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How Long is a Term for a Financial Secretary?

Bobb Mahrer, Membership Director

Answer:  One Year to Life

I am often asked the question by district deputies, “How long is a term for a Financial Secretary?”  My typical answer is “one year to life.”  This is because although a term is officially three years, in many instances, a good Financial Secretary will remain in his post for many more years beyond his initial term.  Often, a Financial Secretary will remain in his post and doing his job year after year until either his health forces him to retire, or he dies, hence the statement, “One Year to Life.”  You may chuckle at this, but many a time I have received a phone call with a panicky voice from a District Deputy on the other end of the line stating the following:  “My Financial Secretary just died.  He was Financial Secretary for the past 20 years and no one around remembers how he got his appointment.  What do I do?”  Although this may seen a little humorous, it all too often is true.  In many instances, because it has been so very long since the former Financial Secretary was appointed, anyone who is around today no longer has any memory of what the process is for appointing a new financial secretary.  This means educating the District Deputy so that he may quickly, smoothly, and seamlessly get the Financial Secretary replaced in order for the council to continue conducing business with limited interruption.  A wise District Deputy will note the following:

1.  The District Deputy has the authority to act as the temporary Financial Secretary or to appoint a temporary Financial Secretary.
2.  Ideally, the Financial Secretary should not be the District Deputy, but rather someone in the council who is interested and qualified to fill the position.
3.  The Financial Secretary must be a third degree member, ideally an insurance member, and a member in good standing.
4.  The Financial Secretary may not be an insurance agent or representative that sells insurance products in direct competition with the Knights of Columbus Insurance Program.
5.  There is no limit to the number of terms that may be served by a Financial Secretary.  Terms consist of three years and are normally evaluated by the council Grand Knight and trustees at the end of the term for the purpose of re-appointment
6.  Although a Financial Secretary is officially appointed by the Supreme Knight, per the Supreme By-Laws, the Financial Secretary appointee must be approved by the council Grand Knight and , trustees, and must also be approved by the State Deputy.  And contrary to what a small number of Financial Secretaries believe … that they report directly to the Supreme Knight … the Financial Secretary is directly accountable to the council Grand Knight and trustees and may be removed from office for cause by the District Deputy per the direction of the State Deputy.
7.  When replacing a Financial Secretary, a council Grand Knight is encouraged to advertise the position as available, thus giving everyone in the council the opportunity to express an interest and desire to apply for the job.  Methods of notifying the membership may include, but not be limited to, the council newsletter, the council website, an announcement at the regularly scheduled council business meeting, broadcast email to the general membership, etc.
8.  If more than one member submits an application, the council Grand Knight and trustees must select the one applicant that will be recommended for approval and forward the application to the Supreme Knight.  The Supreme Knight will contact the State Deputy for approval.
9.  If the Financial Secretary resigns, he must do so in writing by submitting a letter of resignation.  He can’t just say that he is quitting.  However, if the office is abandoned, the District Deputy has the authority to appoint a qualified member of the council as a temporary replacement and has the responsibility to retrieve the council’s financial records.
10.  Financial Secretaries are automatically bonded by the Supreme Council in the amount of $5,000.  Additional bonding may be purchased at $7 per thousand.  However, the bond is lost when a council is suspended.
    For more details regarding the Financial Secretary, refer to the Financial Secretary’s Handbook (Form #1410) and the Supreme By-Laws.

Fraternally in Christ,
Bobb Mahrer, Director
Education & Training
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