·       Thanks to Al and his staff for helping make the transition for me as painless as possible.  I am grateful to all who helped make this weekend a success. 

·       As a Master you are expected to be and advisor – inspector and mentor.

·       All Masters Reports must also be sent in addition to Supreme also to the Vice Supreme Master.

·       Masters must work to insure that all reports are ON TIME AND PROPERLY FILLED OUT.  I do not want to see 90 day delinquency reports from Supreme office.  Work with problem Assemblies to get there report done on time and are accurate.  Make life hard for them until they conform to the reporting requirements.  There is no reason for late reports. 

·       All Assemblies should have not trouble get Civic Award.  Have Navigator make Captain or Commander responsible to fill in data.  I expect 100% from each Master the coming year.  If an Assembly is not doing at least 4 Civic events a year they are in serious trouble – GET INVOLVED!

·       Keep VSM and Supreme Master informed at all times.  Put me on your mailing list for all District mailings.  Encourage your Assemblies to do the same.  If there is an issue let me know before you notify Supreme Master.  This is the chain of command.  Make sure your Navigators and Comptrollers understand this also.  Master is the first chain of command to the Assembly.  Be at least 51% sure you are correct.  Call me if you need assistance.

·       I will be sending out information regular intervals.  I am working on getting a web master and hope to continue to have the web site.  Communications are extremely important and frequent contact with your Assemblies is highly recommended.

·       Masters and Assemblies do not send mail or call Supreme Master at Home.  All correspondence should be sent to Supreme.

·       Conflicts with the Clergy may result in dismissal from office or even removal from the Knights.

·       Membership the coming years will be of the highest importance.

o      Membership and recruiting should be done at the Council meetings.  Assist teams for Council representatives need to be active

o      Membership goal is to increase the national average to 25% from the 17.2%.  This is a four year goal.

o      Must work on recruiting younger membership.

o      Programs that appeal to younger members

·       New Assembly Development is to be a main focus.  Our Goal is to have an Assembly for every 3^rd Degree District.

o      That equates to 116 new Assemblies in the US.

o      Hennepin Province needs to grow by 20.

·       Master MAY NOT assess the Assemblies voluntary or other wise any funds (no pre capitia or otherwise.  Assemblies are showing these Assessments on there Audits. (Go off the record)

·       The cost of the Exemplification to a member is $65.  No exception.  If you have extras, itemize and list them.  (Such as picture, lunch, etc.)  You must provide the Exemplification, Baldric and Pin and Banquet for the $65).

·       Fee’s and Reports

o      Masters account may not be personal account.  Your wife or any other non Knight should be on the account.  Set up account so that the District can still function if you can not.  The funds belong to the District not you, and are to be used to accomplish District functions.

o      Masters are Bonded at $10,000.00  If you require additional it is available from Supreme at a nominal fee.

o      Master are required to keep there record book up to date.  (Records, Expenses and Exemplifications)  You must pass this information on to your replacement.  It is the history and records of the District.

o      Candidates’ fees are $65.00 no more can be charge to exemplify a candidate.  The fee covers Banquet, Social Baldric and Pin (approved 4^th Degree Emblem).  If you have addition cost, break them out and itemize them.  Lunch, picture, etc.  You may not require a candidate to buy any Items such as swords, baldrics, etc.

o      $12/candidate for first 100.  $13/candidate for 101 up.  No fees can be charge for a Priest.

o      Get your Exemplification Report completed Form 4’s and monies in on time.  (30 days)

o      Simi Annual Audit.  Make sure your beginning Balance is the same as the ending Balance of the pervious audit

§       Excess of $2000 must be turned over to Supreme.

§       No Negative Balance on Audit.  ( make a memo entry)

§       If you are in the process of an Exemplification and have excess funds in your account attach a memo with the break down of Masters Funds vs. Exemplification funds.

·       See approved Exemplifications list – any corrections.  Keep me up to date.  Approvals required if changes.  I will try and attend all Exemplifications that I can.  I have to get permission from Supreme.  I am on an expense account so you do not have to provide my room or Banquet tickets.  Other charges may not be covered, so contact me on extras.  Please provide me maps and/or directions to areas I am not familiar with.  Other events in your District I maybe able to attend, so feel free to contact me.

·       When Supreme Master issues a memo, they are not invitations for debate, they are directives.  Do not call him.  If you have questions contact me.  I will try to resolve, or will contact SM for clarification.  Remember chain of command.

·       Most answers are in the By-Laws.  The Rules and Laws of the Order are in effect for items that are not addressed in the 4^th Degree Bylaws. 

·       The vision of the Fourth Degree is:

o      One Fourth Degree, Apart of not apart from.

o      One Drill Manual  The use of the sword must be uniform

o      One uniform

o      One set of terminology.  Learn what Color Corps, Honor Guard, Flag Guard, Color Guard means

o      Color Corps must be inspected for proper uniform, and ability to drill.  Training and inspections should be one of the prime jobs of your Marshals.

o      Use the inspection certificates that are available from Supreme for Color Corps certification after inspections.  This matter should not be taken lightly.

·       The Color Corps is the pride and joy of the Order.  As Master you must strive to have well groomed, highly disciplined Corps men.

o      Sharp, clean uniforms

o      Up to date –

o      Read the directive that Supreme Master sent.

·       Clean up the Province when Regalia My Vision

o      Remove Jewels of office

o      Remove miniature Ribbons

o       Use the 4^th Degree pin only until new flag pin is designed for official use.  Be uniform

o      No other items on the uniform

o      Replace old, soiled or worn Regalia

o      Encourage Drill and Manual of arms practice

·       Changes coming from Sepreme for the Installation of Officers manual.  Striving to be more in line with the current day way installations are done.

·       Fourth Degree Exemplification Ceremonials are out of control.  Master do not allow your Degree teams to deviate from the current Ceremonial.  Do not add items like 9-11, Current conflicts, etc. to the Degree.  I would like a list of all the music that your Degree Team uses for the Degree.  Review the approved music in the Degree Book.  Supreme Master and Ceremonials Director are working to update the Degree.  This maybe 2 or 3 years out as Second and Third are in current review and being changed.

·       I will be evaluating your Degree Teams when I attend your Degree’s.  Please have them meet with me after the Degree for my comments and instructions.  Encourage your team to have practices before Exemplifications.  All parts should be from memory.  Many Degree team members are getting older, so encourage your Degree Team Leader to develop backup and replacement members.

·       One day Exemplifications with out all the extra’s events to control cost and encourage more members.

·       Exemplifications in Fall as well as Spring.  Every Master should have at a minimum of two Exemplifications each year.

·       Special Exemplifications for Priest and other members who can never be free on weekends is encouraged.  A small group can be exemplified on a weekday evening.  You do not have to shorten the Ceremonial, as it can be done in 2 to 2 1/2 hours and still have time for a short social after. 

·       AWARDS

o      New recruiting program 500 points for recruiting a new Fourth Degree Member

o      A new Form 4 will be coming out

o      New Assembly Development Award.  Similar to Third Degree

o      Recruiting Awards at the Provincial, District  and Assembly level (these awards are scheduled for issuing at the end of the year)

o      Flag Program for Schools

§       New assignment for Assembly Pilot.

§       Flag Protocol Officer

·        Fourth Degree Scholarships.  There are several opportunities for families of Knights to get financial grants to help in the education of their children.  Review this and see if there are potential candidates for the available Scholarships.

·       Founders Day – (MARCH 29) Should be a National Knights of Columbus event.  Encourage all Assemblies to get involved with a program.  Contact their assign Councils and see if they have potential projects that they can also be involved with. Celebration is important for the membership and for the public to observe.  New Supreme information should be coming to help observe the event.

·       Flag Ceremony for Flag Day.

o      Honor our Flag

o      Honor the Military

·        A new Flag Program is going being developed.  It is hope that it will start at the National level, then Provincial level and Final at District Level.  A set of 28 Flag representing the official Flags of our Country since the original 13 Stars and Strips is being prepared.  It is hoped that by using the Color Corps to present this group of flags at nation, state and local events will become a symbol of the Knights of Columbus.

·       Supreme Ceremonials Department is working on a potential flag disposal program.  (Hennepin Resolutions was accepted by Supreme Assembly and sent to Supreme Board for action.)

·       Pins

o      The pins used by Sir Knights need to be looked at closely. May of the pins have the wrong color renditions?  Please make sure that the Emblems of the Fourth Degree and the Order are proper.  As Sir Knights to remove from service any that are improper.  Especially true for the crossed Flag and Emblem of Fourth Degree.  May are colored wrong and many are cheap looking.  A new pin is being investigated by Supreme.  Every Sir Knight will be offered a change to obtain at cost plus shipping when first issued.  (Through the Assemblies).

·       Supreme Secretary, Robert Lane reviewed the current membership information. He all so noted that the large number of scholarship grants that were issued from the Fourth Degree.  You should make yourself familiar with the requirements and promote in your Districts.

·       Supreme Secretary, Lane also noted the large number of delinquent and improperly submitted reports.  Please review the reports closely and make sure they are filled in properly.  (Fourth Degree Audits must not show that any per capitia or fees were sent to Master.  (There are no such donations or assessments allowed for the Fourth Degree. – Make sure your Assemblies understand this and adhere to it.)  If I get a 90 day delinquent letter, be prepared to take action.  There is no excuse for late Fraternal Surveys, New Officers and Audits.  Keep your Assemblies current.

·       See Sec. 48 of Rules and Laws of the Order.  Same for Fourth Degree as Third.

·       Pay attention to getting the Assemblies Fraternal Activities Report

·       Travel information ($.30/ mile and $150/day Pre Deim (1) 

·       My travel

·       Reports

o      Masters Statements

o      Assembly Statements and Membership Rosters

·       Hurricane Katrina issues

·       Color Corps

o      Can be your best friend or biggest enemy

o      Readiness and willing to defend the Faith

o      Need to promote youth

o      Must always project a professional and dignified image

·       Highly likely that Fr. McGivney will be raised to the honor of the Alter this coming year.

o      The Order will come under extreme scrutiny when this happens

o      Our relationship with Priest will be questioned

MEMBERSHIP

·       Assist teams

·       Quotas

o      Assemblies          10%

o      District       9%

o      Provincial  8%

·       New Assemblies           20 Province

·       Order wide goal to increase the Fourth Degree from 17.2% to 25% of Order’s membership.

·       Supreme Knight wants the Fourth Degree to take a leadership position and show the way for the rest of the Membership.  Make every Knight want to belong to the Fourth.

·       Master to work on new Assembly development.  Survey your area’s of responsibility for potential new Assemblies.  Jurisdictions are growing with new Councils, so Assembles should also be growing.  Many Assemblies span of responsibilities is too large.  New, young enthusiastic membership needed.

PROGRAMS

·       Flag

·       Get out and Vote

·       Youth essay contest

·       School flag awareness and respect program

·       Use the Navigators Handbook for additional programs

·       Serving those who serve (VA Hospitals)

·       To be a Patriot

·       Civic

Other Items

·       Reports on line coming.  Master, Comptrollers and Navigators will be able to get their on the internet.  More to come through the coming year.

·       Controllers forms on line for 2006

·       New revised Comptroller Manuals are now available (#2005 Supreme Supply)

·       All Councils and Assemblies must have a Founders Day Program.  Fourth shall participate

·       28 Flag Program

·       New Fourth Degree recruiting and program brochures are available from Supreme.  See catalog and your handbook for numbers.  Encourage Assemblies to order materials for programs and membership drives.

·       Serving Those Who Serve Veteran’s Hospital Service Kit (#4400 1/03)

HENNEPIN PROVINCE  

JURISDICTIONS OF MICHIGAN AND OHIO

Fourth Degree

Knights of Columbus

PROVINCIAL MEETING

Sterling Heights, Michigan

September 29, 2007

Provincial Masters:

Provincial Staff:

Provincial Friar                                                            SK Rev. James R. Swiat, FSC      (EXCUSED)

Provincial Secretary                                                     SK Dennis L. Henderson, PFN    Present

Provincial Marshal                                                       SK Glenn Barry, FM                    (EXCUSED)

Provincial Executive Administrator                               SK Howard Shepherd, FM           (EXCUSED)

Provincial Membership and Special Advisor                  SK Frank Pawelak, FM                 Present

Provincial Hospitality Chairman                                                SK David Russell                      (EXCUSED)

Provincial Souvinir Book Chairman                               SK William Currie                      (EXCUSED)

Provincial Souvenir Book Co Chairman                         SK George Bodajlo                      (EXCUSED)

Provincial Training Director                                          SK Robert Godi                          (EXCUSED)

Provincial Church Director                                           SK Kenneth Unterbrink              (EXCUSED)

Provincial Web Master                                                 SK Ken Watterson                     (EXCUSED)

Provincial Special Advisor                                            SK Dave Buick                           (EXCUSED)      

Former Vice Supreme Master                                       SK Baci Carpico, PSD                 (EXCUSED)

Former Vice Supreme Master                                       SK James Fedewa, PSD              (EXCUSED)

Former Vice Supreme Master                                       SK Albert F. Hickey III, PSD       (EXCUSED)

Call to Order:

Vice Supreme Master George L. Mallison, KHS, FM called the 2007 annual Provincial Meeting of the Hennepin Province to order at  9:45  a.m .

·          Prayer lead by George Mallison, VSM

·          Pledge of Allegiance led by SK Charles Gallina

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the 2006 Provincial meeting were distributed to the Masters and published on the Provincial website.  A motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the 2006 minutes.  Motion passed.

FORMER Vice Supreme Master, PSD, Washington D.C.        SK Charles Gallina, Special Guest    

Motion to accept minutes from last meeting by Dave Hoffman,  Seconded by Jim Rich , passed.

Vice Supreme Master’s Report

1.      To Masters

a.       You have a very important job.  Masters should be visiting their Assemblies.

b.       You are an inspector. 

c.       At your District meetings have short break outs with presentations for training. Solve problems at the lowest level.

d.       Don’t send things to the Supreme Master. Problems should be solved at the lowest possible level. Remember that information comes from the top down.

e.       Reports come from the bottom up. Make sure it is accurate.

f.        Memos from above are not open to discussion.  They are instructions, simply follow them.

g.       4^th Degree Bi-laws from 2002 are the current ones.  Directives may make changes to these bi-laws.

h.      There is to be NO conflict with our clergy.  If this occurs advise the VSM.  He will order immediate removal from office for that individual by the State Deputy. Expulsion.

i.        Your main job is to perpetuate the order. This means recruitment and maintaining the existing membership.

j.        No assessments are allowed by any Master.

k.       The new drill manual “draft” is now ready.  It will be coming down soon…………

l.        If something must be sent to the Supreme Master it must be sent to Supreme NOT to his personal home.

m.     Please advise everyone in your next district meeting that George Mallison is our VSM.

n.      If there is a complaint by a Sir Knight he is required to go directly to the person first, follow the chain of command, and include everyone involved with copies of material.

o.       The Supreme Master and the Supreme Knight require that there is only ONE set of rules. We must all follow them uniformly.

p.       Please make sure that your information on the Web-site is accurate.

q.       Reports

                                                              i.      Send in your required audits, and reports on time to the VSM.

                                                            ii.      You should be able to show on one report where all your assemblies stand on their reports.  This can be done easily with an Excel report.

                                                          iii.      To be a Patriot form must be to Master by April 30, to VSM by May 15^th and to Supreme by May 30^th.

r.        The State Deputy is the Executive in your area.  The VSM and YOU do report directly to him.

s.       Membership

                                                              i.      We are one of the largest Provinces and yet we are second to the lowest in the order by percentage of 4^th degree members.

                                                            ii.      Perhaps one of the ways to increase the new membership would be to have more one day exempts to lower the costs of the event.

                                                          iii.      Walter Winkle says his success is in part due to his involvement and visiting all of his assemblies meetings.

                                                           iv.      New assembly development is crucial.  Take a look at the membership to see that the lineup of councils to assemblies makes sense. Around 4-5 councils per assembly is a guide.

t.        Exemplifications:

                                                              i.      Requests for exemplifications go to VSM, not to Supreme.

                                                            ii.      Avoid having exempts which conflict with any State events. Check directly with the State Deputy on scheduling.

                                                          iii.      Exemplifications are to be charged at $70.00.  Any other additional things must be shown separately. Pictures, ladies programs, and lunches, etc. cannot be required.

                                                           iv.      The VSM is now required to evaluate very precisely all of your exemplifications. Ceremonials must be done correctly.  

u.      Resolutions

                                                              i.      They must come from the Assembly and then on to District level.  It then must be presented at the Provincial meeting.  Do not send them directly to Supreme.  They will simply be sent back to you. 

v.       Do not mingle your Master’s funds with your personal funds.  You are all bonded for $10,000.00 through Supreme.

w.      ELECTION

                                                              i.      In March or April of 2008 you MUST have a bi-annual meeting. 

                                                            ii.      An election is to be held at this time.

                                                          iii.      You are NOT to share the vote outcome with the membership or the VSM.  Just forward the three winning candidates names.  If there are only three nominees an election is not necessary.

                                                           iv.       The recommendation will be made by the VSM with input from the State Deputy.  The Supreme Master will make the final appointment.

                                                             v.      Publish 6 weeks in advance to the assemblies that the election will take place.  

                                                           vi.      A good resume is important and should be read at the election meeting.

x.       Flag respect

                                                              i.      Programs which involve going out to schools teaching children respect for the flags are very good.  Consider doing this.

y.       Scholarships are available through the Knights.  Take advantage of it.  Watch for deadlines.

z.       Founder’s Day is March 29^th

                                                              i.      Have each assembly do something to celebrate this important day.

aa.   October 8^th is Columbus Day.

bb.   Special Olympics

                                                              i.      In Michigan it is in Mt Pleasant.

                                                            ii.      In Ohio it is in Cleveland.

                                                          iii.      It would be nice to have a representation of color there.

cc.    Presidential Election is just over a year away. Get out the vote programs would be good.

dd.   4^th degree project “Shrine of the Immaculate Conception” in Washington, D.C. We have been asked to take part in this. Start thinking of activities for raising funds for this worthy project.

ee.   Keep records of things that happen in your District. It should include the names of new members from all exempts.  This should be passed along to the next Master.  It should be like a history of your district.

ff.      Make sure that next year when you install officers that you are to also inspect the Color Corps. This must be done every other year. When doing this inspection look for lack of uniformity in uniforms.  Swords with eagle heads are not allowed. Gold swords are not allowed. No velvet collars on capes. No shawl collars on the capes. Only one emblem on a cape.

gg.    September 26-28, 2008 will be next Provincial meeting.

Michigan State Officers join us at 10:20 a.m.

            Tom Wegener, Michigan State Deputy

 Bob Moody, Michigan State Secretary

 Thomas Marcetti Sr., Michigan State Treasurer

2.      Dave Hoffman, Master Ohio District 2

a.       Dave dropped having candidate swords at his exempts in Ohio.

b.       They tried draping the baldric over the shoulder but he thinks it looks terrible and many were dropped.  

c.       What do other Masters do on the policy of receiving communion for honor guard. (VSM Mallison says: “There will be a VERY CLEAR directive coming out from the Supreme Master very soon.  You must enforce it.”)

3.      Jim Rich, Master Michigan District 3

a.       RSVP awards were sent out to the Assembly with Council numbers and locations. Is this a widespread problem? (No one else has noticed it.)

Ohio State Officers join us at 10:36 a.m.

            Larry Moegling, Present

            Paul Upman, State Secretary

            David Helmstetter, State Treasurer

            Kenneth Girt, State Advocate

            Bob Collins, State Warden

            Gary Eckstein, Immediate Past State Deputy

4.      Walter Winkle, Master Michigan District 1

a.       In the 3^rd degree the Council spending limit by bilaw went from $200 to $500. Is this allowed in the 4^th degree?  (VSM: “This has not been changed for the 4^th degree.”)

b.       Is there an update on the new 4^th degree exemplification? (VSM: “There are some final refinements being made. It will be coming out soon.  Most of the change will not be in the parts but in how candidates are brought in and out. The cap of liberty will be eliminated.”)

5.      Tom Wegener, Michigan State Deputy

a.       Thanks to the Masters for the kindnesses shown to the state officers at their exempts.

6.      Larry Moegling, Ohio State Deputy

a.       Appreciates the helpfulness of his Masters as well.

7.      Chuck Gallina

a.       VAVS report

b.       Handouts

c.        

Closing Prayer Gary Epstein Immediate Past State Deputy of Ohio

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by the Vice Supreme Master at 12:11  A.M.  

Respectfully Submitted,

Dennis L. Henderson, PFN

Provincial Secretary

Hennepin Province

FR. HENNEPIN PROVINCE

Fourth Degree

Knights of Columbus

PERRYSBURG, OHIO

OCTOBER 15, 2005