Officers

Duties of the 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 in reaching 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.

Duties of the Chaplain

The chaplain is the spiritual leader of the council. He nurtures the faith in council members particularly through the sacraments but also through spiritual direction, retreats and other events and support. The grand knight should meet regularly with the council chaplain to see how the council can best support the Catholic community on campus.

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Duties of the 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 interest (i.e. Newman Club, pro-life club, etc.).

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Duties of the 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. 

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Duties of the 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 has the responsibility of 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. The financial secretary cannot be an undergraduate student, but ideally should be a member of the campus faculty or staff. If no one from the campus community can serve in this role, it should be an adult member of the neighboring community.

Duties of the Recorder

The recorder has the responsibility of recording all meetings and events held by the council. He should record minutes, conversations and other information helpful to the council and prepare them to be distributed to the membership in a timely manner. Additionally, he should help with council event notifications, council meeting reminders, and assist with council social media responsibilities.

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Duties of the Treasurer

The treasurer is responsible for managing the council funds, whether in bank or school accounts. He receives money from the financial secretary and deposits funds into council accounts. He is also responsible for paying all council expenses. He also balances and verifies the ledger and keeps the updated budget approved by the council.

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Duties of the 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.

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Duties of the Advocate

The advocate acts as council parliamentarian. He should be knowledgeable in Robert’s Rules of Order and Protocol, Meetings, and Ceremonials (#11620). He may seek legal assistance from the state advocate, should issues arise. The advocate should be able to take on additional responsibilities as the council deems necessary.

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Duties of the Warden

The warden is responsible for the property owned by the council. He is also in charge of setting up meetings and leads both the inside and outside guards. Many college councils utilize the warden and guards as custodians of the campus ministry property which may include raking leaves, shoveling snow and assisting with interior maintenance.

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Duties of the Guards

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.

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Duties of the Board of Trustees

The trustees advise the grand knight, supervise the council’s financial matters, and conduct the semiannual audits. Usually the immediate past grand knight will serve as a trustee. Some college councils utilize alumni members and/or university faculty members as the other two trustees to provide additional oversight and support.

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Duties of the 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.

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Duties of the Programs Director

The program director is appointed by the grand knight 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 record 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.

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Duties of the Family Programs Director

The family director is appointed by the grand knight and reports to the program director. Responsible for all family-based council programs.

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Duties of the Faith Programs Director

The faith Programs director is appointed by the grand knight and reports to the program director. Responsible for faith council programs and further developing brother Knights in their Catholic Faith.

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Duties of the Community Programs Director

The Community Director is appointed by the grand knight and reports to the program director. Responsible for community council programs such as the Free Throw Championship, Soccer Challenge, Coats for Kids, Czech Festival, Project Graduation and Golf Tournament.

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Duties of the Pro-Life Director

The life director is appointed by the grand knight and reports to the program director. 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 in all 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.

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Duties of the Veteran’s Affairs Director

The veteran’s affair director is appointed by the Grand Knight in consultation with the Program Director. He is responsible for all veteran based programs, serves as liaison between veteran groups and the council and keeps records of the council’s veteran’s programs.

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