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Grand
Knight - The Grand Knight
is the top ranking officer of the Council. He oversees all of the
Council's activities and is elected by the members of the Council.
Some of his duties include presiding over meetings, countersigning
orders and checks, reading vouchers and notices relative to the Fourth
Degree. His jewel is an Anchor which is suspended from a purple ribbon.
The Anchor is indicative of Admiral Christopher Columbus and has also
been a variant form of the Cross for centuries. The Grand Knight's
ceremonial officer robe is royal purple. He wears a white cincture
with silver fringe and a purple mantle with white roll collar. |
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Chaplain
- The Chaplain provides spiritual guidance and direction
to the Council. The Chaplain is selected by the Grand Knight, Deputy
Grand Knight and the three Trustees on an annual basis in accordance
with the rules of the Bishop of the diocese. His jewel is the Isabella
Cross in silver and blue suspended from a black ribbon. The Chaplain's
Ceremonial Office Robe is black with black trimming and a yoke with
white projecting collar. The cincture is black with silver fringe. |
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Deputy
Grand Knight - The Deputy Grand
Knight is second ranking officer of the Council and is elected
by the members of the Council. He shall preside in the absence or
inability of the Grand Knight. His jewel is the Compass, also known
as the Compass of Virtue, suspended from a purple ribbon, with the
four main points representing Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.
The 32 points around the outside of the compass represent the virtues
which a man can possess. The compass is an important tool in navigation.
The Deputy Grand Knight's ceremonial officer robe is royal purple.
He wears a white cincture with silver fringe. |
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Chancellor
- The Chancellor is the third highest ranking officer
of the Council and is elected by the members of the Council. The Chancellor
shall assist the Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight in the performance
of their duties and shall take charge during the incapacity or extended
absence of both. He shall exercise a special interest in new members
and members who are sick or in distress. His jewel is the Skull and
Crossed Bones on the Isabella Cross and is suspended from a black
over white ribbon. The Crossed Bones remind us of our immortality.
The Chancellor’s ceremonial officer robe is black robe trimmed with
white. He wears a white cincture with silver fringe and a black mantle
with white roll collar. |
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Recorder
- The Recorder keeps the minutes of the meeting and
the historical records for the Council. He is elected by the Council
members. In the absence of the Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight,
and Chancellor the Recorder will run the meeting. Also, he is responsible
for the correspondence of the Council as directed by the Grand Knight.
The Recorder's jewel is Crossed Quill Pens suspended from a white
over yellow ribbon. The Quill pens are symbolic of his record keeping
functions of the Scribe. The Recorder's ceremonial officer robe is
black, trimmed with black. He wears a white cincture with silver fringe. |
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Financial
Secretary - The Financial Secretary
handles all of the financial transaction record keeping. This includes
issuing and collecting bills, issuing membership cards, etc. The Financial
Secretary is appointed by the Supreme Knight and is compensated in
a manner approved by the Board of Directors. His jewel is the Quill
Pen (record-keeper) and the Key (money, safe-keeping, and secrecy)
crossed and is suspended from a white over yellow ribbon. This symbolizes
his record keeping functions of the financial matters of the Council.
The Financial Secretary's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed
with black. He wears a white cincture with silver fringe. |
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Treasurer
- The Treasurer is responsible for the funds of the
Council as is elected by the members of the Council. His duties include
such functions as maintaining bank accounts and issuing checks based
on receipts turned in by the Financial Secretary. His jewel is Crossed
Keys, which represents responsibility for the safe keeping of the
funds, suspended from a blue ribbon. The Treasurer's ceremonial officer
robe is black, trimmed with black. He wears a white cincture with
silver fringe. |
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Lecturer
- The Lecturer is responsible for the entertainment
at the Knights of Columbus meetings and functions. He is selected
by the Grand Knight on an annual basis. His jewel consists of the
Scroll over the Lyre suspended from a white over blue ribbon. The
Scroll and Lyre represent Literature and Music. The Lecturer's ceremonial
officer robe is black, trimmed with national blue. He wears a blue
cincture with silver fringe. |
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Advocate
- The Advocate is the Chief Legal Officer for the Council
as is elected by the members of the Council. His jewel consists of
a Scroll and Sword suspended from a yellow ribbon. The Scroll represents
the legal literature and law and the Sword represents his authority
to enfore those Laws. The Advocate's ceremonial officer robe is black,
trimmed with golden yellow. He wears a yellow cincture with silver
fringe. |
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Warden
- The Warden assures that all members at meetings possess
the current membership card and is elected by the members of the council.
He is custodian of all Council property except funds and is in charge
of properly setting up the Council Chamber. He directs the activities
of the Inside and Outside Guards. His jewel consists of Axe bound
by Fasces and is suspended from a red over black ribbon. Guards or
protectors of Roman Magistrates generally carried the Axe and Fasces
as a sign of Authority. The Warden's ceremonial officer robe is black,
trimmed with scarlet. He wears a scarlet cincture with silver fringe. |
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Inside
& Outside Guards - The Inside
and Outside Guards each have the same symbol for their jewel.
They are in charge of security at the meetings and are to assist the
Warden as needed. The jewel for the Guards consists of an Crossed
Axes and Key, representing their authority as sentries at the door,
is suspended from a white ribbon. The Guard's ceremonial officer robe
is grey with a yoke, trimmed with black. He wears a black cincture
with silver fringe. |
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Trustees
- There are three Trustees in each Council, titled as
1 Year Trustee, 2 Year Trustee, and 3 Year Trustee. They oversee the
financial transactions of the Council, review all bills and financial
reports and audit the Council's financial records semi-annually. Their
jewel is the Crossed Key and Sword, which represents their financial
authority, is suspended from a green ribbon. The Trustee’s ceremonial
officer robe is black, trimmed with green. He wears a green cincture
with silver fringe. |
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District
Deputy - The District Deputy
is the representative of the Supreme Knight and the State Deputy
and is responsible for the supervision, growth and expansion, and
general care and well-being of the councils assigned to his district.
His responsibilities include ensuring that his councils follow the
Order’s laws and rules, promoting effective membership recruitment
and retention programs, identifying and developing new council locations,
assisting councils to conduct relevant service programs, and monitoring
the general financial and social health of the councils in his district.
The District Deputy is directly reportable to the State Deputy for
all activities within the district and fulfills the very important
communication link between the State and Supreme Councils and local
councils.
The duties of
the District Deputy are many and varied. The District
Deputy is responsible for the supervision of the councils
in his district and for the enforcement of the laws and rules of
the Order. It is his duty to see that council officers understand
their duties and responsibilities. He must ensure that all council
officers, especially the Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, and
Treasurer, follow the proper procedures in the collections of funds
and ensure the council officers understand and follow the proper
billing procedures of the Notice of Intent to Suspend retention
program. He shall install the officer’s of each council in his district
and present any awards to the council at an appropriate ceremony
or occasion. He should ensure that councils conduct active year-round
membership recruitment programs and that councils have an active
retention committee. He should assess potential new council development
sites and promote the Order’s insurance program. He shall ensure
that each council is offering active community, council, church,
youth and family programs. The District Deputy has the power to
declare an office in a subordinate council vacant in the event the
officer fails or refuses to perform the responsibilities of his
office.
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