SO YOU WANT TO BE A GRAND KNIGHT…….OFFICER

TRAINING.

Know your Council LeadershipElected Council Officers:

Grand Knight Deputy Grand Knight

Chancellor Recorder

Treasurer Advocate

Warden Guards

Trustees

Appointed Council Officers:

Financial Secretary Lecturer

Chaplain

• Is a priest appointed by the Grand Knight in accordance with any rules established by the bishop of the diocese.

If a priest is not available a Deacon can fill this role temporarily.

• Is the spiritual leader of the Council.• Supervises the councils religious activities and religious

development of spiritual programs for members.• Provides spiritual comfort in difficult times• Is a counselor and friend on issues of common sense,

eligible parishioners, and those in need.

• Leader of the Council.• Presides over meetings using the “How to Run a

Council Meeting” outline provided by Supreme.• Enforces rules and regulations of Supreme

Council including Council by-laws.• Get to know and respect your District Deputy.

Invite him to meetings, activities, and anniversaries.• Respect and work with the Chaplain’s time

commitment. • He appoints membership and program director.• Acts as chaplain in his absence.

• Counter signs orders and checks drawn on council accounts and understands financial status of council.• Reads vouchers and notices from the Fourth

Degree.• Is head of the Board of Trustees. • Know how to guide the motion process.• Become a close friend of your pastor. Invite and

include him at all meetings and activities.• Attend and coordinate all memorial services for

deceased members. Appoint an officer replacement if unable to attend.

Grand Knight~ Some Additional Thoughts

~• Look the part. Business Casual for meetings and social events; Suit for formal events.

• Follow the meeting format, but can be adjusted based on constraints of space and time.

• Network with other district and state council Grand Knights and leaders.

• Attend as a Delegate the State Convention, at least one year.

• Being in charge is not easy so don’t try to do it all by yourself. It’s OK to ask for help!

NEXT UP…..HOW TO BE A GOOD GRAND KNIGHT

• Recruit Membership – Membership – Membership

• Respect your fellow Knights and their time • Read and Understand (Critical for all GK’s) – Grand Knight’s Handbook– General Program Handbook – Council By-Laws– Charter Constitution Laws

How to be a Good

• Prepare and submit reports on time Form 185 Report of Council Officers (Due Aug. 1st) Form 365 Service Program Personnel (Due July 1st) Form 1295 Semi-Annual Council Audit (Due Aug. 15 & Feb.

15th)

• Use your resources especially the District Deputy and your council’s Past Grand Knights.

• Take attendance at Business meetings• Give every member a job• Use “The one Minute Manager”

How to be a Good

• Plan your year• Have a planning meeting to start the year

(Include all Officers and Program Personnel) • Review the State Program • Report all activities in their proper period • Have a minimum of four fun activities for families • Market your activities • Attend Chapter Business Meetings

How to be a Good

Council Leadership Resources

NEXT UP…..OFFICER RESPONSIBILIES

Officer Responsibilities• Team Work is a must to develop lasting

friendships and ensure harmony exists among all members.

• Communicate and Inform (with) all the members on a timely basis.

• Positive attitude is to be projected at all times, remembering that our goal is to serve the church, community and our families in the spirit of Christ.

•Acts in the absence of the Grand Knight•Generally the Program Director of the Council and coordinates committees.•Chairman of the Council Retention Committee.

Deputy Grand Knight~ Some Additional Thoughts

~• Be the GK’s understudy and supporter.• If also the Program Director:– Try to set your fraternal year schedule of events

early in the year and publish this schedule– Don’t be limited by the State Program– Solicit membership for items of interest– Don’t be afraid to ask for help

• Chancellor is third in line of leadership. • Assist Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight in

execution of their duties.• Works with new members in making them feel

welcome in the council.• Promotes program activities.• Chairman of the Admission Committee.• Contact members whom are known sick or in

distress.• If available, is a member of the Columbian

Squires circle ceremonial team

•Similar to a court recorder•Maintains record of all actions, reports, discussions, and motions of council and it’s correspondence.•Keeps accurate minutes of meetings and reads minutes of previous meeting.

• Is appointed by the Supreme Knight • Maintains financial and membership records.• Collects and receives all moneys from all sources including

dues.• Handles supply orders for council.• Files form #185 with Supreme Council.• Draws orders for payments approved by Grand Knight and

Trustees as well as Supreme Council and Treasurer. • Notify Council and Supreme Council of impending

Suspensions.• Keeps the Council Seal.• Notifies the Grand Knight of candidate degrees.

• Is custodian of the Council’s funds.•Maintains records of accounts.• Deposits monies into Council accounts.• Provides Grand Knight with records of

deposits.• Pays all expenses including Supreme Council

assessments by the Board of Directors.• Counter signs checks for the Council.

• Grand Knight serves as chair along with three other members elected by council members.

The only voted position is the Three year trustee. The second year and one year trustee move in position without vote unless a position is vacated

• Audit records kept by Financial Secretary and Treasurer to insure accountability and safety of all council funds.

• Perform and report audit findings semi-annually.• Form the Retention Committee with the Deputy Grand

Knight as chair of the committee.• Approve bills.

» .

Financial Secretary/Treasurer /Trustees

~ Some Additional Thoughts ~• Responsible for the Financial Stability of the

Council• Build a budget• Financial Secretary uses the Member

Management Software provided by Supreme• Trustees need to take charge of the semi-

annual audits

• The legal representative of the council • Serves as the council’s attorney at trials

and investigations of any interest to the council.

»Does not have to be a member of the legal profession. Recommend familiarity with Supreme Constitution and Methods of Conducting a meeting.

Advocate~ Some Additional Thoughts

~ • One of the key yet most misunderstood positions in

the Council• Should be knowledgeable regarding– Council Constitution & By-Laws– Supreme By-Laws– Roberts Rules of Order– Parliamentary Procedures– Method of conducting a Council meeting

• Help the GK navigate thru the meeting quagmire

•Has charge of council property except financial records and meeting minutes book.•Charged with set-up of council chambers. •Instructs guards during meetings and ceremonials.•Responsible for role call of officers

• Outside guard tends outer door of chamber admits visitors and members to the inner door. • Inside guard tends the inner door and

checks membership cards, tends the sign in sheet and the Prayer List.

»Informs Warden of said card check.»Presents Prayer List to GK, before the

Good of the Order.

•Appointed by the Grand Knight.•Provides educational and

entertaining programs to the council.•Responsible for the ‘Good of the

Order’ portion of council meetings.

Lecturer~ Some Additional Thoughts

~• Can be a major player in improving

meeting attendance.–Short educational, informative or

entertaining items.–Utilize pre or post meeting time to

draw members in–Make it fun to attend the meetings

NEXT UP…..COMMITTEE FORMATION & DEVELOPMENT

Committee Directors and Chairmen

Any Committee should:•promote growth of the Order, •insure valuable and effective programming is conducted within the church and the community.•obtain the goals and objectives of the committee.

Committee Formation

Committees = involvement of members.Involvement = interest in activities of councilInterest in activities = membership growthMembership Growth = Life for the Council! = Less strain on current

members! = More opportunities for

different activities!

Committee FormationIt all starts with a well organized PlanGrand Knight holds officer’s meeting.

Officers develop action plan for council.Include Supreme Council ProgramsState Council ProgramsCouncil programs

Officers chair their assigned respective council positions and identify potential interest of other members.

Document all activities and review needs for activities.Submit plan to membership.

Committee Formation• Review Plan with members.

Use business meeting to brief all membersSend in Council NewsletterE-mail when possible.Phone calls

• Identify new members as committee members.• Use Program Activity charts.• Publish Committee members names and contact

information.• Document results and submit reports when and where

necessary.

Committee Development ~ Some Additional Thoughts

~ • Try to fill your committee chairmen positions

with rising stars• Use the admission survey to assign members

to committees• Officers can be committee chairmen• Once selected, let them run their committees

Thanks for attending !!

Larry J. Droesch, PGK, FDDState Community Director

937-728-7783 cell/text937-383-3680 homeldroesch@msn.com

QUESTIONS??