Program Manual

Message From the Council Growth Director

Alfredo Vela, Council Growth Director

COUNCIL GROWTH COMMITTEE
As a committee, Council Growth is charged with guiding the growth and expansion of the Order. We make the dream of Father Michael J. McGivney to have a council presence in every parish our daily focus. To better incorporate the various Catholic populations, we have also expanded this dream to include colleges and universities, cultural parishes and Eastern Rite churches.
The following will provide you with the guidelines for New Council Development, Spanish-Speaking Council Development, College Council Development, Round Tables and Council Reactivation of suspended councils. The procedure for instituting a council, reactivating a council or starting a Round Table requires dedication and meticulous attention.

NEW COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT

The development of new councils is primarily the responsibility of the district deputy, with the assistance of his state’s new council development chairman and the insurance agent. To assist him, the following procedures have been developed.
1. Survey the Area
2. Contact the Pastor
3. Contact the State Deputy
4. Contact General and Field Agent
5. Conduct Initial Recruitment Drive
6. Conduct Committee Meetings
7. Have an Organizational Meeting
8. Conduct First Degrees
9. Plan for Institution
10. Apply for Charter
11. Presentation of Charter
12. Follow Up

For additional or more detailed information, please refer to the New Council Development Guidelines as published by the Supreme Office. Spanish-speaking councils of the Knights of Columbus can be found in the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Cuba, Panama, and Guatemala. The Order is making every effort to bring the benefits of membership to every eligible Spanish speaking Catholic gentleman through our Operation Hispanic Outreach and New Council Development programs. Our Hispanic Council Development Chairman is ready to assist in forming either a New Council, Round Table or in the reactivation of Spanish speaking councils.

PARISH ROUND TABLES
Living in service to all is one of the most dynamic qualities of being a Knight. A unique way for Knights to serve is by helping out in local
parishes, especially in those churches that do not have a Knights of Columbus presence. The Order requests council members to extend
services to such parishes. This can be accomplished by establishing a Parish Round Table in which current member Knights help local parishes. The parish priest will identify the services he requires. The Parish Round Table Coordinator will then work with members of the Parish Round Table and the council to fulfill his wishes.
The following are the steps taken to establish Round Tables.

Aided by his officers, the Grand Knight decides which area parishes will be served.

The Grand Knight and his officers make lists of council members who belong to those area parishes. All will automatically become part of that Parish Round Table. New members of the parish may be recruited, as well.

The Grand Knight, with the help of his officers, informs all council members who belong to the designated parish, that the Order would like to set up a Parish Round Table and then explains the benefits to them.

The Grand Knight and a Knight parishioner call on the pastor to offer help.

— Since the pastor assigns the projects, there will be no conflict with existing groups.

— The Grand Knight presents the priest with a Knights of Columbus overview brochure (Form# 4519), a Parish Round Table program brochure (Form# 2632) and a list of Knights who are parishioners.

If the pastor is not receptive to a Parish Round Table, his decision is accepted and he’s told that the offer remains open if circumstances change.

If the pastor is receptive, the Grand Knight appoints one Parish Round Table coordinator for each designated parish.

The Grand Knight completes the Report of the Parish Round Table Coordinator (Form #2629), mails it to the Supreme Secretary and sends copies to the state and district deputies. Formation of the Parish Round Table and appointment of the coordinator are communicated to those involved, and announcements are published.

REACTIVATIONS
If there are suspended or inactive councils in your District or Diocese, you can look into reactivating these suspended councils. This information provides basic steps and procedures for reactivating a suspended or inactive council.
1. Meet with the Pastor
2. Notify the State Deputy of your intent
3. Conduct a Church drive (membership)
4. Conduct informational meeting
5. Hold election of officers (Form 185)
6.  Appoint Financial Secretary
7.  Help select Directors
8.  Mail all Form 100’s to Supreme
9.  Ask for forgiveness of debt.

Notes: The roster must have 30 members to complete the reactivation process. In addition, Steps 5, 6, and 7 must be completed by submitting Form 185, Form 365, and the appointment of the Financial Secretary. If these are not done, it does not qualify as a reactivation.

COUNCIL RETENTION
In order to prevent any more councils getting suspended or becoming inactive, the council retention committee will keep all State Officers, State Directors, Diocesan Deputies and District Deputies informed as to which councils have not paid their Supreme per-capita. This information should be used to follow-up with respective councils.