State Council Chairman
Douglas Oldmixon
512-441-4751
Texas State Programs Committee will recognize 1st, 2nd & 3rd place Awards for three of the Council
Activities programs submitted to State by March 15, 2007 for consideration.
For fraternal year 2006-2007, the State Council Activities focus will be to "Develop
an Active Knight" by participation in the Shining Armor Award as the
primary program. Additionally, keep the momentum going by also recognizing a Knight of the
Month and Knight of the Year. We strongly urge every Council to participate in these two great
programs. Certificates and other program supplies are available from Supreme.
The additional programs referenced are also recommendations for Council consideration.
1. SHINING ARMOR AWARD Program
The key to an active Council is enthusiastic and active Knights. One key to developing
active Knights is to give them a clear goal to strive for. Supreme has done this for you with
the Shining Armor Award program. The Council reporting the highest percentage of "Shining Armor
Award" recipients will be recognized with a special award by the State Council. Report your
Council's results to the Chairman at doldmixon@austin.rr.com by
March 15, 2007.
Every First Degree Team should have plenty of "Shining Armor Award" materials on hand to give a
brochure and card to each new Knight. Councils can order the Certificates and pins from
Supreme for presentation immediately after the new Knight meets all of the criteria. Keep a
few on hand so that recognition is prompt and effective. Supreme also has
"Rookie of the Month/Year" certificates for additional recognition of your new members.
Consider also awarding these men with a Council cap, golf shirt, vest or apron to build excitement among
your newest members.
There is also a New Knight Brochure on the State website that can be
downloaded and printed locally which answers many questions new members may have. It also
contains the "Shining Armor Award" criteria, and a place to insert your Council's name and number, the
Grand Knight's name and phone, and regular meeting place and time.
New Knight Brochure
STATE SHINING ARMOR AWARD
Award
Criteria
The Grand Knight, District Deputy and Diocesan Deputy with the highest percentage of Shining Armor Award
recipients will receive special recognition. The winner selection will be based on council
membership versus the number of Shining Armor Awards reported. This will allow the smaller
Councils, Districts and Dioceses to participate with the larger ones on a fair basis.
2. KNIGHT of the MONTH/YEAR
The Knight of the Month/Year program is a fabulous way to recognize your very active members.
Monthly award certificates should be presented at the Business or Social meeting each month, and then let
the Council members choose from the monthly winners a Knight of the Year to be recognized at an Annual
Awards Night dinner. Councils that report recognizing a Knight of the Month for at least eight
out of twelve months will receive special recognition from the State Council. Report your
participation in this program to the Chairman by e-mail at
doldmixon@austin.rr.com by March 15, 2007.
STATE KNIGHT of the MONTH/YEAR
Certificate
Criteria
Councils which report awarding a Knight of the Month for at least eight out of the twelve months in
the fraternal year will be presented a certificate of recognition. Councils which report
awarding a Knight of the Month for twelve out of twelve months in the fraternal year AND giving a Knight
of the Year Award will be presented a very special certificate. Because reports are due to
State by March 15 each year. Councils may report April, May &
June of the prior fraternal year for credit toward achievement of the higher award.
Additional Programs Recommended
3. Star Council Award Program
A clear focus on the Columbian Award criteria along with membership and insurance goals will set the
foundation to achieve the most prestigious award given by Supreme - "Star Council". A little
extra effort will earn you Texas' greatest recognition - the "Lone Star Award for Excellence with
Distinction". Every Council can do it!
Focus on Church, Family, Council, Community and Youth activities that meet needs in your area.
Set achievable goals. Appoint dedicated and enthusiastic men to be activity directors,
chairmen and committee members. Then make sure to file the Columbian Award application, Form SP-7.
4. Host Columbus Day and Founder's Day Events
Every year in October and March, two events should always be on your calendar: Columbus
Day on October 12th, and Founder's Day on
March 29th. Plan a Corporate Communion Mass followed by a meal to memorialize these
special occasions. Since the timing neatly coincides with both the Fall and Spring Membership
Blitz, one suggestion is to time your recruitment drives to build up to a Potluck Dinner or other event
that you can invite all of the prospective members and their families to celebrate with your Council.
Vary the event's focus. In October, show some of the great free videos available from
Supreme as part of the program, including the one on Christopher Columbus. In March, invite
your Insurance Representative and a local estate planning attorney to make presentations and offer free
information to the guests.
5. Better Communication Builds Community
Monthly newsletters or bulletins to members, plus news releases about your events to church and
community news editors are principal means to develop a sense of community and to build public knowledge
and interest in the Knights of Columbus.
Appoint a Communications Chairman, gather e-mail addresses for your members to establish a free
communications network, establish a Council website on the State www.tkofc.org site (it is also free and
really easy), and establish a phone tree to rapidly disseminate information. All these steps
cost you nothing but a little time, and the return is enormous. E-mail or mail your monthly
newsletter to keep all members (and widows) informed. Use the State website to note any
special achievements and publicize local area events.
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