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Excellence Is Within Our Grasp!
Ken Otte
State Deputy
My Brother Knights and ladies, we’re sitting at the crossroads.
One path will lead to a good year for Texas, the other to an outstanding
year for Texas. Our choice should be clear. At the beginning of this
fraternal year, and during many previous years, we talked about Texas
not having had its best year yet. Two years ago, Texas had its best
year ever in recruiting with 4,821 new or readmitted members. Our best
year in the last ten years with respect to retention was 1993-94 when
we only lost 1,546 members to suspension or withdrawal. Our best year
ever in Membership Net Gain was also two years ago when we had a net
gain of 3,248 members. So where do we stand with 2 ½ months
to go in this fraternal year? As of April 20, Texas brought in 3,816
new or readmitted members. We lost 944 members to suspension or withdrawal.
Our net gain is 2,872 members. So what does the Knights of Columbus
in Texas have to do to have its Best Year Ever? Here it is in black
and white: INTAKE – We need to average 100 members per week.
That means we need at least 417 in April, 420 in May and 440 in June.
For comparison, we brought in 461 in March. RETENTION – We need
to hold suspensions below 195 in April, 250 in May and 250 in June
or less than 601 suspensions from now through the end of June. If we
accomplish the bare minimum of what I
described in INTAKE and RETENTION above, our net gain will be 3,291,
which would be the best year ever in net gain! I went through all of
this above to show you that these goals are in fact achievable, but
it’s going to require the commitment of all of our leaders in
all of our districts and councils to make it happen.
The other motivators that we talked about at the beginning of this
year were: 1) During fraternal year 2003 - 2004 we are celebrating
the 100th Anniversary of the Texas State Council, and 2) In August
2004 Texas is hosting the Supreme Convention in Dallas. These events
should provide additional motivation to each of us to want to do the
best we can. These events also provide us with something tangible that
we can rally our Brother Knights around. In Texas we are Texas Proud
of the fact that we are part of the best jurisdiction in the Order.
That didn’t just happen, but is the result of the dedication,
commitment and hard work of all members of our Texas family. Its great
to be Number 1 in the Order, and it’s a wonderful feeling to
be the best at something. But we have to work to keep it that way.
Our Lord has blessed us in so many ways and has given us Texas to watch
over. And as we all know, God Blessed Texas!
Two areas that could significantly help our membership intake are new
council development and dormant council reactivations. We have many
possibilities throughout the State in both of these areas, and there
is a lot of activity currently ongoing in these areas. We need to pool
our talents to insure that we capitalize on each of these opportunities
as well as finish what we start. A new or reactivated council can net
us on the average 12 to 17 new members. District Deputies, if you’ve
never started a new council or reactivated a dormant council, now is
a good time to give it a shot. Father McGivney’s dream was to
establish a formal Knights of Columbus presence in every parish and
mission. There are ample opportunities available in Texas, the third
largest jurisdiction in the Order. If starting a council won’t
work at the present time in a particular area, consider forming a Round
Table in the parish or mission. If you don’t know how to get
started in one or more of these areas, call your Diocesan Deputy, State
Membership Director or me. Remember, we only have nine weeks remaining
in this fraternal year.
There is one additional milestone well within our grasp – reaching
our 80,000th member! As of April 21st, we had 79,519 members. This
includes losses from deaths and transfers. We have a very good chance
of reaching our 80,000th member before the end of June. Who will that
member be? What council will he be from? Supreme will track this for
us, and we will let everyone know when it happens. That lucky 80,000th
member will receive a Centennial Convention baseball cap, a Knights
of Columbus shirt and a Centennial edition Texas State Council pewter
belt buckle. That member’s proposer as well as the grand knight
of the members’ council will also receive a Texas State Council
pewter belt buckle. The more folks we recruit, the sooner that member
will be identified!
At this time of year both District Deputies and Grand Knights should
be focused on what tasks remain for their district or council to earn
Star District or Star Council. The success of a district deputy depends
almost totally on the success of his councils. For councils, the need
oftentimes exists for a couple more members and/or insurance members.
If you plan, publicize and conduct an effective membership drive, you
should be able to identify the needed members. Work with the General
Agent and Field Agent in your area to satisfy your new insurance member
requirements. If for whatever reason that doesn’t work out, don’t
hesitate to offer your members the New Member Plan found on the back
of the Form 100. Also consider offering your members a Knights of Columbus
annuity for a minimal investment of $300.00. Also make sure your council
has 20 items listed on the Columbian Award application and submits
the form to Supreme by mid-June, if possible. Finally, make sure your
council has submitted the required forms (365 & 1728). As a special
recognition for councils who achieve their membership and insurance
goals by the State Convention, we will have available to members of
these councils a special button that says: “
Star Council Here We Come! – We made our Membership & Insurance
goals by convention.” If your council meets these criteria, stop
by our table in the registration area at the convention and pick up
your buttons.
In the area of State Charities, has your council met its State Charity
goal? If not, please consider sending in your $10 per member and help
your diocese meet its goal. I guarantee your bishop will be very grateful
for your generosity.
All of this sounds like a lot to do between now and June 30th, and
it is. But the Knights in Texas are known for rising to the occasion.
Year after year they do more than ever before to secure their position
as the best in the Order. The State Officers and Directors are very
proud of the work that all of you have done, and will do in the next
nine weeks, to improve upon the state of our Order in Texas. Lift your
heads high because you are winners! Other folks from different jurisdictions
will know you by the work that you do. Always remember that
Our
Future Begins Today!
Building a Better World One Council at a Time, One Knight at a Time!
May Our Lord continue to bless you, your wife and family.
(c) Copyright 2004
Texas State Council Knights of Columbus
All Rights Reserved
Texas Knight Online
3601 S. Congress B-100
Austin, TX 78704
1.512.851.8000