Every Service Event is a Chance to Recruit

As many councils have found following the pandemic, staffing for service events isn’t always what it used to be. When it’s “go time,” we focus on making sure all the pieces are in place and every station is manned. The last thing on our minds is who might be free to mix and mingle with the crowd. Unfortunately, when that happens, we might be missing some of the best opportunities that we have to find new members. No matter how big or how small the crowd is, there is always the possibility that there’s a Catholic man in the audience who might be thoroughly impressed with what we’re doing, and the only thing missing is someone taking the time to stop and ask them.

A recent study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate found that there are 7 million Catholic men throughout the United States who would be open to joining a Catholic organization like the Knights of Columbus, but they haven’t joined simply because they haven’t been asked. As someone who joined the order because he was personally approached by someone he looked up to and trusted, that really hit home for me.

One council in Houston put the research findings to the test during a recent pancake breakfast. During each mass, one council member rotated away from the kitchen and serving line. That member took the time to float to tables, sit with other parishioners, and eat amongst them. Sure enough, across the morning masses, one of the members came across a young man who was impressed by what we were doing and was interested in being of service to the parish and the community. Upon being asked, he agreed to sign up online right then and there. He showed up to the council business meeting the following month and has already begun to get involved in council activities.

While the application is obviously small and statistically insignificant, it suggested the study was correct. Yes, there will always be those who put up excuses about time and other obligations, but there are also men who will jump at the opportunity. I have the honor of reaching out to new members who join the order online, which has given me a new perspective on our recruiting. In the past month alone, a half dozen specifically told me that they’d been thinking about joining the order for some time, but it was just a matter of being asked in the right place and the right time to agree to move forward.

The key is creating the environment where the ask can be made. When we host our events, it’s important to make sure that we don’t just stay in the work areas. When we take breaks, we need to make sure that we don’t just cluster at a table in the corner, ignoring the rest of the guests. For some councils, this is a big ask. It requires excess staffing and people getting out of their comfort zones. Regardless, when we find that man who has been open to joining and finally gets asked to do so, it’s every bit worth the effort.