Carlos X. Martinez, Council Growth Director
Upon establishing the Order, Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney had one succinct message for the Order, simply communicated, growth. The continued growth of the Order is based upon the initiation, development, and reactivation of councils. Be Not Afraid as the Council Growth Team is willing and ready to assist, guide and support to ensure Blessed Father McGivney’s prayers for a Knights of Columbus presence in every parish and mission do not go unanswered.
New Council Development
Roger Hovis, Chairman
The development of new councils allows for the many fraternal benefits as set forth to be afforded to the new members of the parish. New council development is the lifeblood of the Order. The Texas Knights standing in solidarity with the pastors of the Church can only sustain the charitable and fraternal services through the physical, active presence in every parish across Texas. The 12 Step Process as set forth by Supreme is the structural guide for successful new council development. Working with the District and Diocesan Teams will ensure successful and continued development to meet the needs of the parishes.
New Council Development Checklist
1. Survey the Area 7. Have an Organizational Meeting
2. Contact the Pastor 8. Conduct First Degrees
3. Contact the State Deputy 9. Plan for Institution
4. Contact General and Field Agent 10. Apply for Charter
5. Conduct Initial Recruitment Drive 11. Presentation of Charter
6. Conduct Committee Meetings 12. Follow Up
Complete & Submit form #133 “Notice of Intent” Establish a New Council
Link for form: https://www.kofc.org/en/member... and Mergers
William Tartaglia, Chairman
Ralph Cavazos, Brownsville Coordinator
Jesse Garcia, Corpus Christi Coordinator
Carlos Rene Ramirez, Laredo 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. We are here to help with that 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. The Council Growth & Retention Guidelines details the full process.
1. Meet with the Pastor 6. Appoint Financial Secretary
2. Notify the State Deputy of your intent 7. Help select Directors
3. Conduct a Church drive (membership) 8. Mail all Form 100’s to Supreme
4. Conduct informational meeting 9. Ask for forgiveness of debt.
5. Hold election of officers (Form 185)
Council Reactivation Guidelines can be accessed: https://www.kofc.org/un/en/res... 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/Supreme per Capita
James DeGhelder, Chairman
The mission of our Council Retention program is to ensure that all councils in Texas operate in good standing with the Supreme Council. This is accomplished when all councils pay their per capita charges on time and in full. Our goal is for all Brother Knights to enjoy the fraternal and many substantial rewards due them and their families as members in good standing of the Knights of Columbus.
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.
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 and positively impacts 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 Hispanic Catholics within our parishes.
Our ultimate goal is to promote Hispanic 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
Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney envisioned that every Catholic gentleman over age 18 could enjoy the fraternal benefits of the Knights of Columbus. Our Supreme Knight Carl Anderson has challenged us to establish a Knights of Columbus presence in all Catholic parishes and missions.
Currently, in the state of Texas we have 1300 parishes or missions of 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.
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. 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 able to transition to a permanent council following their graduation.
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.