Current Year Roster: 2012 – 2013  

Council Officers  

    2012 – 2013 Officers 

 Officers Duties and Responsibilities

The Grand Knight is responsible for the overall welfare of the council.   The grand knight must provide thoughtful and inspired leadership to the 14 other council officers, the Service Directors, chairmen and members of the council.   More specifically, his duties include: presiding over council meetings, appointing membership and program directors, acts as an ex officio member on all committees, including membership of recruitment and retention committees while making sure all required reports are submitted on time.   The grand knight represents the council at Chapter meetings and the annual state convention.

 The Deputy Grand Knight is second in command in the council.   He assists the grand knight in the operation of the council affairs and is responsible for any duties assigned to him by the grand knight.   He is also the council’s program director advising the various service program directors.

 The Chaplain is the spiritual advisor of the Council; the Chaplain leads the group in prayer and thoughtful reflection.   He also serves as an advisor to members as they develop and implement activities.   The Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, and the three Trustees on an annual basis in accordance with the rules of the Bishop of the diocese select the Chaplain.

The Chancellor assists the grand knight and deputy grand knight in the execution of their duties and takes charge of the council in the absence of the grand knight and deputy grand knight.   He chairs the membership activities of the council to attract new members; getting them through the three degrees and making new members feel welcome in our council.

The Recorder is responsible for keeping a true record of all the actions of the council and maintains all correspondence of the council.   He should use the “Recorder’s Minute Book” to record the minutes of all council meetings.

 The Financial Secretary’s duties revolve around two areas: financial records and membership records.   He receives all moneys that come into the council from any source.   He then turns that money over to the council treasurer for deposit in the council account.   One of the main functions of this office is to collect money in the form of dues. He is the one who send outs dues notices.   He must insure that new members sign constitutional roll of membership at the first degree.

The financial secretary’s important role is underscored by the fact that he is not elected by the membership, but his appointment upon the recommendation of the grand knight and trustees, is approved by the Supreme Knight for a period of three years.   His work has a direct effect on council members, his fellow officers, the state council and the Supreme Council.

The Treasurer is the elected official in charge of handling all council funds.   He receives money from the financial secretary and issues a receipt for such.   He is also responsible for depositing all money in the proper council accounts and providing a voucher or certificate of deposit to the grand knight for each transaction.

 The treasurer is also responsible for issuing payments to the Supreme Council on all assessments made by it to the council and for all orders of the council. Finally, the treasurer is responsible for keeping accurate accounts of the monies in the general expense fund of the council and the amount of money in any special funds established by the council.   He must be able to provide up to-date records on these accounts to the grand knight, financial secretary or board of trustees.

 The Warden assures that all members at meetings possess the current membership card and is elected by the members of the council.  He is custodian of all Council property except funds and is in charge of properly setting up the Council Chamber.   He directs the activities of the Inside and Outside Guards.

The advocate is the parliamentarian for the council.   He need not be a member of the legal profession; however, he should be thoroughly familiar with all of the laws of the Order as stated in the Charter, Constitution and Laws’’ and with the council by-laws.   When a by-law is to be revised, the advocate serves as chairman of the revision committee.

The advocate should also have a working knowledge of “Robert’s Rules of Order” and the Supreme Council flyer, “Methods of Conducting a Council Meeting”.   An understanding of both of these will help keep meetings on track. When needed, the advocate shall seek legal assistance from the State Advocate.   If there is a need for a Trial of a Council Member, the advocate shall prosecute the charges on behalf of the Council.

The Lecturer is appointed by the grand knight to provide suitable educational and entertaining programs under the Good of the Order section of the council meeting.   The Good of the Order may include such items as speakers, presentations on special topics, etc.   The lecturer is responsible for presenting the “Good of the Order” section at council meetings.   The lecturer must be knowledgeable of all aspects of council programming in order to provide members with informative and entertaining programs.   If the meetings have been conducted in accordance with the ceremonials and the agenda, there will be ample time at each meeting for the lecturer to present a worthwhile program that will help build meeting attendance and provide benefits to the membership that is present.

The Inside Guard attends the inner door of the council chamber, checking on paid up membership cards before allowing entrance.   The Inside Guard is charged with the security of the Council Chamber and assists the Warden in meeting the duties of his Office. The Outside Guard tends the outer door of the council building, admitting all visitors to the inner door.   Both Guards are charged with the security of the Council Chamber and assisting the Warden in meeting the duties of his Office.

The Board of Trustees consists of three members elected by the council.   They and the grand knight, who serves as chairman, comprise the board of trustees.   They oversee the work of the financial secretary and treasurer.  The board of trustees and the deputy grand knight serve on the council’s retention committee.  

During council elections, a Trustee is elected for a term of three years.   Only the three-year trustee is voted on, with the others moving on to become two-year and one-year trustees respectively.