R e t - Knights of Columbus

1 MembershipRecruitmentandRetentionManual Times may change, but the challenges facing people remain the same. A need forfood, shelter, warm clothing, financial security and aid for widows and orphans these were all challenges that faced the members of Father Michael s parish. To help meet these challenges , Father McGivney broughttogether a group of Catholic men and formed the Knights of our society still faces the same challenges that confronted people in1882. While making great strides to overcome these challenges , Knights ofColumbus councils will never waiver in their commitment of continuing FatherMcGivney s vision of service to people in need in our parishes and of Council Membership Recruitment and Retention to Recruiting Membership Recruitment and Retention Membership Personnel the Recruitment Membership Recruitment a Prospect Committee Frequent Admission (First Degree) Former Recruitment Open A - Star Council B - Certified Council Ceremonial C - Qualifications for D - Standing Council E - Sample as Father McGivney personally asked the men of his parish to assisthim in meeting the needs of his parishioners, so too must members ofyour council ask every eligible Catholic man to join your council and assistwith meeting people s needs.

2 As Supreme Knight Carl Anderson remindedus, "It is our moral obligation to invite every eligible Catholic man to jointhe Knights of Columbus . This Membership Recruitment and Retention Manualwill assist yourcouncil in implementing a membership program that will: increase yourcouncil s manpower to assist parish and community members by providingfor those in need CHARITY; provide the opportunity for eligibleCatholic men to work together and accomplish great deeds that they couldnot accomplish alone UNITY; and provide the opportunity to buildthe bonds of friendship with council members that will last a lifetime manual highlights successful recruitment and retention s important is that your council takes the basic informationcontained in this manual and adapts it to work for your council. Byimplementing successful recruitment and retention strategies, your council continues the vision of our founder and assists people in need while at the same time strengthening the bonds that unite your Council Award Councils that excel in membership recruitment, insurance promotion andcharitable service outreach may be eligible for the Star Council Award,which recognizes the efforts that councils put forth in continuing FatherMcGivney s mission.

3 In order for your council to earn the Star CouncilAward, it must:rEarn the Father McGivney Award for excellence in councilmembership frequent church drives. Visit foradditional information on how to conduct a church monthly Admission (First Degree) prospective members to volunteer in one of yourcouncil s service programs. After the program, invite theprospective member to join your council. The information contained in this manual offers solid ideas on how to earnthe Father McGivney the Founders Award for excellence in the promotion of ourinsurance and fraternal Fraternal Benefits that completed Membership Documents(#100) arepromptly delivered to your council s insurance your council s insurance agent to speak at information contained in this manual offers solid ideas on how to earnthe Founders the Columbian Award for well-rounded council council should conduct at least four major programs in each of the Surge.

4 With Service categories of Church,Community, Council, Culture of Life, Family and Youth. As an alternative, you may complete one Featured Program in each category to fulfill the Columbian Award Application(#SP-7) andsubmit by June see the Surge .. with Service(#962) manual for ideas on how to earnthe Columbian the Service Program Personnel Report(#365) by Aug. the Member Management Application in the secure Officers Onlinesection of the Knights of Columbus website is the easiest way to submitthis the Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity(#1728) due by Jan. survey accounts for your council s charitable giving of money andvolunteer time. Complete the form electronically by visiting current with assessments from the Supreme excelling in membership growth, your council can be recognized withmultiple stars on the Star Council Award. Earn the Star Council Award and attain 200 percent, 300 percent, 400 percent, etc. of your council smembership to earn multiple additional information on how your council can earn the Star CouncilAward, see Appendix A or visit Membership Recruitment andRetention StrategyBegin implementing the membership recruitment strategy immediatelyafter your election of officers.

5 Your council s newly elected grand knighthas the very important duty of appointing both the membership andprogram directors. The new membership director should work with the grand knight toappoint the retention committee chairman and the Knights that will serveon the Admission Committee. (See Appendix D for Standing CouncilCommittees). Once the directors and committee chairs are appointed, complete andsubmit the Service Program Personnel Report(#365) through MemberManagement no later than Aug. 1. The report can also be found on theKnights of Columbus website at and in the Council ReportForms Booklet(#1436). Submitting this report allows the appointeddirectors and chairmen to begin receiving important information4published by the Supreme Council headquarters and your state Member Management Application is also used to report changes tocommittee chairmen during the year or by submitting a new ServiceProgram Personnel Report (#365) with only the changed to Recruiting Success Share with members of your council the 10 Keys to MembershipRecruiting Success (#10233) and keep these tips in mind when recruiting a potential member: rTalk about your positive experiences as a member and share yourenthusiasm for your a sense of enthusiasm, excitement and pride whentalking about the great things your council accomplishes andthe people your council a good impression with the right attitude and body language.

6 LMaintain a positive attitude, smile often, avoid being negative,and always look the prospective member in the eye whentalking with to the prospective member and his wife about the waysmembership can benefit his how participation in your council's charitableendeavors can help a man grow in his faith. Point out thatmany of your council's activities and programs, including theinsurance program and other benefits, are open to themember's entire immediate unity when conducting a charitable service members, their families and other volunteers wearKnights of Columbus -branded apparel while conducting acharitable project, it identifies your council to the communityand entices prospective members to inquire about joining men to join your , friends, co-workers and fellow parishioners represent5recruitment opportunities ask if they would like to joinyour recruiting in a different a prospective member "Would you be interested inlearning more about membership in our local Knights ofColumbus council?

7 "rWhat to say when the answer is "I don't have time."lBe prepared with a simple answer. Tell them the amount oftime they put in is completely up to them, and remind them ofyour council's family-oriented activities. rPromote your council's your council's involvement in the spiritual life ofyour young young men to join your council. Use targeted advertising,especially social media, to reach younger prospective with all prospective members in a timely is essential that follow-up communication, by personalcontact, occurs within a few days at the Membership Recruitment andRetention Strategy Once your council s directors and chairmen are appointed, the grandknight should call an organizational meeting. Invite your financialsecretary; council chaplain; program and membership directors, with theirrespective committee chairmen; and other council officers to the the meeting immediately after the appointment of the committeechairmen and before Aug.

8 1. Set the groundwork for the entire fraternalyear, planning your membership and insurance goals, budget, and calendarfor social and service program events. The membership portion of the organizational meeting should focus onthe following:6rReviewing the membershiprecruitment activities that wereconducted in the past the reasons for thesuccess or failure of on successfulrecruitment strategies to repeat inthe current fraternal year and newstrategies to a budget for each tentative dates for eachactivity, keeping in mind theparish the list of agreed uponactivities to present to the councilfor the public relations chairman of activity dates to ensurethat the council s initiatives and events are communicated to theparish and community in a timely Supplies The Supreme Council headquarters has many materials available to help your council promote and conduct its membership recruitment and retention activities. Council suppliescan be ordered through ,the Order's website for all Knights ofColumbus-related gift and clothing needs.

9 Here are some tips to ensure thatyour order is processed and shipped intime for your membership activities:rAll council supplies must beordered by your council s grand7It is important to keep inmind the requirements forearning the Star CouncilAward. Your council needs to earn the Father McGivneyAward for membershiprecruitment and theFounders Award forinsurance promotion to be eligible to earn the StarCouncil Award. Additionalinformation on earning the Star Council Award isprovided in Appendix A, or by visiting the Knights ofColumbus Fraternal TrainingPortal or Supreme Councilheadquarters has manycertificates available forpresentation to members in recognition of theiraccomplishments oroutstanding service. for acomplete list of or financial secretary. To order council supplies and have theorder charged against the council s account, each grand knight orfinancial secretary must first log in to Officers Online. Once loggedin, officers may access the link to ordering council supplies through , there isno longer a need to complete a Requisition Form (#1).

10 ROrder materials at least four weeks in advance of your activity that are needed sooner will be shipped in an expeditedmanner, however, extra shipping charges will be applied to the Membership Personnel MotivatedThe membership director and each committee chairman are responsiblefor keeping the membership personnel motivated. It is natural toappreciate recognition for a job well-done. Here are some suggestions tokeep morale high:rBe sure that each Knight gets full credit and recognition for hiswork. An occasional personal written note may mean a great deal to the use of current membership campaign awards and to the suggestions of your council members and acknowledgegood advice. Tell your brother Knight that you appreciate hisinterest and will consider his prepared to listen when a member has a question or him, but get him to do most of the thinking. This indicatesrespect for his judgment, giving him confidence and a feeling responsibility for your mistakes.