COUNCIL INFORMATION
Council 9997 Core Values
Council 9997 Mission Statement
To promote the growth and development of the St. Thomas More
faith-based community, in unity with the Holy Trinity and the
Blessed Virgin Mary; all in keeping with the tenets of our Order:
Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism.
Vision Statement
A Year of Growth: Spirituality and Brotherhood
We will work to further develop a sincere concern for our Brother Knights and to
develop a balance between our inner spirituality and our outward love. The
brotherhood formed by this Council is dedicated to: the greatest glory of God,
the Blessed Virgin Mary in strengthening family unity, charity and assistance to
those who are less fortunate, and to the support of Holy Mother Church.
To that end, we will:
Support our Roman Catholic Church's positions on public policy, social,
educational, and vocational issues.
Instill a great sense of fellowship, unity, and cooperation in our
Council's social and fund-raising events.
Foster, mentor, and encourage more Knights to actively participate in our
Council's charitable, fund-raising, and social events.
Continue raising funds to support our charitable programs. Also, explore
new fundraising projects and other worthy charitable programs.
Fraternal Benefits
Father McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus to strengthen the Catholic faith
among its members and to establish a system of insurance to provide financial
support for the families of incapacitated or deceased members. This noble
objective continues today through the activities the Knights promote, and the
optional insurance products that are available through local Councils. The
Knights of Columbus Council 9997 of St. Thomas More Parish invite you to join us
and to share in the pride, joy and fellowship in charitable works experienced by
our members and their families. The acts of Faith, Charity, and Love you perform
as a proud Knight ultimately benefit you, your family and the people whose lives
you touch.
Who Can Become a Knight?
The Knights of Columbus Council 9997 of St. Thomas More Catholic Church
encourage any practicing Catholic man of good standing, 18 years of age and
older, who wants to become more involved with his Catholic Faith and Belief,
Church, and Community to apply for membership. For more information about the
Knights of Columbus contact our local Grand Knight.
Our Principles
All the good works we do are informed by our four core principles:
Charity - Our Catholic faith teaches us to Love thy neighbor as thyself.
Members of the Knights of Columbus show love for their neighbors by conducting
food drives and donating the food to local soup kitchens and food pantries, by
volunteering at Special Olympics, and by supporting, both spiritually and
materially, mothers who choose life for their babies. Knights recognize that our
mission, and our faith in God, compels us to action. There is no better way to
experience love and compassion than by helping those in need, a call we answer
every day.
Unity None of us is as good as all of us. Members of the Knights of Columbus
all know that together we can accomplish far more than any of us could
that we always agree or that there is never a difference of opinion. It does
mean that as a Knight of Columbus, you can count on the support and
encouragement of your brother Knights as you work to make life better in your
parish and community.
Fraternity The Venerable Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus,
in large part, to provide assistance to the widows and children left behind when
the family breadwinner died often prematurely. The Order top-rated insurance
program continues to do this today, as do individual Knights, who last year gave
more than 10 million hours of their time to assist sick and/or disabled members
and their families. In the Knights of Columbus, we watch out for and take care
of one another.
Patriotism Members of the Knights of Columbus, be they Americans, Canadians,
Mexicans, Cubans, Filipinos, Poles, or Dominicans, are patriotic citizens. We
are proud of our devotion to God and country, and believe in standing up for
Catholics support their nations and are amongst the greatest citizens.
Council Officers' Duties
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Grand Knight |
The Grand Knight is responsible for the welfare of the council. He presides over council meetings, acts as ex-officio member of all committees, appoints a membership and program director, convenes officers for a monthly meeting, and ensures all necessary reports are submitted to the state and Supreme Council. He should also be aware of the council’s financial status and ensure that his signature appears on all checks drawn. The grand knight is a member of the Advisory Board with general supervision of the council’s Columbian Squire circle. For more specific duties and responsibilities, refer to the Grand Knights Handbook (#915). |
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Deputy Grand Knight |
The deputy grand knight is second in command. He assists the grand knight with council affairs and fulfills all duties assigned to him by the grand knight. Should the grand knight be absent from a council meeting, the deputy grand knight will preside. He is chairman of the council’s retention committee and also a member of the Advisory Board charged with overseeing the council’s sponsored Columbian Squires circle. |
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Chaplain |
The chaplain is the spiritual adviser of the council. He is expected to make a report at council meetings on religious matters. The grand knight appoints a priest in accordance with any rules established by the bishop of the diocese to serve as council chaplain. For more specific duties, responsibilities and eligibility’, refer to the Chaplain‘s Handbook (#945). |
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Chancellor |
The chancellor has a variety of responsibilities. Primarily, he assists the grand knight and the deputy grand knight in the execution of their duties and oversees the council in both their absences. He is charged with strengthening the member’s interests in council activities. The chancellor is chairman of the admission committee and a member of the Colombian Squires circle ceremonial team. |
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Recorder |
The recorder is similar to a court reporter or a secretary. He is responsible for maintaining a true record of all actions of the council and it’s correspondence. |
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Financial Secretary |
The Supreme Knight, upon recommendation of the council appoints the financial secretary. His main area of responsibility is maintaining all financial and membership records. He collects and receives all moneys from all resources, including annual dues from council members. He also handles supply orders for the council officers and members, filing the Report of Officer (#185), and submitting all membership transactions to the Supreme Council. For more specific duties and responsibilities, refer to the Financial Secretary Handbook (#1410). |
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Treasurer |
The treasurer is responsible for the safekeeping and maintaining records of all council funds and accounts. He is responsible for depositing money into the council’s accounts and provides a certificate of such monies to the grand knight. He is also responsible for payment of all expenses. |
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Advocate |
The advocate is the legal representative of the council and serves as the council’s attorney at trials and investigations of any interest to the council. While he does not need to be member of the legal profession, he should be familiar with the council by-laws, the Order’s Charter, Constitution and Laws (#30), Methods of Conducting a Council Meeting (#1937) and Robert’s Rules of Order. |
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Warden |
The warden is the “watchdog” for council property and degree paraphernalia, except the property of the financial secretary, treasurer and recorder. He is also responsible for setting up the council chambers for meetings and ceremonial work. During ceremonial exemplifications, he will appoint and supervise guards. |
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Inside & Outside Guards |
The guards have similar responsibilities, but distinct differences. The outside guard tends to the outer door admitting visitors and members to the inner door. Once at the inner door, the inside guard checks to make sure that their membership cards are current. |
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Trustees |
The board of trustees consists of three members elected by the council, They and the grand knight, who serves as chairman, comprise the board of trustees. They oversee the work of the financial secretary and treasurer. The board of trustees and the deputy grand knight serve on the councils retention committee. During council elections, only the three year trustee is voted on, with the others moving on to become two-year and one-year trustees respectively. |
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