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VOLUME 79 July 6, 2023 | KOFC.ORG/FORMEMBERS

Get the Fraternal Year off to a great start! View the June Webinar on demand to learn about essential tips, tools, techniques, and resources to help you lead your district or council to new heights this year. Topics include:

• How to keep strong momentum during the transition from last year to next
• How to train your team
• Available resources
• Safe environment requirements
• Communication Tips
• Changes to council award criteria
• DD reports on council health
• Summer program suggestions
• Faith formation initiatives
• Online joining
• and much more.

Register Now to watch on demand at your convenience.

We are now offering officer training conducted by experienced Fraternal Trainers who will share practical guidance to assist District Deputies, Grand Knights and Council Officers. New and seasoned council officers will benefit from these trainings created just for them, as well as from targeted sessions that explain council financial operations, Member Management/Member Billing, council meetings, budgeting, and program planning. Additional topics will be added regularly.

Register now to get the skills you need to run a successful council and make a difference in your community. For more information, visit the NEW Fraternal Trainers page on the Knights of Columbus website.

As we continue to grow in our faith, Holy Hour is a program that can help in our spiritual journey. Please complete this survey to help us gauge the health of the program. It will take less than a minute.

Please complete the Holy Hour survey even if you haven’t done the program. Your reasons for not participating are just as valuable as responses from those participating.



Click on the button below to complete the Holy Hour survey. 

**If you missed last month’s survey on the Food for Families program, you can still complete it using the link here! **

NEW - Fraternal Benefits Event Council Report

We have made significant improvements to the process for reporting council fraternal benefits events. These updates will make the lives of fraternal leaders and general agents much easier. Click here to be taken to the simple online form that will be available on Monday, July 10.

Grand knights will submit this form at the end of each event. It will be simultaneously delivered to the Supreme Council and General Agent. Councils will receive immediate credit for their submission. The general agent will have the option to dispute the submission, and if he does, the council will be notified so they can rectify any outstanding issue. A video tutorial on how to complete the form will be provided in the next Fraternal Leader Advisory.

Congratulations to all Award Winners!

As of this morning, 1913 councils qualified for Star Council! Many more are expected as we continue to process final inputs. Congratulations to these and all award-winning councils for the 2022-2023 fraternal year!

Council awards will be shipped to their district deputies this fall for distribution.

2023-24 Star Awards

Star Award details can be found at kofc.org/star. 

2023-24 McGivney Award

Membership quota of 6% growth; min 5, max 15

(Quota based on intake only - no penalty for withdrawals, affiliates, or suspensions)

2023-24 Founders’ Award

Host/Promote at least TWO Fraternal Benefit Seminars (virtual or in person)

(Sum total of 10 unique member/member-eligible attendees for councils with 99 or fewer members)

(Sum total of 14 unique member/member-eligible attendees for councils with 100 or more members)

2023-24 Columbian Award

Earn 16 Program credits – 4 in each category of Faith, Family, Community, and Life

2023-24 Star Council Award

• Earn McGivney, Founders’, and Columbian Awards
• Submit #365 (program personnel) and #1728 (survey)
• Safe Environment compliant (US / CAN)
• Good standing with Supreme

2023-24 Star District Award

• Attain 70% of combined council quotas
• Founders’ Award earned by at least 50% of councils in district
• At least one Star Council in district
• Submit online Annual Report on Council Status (#944) for each council by September 15

2023-24 Star Assembly Award

• Membership quota of 6% growth (intake only)
• Earn the Civic Award
• Earn the To Be a Patriot Award
• Publish a monthly newsletter
• Submit #186 (officers), #1315 (Audit), and #1728 (survey)

Officers Online Access

An explanation of access by role and information on logging on to Officers Online can be found here.

The Supreme Council is happy to announce an exciting program of membership incentives for the 2023-2024 fraternal year for jurisdictions, district deputies and grand knights*. Click here for all the details.

*Only insurance jurisdictions are eligible for district deputy incentive awards.

• Your first step as DD is to check in with your councils and see how they are positioned for a successful year. 
• Attend your jurisdiction’s organizational meeting and then schedule your district meeting shortly thereafter using our recommended agenda and notes as a guide.
• Complete any DD training offered by your jurisdiction and Supreme Fraternal Trainers.

Grand Knight

• Attend your district organizational meetings and contact your district deputy to schedule the Installation of Council Officers.
• Familiarize yourself with Leadership Resources (#5093) and Guidelines for Council Meetings (#10318).
• Craft an effective communication plan to engage all council members. Form a committee to verify contact information and then update Member Management.

Financial Secretary

• If your council bills on a fraternal year, begin the membership billing process.
• Submit the Report of Officers Chosen for the Term (#185) and Service Program Personnel Report (#365) using the Member Management application. View a short 'How To' video on using Member Management here. These forms are essential for effective communication between the Supreme Council and fraternal leaders.

Cross Catholic Outreach: Box of Joy

Put your faith into action this fall by blessing children in developing countries with a Box of Joy!

This simple and hands-on service project from Cross Catholic Outreach enables councils and their families to engage their parish community or school in packing small gifts for children who may have never received a Christmas gift! Visit the Cross Catholic Outreach website for further information, and to register your group; review our program activation steps to guide you in reaching your goal. Join Knights in more than 20 states who helped bless over 21,300 children last year! 

Planning Ahead

Early and proactive planning is key to a successful year. Consider important dates and key seasons to ensure you’re prepared ahead of time for events and programs.

• Click here for all necessary Program Resources to aid your planning.
• Use these tools and tips alongside your Fraternal Planner.
• Don’t forget to Work with your Pastor to plan events with your parish.

Programs to begin planning now!

• Faith: Holy Hour and Pilgrim Icon. Be sure to assign an Icon Chairman.
• Family: Family of the Month, Family Prayer Night and Food for Families.
• Community: Disaster Preparedness, Coats for Kids, Global Wheelchair Mission and Catholic Citizenship Essay.
• Life: Ultrasound and Pregnancy Center Support. 

The Knights of Columbus Fraternal Mission Department has two fantastic job opportunities. Please feel free to forward to any members who may be qualified:

Fraternal Trainer (Bilingual in Spanish)

The ideal candidate for this rewarding position is an experienced fraternal leader that has successfully served as Grand Knight and District Deputy (State officer/director experience is a plus). He is a college graduate (preferably with an emphasis on training/education, communications, and/or marketing) and has at least 3-5 years of public speaking, marketing, or presentation experience. Fluency in Spanish is required, and a native speaker is preferred. 

The Bilingual Fraternal Trainer develops and conducts training in Spanish at the State, District, and Council levels on all aspects of the Order, including, but not limited to, membership, programs, member engagement, and officer duties and responsibilities. Trainings will be virtual and in person. This position will also be involved in the creation and production of videos and webinars for our Spanish-speaking membership.

Click HERE for more information and to apply.

Member Engagement Coordinator (Bilingual in Spanish)

The Bilingual Member Engagement Coordinator coordinates the development and implementation of the Spanish-speaking online & affiliate member journey. This position will coordinate all aspects of the Spanish-speaking online & affiliate member experience, including onboarding campaigns, digital engagement, and assisting with transitions of members to/from online/affiliate and local council membership.

The ideal candidate for this position is a member of the Knights of Columbus, a college graduate (preferably with an emphasis in business, English, communications, and/or marketing) and has at least 1-3 years of brand representation or equivalent experience. Fluency in Spanish is required, both oral and written. The position is located at the Supreme Council Headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut.

Click HERE for more information and to apply.

To view the FLA Archives, please click here.