HENNEPIN PROVINCE

JURISDICTIONS OF MICHIGAN AND OHIO

Fourth Degree

Knights Of Columbus

PROVINCE GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING

Sterling Heights, Michigan

October 3, 2009

V.S.M. George A. Dann called the meeting to order at 1: 10 P.M.

Opening Prayer by Rev. Father John Trimbur 

Pledge of Allegiance lead by Provincial Marshall SK Herb Stacer

Roll Call

Provincial Staff:

The chair entertained a motion to approve the minutes of the Provincial General Business Meeting from last year and it was approved.

1.      Thomas M. Wegener, Supreme Director

Ø  Greetings from the Supreme Knight, Supreme Officers and Board of Directors

Ø  On behalf of the State Deputy of Michigan, John R. “Bob” Moody and myself, welcome to our brother Knights from Ohio and Ontario.

Ø  Congratulations to George L. Mallison on a job well done and achieving many successes.

Ø  Congratulations to George A. Dann on his appointment as Vice Supreme Master.

Ø  I am sure that George will achieve the same level of success as George did.

Ø  Fr. Hennepin Province is the best Province in the Order.

1.      Ohio had 5 consecutive years in the Circle of Honor

2.      Michigan had 7 consecutive years in the Circle of Honor

Ø  On a historical note, in 1886 a Fourth and Fifth Degree were discussed.  The initial regalia cost was approximately $100.

Ø  Emphasized that “Born and Unborn” should not be used after the Pledge of Allegiance per the Supreme Master and Supreme Council.  (Liberty and justice for all -  includes born and unborn)

Ø  Now is a great time to be a Knight.

Ø  Support our Priests – this fraternal year is declared the “Year of the Priests” by Pope Benedict XVI.

2.      George A. Dann VSM

Ø  I am looking for your support.  I have received marching orders from Supreme at the Supreme Assembly.

Mission Statement

“There will be one Fourth Degree.  It will be part of the Third Degree Knights of Columbus, not apart from it.  It will have one uniform, one drill manual and one exemplification ceremony.  There needs to be a concerted effort to get younger members into our Color Corps, the visible arm of the order.  Our Color Corp must not only claim to stand in defense of our Church and Order, but they must look physically capable and prepared to do so if they were called upon”.

Ø  The theme for my term of office will be “In Service To God And Country”.  We are here to serve.

Ø  We are the Patriotic Degree and that means that we need to do more for the veterans who have valiantly served and are serving this nation.  We are Knights who proclaim that we stand for Charity, Unity and Fraternity.  We are Catholic men, 1.7 million strong who proclaim that we stand ready to defend our Church and her Priests.

Ø  The Knights of Columbus – not Third Degree – not Fourth Degree, but rather 1.7 million Catholic men prepared to demonstrate to the world that we are united “In Service To God And Country”.

Ø   What can we do?  We can continue to serve at our veterans facilities.  We can expand the scope of what we are currently doing.  If your Assembly is not participating in veterans’ affairs, then you need to ask your Faithful Navigator how your Assembly can get involved.  Talk to your District Master.  He has Representatives and Deputy Representatives in place.  They would love to hear from you and will seek your help!

Ø  “In Service” means sometimes doing those things that we don’t enjoy, such as reports.  You must report on time and fill those reports out completely and correctly and have them in on time.  Such reports as your Assembly Audits, Report of Officers Chosen and your Fraternal Surveys are vital to the continued success of our order.  Don’t forget the Civic Award and the Patriot Award.

Ø  If your Assembly doesn’t send in its Reports of Officers, your Assembly won’t receive valuable information from Supreme.

Ø  Your District Masters will be following these matters closely.  I have stressed how important this is to me and I will be monitoring them and you.

Ø  Your must follow the chain of command – resolve your differences at the Assembly level.  If you don’t get satisfaction there, go to the Master.  If he cannot resolve the problem, he can bring it to me and then if I can’t resolve it, I will contact Supreme.  I will not respond to your problems unless they are signed and dated and you follow this procedure.  Do not contact Supreme directly.  Debbie Marone is the secretary to the Supreme Master and she can answer most questions.  Her answers may not satisfy you but they are given to the best of her knowledge.  If you are not satisfied with her answers or they are not what you expected or are not happening fast enough to suit you, don’t shoot the messenger.  Insubordination or disrespect to Debbie is not something I recommend.  The Supreme Master has stated that he will have a zero tolerance for this type of behavior.

Ø  “In Service To God And Country” means that you don’t get to decide if you approve of what a particular Priest is doing or saying.  In solidarity with our Priests and Bishops means just that.  You are Catholic and you don’t get to choose what part of the Church’s teachings you like or dislike.  If you cause a conflict with a member of the clergy you are subject to immediate dismissal from the order.  Insubordination and disrespect will not be tolerated.

Ø  I am stressing to District Masters that we need to do a better job of communicating.  If you don’t have an Assembly Newsletter, get one started.  Make sure if you are communicating with Supreme you send mail to Supreme and not to the Supreme Master’s home address.

Ø  Make use of the new publications out – Drill Manual, Protocol Booklet and Rules Governing the Fourth Degree.  Competition for District and Provincial newsletters, as well as, Sir Knights of the year will continue.

Ø  Supreme is developing an updated website for the Fourth Degree.  The things that can be done are amazing.  Navigators, Comptrollers and Financial Secretaries will be able to track and update data on line.  Some of this will be in place by November.  More information will be coming from Supreme.

Ø  The new Fourth Degree Ceremony will be the only ceremony along with one uniform.  If you attend an exemplification, you will see the difference right away.  I was Staff Captain for Michigan District Two for years and I can tell you this new ceremony exemplifies the principles of the Fourth Degree in a much clearer and orderly manner.

Ø  Membership:

·         The new goal for Assemblies is to make up 25% of your Councils membership.

·         We need to work to establish new Assemblies – one Assembly for four councils.  The idea that starting new Assemblies will hurt the old ones is simply not true.  No matter how big the Assembly, you still only have a small percentage of the membership active.  If you divide that Assembly and create new ones you will have more active members and many men will welcome the opportunity to be a charter member.

·         I have challenged the Masters to achieve a 10% increase in membership this fraternal year.  Having two exemps reduces the cost and makes the opportunity to join easier.

·         If you do not have assist teams in your Assembly, then you need to form them.  There should be someone speaking about the Fourth Degree at every Third Degree meeting.

·         We must strive to replace the men who have been called to their eternal reward.  We need new and younger Sir Knights to take over for those who have gone before us.

Ø  I have asked the Masters to make sure that your Assembly meetings are conducted correctly and that the Assembly Chamber is set up correctly.  Part of what makes us successful, are sound procedures that have proven over time to work.  You should be dressed properly and the proper respect given to Assembly officers.  Remember to follow the proper order of business.  I will be conducting surprise Assembly visits.  Remember that resolutions start at the Assembly level then get forwarded to the Master.  It will then become part of the business at the next district meeting.  It then goes to the VSM for advancement to the Provincial meeting then on to Supreme.

Ø  Remember how important our right to vote is.  Support “Get Out The Vote” projects.  It is not difficult to get a Civic Award.  You are probably already doing the work you just need to report it.  You must submit a Civic Award application.

Ø  You should have someone in your Assembly with flag protocol knowledge.  Supreme has Flag Manuals on hand.  If you are not a member of the Color Corp, then please join.  You too then can be a part of the “Window that the public witness our good works through”.  There should be only one color Corp Commander dressed at any Assembly function.  There is no official Flag Pin yet.  When we get one from Supreme it will be allowed to be worn.  This will only apply if everyone falling out has one.  Along that line, I will tell you that Supreme has met with all of their catalog suppliers and are trying to standardize what they sell to us.  Review your Honor Guard and make sure that they look clean and sharp – get rid of old regalia.  Miniature jewels can be worn.  Please follow the Drill Manual. 

Ø  It has become a practice in some areas to say “Born and Unborn” after the Pledge of Allegiance.  This is not part of the pledge.  There was a resolution presented to the Supreme Council at the Montreal Supreme Convention and the resolution was amended to say that we could say this privately but not publicly.  We Knights are strong supporter of life, but we can find other ways of supporting our views without jeopardizing “One Nation Under God”.

Ø  I want to conclude my remarks by asking you to renew your efforts in the support for the Dome in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.  The cost was 1 million dollars.  The Fourth Degree was asked to raise $500,000 of this and the Third Degree was asked to raise $500,000 also.  Please try to generate support for this beautiful Dome.  We need to solicit $3 dollars from every Fourth Degree member.

3.      State Deputy of Ohio – Paul Upman

Ø  Greetings from my fellow State Officers of Ohio.  The State Secretary of Ohio, David Helmstetter is here with me this evening.

Ø  Congratulations to George Dann on his new appointment as Vice Supreme Master and coming out of retirement.

Ø  Thanks for the invitation and looking forward to working with you.

Ø  Also, looking forward to spend time with all my brother Sir Knights at the banquet this evening.

4.      Master of Michigan District Three – Vern Miron

Ø  We need to work on communication.

Ø  Also, we need to emphasize educating our brother Sir Knights to resolve problems.

5.      Master of Michigan District Two – Dennis Henderson

Ø  Greetings – “This is the day the Lord has made – let us rejoice and be glad”.

Ø  Congratulations to George Mallison for a great job these last four years.

Ø  Thanks for a great job on the Memorial Booklet.

Ø  As Prayer Chain Coordinator for the last four years, I would like to share some prayer line stories and feedback that I received.  At times, I found this depressing to learn of all the maladies.

Ø  Asked a Prayer Chain recipient - Kent Weiss to come up and say a few words regarding his miraculous recovery.  Prayers do work!!!

Ø  Indicated that VA hospitals need Pallative Rooms for dying veterans.  The average cost to renovate one room is approximately $7,000 dollars and asked Sir Knights and Ladies in each district to consider this as a program entitled “Operation Patriotism”.

6.      Master of Ohio District Three – Charles Giametta

Ø  I am the new kid on the block.

Ø  Kent Weiss is a true brother Knight and always comes to my exemps.

Ø  Upcoming Exemplifications are as follows:

o   October 24, 2009 – Marietta, Ohio

o   April 16 and 17, 2010 – Marietta, Ohio

Ø  Stated that the 4^th Degree starts with the 1^st Degree.  We need to help at the Council level with obtaining new members so ultimately they can become 4^th Degree members.

Ø  VA Program – If we (Michigan and Ohio) ban together, we can challenge Washington, D.C. as the #1 VA Program in the nation and maybe even beat them.

7.      Master of Ohio District #1 – George Bodajlo

Ø  Thanks to Former Vice Supreme Master George Mallison for being appointed a staff member.

Ø  A big thank you to all the Assemblies for placing ads in the program book.

Ø  We need to promote new members for our Province.  Membership is the most important thing to us.

o   It is critical that we walk new Knights through the 1^st Degree and then follow them through the 2^nd and 3^rd Degrees and then ultimately through the 4^th Degree.

Ø  Recognized and thanked his staff members from Ohio District #1.

8.      Master of Ohio District #2 – Richard Tabler

Ø  New Master – only 69 days old.

Ø  Had a successful Exemplification last August in Centerville, Ohio with 83 new Sir Knights.

Ø  Had a special Exemplification in Reading, Ohio where a missionary priest from Russia and the vocation director from the Cincinnati Archdiocese were exemplified.

Ø  Upcoming Exemplifications as follows:

o   March 21, 2010 – Toledo Diocese – Sawmill, Ohio

o   April 11, 2010 – Cincinnati Diocese – Mason, Ohio

9.      Master of Michigan District #1 – Walter Winkle

Ø  On behalf of the 3800 members of Michigan District #1, we welcome everyone here.

Ø  Please promote Exemplification information from all the Masters in the Assembly and Council newsletters.

Ø  Also, please promote all events in the Assembly and Council newsletters.

Ø  On September 19, 2009, 95 new members became Sir Knights.

Ø  There will be a District #1 meeting on November 8, 2009 at Madonna University.

Ø  Upcoming Exemplification on March 6, 2010 – Southgate, Michigan.

Ø  Patriotic programs in District #1:

o   Had blessing of Color Corp regalia with approximately 40 Sir Knights in attendance.

o   On December 12, 2009, wreaths will be placed on graves of veterans.

Ø  Ask all Navigators to be leaders in the 4^th Degree and 3^rd Degree to help councils to solicit new members to join our order.

10.  Master of Michigan District #4 – David Gibson

Ø  New baby District in the Province.

Ø  Need more cooperation between the Dioceses and Districts.

Ø  Upcoming Exemplifications as follows:

o   October 24, 2009 – Spring Lake, Michigan – St. Mary’s Church

o   April 24, 2010 – Bay City, Michigan – St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish Center

o   October 16, 2010 – Mt. Pleasant, Michigan – Sacred Heart School

Ø  Recognized new staff for Michigan District #4.

11.  Supreme Director – Tom Wegener

Ø  Next Supreme Convention will be held on August 3 through August 5, 2010 in Washington, D.C.

Ø  Knights of Columbus were asked to help with the Dome Fund at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception as stated earlier.

Ø  In the past, we donated towards the Knights Tower and the WWII Memorial.  Go see the sites that you contributed to as a Sir Knight in the name of our Lord.

12.  Former Master – Frank Pawelak

Ø  Started presentation with a prayer – St. Michael the Archangel.

Ø  Talked about how homeless veterans are in need of food.

Ø  We need to get involved to see what we can do to help.

Ø  VAVS should make contact with VA hospitals, American Legion, DAV, Am vets, etc. to see how we can help the homeless veterans.

13.  Vice Supreme Master – George Dann

Ø  Thanked FM Frank Pawelak and FVSM George Mallison for all that they have accomplished and for a job well done regarding the veterans.

14.  Master of Ontario District #5 – James Farrand

Ø  Thank you VSM George Dann and FVSM George Mallison for the invitation.

Ø  I am here on behalf of Ontario to learn, share and take back with me a lot of useful and valuable information.

Ø  God bless Canada and God bless the United States.

15.  Former Vice Supreme Master – George Mallison

Ø  Please solicit as many ads as possible to help with the cost of this Provincial Meeting and to keep it going in the future.

Ø  If you are going to Mass tomorrow morning in regalia, please be ready to process in the hall 10 minutes early before Mass starts.

Ø  Thanks to all the members of my staff for their hard work and help they have given me.  The last four years have been very, very wonderful!!!  God bless you!!!

16.  Question from the floor –

Ø  Who do we make out the checks to for the Veterans?  -  Answer--Fr. Hennepin Province

Ø  Is there a policy on unfurling the US flag?  -  Answer--If the flag is on its staff, do not touch it.  The flag should flow freely.

Ø  FM – Robert Godi – FM Dick Wysong was scheduled to help with the training this weekend but unfortunately has health issues and was unable to participate.  In his absence, FM Phil Arbanas volunteered to help.  Thanks Phil.  Please keep Dick in your prayers.

Ø  Why is “Born and Unborn” dropped from the Pledge of Allegiance in the 4^th Degree but not the 3^rd Degree?  -  Answer--VSM and FVSM have nothing in writing but Supreme Master at a Board of Directors meeting says to drop it.  Tell Councils to follow suit.  FVSM says to say a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede for us regarding Right to Life.

17.  Vice Supreme Master – George Dann

Ø  Identified new Provincial Staff as follows:

·         Provincial Secretary – Robert Krauseneck

·         Provincial Marshall – Herb Stacer

·         Provincial Executive Administrator – Peter Glynn

·         Provincial Webmaster – Larry Prevo

·         Provincial Training Director – Robert Godi

·         Provincial Ad Book Chair – Ohio – George Bodajlo

Ø  Thanked the Color Corp for bringing their regalia and participating this weekend.

·         Fourth Degree members should consider joining the Color Corps.

·         They are the window of the order.

·         They need to look sharp and be sharp and represent this order in a colorful and dignified manner.

Ø  VSM asked Master David Gibson to say a few words regarding Color Corps processing in Church before Mass and out after Mass has ended.  Dave serves on a liturgical committee at his home parish.

·         Knights in color are not part of the liturgy.  They are escorts and should march in front of the cross and candle bearers before and after Mass.

·         Mass starts and ends with the sign of the cross.

Ø  VSM stated that Color Corps is not allowed to participate during the consecration.  If the priest insists, we must explain that this is the wishes of the Bishop, the Ordinary of the Diocese, and the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.  If the priest still insists, we should quietly excuse ourselves and walk away.

18.  Monsignor Mihalek –

Ø  Thanked everyone for the enthusiasm in their faith and closed the meeting with a prayer at 4:05 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert L. Krauseneck

Provincial Secretary