Worldwide when over 1.7 million Knights and their families contribute more then 63 million volunteer hours and donate over 136 million to charitable programs
annually, they are helping each other and society to realize that membership in the Order is the Experience of a Lifetime.
The Knights of Columbus began in the basement of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut in 1882, when Father Michael J. McGivney called
together a small group
of Catholic laymen and founded a society designed to unite
Catholic men in their faith and provide financial assistance to
the widows and orphans of its members. The order quickly grew
into an organization of Catholic men and their families
dedicated to the principles of UNITY as a group of people with
similar values and beliefs. CHARITY towards your fellow man in
hopes of building a better world, FRATERNITY towards your
brother Knights and PATRIOTISM that shows their loyalty toward
their country of birth. Over the years, the Knights of Columbus
has become a very divers organization. Our members belong to
many races, cultures and economic backgrounds. It is this
diversity that we draw our strength from as we share the
experience of membership, When you join our order, you are
joining the largest Catholic lay organization in the world.
GRAND KNIGHT
The grand knight is responsible for the welfare of the council. He presides over council meetings, acts as an ex-officio
member of all committees, appoints a membership and programming director, convenes officers for a monthly meeting, and ensures all necessary reports
are submitted to the state and Supreme Council. He should also be aware of the council's
financial status and ensure that his signature appears on
all checks drawn. The grand knight is a member of of the Advisory Board with general supervision of the Columbian Squire circle.
CHAPLAIN
The chaplain is the spiritual advisor of the council. He is
expected to make a report of the council. He is expected to make
a report of council meetings on religious matters. The grand
knight appoints a priest in accordance with any rules
established by the bishop of the diocese to serve as council
chaplain.
DEPUTY GRAND KNIGHT
The Deputy Grand Knight is second in command. He assists the
Grand Knight fulfill his duties assigned to him by the Grand
Knight. Should the Grand Knight be absent from a meeting then
the Deputy Grand Knight presides over the meeting. He is
chairman of the council's retention committee and is a member
of the Advisory Board charged with overseeing the council's
sponsored Columbian Squires circle.
CHANCELLOR
The Chancellor has a variety of responsibilities: He assists
the Grand Knight and the Deputy Grand Knight in the execution of
their duties and oversees the council in both of their absences.
He is charged with strengthening member interests in all council
activities. He is chairperson of the admission committee and a
member of the Columbian Squires circle ceremonial team
RECORDER
The Recorder is similar to a court reporter or a secretary.
He is responsible for maintaining a true record of all actions
of the council and its correspondence. A recorder's Minute Book
(#1043) is available from the Knights of Columbus Supply
Department for keeping a record of all council meetings.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY
The Financial Secretary is appointed by the Supreme Knight
upon recommendation of the council. His main area of
responsibility is maintaining all the financial and membership
records. He collects and receives all the monies from all
sources, including annual dues from council members. He handles
supply orders for the council officers and members, filing the
Report of Officer (#185) and submitting all membership
transactions to the Supreme Council. For more duties see the
Financial Secretary Handbook (#1410)
TREASURER
The Treasurer is responsible for the safekeeping and
maintaining records of all council funds and accounts. He is
responsible for depositing money into the council's accounts and
provides a certificate of such monies to the Grand Knight. He is
also responsible for payment of all expenses.
LECTURER
The Lecturer is appointed by the Grand Knight to provide both
educational and entertaining programs to the council. He is
responsible for the "good of the order" portion of council
meetings, He provides members with informative and educational
program, he must be knowledgeable and aware of council
programming.
ADVOCATE
The Advocate is the legal representative of the council and
serves as the council's attorney at trials and investigations of
any interest to the council. He does not need to be part of a
legal profession bu should be familiar with the councils
by-laws, the Orders Charter, Constitution and Laws (#30),
Methods of conducting a Council Meeting (#193) and Robert's
Rules of Order.
WARDEN
The Warden is the watchdog for council property and degree
paraphernalia, except the property of the financial secretary,
treasure and recorder. He sets up council chambers for meetings
and ceremonial work. During ceremonial exemplifications he will
appoint and supervise guards.
INSIDE & OUTSIDE GUARDS
The guards have similar responsibilities but distinct
differences. The outside guard tends to the outer door admitting
visitors and members to the inside door. Once at the inner door
the inside guard checks to make sure membership cards are
current.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The board of trustees consist of three members elected by the
council and the Grand Knight, they serve as chairman of the
board. They oversee the work of the financial secretary and
treasurer, and together with the Deputy Grand Knight serve on
the council's retention committee. During council elections,
only the three year trustee is voted on, with the others moving
on to become two and one year trustees. respectively.
