1. Be Membership-Growth Oriented 365 Days a Year. Every activity your Council undertakes should be geared to membership growth.
2. Establish Long-Term Goals for Growth. “Long term” should be at least five years.
3. Create Team-Oriented Council Officers. Work as a team toward a common goal, whether it is a service project or a recruitment target.
4. Maintain a Positive Attitude and Communicate It. You must instill a positive attitude – “The best is yet to come” … “This year can be better than last year, and next year will be even better than now.”
5. Focus on Youth and Youthful Leadership. Conduct programs that attract younger men and their families, such as our free-throw program and soccer challenge.
6. Take Advantage of Leadership Training Programs. The Supreme Council and your State Council want – need – you to succeed. Attend grand knight training seminars, state meetings and functions.
7. Establish Accountability. Be accountable to your fellow officers, your chaplain and to your members. Give them direction and let them know what you expect of them.
8. Have and Communicate Clear Priorities. Repeat them often at meetings, in newsletters, via e-mail or in other regular correspondence with your officers and members.
9. Be Open to Change. Constantly assess your performance and adjust your program to meet overall goals.
10. Use Your District Deputy. He is an invaluable resource to you and your fellow officers.
STAYING ALIVE
Recruiting new members is essential to the continued growth and well-being of your Council and the Order. Offering a man membership in the Knights of Columbus gives him the opportunity to improve his own life and his community. Membership allows him to experience the fraternal bond that Knights share while growing closer to his family and his faith.
BUILD YOUR OWN SUCCESSFUL MEMBERSHIP PLAN
1. Develop a strong membership team within your Council to include a Membership Director, Recruitment Chairman, Retention Chairman and Admissions Committee. Be sure that the men you have chosen are comfortable in their positions. Are they able to be outgoing with people that they may not know? Can they communicate the ideals of the Knights of Columbus?
2. Educate your team with the guidelines outlined in this handbook and bolster their confidence. Show them that they are a critical part of your administration.
3. Develop a monthly recruitment action plan for the fraternal year with your membership team. By having a well thought out plan you will be prepared for all of your membership activities, which will ensure a strong year for your Council. Each Council should plan and hold a monthly recruiting drive. It can be as little as hosting coffee &donuts after Mass. In addition, each District should plan and hold a First Degree EACH Month! (Read the Membership column in the State Bulletin each month for tips on how to succeed.) MAKE IT PERSONAL!!
4. Include wives in the recruitment process. Wives can describe how they have benefited by their husbands’ membership and what is offered by the local Council. She can relate her experiences and explain how the Knights of Columbus is a family organization.
5. Lead by example! Make an impression not only with potential members but with their families as well. Visibility is recognition. Make yourself available to the Parish Council and offer your services when feasible. This could afford you an opportunity for a church activity in the Surge with Service Program. When participating in a Council or parish activity, always wear your name badge, Council hat or Council attire. Be proud. . . . Be visible as a Knight!
6. Utilize your Council insurance agent; remember that he is your own personal salesman on your Council’s membership team.
Recruit good quality Knights by having them attend an information night so that they truly understand the Order, the Council, our Principles and their financial obligation. Retain your membership by having a strong Surge With Service Program and contacting them personally if they are absent or in arrears. Reactivate former members who once had thought enough about our Order to join it; these men are perfect recruitment prospects. Follow this plan and you will Revitalize your Council’s membership and help our Order reach its ultimate goal of 2.0 million members!
INACTIVE INSURANCE & ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Former and inactive insurance members are men who once thought enough of our Order to join it. Because of their knowledge of the Order, these men are perfect recruitment prospects. Focus on these former and inactive members in all monthly recruitment efforts. Listings of former members and inactive insurance members are available from the Supreme Council Department of Fraternal Services. Call upon your District Deputy to assist you in this endeavor.
GRAND KNIGHT
The Grand Knight is the current CEO of his Council. It is up to him to ensure the proper functioning of the Council. The membership, financial, organizational, and procedural well being of the Council is his responsibility. It is up to the Grand Knight to set the climate for his year, motivate and drive the chairmen he chooses to support him, and keep the programs lively and entertaining for the membership. It will be up to the Grand Knight to:
A) Establish membership goals (recruitment and retention). Review your requirements for Star Council and commit to exceed them.
B) Commit to at least two (2) membership drives in your fraternal year and notify the State Membership Team of the dates, times and locations. These two membership drives are EXCLUDING the nationwide State Membership Blitz.
C) Schedule frequent First Degrees, preferably close to the recruitment drives.
D) Appoint membership, recruitment, admissions, and retention committee members from Brother Knights who are energetic, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and dedicated.
E) Appoint a “ceremonials chairman” to ensure that the degrees scheduled will be carried out without fail.
F) Oversee Council functions pertaining to membership (membership drives, retention efforts, information nights, and open houses).
G) Keep in constant contact with all functioning committees to assure that the goals are on track.
H) Keep the District Deputy informed of degrees and membership drives and ask for his assistance if needed.
I) Promote teamwork, cohesiveness and cooperation between the committees to help reach the ultimate goal.
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR
The Membership Director is responsible for the Council’s entire membership plan and is a direct extension of the Grand Knight. Chosen by the Grand Knight for his enthusiasm and dedication to the Order and the Council, he is responsible for:
A) Choosing the recruitment, admissions and retention committee members. Choose wisely and be assured of their commitment to the Order and the Council. Remind each of them of the vital role that he plays in the future of your Council.
B) Instructing each of the committee members on how to be effective in their capacities.
C) Teaching them how to “sell” the Knights of Columbus above other prospective organizations competing for their time and attention.
D) Re-educating yourself and the committee members on the principles of the Order and its precepts. Be ready to answer the question WHY?
E) Allowing your committee members to try new methods of recruiting and guiding them to achieve the goals set by the Grand Knight.
F) Coordinating degree dates with the Grand Knight. Make sure that eligible members are informed of all degree ceremonials in the area and make an effort to keep them on track advancing through the ranks.
G) Publicizing and supervising recognition programs for active sponsors.
H) Be sure to convey to the new members not only the principles of the Order, but also the financial responsibilities and our need for their active participation. Remember these new brother Knights are the future of our Order.
RECRUITMENT CHAIRMAN
The Recruitment Chairman is empowered with carrying out a membership plan to support the Council’s membership goals. He should:
A) Know the qualifications for membership.
B) Work to promote recruitment of men into our Order.
C) Keep the members of the Council ever vigilant to aid him in his efforts to increase the membership.
D) Constantly plan programs in pursuit of the goal.
E) Plan open houses, church drives and be present at parish functions where Catholic men gather.
F) Be familiar with the State and Supreme recruitment programs and make use of the information and advertising material they offer.
In working with the sponsor, the Recruitment Chairman can:
A) Supervise the two-on-one recruitment of new members.
B) Assist the financial secretary in preparing the new recruits for their First Degree.
C) Assist the Grand Knight by aiding in the new recruit’s assignment to a Council committee as soon as he is recognized as a Brother Knight.
D) Work with the Retention Committee to conserve membership wherever possible.
ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE
The Admission Committee is chaired by an appointee of the Grand Knight, usually the Deputy Grand Knight or a Past Grand Knight. Other members of the Committee should include: the Council Chaplain or Associate Chaplain whenever possible, and the Program Director and two or three additional members, preferably well experienced Knights such as Past Grand Knights, Trustees, etc. At the very least, the Chaplain should review every applicant to verify Catholicity. It will be the Admissions Committee’s responsibility to meet at regular intervals (or more often if completed Form 100’s are collected) and interview the prospective candidates.
It will also be their responsibility to:
A) Educate the candidate about the Knights of Columbus and gather information about the candidate.
B) Be sure that the candidate understands what it is to be a practical Catholic. Is the candidate attending Church regularly?
C) Inform the candidate about our principles and programs. Find out what the candidate’s interests are and where he and the Council would benefit by his involvement. Obtain a commitment to serve on one or more activity committees.
D) Discuss with the candidate the financial obligations of belonging — the initiation fee, dues and the insurance program offered by the Knights. Reference should also be made to the Fraternal Benefits Advisor who will be contacting the member.
E) Utilize an Admission Questionnaire (Form #391 or create your own) to retain records for the Council about the prospective member — birth date, marital status, children, wife’s name, anniversary date and other pertinent information that will be beneficial to the Council.
ADVANCEMENT CHAIRMAN
Remember, Retention begins at the Admissions Committee and continues through all of the Degrees. Get the NEW Member involved!! Make it Personal!!
Assign a member to track EVERY member not a 3rd Degree Knight, keep a record of them by name phone number & sponsor and call everyone before every major degree until they become fully “ A KNIGHT OF COLUMBUS”
RETENTION CHAIRMAN
The Retention Committee should consist of at least three (3) members. The Grand Knight is the ex-officio member of the Retention Chairman, preferably a Past Grand Knight, and at least one other member. It is this Committee’s duty to establish a program to support the retention goals set by the Grand Knight and the Council. Utilize the Financial Secretary when needed; he can supply you with a list of members at risk of suspension. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IS NOT YOUR RETENTION COMMITTEE.
This is your last chance to “re-recruit” members in danger of being suspended. When contacting members at this stage, be good listeners and try not to be defensive. Something made them join the Order at one time; try to rekindle that spirit in them again. Try to help them resolve issues they may have with the Council or refer them to someone who can help. The Retention Committee should consist of men who sincerely have the interest of the member and the Order at heart. They should be willing to hear any concerns that the delinquent members may have and create a positive plan to amend the situation. Seldom will a single call resolve the situation – be sure the Retention Committee is confirmed in its task. A member saved is a treasure to be guarded.
SUMMARY
Both recruitment and retention begin the first moment a prospective member is introduced to a Knight of Columbus. You never get the chance to make a second impression; first impressions last a lifetime so make yours the very best. Each member of your Council is a recruiter; each with his own personality and demeanor. Guide them through example and they will attract new members.
Retention is a function of involvement and belonging. If a new Knight is brought in and then left alone and uninvolved, you will lose him forever. Make him feel needed and wanted. Assess his individuality and match him with similar members. Show him how PROUD you are to have him as a member . . . PROUD to be his sponsor . . . PROUD to take him to his degrees . . . PROUD to introduce him to your Council and its activities. YOUR PRIDE IS HIS PRIDE . . . WEAR IT LIKE YOU DO YOUR NAME BADGE.
O great and glorious God, You imbued Your holy priest. Father Michael J. McGivney, with deep priestly virtue and especially with pastoral concern for the poor, the orphan, the widow, for the Christian education of youth, for the protection of the faith of the working man of his day.
Now that his priestly ministry continues to spread to countless millions throughout the world, through the efforts and influence of the Order of the Knights of Columbus, which Father McGivney founded, we beseech Your, Heavenly Father, to raise Your faithful servant, Michael, to the honors of the altar. We ask this favor through our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Mother, Mary and our Mother, Amen. 
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