Second, When does this particular assessment have to be paid?
        A single payment by January 31st, or two payments with half by January 31st and the other half by July 31, 2009
   
Third, How does your council handle the assessment?
        There are two way of handling the assessment;      One, you can bill your members and then send the money to Supreme. Or    two, if your council has the funds, the council can simply send the money to Supreme out of your council treasury without billing your members.

Fourth, Are there any exceptions to the assessment?
        Yes,  Honorary, Honorary Life, Disabled and inactive insurance members are excluded and are not assessed.

Fifth, What else does my council need to know when doing the billing?
        Make sure all your council members know of this assessment, that it has to be paid  and that is not voluntary.
   
Sixth. What about the 365 Club funds which my council requests with the billing?   
        It is suggested to continue with your councils’ request for The 365 Club donation along with your council dues.

Finally, What does this years dues billing cover?
        It is recommended and suggested that each council dues billing cover:
        Your normal Council dues
        The assessment
        The annual 365 Club donation request
 
Conclusion
    If you will follow the suggestions that every member knows of the assessment, do the billing correctly then your council will have the money for the assessment and your council's participation will go smoothly.

[Did I really write this on Christmas Day? Yes!  

A Happy and Holy Christmas  from our house to your house.]

In 1972 I worked with a knight who encouraged me to join the knights. Then, he invited me to go on retreat with him over a weekend at a retreat house. I was young, single and a dedicated hard worker to my work. This weekend ‘blew me away’ with the peace, quiet, tranquility and beauty of the location. It took me from Friday night dinner until after Saturday lunch to get the real meaning and impact of this 'retreat' movement. I have missed a couple of years in the past but try to make it to my annual retreat each year.  It was sad to leave after Mass on Sunday afternoon, to return to the intrusive world we all know. I was thinking about this as I was leaving a recent annual weekend retreat I attended. 

Making a retreat is easy. Our K of C state organization sponsors three weekends in various parts of the state, in the spring each year. Many councils sponsor an annual retreat weekend at a local retreat house. Parishes sponsor retreats for their members on a regular basis. You must supply the time to attend and let the retreat do its work on you.

The retreat facilities vary from location to location. Usually you will attend from Friday night until after lunch on Sunday. Typical is a private room and bath. Fantastic food along with your brother knights and parishioners. Ability to pay a requested donation is usually not a prerequisite to attending. Compare this with the costs for two nights in a hotel with six meals.  The retreats are usually ‘silent’. Which means that during periods over the weekend, the silence is suspended and if you really must converse with another, in my retreat house, there is one room in the house for conversations (and coffee, tea, etc.) all day and night long. Don’t let this scare you, but leave your cell phones, mobiles, beepers, radios and tv at home or locked in your car, time for them after the weekend. 

Is this for you? It was for me and you really need to experience it for your self. You may be asked to attend a retreat with a friend, then again, you may have to seek a retreat out for yourself.

Make a retreat with a brother knight or parishioner. If you like it like I did, don’t write me. Take someone else on retreat with you next time.   

The Columbian Retirement Home, a charitable program setup years ago by knights for knights. The program has purchased and maintains a retirement facility in northern California for Knights and their families. This program has had a facility in the southern California area in the past, but at present is actively looking for a similar facility again in the southern California area. Ongoing support is required for the existing and potential facility of the future and the maintenance, thereof. 

This next charitable program by knights for others, has been known by many names. The MR Drive, The Tootsie Roll drive, the drive for the Mentally challenged. No matter the name, this worthwhile charitable program does four things you should be aware of. First, it is held annually in October of each year. Second the expenses of collection money, donations, are kept to a minimum, third  YOU collect it in your local area of the jurisdiction and finally, the funds are distributed by YOU to a worthy charity in your council area.

The California Columbian Charities program, was again, set up many years ago. The alternate name you may know this program by is The 365 Club. Yes, a penny a day from each knight in the council from all the councils in the state adds up to a lot of bucks. The money comes from all of us at the parade of the GKs at the state convention each year and a drive during the year. The money is used for knights like you and me, those in need. It is a one shot grant. How does it work? See your FS for information.

The Wheelchair Foundation accepts donations which purchase wheelchairs for those in need within the U.S. as well as around the world. Matching donations one to one provide the wheelchair for those who cannot afford them. A local organization receives the packaged wheelchairs and distributes them to those in need. Knights have been on hand during the distribution to those who have been made mobile again by receiving a gift of a  wheelchair. 

        
The newest program is the state K of C Museum. This group is looking for donations of artifacts from our past in California as well as monetary donations to provide the ways to display the artifacts.

Is one or more of these for you? We hope so. Whether you are a benefactor of or a donator to one of the above, please do so with Charity in your heart.

For further information on any or all of these program, see your State Program Handbook.  

Should an officer insist on protocol?
Protocol is something which is learned and earned. Don’t insist on it. It is part of what needs to be learned by our members and our councils.  

Recently we stumbled into another issue and we want to share it with you.
Why is a person addressed as Past and another as Former? What is the difference?
In the K of C, these terms are used with the following meaning. When a knight has been appointed to an office, such as a Financial Secretary and District Deputy, when they leave office, they are referred to as "Former" District Deputy and “Former” Financial Secretary. When a knight has been elected to an office, such as a Grand Knight and State Deputy, when they leave office, they are referred to as “Past” Grand Knight and “Past” State Deputy.  
It is important to note that I am talking about the knights and not another organization where the usage may be different.

The Protocol Handbook is available from Supreme via your Financial Secretary by ordering #1612.

When involved with Chapter personnel, please see the California State Program handbook for Chapter Protocol information

Anyway, we wanted to know how to do it. Supreme web site template software was  available on-line from their web site. The original web site files from Supreme are ‘html’ type, the  first version of web site file types. So we initially used these file for my council web site. Then we got an idea. If we modify the Supreme web site template files, we can make a chapter web site. This worked and we have used these files for a couple of years. Next came along the ‘xhtml’ type updated software version for web site files. So we have converted the Supreme web site template software. We wrote to Supreme and requested information regarding their updating the Supreme web site template software from ‘html’ to ‘xhtml’,  without a response. We have taken it upon ourselves to update the copyrighted files to ‘xhtml’ with the Supreme copyright credit on each file. Four variations of the Supreme web site template software files are now available 4 U. Council, Chapter, Columbian Squires and 4th Degree Assembly.
The big problem is creating the web site. This has been done for you and all you have to do is to take the time to carefully fill in your information on the website files.
These are now available as files for downloading onto your computer and then ‘burning’ a copy of all the files onto a blank cd using either Roxio or Nero cd burner  programs. Then you can make a copy of the web site files on your computer hard disk and modify them for your K of C organization web site. When done, you will need to transfer (FTP) the changed files onto your web site.  
Included in the software and on the cd are all of the basic graphics, html editor, support information and programs and links to get you and your organization going on a web site. 
Is this for you and your K of C organization? What are you waiting for? At least take a look. 

Many of us are aware of the fact that priests and religious brothers who join the Order are treated a little differently because of the position they have accepted in life. Does this apply to the deacons who are part of our parish life and minister to the church?
Searching my memory, I gave him an answer. The correct one, then decided to research the question and share it with you as one which will come up from time to time.

The Charter Constitution Laws spell out the position in our Order for priests and religious brothers. So far they are silent on the position of permanent deacons and seminarians.
 Looking elsewhere, the Financial Secretary Handbook addresses all four life positions and the Order. Page D-6, December 2003 version
Topic Honorary Life Membership.
“...All priests and religious brothers who have taken their final or perpetual vows are automatically designated as honorary life members upon receiving the First Degree of the Order. However, this status is not automatically awarded to permanent deacons or seminarians.”  

So the meaning is clear. Permanent deacons and seminarians are treated like any new member joining the Order. A permanent deacon could be designated as an Honorary Life Member when he reaches the age of 70 with twenty-five years in the Order or has attained fifty years in the Order. Running this by another good friend, the knight added the suggestion that protocol wise a permanent deacon or seminarian should be treated as a priest or brother would be at a council meeting or social event  in deference to his chosen position in life..
Another subject for the blog.   

Walking into one of my council’s meetings on a visit one night, the Grand Knight ask me, ”Are you here to pick up the books?” A reference to one of the duties of a DD. I responded “No.” I’m here to help you recruit?” They did recruit.

Ceremonies was one of the main themes of my term of office because we saw a need for it that needed to be filled. Initially, we got involved with three first degree teams. Two were existing and became viable entities. The third team was started from new and was made up from members of two councils under the leadership of one council. All are in existence today and performing, although one is “filling-in” some parts. Refurbishing the team
A district Second Degree team was formed ‘anew’, again because there was a need for it. The Second Degree team was decimated by a death of one member, injury of another, the transferring of a third and a lack of interest on the part of some who are not part of the team. Yes, there are certified card carrying members of the team, but the team no longer functions.
So, how did these teams do? Over the period of time, almost one hundred men became Knights of Columbus through some thirty exemplifications of the first degree teams. Forty First Degree members became Second Degree members at eight ceremonies of the Second Degree team. 
Although we did not hold an exemplification of the third Degree in the district, the district officers did assist at a third degree held by another district on the border with our district. We did our best but, the promotion failed to produce and less than thirty Second Degree Knights became Third Degree members.   

  
Two councils got into financial straits. One has been repaired and we will continue to work on the other until the issue has been resolved. “Dead-wood on the roster is the prognosis.” Yes, they will drop some more members and recruit but, it has to happen if they are to survive as a council. 

Six Knights served, assisted and made it happen for the councils of the district with me. They were given the honor of serving as  District Warden and experienced “The District Experience”

Although we have been motivated and have high ideals and ideas, it only happens if the councils we serve as District Deputies puts the high ideals and ideas on their agenda and makes it happen.

"How did WE do?" Not really great nor too bad. Paraphrasing a question posed from the President on the hill in Simi might be better, “Are they better off now than they were four years ago?”
You could ask them, but from my point of view, my answer is “Yes.”  

But then again, I am only "A FDD"

Question: What is each councils part and participation in the chapter?
Each council is required to make known to the State, District Deputy and the chapter, the Grand Knight, Financial Secretary and Chaplain, if any, of their council annually, same as they do for the state.
In addition, each council is required to notify the chapter of the elected/selected council representatives to their chapter. Failure to do this simply prevents the council in voting on the floor of the chapter the various issues brought before the chapter. If a council named representative does not attend three or more meetings, then, the Grand Knight of the council will be contacted and asked to supply the names of elected/selected council representatives capable of voting on chapter issues.  Lacking this, the council is still permitted to attend and participate in chapter activities, without a vote.

What about the Chapter per capita tax? The council is advised of the chapter per capita tax annually and requested to pay the per capita tax by October 31st of each year. Failure to pay simply mean council representative are unable to vote on issues brought before the chapter. 

Interim Summation: Each council of the said chapter, as specified by the State Deputy, will be required to present the council officers’ information annually. Each council of the said chapter will be billed by the chapter for per capita tax.

Final summation. A council cannot vote themselves out of their state specified chapter without specifying another chapter to which they will be attached/part of and participating in. Violation of this is contrary the Constitution, Laws and Rules, especially of the State of California jurisdiction of the Knights of Columbus which each of us agreed to abide by on entry.  Failure to select council representative or payment of a chapter per capita taxes simply denies the council representatives from voting on the council. The chapter does NOT have the authority to dismiss a council from the Chapter program which is mandated by the state. The local council does NOT have the right to withdraw from the chapter without advising the State Deputy of it’s proposed place in the state structure (chapter) in the future. Ths State Deputy has the right to reject or accept any such proposals from a local council. When it is over...It’s over.  

Do we have the three, four, or five months to give before getting the State, District, and Chapter programs going? I think not.
Now, the DD orientation takes place this coming weekend.
On Monday morning, following this weekend can we make it happen that the DDs know what they have to know and what they are going to do in the coming weeks and months in support of our state officers.

The answer to all of this exists in the state. It is to educate all of the DDs during some six hours as to what they position entails and how to proceed on Monday morning following the DD orientation weekend and every day their after.
We want to do the same with our council officers. This is being worked on for use by the DDs and the chapters.
One alternative is to only accept those who have gone through the chairs and have the knowledge and experience of spending  some five to six years as members of the Knights of Columbus.  Otherwise the other alternative is to produce a workshop program for the Council Officers, District Deputies and Chapter Officers.
Some questions come to mind regarding workshops.
“Do they work? Yes. The method planned on being used is used by the FAA to train private pilots. Come Monday morning the DDs will be primed and ready to do what the position demands be done.
“How good it is?” Good enought that the trained pilots fly and don't  crash. When used years ago the method produced a one third increase in new state units participating in the program and increase participation in the existing units due to the knowledge disseminated. If they know what they are doing, then they make it happen for all of us.  

It is coming, but next year, not this year. You heard it here, first.

Being tall, and my predecessor was small, I ordered a DD’s robe from Supreme. When it arrived, my wife insisted that I try it on. Seeing me wearing it, she commented, “Don’t wear it near the cathedral.” The robe is really part of the tradition of the Knights of Columbus.
Those of us who obtained robes, there are some who don’t, probably only use them for installing council officers.  I thought about the robes and how they came about. I have not researched the subject, but there probably was a time when every knight in a council wore a robe over his street clothes to meetings. It is known that robes are used in exemplifications. Robes are worn during ceremonies. What is a ceremony?  The aforementioned exemplifications? Yes. The Installation of Officers is a public ceremony. Are our meetings for members only, ceremonies? Yes.

Being retired and living in the warm weather of Southern California, I don’t do a lot of dressing up socially, preferring to wear comfortable leisure clothing. When I was informed that I should wear a jacket and tie with the jewel, I winced because I don’t do a lot of jackets and ties. Then the robe came to mind and I thought of how I could use the robe. I could dress comfortably as I wished and slipped into the robe when I needed to be the formal District Deputy, with the jewel. So I robed for council visits and when I started to instruct at the chapter meeting, I robed. I was asked why I robed and either cited “tradition,” or wearing a red robe, ”I was an easier moving target.” 
The traditionalist affected one council who has First Degree robes. Last year they asked, “Can the officers wear our robes for the installion of officers?” Yes. A complete set of ceremonial robes does not include all the council officers. Have I made good use of my DD’s robe?  Yes, I’ve worn it out.

It still was necessary to remind my present council that next year is their 90th anniversary in the Knights of Columbus and they should celebrate. Ah Tradition.