Council Growth

Carlos X. Martinez, Director

A new fraternal year initiates and offers new beginnings for Parishes and new opportunities for our Order to grow, HOW? new council development (across all languages), reactivation of suspended/dormant councils, Round Table creation, developing and sustaining college councils, and retaining councils “on the bubble” from falling behind on per capita and being suspended. The Parishes and Missions across Texas are re-opening their doors and our Pastors are imploring the need for Knights of Columbus to support the call to service. This is only attainable by growth of councils with a Knight’s presence in every active Parish and Mission across our great State of Texas.

The Council Growth Team will continue to build on the momentum garnered and will “Be Not Afraid” to:

1. Develop and sustain new parishes with a new council with preferred language
2. Reactivate councils as requested by our Pastors
3. Evaluate and develop new Spanish speaking councils
4. Identify, promote, and develop college councils
5. Promote a presence in every Parish or Mission with a Round Table
6. Retain councils, support, and sustain to remain active

The Council Growth Team is willing and ready to support, as needed, to ensure that Blessed Father McGivney’s prayer and vision of a Knight of Columbus presence in every Parish and Mission does not go unanswered.  

New Council Development

Louie Martinez, Chairman

Today in Texas, we continue to pursue Blessed Michael McGivney’s goal of one Knights of Columbus council in every Parish. By developing new councils, not only do we offer many fraternal benefits to our new members, but we also Stand in Solidarity with our Priests and continue to grow our charitable and fraternal services. We do this for our members to become better fathers, husbands, and stronger Catholics. The 16-step process set forth by the State Council is the structural guide for successful new council development. We will work with our Diocesan Teams to ensure successful and continued development to meet the needs of the Parish.

New Council Development Checklist

1. Survey the Area
   1. K of C Council in every Parish goal
2. Contact the Pastor
   1. Build relationship
3. Confirm preferred language for council
4. Complete & Submit form #133 “Notice of Intent” Establish a New Council
5. Link for form:
6. https://www.kofc.org/en/members/resources/forms/state.html
7. 1. Forward form for State Deputy signature
8. Forward copy to Council Growth Director & New Council Development Chairman
9. Contact General Agent
   1. Field Agent will be assigned
10. Conduct Initial Recruitment Drive
    1. Identify Key Men to form Steering Committee
11. Have initial Committee meeting
    1. Identify Steering Committee Chairman & Temporary Financial Secretary
12. Have Initial Organizational Meeting
    1. Identify First 20 or more Charter Members  
13.  Conduct Knighthood Exemplification
    1. Decide if Online or Live Exemplification format
14. District Deputy completes and submits Form 136 – Notice of Institution of a Council
    Link for form: https://www.kofc.org/en/members/resources/forms/state.html
15. Conduct Officer Elections
16. Submit Form 185 – Council Officers
    1. Link for form:
17.         https://www.kofc.org/en/members/resources/forms/185.html
18. Submit Form 365 – Service Program Chairmen
    1. Link for form:
19.             https://www.kofc.org/en/members/resources/forms/state.html
20. Appoint Financial Secretary, submit form 101 & form 103
    1. Link for forms
21. https://www.kofc.org/en/members/resources/forms/fs-appt.html
22. Apply for Charter – form 137
    1. Link for form
23. https://www.kofc.org/en/members/resources/forms/state.html
24. Presentation of Charter
    1. District Deputy Coordinates Ceremony
25. Follow up to ensure sustainability
26. To actively engage Knights of Columbus members to aid the parish and sustain visible Catholic action through works of charity in every Parish and Mission throughout  the Order, and in sustainable parishes to form the Round Table into a fully functioning council.” (Supreme)’
27. Round Tables help develop programs and events for parishes and missions that do not have Knights of Columbus.
28. Round Tables help subgroups of parishes meet their goals.
29. Round Tables can become the mustard seed for a new Knights of Columbus Council.
30. The Grand Knight surveys the area parishes to see who will benefit from a Round Table.
31. The Grand Knight and his Officers make a list of council members who belong to the area parishes. They will become part of the Round Table.
32. The Grand Knight informs members who belong to the designated parish that the Order would like to set up a Round Table. The Grand Knight, officers and Insurance agents will explain the benefits of having a Round Table.
33. The Grand Knight and a chosen Knight parishioner will set up a meeting with the Pastor to offer help.
34. During the meeting, the Grand Knight will explain how the Knights of Columbus can be of assistance and will emphasize that this is not a “one and done” opportunity but a chance to provide on-going assistance.
35. • If the Pastor is not receptive to a Parish Round Table, the Pastor’s decision is accepted, but the offer should be kept open in case things change.
36. If the Pastor is receptive, the Grand Knight appoints one Parish Round Table Coordinator for each designated Parish.
37. The Grand Knight completes the Report of the Parish Round Table Coordinator (Form 2629) and submits it to Supreme with a copy to the District Deputy and State Round Table Chairman. Link: https://www.kofc.org/un/en/forms/council/roundtable_coordinators2629_p.pdf
38. The Grand Knight will communicate Parish Round Table appointments to those involved and make announcement.
39. The Parish Priest will select which projects or events the Round Table will complete.
40. Once the Round Table exceeds 20 members and still has potential to grow, paperwork should be submitted to form a new Council.
41. There are no elected officers to the Round Table only an appointed coordinator.
42. The pastor is involved as much as he wants to be, but the Round Table should not add to his workload.
43. The coordinator should maintain good communications with the priest.
44. The coordinator should seek help from current council members to accomplish Round Table projects
45. Annually the Grand Knight and the pastor will review the activities and effectiveness of the parish Round Table and coordinator.
46. If the Pastor desires a change of coordinator or if the coordinator resigns during the fraternal year, the selection of a new coordinator is made by the pastor and the Grand Knight.
47. Change of pastor, the Grand Knight and the coordinator explains the program and seeks the new pastor’s support.
48. The parish Round Table has no dues. Members continue to meet their financial obligation to their council.
49. The parish name and city should be used in conjunction with the parish Round Table.
50. Round Table coordinator regularly reports on the activities of the parish Round Table at the business meetings of the sponsoring council.
51. The parish Round Table projects should be announced in the parish, State Knights of Columbus Newspaper, Diocesan newspaper, Columbia, and Parish bulletins.
52. The State Round Table Chairman should select the most outstanding “Parish Round Table of the Year” for that jurisdiction and arrange for appropriate honors to be awarded at the state convention.
53. This report is mailed to the Department of Membership Development for processing and a copy will go to the State Round Table Chairman.
54. Make sure your numbers have been reported to the council to be included in the council’s Annual Fraternal Survey (#1728). Link: https://www.kofc.org/en/members/resources/forms/state.html
55. When the Parish Round Table Coordinator is changed, the Grand Knight notifies the Department of Membership Development, State and District Deputies, State Round Table Chairman, and the outgoing coordinator with an updated Form #2629.
56. Meets with parish pastor.
57. See what he would like to have done.
58. Council supports Round Table.
59. Select Coordinator for Round Table.
60. Submit Form 2629 to Supreme, State, Director of Membership and Round Table Chairman.
61. If you have a Round Table other than English and English Round Table for one church or mission  submit TWO different Forms 2629.one for Other Language and one for English.
62. https://www.kofc.org/un/en/forms/council/roundtable_coordinators2629_p.pdf

Reactivations and Mergers

William Tartaglia, Chairman

         Ralph Cavazos, Brownsville Coordinator
         Noverto Gonzales, San Antonio Coordinator

The reactivation process is one of the best ways to help grow and strengthen our Order.  It gives our Brother Knights the opportunity to do great things in their parish and community and enrich the spiritual lives of the men. We are here to help you with that process.

    The first step is to meet with the Pastor and any Knights still in the parish to determine the prospects for reactivating the Council. Remember to highlight the positive aspects of the Order. The Diocesan and District Deputies should know the history of the council and the problems that arose in the past, so those issues can be addressed early in the reactivation process.

    The Reactivation process for a dormant Council pretty much mirrors that of starting a new council. I have made an easy-to-follow checklist for this process. If you need a copy, please contact me and a copy will be emailed to you. The Council Growth & Retention Guidelines, pages 20-25, details the full process.

    Council Reactivation Guidelines can be accessed at:

https://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/membership/10506.pdf

Reactivation Checklist

1)  Survey the Council and Parish

2)  Setup meeting with the Pastor

3)  Submit Form 133 Notice of Intent to Reactivate

4)  Forward a copy of Form 133 to Council Growth Director and Reactivation Chairman

5) Ask for Primary Language of Council

6) Contact General Agent for that area

7)  Review Current Membership Roster

a) Identify potential members

b) Identify potential removals

8)  Conduct Initial Recruitment Drive

9)  Have a Council/Committee Meeting

10) Have an Organizational Meeting

a) Appoint a Financial Secretary

b) Submit Forms FS101 and FS103

c) Forward a copy of Forms FS101 and FS103 to Reactivation Chairman Council Growth Director, and State Deputy

11) Conduct an Exemplification of Charity, Unity and Fraternity (Must have 5-10 new members and a minimum of 20 members to reactivate)

12) Conduct Elections

a) Submit Form 185

b) Submit Form 365, (With minimum of Program, Community, Family and Membership Directors, and Retention Chairman)

c) Forward a copy of Form 185 and 365 to Reactivation Chairman, Council Growth Director and State Deputy)

13) Submit letter for State and Supreme Per-Capita forgiveness to State Deputy             ( Forward a copy to Reactivation Chairman)

14) Follow up with Reactivation Chairman to submit names to be removed from council roster

Council mergers occur only when a dormant council has no path to reactivation. Mergers allow the members of the dormant council to renew their full membership and have full fraternal benefits.

“Be Not Afraid” to help get Brother Knights active again by reactivating dormant councils.

Council Retention

James DeGhelder, Chairman

The mission of our Council Retention program is to ensure that all councils in Texas operate in good standing with Supreme Council. This is accomplished when all councils pay their per capita charges on time and in full. Per Capita is simply your Council’s dues to Supreme Council and Texas State Council. You are obligated by the Order’s by-laws to pay your Council’s per Capita from the money you collect from your members for your Council’s annual dues. Using the dues money collected from Brother Knights for anything other than paying per capita could be considered fraud. Our goal is for all Brother Knights to enjoy the fraternal and many substantial rewards for them and their families to which they are due as dues paying members of the Knights of Columbus. A few of these rewards are Family Fraternal Benefits, Orphan Benefits, Member/Spouse Fraternal Benefit, Widow Benefits, and Scholarships. That also means that all brothers can participate in State events such as the Annual Convention, sports tournaments (golf, bowling, softball) and the Free Throw Contest so many of our youth and their families enjoy. Our Council Retention Chairman will inform the State Officers, State Directors, Diocesan Deputies and District Deputies which councils have not paid their Supreme per-capita. This information will be used to follow-up with respective councils. District Deputies should start expecting phone calls in August following the July billing and in February following the January billing. As District Deputies and leaders on the State Council, your assistance in ensuring that all councils plan for and pay per capita bills from Supreme on time is essential. Please ensure your councils do not wait until the last minute to submit these payments. As a reminder, payments of Supreme per capita do not require a council vote.

EXPLANATION OF SUPREME PER CAPITA BILLING Supreme Council bills each Council $ 4.50 per member per year. This amount includes $ 3.50 per member for per capita charges (dues) and $ 1.00 per member for Catholic Advertising. The invoices are sent in two separate billings as follows: $ 1.75 per capita + $ 0.50 Catholic Advertising = $ 2.25 per member billed on July 1 each year. Payment is due by October 10 of that year. $ 1.75 per capita + $ 0.50 Catholic Advertising = $ 2.25 per member billed on January 1 each year. Payment is due by April 10 of that year. Supreme Council does NOT include Honorary Life Members in this billing. The number of members in a Council as of July 1 of each year is used to determine the actual charges. Honorary Members, Disabled Members, and Inactive Insurance Members receive credits that effectively reduce the charges to $0.00 (See Explanation of Credits below).

EXPLANATION OF STATE PER CAPITA BILLING Texas State Council bills each Council $ 8.00 per member per year. Invoices are sent to the Grand Knight and Financial Secretary on record for each Council by the end of July of each year. State per Capita must be paid by March 1 of each year. The number of members in a Council as of July 1 of each year is used to determine the actual charges.

EXPLANATION OF CREDITS There is no charge for either Supreme or State per capita for Honorary Life Members. To be an Honorary Life Member you must be at least 70 years old with 25 consecutive years of service OR 50 years of consecutive service regardless of age OR an ordained priest or religious. Deacons are NOT included in this exception since they can work and be married. Inactive Insurance Members are credited at $ 9.00 per member by Supreme Council and with $3.50 per member by State Council. The total credited is $12.50 per member which is the amount charged for both Supreme ($4.50) and State ($8.00) per capita. Therefore, there is no net loss to the Council for Inactive Insurance Members. Honorary Members are charged $10.00 per year for their Council dues and credited with $2.50 by State Council. This comes to a total of $12.50 which is the amount charged for the combination of Supreme and State per Capita. Therefore, there is no net loss to the Council for Honorary Members if your Council collects the $10.00 per year for Honorary Member dues.

BOTTOM LINE – Your Council is charged $12.50 per REGULAR member per year for the combination of Supreme and State per Capita and Catholic Advertising.

COLLEGE COUNCILS – College Councils are charged $4.00 per member for State per Capita.

SEMINARY COUNCILS – Seminary Councils are exempt from payment of State per Capita.

REACTIVATED COUNCILS – Upon request, Councils that are reactivated could be exempted from payment of overdue State per Capita by a vote of the Texas State Council Officers. They may also be exempted from payment of overdue Supreme per Capita after approval by the Supreme Council Board of Directors.

NEW COUNCILS – are exempt from payment of State per Capita for the first year of their formation.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY COUNCIL DOES NOT PAY THEIR PER CAPITA? Your Council will be suspended by Supreme Council if you do not pay your Supreme per Capita bill sent on July 1 by October 10 (90 days to pay). Your Council will be suspended by Supreme Council if you do not pay your Supreme per Capita bill sent on January 1 by April 10 (90 days to pay).

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY COUNCIL IS SUSPENDED BY SUPREME COUNCIL? There are several things that happen when a Council is suspended by Supreme Council for non-payment of assessed per Capita including: 1. Your Council is not eligible for any awards including Star Council, Columbian Award, Founder’s Award or Blessed Father McGivney Award. 2. Your Council members lose their rights to all automatic Fraternal Benefits awarded to members in good standing such as the automatic accidental death benefit for members and their spouses and the automatic death benefit if a child is stillborn or dies within 75 days of natural birth.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY COUNCIL DOESN’T PAY THEIR STATE PER CAPITA? Texas State Council does not have the power to suspend a Council. However, if you do not pay your State per Capita billed during July of each year by March 1, Texas State Council can and will do the following: 1. Council will not be allowed to seat delegates at the Texas State Convention. 2. Council will not be allowed to have a representative of the Council participate in the State Free Throw Contest. 3. Council will not be allowed to have a representative of the Council receive an Educational Grant from State Council. 4. Council will not be allowed to have representatives participate in State-sponsored athletic contests (golf tournament, bowling tournament, softball tournament, etc.). 5. Your Council is not eligible for any State Awards such as the Lone Star Award for Excellence or the Lone Star Award for Excellence with Distinction.

Hispanic Council Development

Armando Gonzalez, South Chairman
Guillermo Munoz, North Chairman

Catholicism is the largest religion in Texas. The Spanish speaking Catholic population continues to grow across Texas, positively impacting each Diocese. Hispanic Catholic men are seeking to become involved in their parishes. We, as the leaders of the Knights of Columbus, must be open and welcoming to our Spanish speaking Catholics within our parishes.

Hispanic and ethnic membership growth must be a part of every Diocese strategic plan and each Diocese must be committed to grow this segment of our Catholic congregations. We will work with the Diocesan leadership to assure that they have identified the opportunities that are available to their individual Districts.

Our goal is to promote Spanish speaking membership growth, grow the number of Spanish speaking councils and reactivate the suspended Spanish speaking councils. In addition, establish a firm foundation of training to assure sustainability of all the Spanish speaking councils.

Round Tables

Dan Aguilar, Chairman

Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney.  He envisioned that every Catholic gentleman aged 18 and older could enjoy the benefits that the Knights of Columbus offers. Our Past Supreme Knight Carl Anderson challenged us to establish a Knights of Columbus presence in every Catholic Parish and Mission. Currently in the State of Texas we have 1300 parishes or missions in which only 813 have a Knights of Columbus Council. As Knights it is our responsibility to help other Catholic gentlemen to experience the joys of our four Principles of the order: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism, remembering that we as Knights are the hands and arms of the parish priests.  Supreme has established a method to help us reach the goal of having Knights in each parish/mission in Texas. Round Tables were established to help us reach Catholic gentlemen, enabling them to experience the joy of helping others.

PURPOSE OF A ROUND TABLE

The purpose of having a Round Table is:

WHY HAVE A ROUND TABLE

Parish Round Tables are ideal to provide a Knights of Columbus presence and be of service to smaller parishes and missions, and to fill needs for ethnic development.

GUIDELINES TO BE USED TO ESTABLISH A PARISH ROUND TABLE

Operating a Round Table

The Name of the Parish Round Table

Communication

Parish Round Table Reporting:

Only two forms are used —

Report of the Parish Round Table Coordinator (Form #2629) DUE: AS NEEDED.

Link: https://www.kofc.org/un/en/forms/council/roundtable_coordinators2629_p.pdf

This form is used to report the Round Table Coordinator assigned to each parish and is signed by the Grand Knight. Only one coordinator can be assigned to a parish.

This report is mailed to the Department of Membership Development for processing and a copy will go to the State Round Table Coordinator.

 Annual Report of the Knights of Columbus Round Table (Form #2630) DUE:  JUNE 30

Link: https://www.kofc.org/un/en/forms/council/roundtable_report2630_p.pdf

This form is used to report the growth and activities of the established parish Round Table and is signed by the Round Table Coordinator.

    Link: https://www.kofc.org/un/en/forms/council/roundtable_coordinators2629_p.pdf

CHECK LIST ESTABLISHING A PARISH ROUND TABLE

College Council Development

Jacob Mangold, Chairman

The mission of the Knights of Columbus College Council Program is to promote the moral, intellectual and spiritual development of the future leaders of civil society, the Order, and the Church through witness to the Gospel and dedication to the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.

Our objective for College Councils is to foster excellence and growth in established councils, pursue the reactivation of former college councils, and to expand our reach by establishing Round Tables or councils on Texas college campuses where a Knights of Columbus presence does not yet exist.

College Councils represent a unique part of the Knights of Columbus, with young members and high turnover demanding experienced guidance from college councils’ coordinators, and local councils for their continued support and flourishment.

Our support for these councils must help these young Knights become leaders in their current councils, be accepted and supported by surrounding councils, and ensure they are schooled in the requirements to succeed in the Knights of Columbus.

As these young Knights graduate, enter the job market, and pursue the vocations of marriage and priesthood, we need to facilitate an easy transition for them to a council in their new location, and welcome them when they arrive. Their addition in councils provides vitality, as well as establishes youth in parish councils that can attract more young men to the Order.

If any Diocesan Deputy or District Deputy needs help with any aspect of a College Council, our College Council Chairman and his colleagues stand ready to help.

Several opportunities and resources are available exclusively to College Councils. The Supreme Council hosts an annual College Conference in New Haven, CT each fall to provide college Knights with networking and learning opportunities on the resources the Knights of Columbus have to offer. Additionally, the Texas State Council hosts a College Conference in State each Spring to provide a more intimate and accessible setting for leadership development and relationship building of the Texas college councils.

In addition to these conferences, the Supreme Council also provides a number of resources for college councils on their website: https://www.kofc.org/en/who-we-are/about-membership/college-councils.html#gsc.tab=0

If you know of a young Catholic man going off to college this Fall (whether in State or out of State) please complete the College Council Referral Form with his name, College he will be attending, and email and cell phone contact information so we can put him in touch with the Grand Knight at the college he will be attending.

Knights of Columbus College Council Referral Form

Incoming Freshman Information to Grand Knight of College Council

Name:

College:

Email or Social Media address:

Cell phone #:

Candidate or Member (if member include Member Number):

Grand Knight of College Council Information to Incoming Freshman

Name

College

Email or Social Media address

Cell phone #

Recent Graduate Information to Grand Knight of Local Council in Area Moving Into

Name & Membership Number:

New Address:

Email or Social Media address

Cell phone #:

New Employer if Known:

COUNCIL GROWTH

DIOCESAN GOALS

DIOCESE	NCD	REACT	R/T
AMARILLO	1	1	8
AUSTIN	1	1	17
BEAUMONT	1	1	9
BROWNSVILLE	1	3	19
CORPUS CHRISTI	1	3	15
DALLAS	1	1	14
EL PASO	1	1	11
FORT WORTH	1	1	11
GALVESTON HOUSTON	1	1	19
LAREDO	1	3	8
LUBBOCK	1	1	12
SAN ANGELO	1	1	12
SAN ANTONIO	1	3	19
TYLER	1	1	13
VICTORIA	1	0	13
TOTALS	15	22	200

INCENTIVES

Recipient 2021-2022	Criteria 2021-2022	Award 2021-2022
Triple Crown Award Diocesan Deputy	NCD/React/RT Goals met by Dec. 31, 2021	Jacket
Diocesan Deputy	New Council by Sept. 30, 2021	$200 Gift Card
Diocesan Deputy	New Council after Sept. 30, 2021	$100 Gift Card
Diocesan Deputy	Reactivated Council by Sept 30, 2021	$200 Gift Card
Diocesan Deputy	Reactivated Council after Sept 30, 2021	$100 Gift Card
Diocesan Deputy	Round Table Goal by Sept 30, 2021	$100 Gift Card
Diocesan Deputy	Highest RT Created by Sept 30, 2021	$100 Gift Card
Diocesan Deputy	Highest % RT Created by Sept 30, 2021	$100 Gift Card