Knights of Columbus Blog - Stay Connected

Since our local council elections are upon us over the months of May and June, I am including within this article, the “Guidelines for Local Elections” from the Office of the Supreme Advocate.

Guidelines for Local Elections

Section 126 of the Laws of the Knights of Columbus establishes the offices for local councils. Section 128 of the Laws requires local councils to hold annual elections for council officers.

Elections are to be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. Section 162 of the Laws of the Knights of Columbus establishes certain categories of misconduct that may expose a member to disciplinary action. Section 162(23), set forth below, provides a general rule for the conduct of candidates for council offices.

Section 162: Any member of the Order who after trial, excepting where it is provided that no trial shall be had, shall be found guilty of the conduct specified in the subdivisions following shall be fined, suspended or expelled as set forth therein, to wit:

What’s the Difference in Retirement Referral/Advisory Services? “Integrity and professionalism. That’s what Knights can rely on from our Columbian Senior Advisory Service,” says Frank Pulice, president of Columbian Retirement Home, Inc.

By establishing the Columbian Senior Advisory Service (CSAS), the CRH Board set up a system that assures unbiased and reliable information for Knights and their families. CRH chose Senior Care Solutions to administer the CSAS program, based on their impeccable reputation. When a Knight calls the toll free at 800-273-0068, they reach a certified geriatric professional.

Beware of scams — on its web page, the Senior Housing Forum posts a “Scam Alert” warning that many supposedly “free” referral services are call centers or referral mills with untrained staff. Those so-called advisers are really sales people who steer families only to retirement homes that pay generous commissions, not according to the true needs of the senior. Clients who cannot afford expensive for-profit housing choices are ignored.

The Examiner.Com web site cautions that another type of “free” referral service harvests personal information from unsuspecting seniors to sell to for-profit companies. The Federal Trade Commission’s web site posts complaints against troublesome operators in the senior referral business.

This year our Worthy State Deputy developed the Star Tracker Report. The report identifies by individual council the status of all the reports and forms that the council has submitted to Supreme. The data is updated monthly and distributed to your District Deputy and Chapter President.

The Star Tracker is a valuable tool to insure your councils reports are on file at Supreme. Check with your District Deputy to determine what reports you still need to submit or resubmit in order to become a Star Council.

Star Council Award Requirements

To qualify for this award, a council must have submitted its Survey of Fraternal Activity (#1728) and its Service Program Personnel Report (#365). Other eligibility requirements are:

Father McGivney Award: Achieve membership quota Founders’ Award: Achieve insurance membership quota There are no application forms for the Father McGivney and Founder’s awards.

Columbian Award:

Complete and submit the Columbian Award Application (SP7) found in the Council Report Forms Booklet (#1436) or at www.kofc.org/forms. Councils must conduct and report at least four major programs in each of the Service Program categories: Church, community, council, family, culture of life, and youth. Completed applications must reach the Supreme Council office by June 30.

Let’s make this a year where every council is a Star Council.

For additional information contact:

Jerry Constance                                      Dave Roberts

Reports and Forms Chairman            North Committeeman

South Committeeman                           (209) 892-3515 (h)

(562) 860-1777 (h)                                 (209) 605-7307 (c)

(562) 440-8027 (c)                                  dvrbrts@gvni.com

jxconst@verizon.net

Read this and much more in the May Knightletter on the State Council website