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Overview of the duties and responsibilities of various officer
positions within the Knight of Columbus.
Grand Knight
The grand knight is responsible for the welfare of the council. He
presides over council meetings, acts as an ex-officio member of all committees,
appoints a membership and programming director, convenes officers for a
monthly meeting, and ensures all necessary reports are submitted to the
state and Supreme Council. He should also be aware of the council’s financial
status and ensure that his signature appears on all checks drawn. The grand
knight is a member of the Advisory Board with general supervision of the
council’s Columbian Squire circle. For more specific duties and responsibilities,
refer to the Grand Knight’s Handbook (#915).
Chaplain
The chaplain is the spiritual advisor of the council. He is expected
to make a report at council meetings on religious matters. The
grand knight appoints a priest in accordance with any rules established
by the bishop of the diocese to serve as council chaplain. For more specific
duties, responsibilities and eligibilty, refer to the Chaplain’s Handbook
(#945).
Deputy Grand Knight
The deputy grand knight is second in command. He assists the grand
knight with council affairs and fulfills all duties assigned to
him by the grand knight. Should the grand knight be absent from a council
meeting, the deputy grand knight will preside. He is chairman of the council’s
retention committee and also a member of the Advisory Board charged
with overseeing the council’s sponsored Columbian Squires circle.
Chancellor
The chancellor has a variety of responsibilities. Primarily, he assists
the grand knight and the deputy grand knight in the execution
of their duties and oversees the council in both their absences. He
is charged with strengthening the members’ interests in
council activities. The chancellor is chairman of the admission committee
and a member of the Columbian Squires circle
ceremonial team.
Recorder
The recorder is similar to a court reporter or a secretary. He is responsible
for maintaining a true record of all actions of the council and it’s correspondence.
A Recorder’s Minute Book (#1403) is available from the Knights of Columbus
Supply Department for keeping a record of council meetings.
Financial Secretary
The financial secretary is appointed by the supreme knight, upon recommendation
of the council. His main area of responsibilities
is maintaining all financial and membership records. He collects and
receives all moneys from all sources, including annual dues
from council members. He also handles supply orders for the council
officers and members, filing the Report of Officer (#185), and submitting
all membership transactions to the Supreme Council. For more specific duties
and responsibilities, refer to the Financial Secretary Handbook (#1410).
Treasurer
The treasurer is responsible for the safekeeping and maintaining records
of all council funds and accounts. He is responsible for
depositing money into the council’s accounts and provides a certificate
of such monies to the grand knight. He is also responsible for payment
of all ex-penses.
Lecturer
The lecturer is appointed by the grand knight to provide both educational
and entertaining programs to the council. He is
responsible for the ‘Good of the Order’ portion of council meetings.
In order to provide members with informative and educational programs,
he must be knowledgeable and aware of all council programming.
Advocate
The advocate is the legal representative of the council and serves
as the council’s attorney at trials and investigations of any interest
to the council.While he does not need to be a member of the legal profession,
he should be familiar with the council by-laws, the Order’s Charter, Constitution
and Laws (#30), Methods of Conducting a Council Meeting(#1937), and Robert’s
Rules of Order.
Warden
The warden is the ‘watchdog’ for council property and degree paraphernalia,
except the property of the financial secretary, treasurer and recorder.
He is also responsible for setting up the council chambers for meetings
and ceremonial work. During ceremonial exemplifications, he will appoint
and supervise guards.
Inside & Outside Guards
The guards have similar responsibilities, but distinct differences.The
outside guard tends to the outer door admitting visitors and
members to the inner door. Once at the inner door, the inside guard
checks to make sure that their membership cards are current.
Board of Trustees
The board of trustees consists of three members elected by the council
and the grand knight, who serves as chairman of the
board. They oversee the work of the financial secretary and treasurer,
and with the deputy grand knight serve on the council’s
retention committee. During council elections, only the three-year
trustee is voted on, with the others moving on to become two and one-year
trustees, respectively.
Link to Officer
Handbooks
Link to Knightline
a vital resource for local K of C leaders. |