Knights
of
Good of the Order
2005 - 2006
The
assembled delegates to the Sixty-Second Annual Meeting of State Council urge
adoption of these proposals and recommend that proper steps be taken to see
that the proposals are carried out to the best of our ability. It is recommended and suggested that the
Grand Knight of all Councils keep the “Good of the Order” Report handy for use
throughout the year, and make copies available to Council members.
A. State
Officers and Council Officers
1.
It is recommended that the State Deputy will provide
for the proper and fitting installation of the State Officers before the
twentieth day of July.
2.
It is recommended that the District Deputies arrange
for the installation of Council Officers on or before the twentieth day of
September. The Installation ceremony should be incorporated in a Mass
with families and friends of the Council members in attendance.
3. It is recommended that a directory of State,
Council and Assembly Officers be published and distributed by State Council
before the twentieth day of September. The directory should include Council and
Fourth Degree Assembly names, charter date, meeting location and time,
Officers’ names, addresses, telephone numbers, web address, wives names and
titles of past officers (where appropriate).
A calendar of events for State Council should be included in the
directory. Councils and Fourth Degree
Assemblies are asked to refer to the State calendar when scheduling their
events. To assure correct and accurate
information, District Deputies, Grand Knights and Financial Secretaries,
Navigators and Comptrollers are responsible for submitting their directory
information to the State Advocate no later than the twentieth day of July.
4.
It is recommended that Grand Knights, Deputy Grand
Knights, Financial Secretaries and Program Directors and any interested Brother
Knight attend the State Council Orientation Seminar to learn, discuss and
enlighten themselves on their roles and responsibilities.
5. It is recommended that nametags for the State
Officers, District Deputies, District Wardens, State Council Program Directors,
and Grand Knights be procured by State Council and distributed prior to the
State Officer Installation ceremony.
Additionally, it is recommended that all Councils procure nametags for
their Officers and distribute them prior to Council Installation.
6. It
is recommended that State Officers visit Councils at a regular business meeting
at least once during the Columbian year.
7. It
is recommended that the Grand Knight or his designee submit the Councils’
recommendation(s) for new Council Chaplain and Associate Chaplain to the
Chancery Office, through the State Deputy, for the Bishops consideration,
disposition and appointment.
8. It
is recommended that State Council and Subordinate Council Officers attend as
many State Council sponsored functions as possible. Grand Knights should also encouraged council
members to attend State Council sponsored functions.
9. To
add dignity to meetings and public appearances, it is recommended that all
State and Council officers be properly attired, with coats, ties, the jewel of
their office, and name tag.
10. It
is recommended that Councils should make every effort to assume payment of, or
grant forgiveness of dues required of deacons and others performing the duties
of Chaplain.
B. Membership
1. It is recommended that energetic programs be
directed toward increasing membership in Councils. Particular emphasis must be
placed on attracting the Youth, so vital to the continuation of our Order.
State Council Directors should provide the necessary encouragement and
sufficient incentives to accomplish this end.
2. It is recommended that a membership
recruitment team be formed in each District to help councils in the District
with membership drives.
3. It is recommended that State Council
purchase ads in the Dialog to support spring and fall membership drives.
4. It is recommended that all Knights of
Columbus functions should include, where appropriate, some emphasis on
membership.
5. It
is recommended that State Council, by the September State Officer Meeting,
schedule firm dates for Third Degrees.
Degrees should be held in both the northern and southern parts of
6. It
is recommended that each Council propose at least one member of their Council
to serve on a Second or Third Degree team.
7. It
is recommended that Councils schedule all membership drives at the beginning of
the Columbian year with their Pastor and Parish Administrator.
8.
It is recommended that each Council make every effort
to retain their members by referring members at risk to their Council retention
team. Any suspensions thought to be
necessary by a council should be turned over to the State Council before being
submitted to Supreme.
9.
It is recommended that Councils establish a First
Degree Team. District Deputies should
encourage and assist Councils within their Districts in this effort.
10.
It is recommended that a First Degree be scheduled
frequently enough within each District to accommodate the timely acceptance of
new candidates into our Order. The
scheduled place and time should be coordinated with the State Ceremonial
Chairman.
11.
It is recommended that the State Council continue the
practice of hosting a monthly First Degree.
C. Remembrance
of Deceased Brothers
1.
It is recommended that the State Council hold a
Memorial Mass at the Annual Meeting of State Council. The State Secretary will
read the names of our deceased brothers of the current Columbian Year at this
2.
It is recommended that Councils recognize the
importance of having a Memorial Mass and continue this practice during the
month of November for deceased members of their Council. Each Grand Knight is to provide advance
notice to his District Deputy as to the time and place of this
3.
It is recommended that Councils adopt a program of
enrolling their deceased members in a Purgatorial Society and/or have a Mass
offered.
4.
It is recommended that attendance at the viewing and
funeral of deceased brothers or their immediate family is strongly encouraged
by Councils. Notification as to the time and place would be helpful by
publicizing information on the Internet.
5.
It is recommended that Councils set up a committee to
follow through on the welfare of widows of deceased members and to include them
in all Council activities and Council mailings.
6.
It is recommended that the Grand Knights, or their
designate, will inform the State Chaplain of the death of a member, listing his
next-of-kin and his address. This will
enable the State Chaplain to write the next-of-kin a letter of condolence on
behalf of the State Council, informing said next-of- kin that a Mass is being
offered for the deceased.
7.
It is recommended that Councils present a “Resolution
of Condolence” (available from Supreme Council Supplies Department) to the
next-of-kin of a deceased Brother Knight.
We recommend that Grand Knights and Faithful Navigators utilize the
Knights of Columbus Memorial Service for deceased members as appropriate
D. Church
Activities
1.
It is
recommended that the State Council and the individual Councils sponsor a priest
and a religious appreciation program to reaffirm our support of their valuable
work.
2.
It is
recommended that the fostering of Rosary devotions throughout the year by all
Councils especially during the months of May and October.
3.
It is recommended that religious discussions and other
methods of disseminating knowledge of our faith to the members be made a
permanent part of every Council meeting.
4. It is recommended that the State Council
appoint a Retreat Chairman to solicit the participation of all members in a weekend
retreat at Malvern Retreat House in
5. It is recommended that all members make
themselves available to their church, whenever needed, in all areas but
especially in liturgical and social ministries.
6. It is recommended that each Council display
the prayer "Our Lady Queen of the Knights" in an appropriate area,
and that the prayer be recited at the close of each Council meeting. Members are encouraged to memorize the
prayer. It is further recommended that
the Prayer for the Canonization of Father Michael J. McGivney to be considered
for the meeting opening prayer.
7. It is recommended that each Council aid its
members in obtaining a copy and then promote an understanding of the Catechism
of the Catholic Church.
8. It is recommended that all Councils promote
family participation at Mass and in the reception of the Eucharist.
9.
It is recommended that the Councils
adopt and promote a "Keep Christ in Christmas" program. Councils should consider utilizing the Surge with
Service programs or other appropriate programs like the Keep Christ in
Christmas Card (KCIC) program.
10. It is recommended that State and all Councils
support Vocations and the RSVP Program, and continue to pray for vocations at
all Council meetings. It is further recommended that the State Seminarian
Chairman publicize a listing of all seminarians studying for the Diocese of
Wilmington and coordinate participation in the RSVP Program with all Councils
within the Jurisdiction.
11. It is recommended that each Grand Knight
establish ongoing lines of communication with the Parish Council and other
Parish groups to encourage cooperation and make the Order's services known and
available to the Church community.
12. It is recommended that Councils promote the
use of the tapes and CD’s titled “The Recitation of the Holy Rosary for the
Needs of the
13. It is recommended that State Council and
Subordinate Councils support the construction and installation of the statue of
Our Lady of Peace at the Wilmington River Front. It is also recommended that Councils
encourage their members to support this in every way including individual
donations.
14. It is recommended that each Council establish
programs to recognize the accomplishments of teaching nuns in their local
parishes.
E. Community
Activities
1. It is recommended that State Council and
Subordinate Councils recognize and observe, in a special way, Columbus
Day. It should also be recognized that
Columbus Day is the anniversary of the institution of Delaware State Council.
2. It is recommended that State Council support
the Christopher Columbus Monument Committee in the care of the statue in
3. It is recommended that State Council and
Subordinate Councils develop programs to encourage decency in literature,
movies, the Internet and other forms of communication.
4. It is recommended that State Council and
Councils continue their efforts in supporting the Bayard House, the Ronald
McDonald House, Mom’s House, the Seaman’s Center, Diocesan Children Home, SERRA
Club, and like organizations in
5. It is recommended that members of the Order
write to their respective legislators regarding bills of interest to the moral
and/or general welfare.
6. It is recommended that all Councils participate in the annual "Soup-er Bowl" food drive.
7. It is recommended that each Council
establish programs to recognize the contributions of any local police officers,
firefighters or paramedics.
F. Youth
Activities
1. It is recommended that the youth activity
projects like the Track Meet, Free Throw Contest, Soccer Kick-off, Student
March for Life, Mission Breakfast, Vocation Essay Contest Declamation Contest
and Chess Tournament be continued with concerted effort to involve all Councils.
2.
It is recommended that Councils support other youth
activities, especially those involving Scouts and Altar Servers. It is
recommended that Eagle Scout and Altar Server Certificates be obtained from
Supreme Council for distribution.
3.
It is recommended that Councils initiate and support a
Columbian Squires Circle. Councils are
encouraged to contact the State Squires Chairman for information on how they
can start a Circle in their Council.
G. Council
Activities
1. It is recommended that the State Council
formally recognize at the State Convention all the Brother Knights with more
than fifty tears of service in the Knights of Columbus.
2. It is recommended that all Councils sponsor
an "Insurance Night" for members and their wives.
3. It is recommended that all Councils
encourage their members to participate in the Knights of Columbus Group of the
Blood Bank of
4. It
is recommended that all Councils encourage their members to participate in the
Past State Deputy Memorial Scholarship project to support our Delaware Diocesan
schools.
5. It is recommended that Councils schedule as
many events as possible throughout the year to which their family and friends
are invited.
6. It is recommended that Councils support the
Cause of Sainthood for Father Michael J. McGivney, and encourage their
membership, family and friends to join the Father Michael J. McGivney Guild.
7. It is recommended that Councils consider
participation in the Adopt-a-Highway program by sponsoring the cleanup of a
roadway in proximity to their meeting location.
7.
It is recommended that Councils contact the Chamber of
Commerce in their municipality for the posting of a Knights of Columbus road
sign containing information on the Council’s meeting day, time and location.
8.
It is recommended that Councils sponsor a Founder’s Day
Mass and/or other appropriate activity on March 29th to pray for the
cause for canonization of our Founder, Father Michael J. McGivney.
12.
It is recommended that Delaware State Council publish a
State Newsletter with a minimum of four issues per year.
H. Publicity
1.
It is recommended that an active Publicity Program be
generated by the State Publicity Chairman which would include issuing press
releases concerning various works performed by the Knights of Columbus in
2. It is recommended that the newsletter of each
Council be mailed to all of the Grand Knights, District Deputies, State
Officers, Master of the Fourth Degree of Delaware, State Program Directors,
Faithful Navigators, and Past State Deputies in the Delaware Jurisdiction.
3. It is recommended that all Brothers utilize
e-mail and Yahoo! Groups (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kofc-delaware_state)
to expedite Council communication and the sharing of information. Yahoo! Groups should only be used for the
distribution of appropriate information.
4.
It is recommended that all Councils support use of
Delaware State Council Website at www.kofc-de.org and are
encouraged to create their own Council website and affiliate as sub-domains of
the Delaware State Council Website.
5.
It is recommended that all Councils promote the
purchase of a Knights of Columbus license plate for the vehicles of all
members. The cost is a one-time $10 fee
and plates are obtained from the Delaware Motor Vehicle Department through the
State License Plate Chairman.
I. Pro-Life
1. It is recommended that State Council and
Councils continue their efforts in support of all “Pro‑Life” programs.
2.
It is recommended that each Council make special
efforts to encourage their membership to support, participate and make our
presence known at the January “March for Life”, and that Delaware Knights
participation in the march be coordinated and visible.
3.
It is recommended that a suitable memorial of all
aborted children be carried out during Respect Life Month in October at all of
the tombs or memorials to the unborn within the Jurisdiction of Delaware.
4.
It is recommended that every Council and every Assembly
in the jurisdiction of
5.
It is recommended that each Council make special
efforts to encourage their membership to support, participate, and make our
presence known at the Good Friday “Life Chain” and the “Life Chain” held during
Respect Life Month in October.
6.
It is
recommended and encouraged that State Council and Subordinate Councils develop
and execute programs for the Day of the Unborn on March 25th.
J. General
1. It is recommended that all Grand Knights
review the previous year’s Good of the Order prior to the Good of the Order
Meeting to prepare for recommended changes, deletions, or additions. All Grand Knights are encouraged to accept
the responsibility of being on said committee and to attend the “Good of the
Order” meeting when it is called by the State Secretary.
2. It is recommended that nametags be worn at
all meetings, particularly those to which other Councils are invited, or when
visiting other Councils.
3.
It is recommended that the Color Corps of the combined
Fourth Degree Assemblies continue their outstanding contribution to the Order
and the Church. We urge their continued
activity and encourage all Brothers to support them.
4.
It is recommended that each Council establish an
Attendance Committee, which shall endeavor by telephone, mail or personal
contact to increase attendance at all activities of the Council, and the Order.
5.
It is recommended that at least one State Officers'
Meeting and State Council function be held in each county in the Jurisdiction
of Delaware
6.
It is recommended that each Grand Knight meet regularly
with the parish pastors or administrators to promote Columbianism.
7.
It is recommended that the Budget Committee, Good of the Order Committee, and
Resolutions Committee furnish a copy of their reports to State Officers,
District Deputies and Grand Knights no later than ten (10) days before the
annual state meeting for review.
8.
It is recommended that reports of Committee Chairmen,
District Deputies and Grand Knights be submitted to the State Secretary prior
to the Annual Meeting of State Council.
These reports shall not be read on the Convention floor unless otherwise
determined by the State Deputy.