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Grand Knight - The Grand Knight
is the top ranking officer of the Council. He oversees all of the
Council's activities and is elected by the members of the Council. Some
of his duties include presiding over meetings, countersigning orders and
checks, reading vouchers and notices relative to the Fourth Degree. His
jewel is an Anchor which is suspended from a purple ribbon. The Anchor
is indicative of Admiral Christopher Columbus and has also been a
variant form of the Cross for centuries. The Grand Knight's ceremonial
officer robe is royal purple. He wears a white cincture with silver
fringe and a purple mantle with white roll collar. |
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Chaplain - The Chaplain provides
spiritual guidance and direction to the Council. The Chaplain is
selected by 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. His jewel is the Isabella Cross in silver and blue
suspended from a black ribbon. The Chaplain's Ceremonial Office Robe is
black with black trimming and a yoke with white projecting collar. The
cincture is black with silver fringe. |
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Deputy Grand Knight - The Deputy Grand
Knight is second ranking officer of the Council and is elected
by the members of the Council. He shall preside in the absence or
inability of the Grand Knight. His jewel is the Compass, also known as
the Compass of Virtue, suspended from a purple ribbon, with the four
main points representing Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. The
32 points around the outside of the compass represent the virtues which
a man can possess. The compass is an important tool in navigation. The
Deputy Grand Knight's ceremonial officer robe is royal purple. He wears
a white cincture with silver fringe. |
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Chancellor - The Chancellor is
the third highest ranking officer of the Council and is elected by the
members of the Council. The Chancellor shall assist the Grand Knight and
Deputy Grand Knight in the performance of their duties and shall take
charge during the incapacity or extended absence of both. He shall
exercise a special interest in new members and members who are sick or
in distress. His jewel is the Skull and Crossed Bones on the Isabella
Cross and is suspended from a black over white ribbon. The Crossed Bones
remind us of our immortality. The Chancellor’s ceremonial officer robe
is black robe trimmed with white. He wears a white cincture with silver
fringe and a black mantle with white roll collar. |
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Recorder - The Recorder keeps
the minutes of the meeting and the historical records for the Council.
He is elected by the Council members. In the absence of the Grand
Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, and Chancellor the Recorder will run the
meeting. Also, he is responsible for the correspondence of the Council
as directed by the Grand Knight. The Recorder's jewel is Crossed Quill
Pens suspended from a white over yellow ribbon. The Quill pens are
symbolic of his record keeping functions of the Scribe. The Recorder's
ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with black. He wears a white
cincture with silver fringe. |
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Financial Secretary - The Financial
Secretary handles all of the financial transaction record
keeping. This includes issuing and collecting bills, issuing membership
cards, etc. The Financial Secretary is appointed by the Supreme Knight
and is compensated in a manner approved by the Board of Directors. His
jewel is the Quill Pen (record-keeper) and the Key (money, safe-keeping,
and secrecy) crossed and is suspended from a white over yellow ribbon.
This symbolizes his record keeping functions of the financial matters of
the Council. The Financial Secretary's ceremonial officer robe is black,
trimmed with black. He wears a white cincture with silver fringe. |
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Treasurer - The Treasurer is
responsible for the funds of the Council as is elected by the members of
the Council. His duties include such functions as maintaining bank
accounts and issuing checks based on receipts turned in by the Financial
Secretary. His jewel is Crossed Keys, which represents responsibility
for the safe keeping of the funds, suspended from a blue ribbon. The
Treasurer's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with black. He
wears a white cincture with silver fringe. |
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Lecturer - The Lecturer is
responsible for the entertainment at the Knights of Columbus meetings
and functions. He is selected by the Grand Knight on an annual basis.
His jewel consists of the Scroll over the Lyre suspended from a white
over blue ribbon. The Scroll and Lyre represent Literature and Music.
The Lecturer's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with national
blue. He wears a blue cincture with silver fringe. |
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Advocate - The Advocate is the
Chief Legal Officer for the Council as is elected by the members of the
Council. His jewel consists of a Scroll and Sword suspended from a
yellow ribbon. The Scroll represents the legal literature and law and
the Sword represents his authority to enfore those Laws. The Advocate's
ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with golden yellow. He wears a
yellow cincture with silver fringe. |
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Warden - 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. His jewel consists of Axe bound by Fasces and is suspended from
a red over black ribbon. Guards or protectors of Roman Magistrates
generally carried the Axe and Fasces as a sign of Authority. The
Warden's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with scarlet. He
wears a scarlet cincture with silver fringe. |
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Inside & Outside Guards - The Inside and
Outside Guards each have the same symbol for their jewel. They
are in charge of security at the meetings and are to assist the Warden
as needed. The jewel for the Guards consists of an Crossed Axes and Key,
representing their authority as sentries at the door, is suspended from
a white ribbon. The Guard's ceremonial officer robe is grey with a yoke,
trimmed with black. He wears a black cincture with silver fringe. |
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Trustees - There are three Trustees in each
Council, titled as 1 Year Trustee, 2 Year Trustee, and 3 Year Trustee.
They oversee the financial transactions of the Council, review all bills
and financial reports and audit the Council's financial records
semi-annually. Their jewel is the Crossed Key and Sword, which
represents their financial authority, is suspended from a green ribbon.
The Trustee’s ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with green. He
wears a green cincture with silver fringe. |
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District Deputy - The District Deputy
is the representative of the Supreme Knight and the State Deputy and is
responsible for the supervision, growth and expansion, and general care
and well-being of the councils assigned to his district. His
responsibilities include ensuring that his councils follow the Order’s
laws and rules, promoting effective membership recruitment and retention
programs, identifying and developing new council locations, assisting
councils to conduct relevant service programs, and monitoring the
general financial and social health of the councils in his district. The
District Deputy is directly reportable to the State Deputy for all
activities within the district and fulfills the very important
communication link between the State and Supreme Councils and local
councils.
The duties of the
District Deputy are many and varied. The District
Deputy is responsible for the supervision of the councils in his
district and for the enforcement of the laws and rules of the Order. It
is his duty to see that council officers understand their duties and
responsibilities. He must ensure that all council officers, especially
the Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer, follow the proper
procedures in the collections of funds and ensure the council officers
understand and follow the proper billing procedures of the Notice of
Intent to Suspend retention program. He shall install the officer’s of
each council in his district and present any awards to the council at an
appropriate ceremony or occasion. He should ensure that councils conduct
active year-round membership recruitment programs and that councils have
an active retention committee. He should assess potential new council
development sites and promote the Order’s insurance program. He shall
ensure that each council is offering active community, council, church,
youth and family programs. The District Deputy has the power to declare
an office in a subordinate council vacant in the event the officer fails
or refuses to perform the responsibilities of his office. |
