State Family Chairman
Douglas Oldmixon
512-441-4751

Texas State Programs Committee will recognize 1st, 2nd & 3rd place Awards for three of the Council-level Family Activities programs submitted to State by March 15, 2007 for consideration.

For fraternal year 2006-2007, the State Family Activities will focus on the Family of the Month / Year as the primary program.  We strongly urge every Council to participate in this great program.   Forms and supplies are available from Supreme, and monthly reports can be filed easily online.

The additional programs referenced are also recommendations for Council consideration.

1. FAMILY OF THE MONTH/YEAR

Each council should structure their Family Activities program to recognize a Family of the Month and a Family of the Year.  Report the Family of the Month to Supreme by the 15th of the following month.  To be eligible for State recognition, the Council must report Family of the Month winners for at least 8 months of the Fraternal Year.  Reports from Supreme will be used to verify program participation.  Report Family of the Year participation to the Chairman at doldmixon@austin.rr.com by March 15.

Supreme also conducts a drawing for 100 Holy Family statuettes each month to be presented to families from Councils who have submitted a Family of the Month report.  Don't let your Council and families be left out.

STATE FAMILY of the MONTH
Certificate

Criteria

Councils which submit a Family of the Month on Form 1993A 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 Family of the Month for twelve out of twelve months in the fraternal year AND giving a Family of the Year Award will be presented a very special certificate.  Because reports are due in March each year, Councils may report April, May & June of the prior fraternal year for credit toward achievement of the higher award.  District Deputies with 100% of assigned Councils receiving certificates and the Diocesan Deputy with the highest percentage of certificate winners will also receive special recognition.

STATE FAMILY of the YEAR
Award

Criteria

A State Family of the Year will be chosen for special recognition by the State Council from among all of the submissions received from Councils by March 15, 2007.   This family is then submitted to Supreme's Family of the Year competition.

Additional Programs Recommended

2.  Knights of Columbus "Week of the Family" Activity

The Knights of Columbus Week of the Family is always celebrated the second week of August.   Plan a special Family Activity to recognize this week: take the whole family to a ball game, or have a picnic at a park or pool with lots of fun activities for the kids and the grownups.  While you're at it, also invite the Squires, Scouts or the Altar Servers and have a big birthday cake and ice cream to celebrate Fr. Michael McGivney's birthday on August 12th.

3.  Adopt a Needy Family for the Holidays

Appoint a Director or a committee to work with your parish to identify one or more needy families to be sponsored by the Council at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Along with the food donations for a special meal, there should also be presents for the children at Christmas time.  Involve the entire family in this worthy activity.

4.  Include the Family in all Community Activities

Community Activities like volunteering at the local food pantry or community kitchen, street or park cleanup days, Special Olympics and community blood drives are perfect opportunities to involve the whole family in the Council's work.  Kids really enjoy helping and teens often need service hours for school, Scouts or youth group credit.  Teach them while they're young that service is a blessing!

5.  Annual Council Awards & Ladies' Appreciation

Each council should hold an Annual Awards event to thank all of those who contribute to the Council's success, and this is a perfect opportunity for special recognition of our wives.  All deceased members' spouses should also be invited to let them know we have not forgotten them and to stay in touch with their families.  Make a big deal about this evening; have a catered dinner at a special place so no one has to work in the kitchen.

Along with celebration of the accomplishments of the Council over the past Fraternal Year, the Knight of the Year and Family of the Year should also be recognized at this special event.  Make it an annual affair and you'll be pleased with the support you get from wives and families.