encourage their participation. At times when the Council wishes to suspend a member, they must have the Retention Chairman reach out to members and ask them to keep their membership or to transfer to another council.
Public Relations Chairman
The Public Relations Chairman has several key responsibilities, including: - Reporting all programs and activities for promotion to local media and social media. - Strengthening the members' interest in Council activities and assisting the Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight in their duties. - Engaging and strengthening the Council's membership by recruiting and retaining members. - Any additional responsibilities to ensure that the Council effectively communicates its values and engages with its members and the community.
Vocations Chairman
The Vocations Chairman is responsible for calling others together, inspiring them to share prayers, ideas, and plans, and reaching out beyond the group. The chairman should convene committee meetings at least four times a year and ensure the proper and complete implementation of RSVP. The chairman should also contact the vocations director or directors of the diocese or dioceses in his jurisdiction and develop a good working relationship. Once RSVP is properly organized and functioning, the chairman should look into the possibility of helping dioceses or religious institutes with other programs to promote priestly and religious vocations.