Chicken of the Egg

It is the old “Chicken or the Egg” story in relationship to membership and programs. Which comes first? You cannot conduct programs without members, and you can’t attract members without programs in which they can participate.

Look around you. What is the makeup of the membership in your council? How many members were recruited last year or even this fraternal year? How many members between the ages of 18 and 35 have been added to your council recently? Has your council been planning for its future? More importantly, has your council discussed implementing a plan of action for future growth?

A truly successful council knows that Membership and Programs go Hand in Hand! A council cannot conduct successful programs without member support, but without quality faith-filled family programs, prospective members will not be interested in joining your council.

Case in point: My home council #1202 recently conducted two separate Faith in Action programs. The Silver Rose – Life Category and the Marion Icon Prayer Program – Faith Category. With both programs we consulted with our Parish Priest and his staff. Publicized these upcoming programs, made pulpit announcements, placed posters in the entrance of the church. Followed all the required steps, involved not only our council and assembly members, but more importantly the parish and community.

When implementing these programs take advantage of the opportunity to conduct a membership drive. It Works! After the Silver Rose Program, we held a first degree in the rectory, using the DVD. One of the men that went through the first degree this day, was a prospective member that we had asked on numerous occasions to join. We involved him in Silver Rose Program by simply having him hand out and collecting the booklets. It was a no brainer; he was now ready to join! He witnessed what we as members of the Knights of Columbus do every day, “the call to service of their neighbor”!

The men who you recruit during this year and in subsequent years will increase your ability to serve your community and our church. Recruiting must be the number one priority in every council. It must become the number one priority of every member. Everyone must be “Membership Recruitment Conscious.”

Retention is as Important as Recruiting

Imagine you're trying to fill a bucket with water. Every drop you put in should increase its contents, but if there's a leak then you may end up losing more water than you gain. Think of the membership in your council in the same way – every new Knight you add won't help your membership increase and grow stronger if you lose existing members. Doing nothing will cause men to not participate or worse leave.

Stop the leak, conduct well-run programs, and your council will continue the vision of our founder by assisting people in need, strengthening the bonds that unite our members, and continuing the strategy of Building the Domestic Church.