Council Growth Report

Fort Worth Diocesan Deputy Bruce Mallory and District Deputy Bill Machura have been furiously working on two new Councils.The Round Table for Texas Christian University has paid off with a very positive probability of a new College Council.Also, Brothers Bruce and Bill were notified of a potential new Council at Joint Reserve Base Carswell.These two prospects could happen before the month of May is over. Other new Councils in different stages are Madisionville where Tyler Diocesan Deputy David Ziegler and District Deputy 135 Charles Thomas are working, Dallas Diocesan Deputy Roy Rabenaldt and DD 113 Javier Rodrieuez are working on a bilingual Council at Santa Clara of Assisi Parish and DD 105 Deacon Roy Mellon are working on a new Council at St. Jude Chapel.Please contact Council Growth Chairman Clint Mendonca at ncdforms@gmail.com, for assistance.

I can’t express enough appreciation, short of hugs and sugar, to Brother Joe Torres for the work he has done this year on reactivations and merges.With the assistance of Diocesan leadership Joe has reactivated three Councils and merged five dormant Councils into active Councils.Through his efforts over one hundred Brothers have regained their fraternal benefits.St. Jude’s Mission Council 11365 from the Lubbock Diocese, The University of Texas Council 12409 in the Austin Diocese, and the Cathedral of Laredo Diocese Council 13439 were reactivated.St. Stephen Council 10145 and Blessed Sacrament Academy Council 5262 from the Archdiocese of San Antonio were merged.Our Lady of Mount Carmel Council 7819 was merged.With the assistance of Corpus Christi Ruben Badillo St. John Council 3003 was merged into Council 3110.After many years of effort Iowa Park 9503 was merged into 7371.Other key factors included; scheduling membership drives in consecutive weekends, conducting information meetings, monitoring progress and effectively staying in touch with our Reactivation Chairman for guidance & support. Without a doubt this is a success story that can be implemented in any dormant council in the State. Yes, we all have the tools to get it done. All that is needed is the willingness and energy to get it done! For additional help with the reactivation of any dormant council please call Joe Torres, Reactivation Chairman, or contact Cruz Hinojosa, Jr. or Marcelino Compean for assistance with Spanish speaking Councils.

Following the Star Guide guidelines step by step was the key to the reactivation achievement within six weeks. Meeting with the Priest and reviewing with him the positive attributes the Knights could bring to his parish initiated the process. Elements of the success was recognizing and identifying the correct team to assist with the formation of the council leadership.

We are continuously trying to get all of our Councils current in State and Supreme Per Capita.We notified the District Deputies, Diocesan Deputies, and Grand Knights and Financial Secretaries.It is very important that Councils remain active.Members of suspended Councils are no longer eligible for fraternal benefits such as up to $2,500 accidental death for the member and his spouse, $80 per month for orphan benefits, $1,500 for a child who dies before the age of 61 days, $750 for a stillborn after 20 weeks after conception, KC scholarships, up to $5,000 of guaranteed life insurance for children under the age of 18, and participation in State activities such as golf an bowling tournaments, Free Throw competition, or State Convention.Council dues are collected to pay for the State and Supreme fees. If a Council is going to remain in-active, it would benefit the members of the inactive Councils if the District and Diocesan leadership could transfer the member into an active Council so that he and his family retain the fraternal benefits. Dues are not to be collected by the Council as a fund raiser.The Council officers are legally responsible to pay the expenses.

We are making progress with our Round Tables.Four Dioceses have reached 100% of their goal.Congratulations to Beaumont, Brownsville, Fort Worth and Lubbock for reaching their goal.We are 58 Round Tables short of our State goal.Round Table Kenneth Brazille will help in the submission of the Form 2629 for you.

Finally, I want to thank the entire Council Growth.Like all of us, they manage their time between work, family, and church to assist you with new councils, reactivations and merges, Round Tables, and State and Supreme per capita.They perform their duties as volunteers, just like all of us.So, thank you very much to Paul and Patti Bettge, Kenneth and Anna Brazille, Cruz Hinojosa, Jr., Marcelino and Maria Compean, Clint and Liza Mendonca, Tony and Mary Hernandez, Michael and Andrea White, and Joe and Alicia Torres.And, Patricia, my wife, who has allowed me to do my Knights stuff.