Community Fraternalism Committee

 

Chariman: SK Ronald L Cechan

 

Information from Supreme for this committee:

  • Maintain a strong, friendly and fraternal atmosphere throughout your council and among its members and families. Make sure new members feel welcome. Offer programs that create interest, maintain enthusiasm and build pride in membership.
  • Sponsor joint programs with your Squires circle and with other fraternal groups in your community. Invite leaders of other fraternal benefit societies or service-oriented organizations to your council affairs — social, athletic, cultural, etc.
  • Begin or revive the practice of having everyone wear an identification badge during your council meetings and activities.
  • Include an annual “Recognition Night” in your council activity schedule. An excellent assortment of colorful and attractive certificates for us e by the fraternal recognition committee is avail- able from the Supreme Council Supply Department. A generic certificate (#2898) is also avail- able. The certificate’s multipurpose design (which includes a four-color Knights of Columbus emblem) was developed in response to numerous requests for special program certificates. By using a computer and a printer, councils can easily design their own professional looking certificates at a reasonable cost for any occasion. All certificates should be ordered by the grand knight or financial secretary on the official requisition for supplies. A sample copy of the certificate will be sent upon request. The Knights of Columbus Certificates Flyer (#2640) is available from the Supply Department and describes the wide variety of certificates that can be ordered.
  • Present degree certificates to the members of each degree class immediately following an exemplification. First Degree certificates are available in English (#268), Spanish (#268S) and French (#268F). Second Degree certificates are available in English (#269), Spanish (#269S) and French (#269F). Third Degree certificates are available in English (#270), Spanish (#270S) and French (#270F). Fourth Degree certificates are available in English (#1467), Spanish (#1467S) and French (#1467F). Each of these certificates is available for $.25 from the Supreme Council Supply Department.
  • Order “Certificates of Merit,” (#1454) available from the Supreme Council Supply Department, for presentation to civic leaders, law enforcement officers and military personnel in your community.
  • Select a “Knight of the Month” and/or “Knight of the Year.” Appropriate certificates (#1476E,F,S and #1545 E,F,S respectively) for presentation are available through the Supreme Council Supply Department. Recipients should be chosen for exemplary service to Church, community, council, family and youth.
  • Recognize the important moments in the lives of your members and those individuals who are important to your council by sending Knights of Columbus greeting cards. Birthday (#757E,F,S), Anniversary (#1484 E,F,S), Get Well (#1483 E,F,S), Sympathy (#1932 E,F,S) Thank You (#2010 E,F,S ) and Congratulations (#2087 E,F,S ) cards are available from the Supreme Council Supply Department in English, French and Spanish for 25¢each.
  • Publish annually a council directory and distribute it to all council members. List contact information for your council’s K of C insurance agent and make sure he gets a copy of the directory. Such a directory not only enables members of a council to become better acquainted with their fellow Knights, but also can be used as a basis for forming “fast-contact” committees or “tele- phone squads.” List the current Supreme, state, district and council officers, Service Program directors in your council, Fourth Degree officers of your local assembly, and Squires circle counselors and officers. List every member’s name, address and telephone number and arrange them alphabetically by parish. You may want to include each member’s occupation, his wife’s name and other useful information. The inside cover could contain a calendar of the fraternal year.
  • Spearhead Columbus Day celebrations each October in your community. Sponsor a communion breakfast, hold an open house, a parade or a dance. Participate in any civic observances scheduled. Encourage your council’s public relations committee to issue news releases about Columbus Day plans, Christopher Columbus himself, and the Knights of Columbus programs and activities.
  • Celebrate Founder’s Day. March 29 is the anniversary of the day the Knights of Columbus was granted a charter by the state of Connecticut. This day calls for a special celebration in every council throughout the Order. In honor of our founder, honor and recognize your council’s founders — your charter members. “Charter Member” certificates (Item #1456, E, F, S, 25¢each) are available from the Supreme Council Supply Department. Other Founder’s Day activities might include a communitywide reception or open house, a dance, or a Mass of thanksgiving for the Order’s founder, his fellow incorporators and all the KofC leaders who helped shape the Order over the years. Petition state and community leaders to issue celebratory proclamations. Schedule a showing of the Supreme Council video about the founder, The Life and Legacy of Father McGivney (#24358), available from the Supreme Council Department of Fraternal Services. Founder’s Day offers many opportunities for press coverage as well. Publicize Founder’s Day activities in local newspapers and on television and radio. Issue articles to the newspapers about the founding of the Knights of Columbus, the good works Knights do on a state and international level, and your own council’s record of achievement within the community.
KofC Supreme Documentation Source Page 21