Español | Français

VOLUME 112 November 21, 2024 | KOFC.ORG/FORMEMBERS

Join us tonight, November 21st, at 8:00 PM ET for an informative fraternal webinar entitled Midyear Checkup for Your Council.



The midyear checkpoint is the optimal time for your council to assess what works, what doesn't work, and how you can make the most of the rest of the year. 

In this webinar, we will showcase some best practices and significant accomplishments, as well as have an honest dialogue about common obstacles your council may encounter, and how they can be overcome. We will also delineate an outline for success for the remainder of the year, so your council can be well on its way to earning the Star Award.



And remember, if you can't join us live, it will be available on-demand afterwards. There is still time to sign-up to ensure you get the link for this important webinar. Click on the button below to register.

We have created new resources webpages to assist State Officers and District Deputies in successfully launching new councils and revitalizing at risk councils.

The New Council Resources page outlines the process for starting a new council, plus provides valuable information to guide councils through their first year of operation. This page can be accessed directly at kofc.org/newcouncil.

The resources found on the Council Revitalization page are grouped to provide valuable information to support council leadership, encourage recruitment and increase council activity. This page can be accessed directly at kofc.org/revitalization.

If you have any questions, please reach out to fraternalmission@kofc.org. 

As we reach the midpoint of the fraternal year, take some time for online training! Conducted by experienced Fraternal Trainers, these hour-long sessions provide practical guidance and useful tips to enhance your skills and keep your council running successfully.

Register for upcoming online sessions by clicking on the links below.

Even more sessions have been recorded and are available to watch on demand! Trainings are archived after each live session, and can be found in our library of on demand training.

Note: All Times are Eastern

December 2, 2024 8:00 PM......Navigating Council Forms

December 10, 2024 8:00 PM....Transitioning from Online to Council Membership

December 11, 2024 10:00 PM..Grand Knight Advanced Training

December 17, 2024 8:00 PM....Membership Retention

District Deputy

• Review the Faith in Action program forms reference guide (#11172) and share this valuable resource with your councils.
• Encourage your councils to participate in the ASAP (Aid and Support After Pregnancy) program that benefits pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes.
• Review the Star District requirements to make sure you are on track to earn this award. By now, each council in your district should have recruited new members and participated in a Fraternal Benefits Event. If not, help them accomplish these goals. 

Grand Knight

• Complete the Fraternal Benefits Event Council Report (#11077) and submit it online as soon as possible after participating in an approved seminar. Remember that you do not need to submit this form for participation in a virtual Fraternal Benefit Event hosted by the Supreme Council unless you held a watch party for the event where one person registered for the event, and multiple people attended. Submit a form 11077 for all member or member-eligible attendees that did not register on their own.
• Meet with your leadership team to evaluate your progress toward earning the Star Council Award. Contact your district deputy or state chairmen for help overcoming obstacles.
• If your council’s accounting period ends June 30, then November 15 was the deadline to submit the proper IRS Form 990 (US Councils only). Ensure that this paperwork is filed.
• All fraternal webinars are available on-demand. The slides and resources are available for download. These presentations from the Fraternal Operations, Growth, and Program teams provide valuable information every grand knight should know.

Financial Secretary

• If your council accounting period ends June 30, then November 15 was the deadline to ensure that your council submits the proper IRS Form 990 (US Councils only). Ensure that this paperwork is filed.
• The Member Billing section of Officers Online provides an easy and cost-effective way for councils to process dues assessments. Your council can save time and money by using this tool. Learn more by watching our short tutorials.

Fourth Degree

• District Master quarterly training will be on January 27, 2025 at 8:00 PM EST: "Preparation for the NEW Fourth Degree Exemplification."
• District Masters can email any questions to: Michael J. Porter, 4th Degree Director of Training: MJPKNIGHT9282@AOL.COM

Sons in the Son 

The Sons in the Son campaign seeks to restore the gift of our sonship in God the Father. There is still time to invite men to participate in this 40-day effort to grow closer to God with the help of Jesus, Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego. There are multiple ways members can engage in this journey of consecration, whether watching video reflections, listening to daily audio meditations or following along in Fr. Innocent Montgomery’s book. Council promotion and participation in this effort earns councils 1 credit towards the Faith category of the Columbian Award. Click here to find out more.

Keep Christ in Christmas / La Posada

In an increasingly secular world, many Catholics are faced with the difficulty of sharing the faith. With the bustle of Christmas shopping and the frequent removal of religious imagery from Christmas displays, it seems that communities have forgotten the incredible gift of Christ and the beauty of his birth. Consider participating in the Keep Christ in Christmas Program, including La Posada – a program especially relevant to Hispanic communities - to bring the parish together. Click here to find out more.  

As the weather turns colder in many parts of North America, councils are beginning their Coats for Kids distributions. If your council isn’t hosting a Coats for Kids event, you can still participate by donating towards the cost of coats that will be given to children across the U.S. and Canada. 

Every year, the Supreme Council subsidizes the cost of coats that councils buy and distribute. On Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3, all donations to the Supreme Council’s Giving Tuesday appeal will once again go toward subsidizing those coats. The 2024 goal is to raise $500,000 for Coats for Kids. 

Here’s how you can help: 

• Encourage your council, parish and community to donate at kofc.org/coatsforkids and share the link with others! 
• Spread the word on social media. You’ll find Giving Tuesday posts on the official Knights of Columbus accounts that you can share throughout the day on Dec. 3. 
• If you’re holding a coat distribution, share with your community how donating to Coats for Kids supports efforts like yours. 
• If your council is holding a fundraising event to support Coats for Kids, you can make a donation online through kofc.org/coatsforkids or by mailing a check. 

Please note: donating to the Supreme Council’s appeal is separate from purchasing coats for a Coats for Kids distribution.  

The Knights of Columbus annual prayer book in calendar for 2025 is available for purchase. This pocket-sized book is a great tool for every Catholic man, but especially Knights to grow in their faith and form good habits of prayer. Individual copies may be purchased for $7.99 through kofc.org/ShopCIS. Bulk orders - 20 books for $100 may be place on Supplies Online. Consider placing a bulk order today to give to your members as a Christmas gift!

The holiday season is upon us, which means plenty of gatherings, parties, and events! There's no better time to spark a conversation about the Knights of Columbus and invite someone to join. Be sure the members in your council are prepared to extend the invitation of brotherhood. Share this video to inspire them, and then provide them with Online Join Cards (#11689) to aid the invitation.

The Knights of Columbus Fraternal Mission Department has fantastic job opportunities. Visit https://careers.kofc.org/ to find one that matches your skills and goals.



To view the FLA Archives, please click here.