Officers Roles & Responsibilities
Annual Elections
Each year at the May and June Business Meetings, our council elects and appoints new men to take on leadership roles within our council. Sometimes, these roles are well-defined, while other times, they may be expanded based on an individual’s talents or interests and the council’s business needs.
Elected Leadership Positions
Grand Knight
The grand knight is the council’s chief executive officer. He is responsible for setting council goals and ensuring that all officers fulfill their duties to reach these objectives. He presides over all meetings, appoints program and committee directors as needed, fills officer roles in the event of vacancies, countersigns checks and orders for payment, and oversees the council’s degree team. Ideally, the grand knight should be a junior so that, as a senior, he can serve as a mentor for the next grand knight. The grand knight must complete the Safe Environment training.
Deputy Grand Knight
The deputy grand knight serves as the grand knight’s right-hand man and fills in for the grand knight when he is not present. Some deputy grand knights serve as their council’s program director. Ultimately, he assists the grand knight in leading the council and reaching council objectives. In some councils, the deputy grand knight role might be used to groom a possible grand knight candidate for the following year. Finally, the deputy grand knight may serve as a liaison between the council and other groups that share similar interests (i.e., pro-life club, etc.).
Chancellor
The chancellor assists both the grand and deputy grand knights in the leading of the council by engaging and strengthening the council’s membership. His primary responsibilities include recruiting and retaining members, and to this end, he should set up events that display the values and principles of the Knights of Columbus. The chancellor should participate in the council’s degree team and should serve on both the Admission and Retention committees.
Treasurer
The treasurer is responsible for managing council funds, whether in bank or school accounts. He receives money from the financial secretary and deposits it into council accounts. He is also responsible for paying all council expenses. He balances and verifies the ledger and keeps the updated budget approved by the council.
Advocate
The advocate acts as a council parliamentarian. He should be knowledgeable in Robert’s Rules of Order and Protocol, Meetings, and Ceremonials (#11620). Should issues arise, he may seek legal assistance from the state advocate. The advocate should be able to take on additional responsibilities as the council deems necessary.
Recorder
The recorder is responsible for recording all council meetings and events. He should record minutes, conversations, and other helpful information and prepare them to be distributed to the membership in a timely manner. Additionally, he should help with council event notifications and meeting reminders and assist with council social media responsibilities.
Warden
The warden is responsible for the council’s property. He is also in charge of setting up meetings and leading both the inside and outside guards.
Inside Guard
The inside and outside guards carry out tasks given to them by the grand knight and follow the warden’s orders. They are responsible for checking membership cards and allowing entrance to meetings. Councils should consider appointing additional inside and outside guards, especially among promising freshmen, as this provides early leadership opportunities.
Outside Guard
The inside and outside guards carry out tasks given to them by the grand knight and follow the warden’s orders. They are responsible for checking membership cards and allowing entrance to meetings. Councils should consider appointing additional inside and outside guards, especially among promising freshmen, as this provides early leadership opportunities.
Trustees (3)
The trustees advise the grand knight, supervise the council’s financial matters, and conduct the semiannual audits. Usually, the immediate past grand knight serves as the 3-year trustee in the year after his term ends, then as the 2-year trustee in the following year, and finally as the 1-year trustee in the third year after their term.
Appointed Leadership Positions
Chaplain
The chaplain is the council’s spiritual leader. He nurtures the faith in council members, primarily through the sacraments, spiritual direction, retreats, and other events and support. The grand knight meets regularly with the chaplain to see how the council can best support the St. Jerome’s Parish community.
Financial Secretary
The financial secretary is chosen by the trustees and the officers of the council for a three-year term and approved by the supreme knight. He provides continuity in the council and is responsible for collecting dues as well as ensuring that the council’s financial recordings are kept up to date. Additionally, he ensures that membership records are current, issues membership cards, files regular reports to the district, regional, state, and supreme offices, and submits the annual 990 to the IRS.
Lecturer
The lecturer provides brief spiritual discourses and reflections during business meetings for the “Good of the Order.” If the lecturer cannot be present, he should appoint a council member to give the reflection for him.
State Council Representatives
District Deputy
The district deputy represents the Supreme Knight and State Deputy and oversees local councils within their assigned district. His responsibilities encompass ensuring compliance with Order laws, promoting membership growth and retention, identifying new council locations, and monitoring overall council health. He supervises council operations, installs officers, oversees financial procedures, and promotes active community engagement. Reporting directly to the State Deputy, he plays a vital role in maintaining the Order’s standards and fostering council development.
District Warden
The district warden serves as an assistant to the district deputy, supporting council activities and district operations. His main duties include helping with officer installations, maintaining meeting protocols, and assisting with administrative tasks. The warden aids in organizing district meetings, setting up council chambers, and facilitating communication between state and local councils. They also support membership efforts and special projects. This role often prepares individuals for future positions as district deputies.
Appointed Program Positions
Program Director
The grand knight appoints the program director and oversees the Faith in Action areas of Faith, Family, Community, and Life. In some councils, this may be the duty of the deputy grand knight. The program director ensures that all his subordinate committees meet regularly and plan appropriate events. He communicates individual committee reports to the grand knight. Keeps accurate records of council programs for reporting on the Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity (#1728) and the Columbian Award Application (#SP-7). Must complete required Safe Environment training.
Faith Director
The grand knight appoints the faith director, who reports to the program director and is responsible for all faith-based council programs.
Family Director
The grand knight appoints the family director and reports to the program director. Responsible for all family-based council programs. Must complete required Safe Environment training and background check.
Community Director
The grand knight appoints the community director and reports to the program director. Responsible for all community-based council programs. He directs programs that support and encourage service to the community that fight poverty, aid the individual, promote athletic events, and sponsor more extensive programs and campaigns. He should be comfortable contacting and coordinating with organizations that align in crucial areas of community assistance. Must complete required Safe Environment training and background check.
Life Director
The grand knight appoints the life director, who reports to the program director and is responsible for all life-based council programs. The individual appointed to this position should be comfortable discussing and planning efforts within the context of supporting and affirming life in all stages and conditions. Notably, he strives to promote programs that support and encourage the advancement of the pro-life movement, people with intellectual disabilities and persecuted Christians.
Membership Director
The membership director serves as the head of the Admission Committee and works to grow the council’s membership through new and transfer members. He should actively identify potential recruits, plan recruitment programs, host informational meetings, and encourage council members to seek candidates. In addition, the membership director should ensure that a council has access to frequent degree exemplifications (whether its own or local councils) and should work that each member reaches at least the third degree in a timely manner.
Retention Chairman
The retention chairman works to keep the council’s members active. Implements programs and practices that provide mentors for new members and regularly communicates with the members to encourage their participation. At times, when a council wishes to suspend members, they must have the retention chairman reach out to members and ask them to keep their membership or to transfer to another council.