We Need an Encore of Last Year

Brothers, As I mentioned in my Constant Contact message last week, you gentlemen did a great job in the 2022-2023 Fraternal Year, and we are off to another great start. While it was incredible to bring in 4511 new Catholic Gentlemen to join our councils, it is important that we plug these new members into an orientation, a mentoring program, or some type of webinar or starter training that gets these brothers with an understanding of what they have really joined.

They joined for a reason, and we must help them cultivate their intentions and desire to help through the many programs and Charitable endeavors the Knights can initiate for them. Some councils pair up new recruits with an experienced hand to “show them the ropes”, call them to ride to a meeting or event with them and bring them to Diocesan or District Conferences. While it has been suggested that when you recruit someone, you should assume the role of mentor for your new recruit, and while this usually works pretty well, the evolution of eMembership has slightly altered this theory as many sign- up online without being recruited by an individual. They read all the amazing things Knights do, and they decided to join. These new brothers will need an experienced Knight to educate them, otherwise they may lose interest and become a statistic ending up in Affiliate Program down the road and no one wants that.

For you brothers in the Austin Diocese, Diocesan Deputy Bill Tartaglia has stepped down from his position for medical reasons effective 8/1/23. Assistant Diocesan Deputy, Victor Medina, will take over as Diocesan Deputy, and Bill will assume the Assistant Diocesan Deputy Role as long as his COPD allows. I want to thank Bill for his hard work for the past year, and for Victor taking over on short notice.

Also, Congratulations to Sir Knight Pat Conway, for being assigned the Vice Supreme Master position by Supreme. Bill will be responsible for the Our Lady of Guadalupe Province which includes Texas and Oklahoma replacing SK Matt Maly. The six Texas District Masters and the one Oklahoma DM will report to Pat. Keep up the good work!