Category: Archive

TO:           District 53 Grand Knights, Deputy Grand Knights, Financial Secretaries, Recorders

FROM:     Bill Swing, DD #53

                763-479-1168

                 [email protected]

RE:           District Deputy Report – May 2018

District Activities

• The Holy Family Prayer Program and Icon

1. Final schedule:

I will be contacting Grand Knights periodically to ensure the smooth transfer of the Icon. If not the Grand Knight, provide me the name and contact information of the person I should contact.

Information on the Holy Family Prayer Program can be found at https://mnknights.org/prog ram/holy-family-prayer-program/

• District 1^st Degrees

If you have candidate(s) for either of these degree ceremonies, please contact me ASAP.

• Upcoming District Deputy Visits

• Long Lake Council Meeting, May 3^rd, 7:00PM
• Medina Council Meeting & Awards Program, May 10^th 7:00PM
• Loretto Council Meeting, May 15^th, 7:00PM 
• Let me know of any changes to these date/times.

• District 53 Installation of 2018-2019 Officers

The District’s Installation of Officers will be hosted by the Good Shepherd Council on June 21^st.   A Mass, presided by Father Marquard, will start at 6 pm followed by the installation ceremony. The Good Shepherd Council will be providing a cantor, organist, stand-in District Warden (Mark Foresman), and a luncheon catered by QFanatic BBQ. Each council will be assessed $300 to cover expenses.  All knights and their spouses are welcome and encouraged to attend.

• Summer District Meeting

I have tentatively scheduled Thursday July 12^th 7PM for our summer district meeting. I would like to see all councils represented with a minimum of two officers from each council. Realize that the State Council encourages us to have quarterly district meetings. With only two meetings during the year, let’s try to make this meeting productive.

If you see a conflict with this date/time, let me know and I will reschedule.

• Star Tracker (published 4/15/2018)

Council Reminders

• State Convention (May 18-20, Rochester MN)  

1. 1. Reminder – per the agenda (handed out at December’s District Meeting), training sessions will be held Friday afternoon starting at 1pm. There will be a special session for Financial Secretaries on FS duties and a general session for all others on a variety of topics including Building the Domestic Church Initiative, recruiting techniques, questions and answers.
   2. By now your delegates should be registered for the convention. If not, late registration as well as other updates can be found at https://mnknights.org/event/minnesota-knights-columbus-state-convention/

• Application for Columbian Award

1. Be sure to have your SP-7 Columbian Award application completed by June 30^th. Unfortunately, it appears that no council in our district will be making Star Council this year as all councils are falling short of their membership and insurance quotas. However, I believe most councils can achieve the Columbian award if they simply complete and submit their application. The #SP-7 application is can be found at www.kofc.org/forms

Reminder – councils must have a youth director to qualify for Columbian or Star Council awards and both the grand knight and the youth director must have completed the Safe Environment training.  (It is acceptable that the Grand Knight be assigned as the youth director.)

1. Election of 2018-2019 Officers and Report of Officers Chosen for the Term (#185)
2. Note: Starting with the 2018-2019 fraternal year, the roles of Chaplain and Lecturer have been moved from Form #365 (Service Program Personnel) to Form #185.
3. Be sure to email the completed report to me [email protected] and State Deputy Bob Penas [email protected].
4. The election of officers for 2018-2019 must take place between May 1 and June 15. Immediately following, the Financial Secretary should file the “Report of Officers Chosen for the Term” using the “Council Officers – Next Fraternal Year” routine which is located within the “Membership Management” section of Supreme’s web site. He can then use the “Print Center–MM” to download/print it. If you wish, he can also complete and download/print the form located at www.kofc.org/forms.

State / Regional Activities and Announcements

• Metro Area Major Degree   

1. However – you can take advantage of the 1^st degrees being held on May 15 and June 12 (see item #2 under District Activities above).
2. The nearest one is: Saturday, June 2nd, St Bridget’s in Lindstrom, 1^st degree 8:30 AM; 2^nd degree 10:00 AM followed by 3^rd degree, Host District Deputy: Bill Maassen 715-483-9758
3. No major degrees have been scheduled for the metro area during the months of May and June. (It would be good if our district were to host a major degree next fall.)

• Recruitment 

1.      Consider using the Bishop Hebda’s Letter of Invitation https://mnknights.org/the-bishop-wants you/ with the Father Wants You Campaign https://mnknights.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/2017-18-Father-Wants-You-Campaign.pdf.   Feel free to modify.

• Online Membership Update   

1. Please continue to promote online membership, as it will help your council grow.  Here are some ways to do that.
2. From State Deputy Bob Penas – Online membership is going well in Minnesota.  Since February, we’ve had more than 20 gentlemen join this way.  It is good news for councils, since many of these gentlemen indicated they would like to join a council.  They all meet with a field agent whether they indicate they would like to join a council at this time or not. 

• Understand On-line Membership. Go to https://mnknights.org/faq-online-membership/

• Include Online Membership in bulletin announcements.

• Post www.kofc.org/joinus on your council’s social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.)

Incorporate online membership in your recruitment drives.

TO:           District 53 Grand Knights, Deputy Grand Knights, Financial Secretaries, Recorders

FROM:     Bill Swing, DD #53

                763-479-1168

                 [email protected]

RE:           District Deputy Report Supplement – April 2018

• Modified April District Deputy Visits

• Long Lake Council Meeting, April 5^th   7:00PM (meeting was cancelled)
• Wayzata Council Meeting, April 9^th 7:30PM (added)
• Golden Valley Council Meeting, April 10^th 7:00PM
• Loretto, April 17, 7:00PM (added)

• Tootsie Rolls 

1. Tootsie Roll Weekend Schedule
2. I’ve received the full order of the District’s tootsie rolls (22 boxes). I’ll be delivering council orders at April council meetings with the exception of Long Lake and Medina, which I’ll contact separately.

Side note – I’ll also be returning Wayzata’s 1^st degree compass on Monday.  The Medina Council extends its appreciation for its use during their 1^st degree ceremony.

• The Holy Family Prayer Program and Icon

The schedule below has been changed to accommodate feedback received from the Wayzata Council (Delaney) and from State Director of Church Activities, Orville Fillbrandt.

If these dates do not work for your council, please let me know ASAP.   I’d prefer knowing of any proposed changes before April council meetings.

TO:           District 53 Grand Knights, Deputy Grand Knights, Financial Secretaries, Recorders

FROM:     Bill Swing, DD #53

                763-479-1168

                 [email protected]

RE:           District Deputy Report – April 2018

District Activities

• Tootsie Roll Orders 

1. I was taken back a bit when Chairman Ray emailed saying delivery of our order could not be guaranteed for any weekend other than the official Tootsie Roll weekend of April 28-29.   However – he has agreed to give me needed boxes from his stash in Andover.   I’ll make sure you get your tootsie rolls prior to your scheduled weekend:

Let me know of any corrections to this schedule.

• The Holy Family Prayer Program and Icon

1. As reported previously, the Holy Family Icon will be in our district during the months of May and June. Here’s a draft schedule (in Council number order):

Let me know if your dates need to be changed for some reason.

Information on the Holy Family Prayer Program can be found at https://mnknights.org/prog ram/holy-family-prayer-program/

• District 1^st Degrees

I’ll be sending a confirmation (or cancellation) notice two weeks before scheduled dates.

• Field Agent

As reported previously, John Eagan is our new Field Agent. Hooray! He’s making his rounds, i.e. having already attended Wayzata, Medina, and Loretto council meetings.  He plans to attend Long Lake’s meeting on April 5^th.  Again – if you have any insurance needs, be sure to contact John.   Also, please send him the contact information on your new members.

Email: [email protected]
Cell: 763-234-1477
Address: 8920 100th ave N, Maple Grove, MN  55311

• Upcoming District Deputy Visits

• Long Lake Council Meeting, April 5^th   7:00PM
• Golden Valley Council Meeting, April 10^th 7:00PM
• Please let me know if the day or time of your council meeting changes.

• Installation of Officers for District 53 Council Reminders

2. The Good Shepherd Council will host the Mass, installation ceremony and dinner for the Installation of Officers for the 2018-2019 Fraternal Year on Thursday June 21st at the Good Shepherd Church in Golden Valley.   Exact start time is to be determined.

• Applications for State Awards 

1. 1. You still have a couple days to get your application(s) in for State awards. Submissions must be post marked by April 1^st.   Forms can be found at https://mnknights.org/forms-in-due-date-order/

• Application for Columbian and Star Council Awards

1. Also review activities needed for the SP-7 Columbian Award application (or Star Council if membership and insurance quotas are met) due June 30^th. At least four programs are required in each of the Service Program categories (Church, Community, Council, Family, Culture of Life and Youth) with four of these programs being designated as Domestic Church activities. A full listing of Domestic Church activities can be found at www.kofc.org/DomesticChurch . The #SP-7 application is available at www.kofc.org/forms

Important note:  Per State Programs Director, Joe George, councils must have a youth director to qualify for these awards.  Both the grand knight and the youth director must then have completed the Safe Environment training.  It is acceptable, however, that the Grand Knight be assigned as the youth director.

• State Convention (May 18-20, Rochester MN)

• • Appoint two convention delegates and have your FS complete and email the “Delegate Credentials” form to [email protected].
  • Have delegates register by going to https://mnknights.org/event/minnesota-knights-columbus-state-convention/. The registration deadline is May 1^st,

• Have delegates register for their hotel room – options are listed at this same url. The deadline to register for a “K of C State Convention room” is April 17^th.

• 2018-2019 Slate of Officer Candidates 

1. 1. The slate of officer candidates for the upcoming 2018-2019 fraternal year should be proposed during your April council meeting. Voting should then take place during your May meeting.

• Per Capita Assessment 

2. The January assessment from Supreme is due April 10.

State and Regional Activities

• Metro Area Major Degree

1. Thursday, April 26, St Gerald’s, Brooklyn Park, 1^st degree 6:00 PM; 2^nd degree 7:00 PM followed by 3^rd degree, Host District Deputy: Patrick Farrelly, 763-218-3816

• Our Lady of Guadalupe Silver Rose Program (in response to question raised during Loretto’s Council Meeting)

In commemoration of our Lady of Guadalupe, one of eight silver roses being carried across North America will be in Minnesota between April 8^th and April 29^th.   If your council is interested in participating in this program, i.e. receiving the silver rose and conducting a marian prayer service, please contact me or State Silver Rose Chair, Larry Mader,at 320-286-5620 or [email protected]. At this time, these two-day slots are available:  April 15 and 16, April 18th and 19^th, April 23 and 24.  Please respond ASAP if interested.   More information on this program can be found at http://www.runningoftherose.org/en/ and https://mnknights.org/program/silver-rose-program/

• World Day of Prayer for Vocations Sunday April 22nd

Consider conducting a vocations awareness event in your parish on Sunday, April 22, 2018 in honor of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. If not this, simply consider reciting the prayer for vocations during your council meeting if you’re not already doing so.  For more information (including a link to the Prayer for Vocations) go to www.kofc.org/vocations

• Founders Day Mass with Archbishop Hebda 

1. 1. A Founders Day Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Hebda on Saturday, April 7^th 4:30 pm at St. Bridget’s Parish Community at the St. Austin Church campus, 4050 Upton Avenue North. The Knights’ Choir will be featured.   Membership pins / regalia will be blessed by the Archbishop. A spaghetti dinner will follow.  Please RSVP (for the dinner) by April 4 at 612-529-7779, or [email protected].

• Recommended Film: Paul, Apostle of Christ Star Tracker (published 3/15/2018)

2. Paul, Apostle of Christ, was just released on March 23. You are encouraged to see this movie which should be showing up in local theatres. The film, dedicated to the persecuted Christians of today, is an opportunity to spread awareness of their plight among your friends, family and community.

TO: District 53 Grand Knights, Deputy Grand Knights, Financial Secretaries, Recorders

FROM: Bill Swing, DD #53

763-479-1168

[email protected]

RE: District Deputy Report – March 2018

1. Tootsie Roll Orders

The following orders have been placed and confirmed by State Chairman, Ray Wojtysiak:

Council 3758 Wayzata 13 boxes

Council 9601 Loretto 2 boxes

Council 12293 Long Lake 1 box

Council 13096 Medina 4 boxes

Council 13506 Golden Valley 2 boxes

Chairman Ray has informed me that our orders will be combined with District 52’s (St Alphonsus). He will be giving me the delivery date and pickup information in April. I’ll then be coordinating deliveries with each council.

2. Field Agent

A field agent has yet to be assigned to the Wayzata, Medina, Long Lake and Loretto councils. If you know someone who is a leader with self-discipline who wants to do well for others while doing well for themselves, Lloyd Cybart, General Agent, would like that person to contact him at 952-686-7720 or [email protected]. The Field Agent position is full time, comes with training/support and has benefits.

3. St Patrick Day Dinner at St George Community Center in Long Lake

The Long Lake Council extends a warm welcome to all Knights – and their families and friends – to their Council’s St Patrick Day Dinner on Saturday March 17th 5PM to be held in the St George Community Center. Enjoy a wonderful beef and cabbage dinner provided by caterer Von Hanson’s and enjoy the music of Welcome Drive!

Advanced tickets: Adults $12.50; Children (ages 6-13) $8.00

At the door: Adults $15.00; Children (ages 6-13) $10.00

Call the St George Parish Office at 952-473-1247 to purchase tickets or for more information.

4. Asian Seafood Buffet at Holy Name of Jesus

The Good Samaritan Council will be hosting their famous Asian Seafood Buffet on Friday March 23rd at 5pm in the Good Samaritan Center at Holy Name. Stations of the Cross will follow at 6:30 PM. All Knights, their families and friends are welcome!

Note: If any council wishes to promote their event by having it included in my report, please email me event specifics before the 25th of the month. You are encouraged to disseminate these events to your membership.

5. District Free Throw Competition

Thanks to the Good Shepherd Council for hosting the District Competition on February 11th. All nine competing contestants qualified for the Regional Free Throw competition that was held at St Vincent De Paul on February 24th.

The State Free Throw Competition will be held on Saturday April 7th at Cathedral High School in St Cloud with registration starting at 8:15am.

6. District 1st Degree Schedule

November, 2017

TO: District 53 Grand Knights, Deputy Grand Knights, and Financial Secretaries

FROM: Bill Swing, DD #53   763-479-1168   [email protected]

RE: District Deputy Report – November 2017

1. Candidates Complete their Major Degrees
Congratulations to our four new brothers who completed all three degrees at the ceremonies on Thursday, October 26 at St Joseph the Worker in Maple Grove. Congratulations also to the Wayzata and Medina Councils who sponsored three and one of these candidates respectively.

2. Field Agent
Due to reorganization, General Agent Lloyd Cybart will no longer be serving our district. Instead, General Agent Ben Schleicher of the Schleicher Agency out of Windom will be serving as field agent for the Loretto, Long Lake, Medina, and Wayzata councils until a new field agent has been assigned – which is anticipated before year end. (Field Agent Bill Murphy has been assigned to Golden Valley for some months now.)

The preferred means of contacting Ben Schleicher is through his Administrative Assistant:
Jenafer Schleicher
Agency Administrative Assistant
P.O. Box 332
Windom, MN 56101
1-507-822-7173
[email protected]

3. October Recruitment Drive
Be sure to fill out the short survey that State Deputy Penas has sent to the Grand Knights. The link to the survey is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/53853VS Even if your council was not able to do much recruiting during October, please complete the survey.

4. Special Olympics Bowling Tournament, Nov 10 -12
There’s still time to volunteers for the Special Olympics Bowling Tournament, Nov 10 -12.
Register by going to www.somn.org/KofC then selecting “Get Involved”  “Event Volunteers”  “State Bowling Tournament”  “Register…as a KoC member”.

5. Memorial Mass, November 14
It appears that all five councils will be represented at the Memorial Mass at St Anne’s on November 14th at 7PM. The 4th Degree Honor Guard will also be present. Each Grand Knight or representative may be called upon to read the names of their deceased brother(s) during the service – details to be confirmed following a meeting with Fr. Beldon. Everyone is welcome. RSVPs are not required.

We’ve lost nine brothers during this past year out of our District’s 495 members. They are Timothy Reilly (Golden Valley), James Bellingham (Loretto), Gerald Schmitz and Ronald Nelson (Long Lake), John Muchlinski, Orrel Thompson, Warren Christian, George Faue, and Donald Dykhoff (Wayzata). Let us take advantage of this special time to remember them.

6. Mid Year District Meeting, December 7
Confirming – the mid-year District Meeting will be held in the Emmaus Room at Holy Name of Jesus on December 7th 7-9 PM. If you are not able to attend, please send a representative. (This date was the best I could do. My apologies to the Long Council for having this date conflict with their December council meeting.)

Please send me your agenda items – anything that you’d like to discuss. I’m also open to suggestions for a speaker. The speaker would need to keep it short however, i.e. 20 minutes max.

7. Free Throw Competition
The Golden Valley, Wayzata and Medina councils will be participating in the Free Throw Competition this year. Details:
• St. Bart’s will host the local competition for the Wayzata and Medina councils on Sunday Jan 21 with a 1:15 registration and a 1:30 start time.
• Golden Valley Council will host the district competition at Good Shepherd on Sunday February 11th (Thank you Golden Valley!) with timing to be determined. The Wayzata and Medina Councils will be taking the lead on planning and conducting the district competition.
• Regional competition is February 25th at St Vincent de Paul in Brooklyn Park, registration starting at 8:00am.
• State competition is April 7th at Cathedral High School in St Cloud, registration starting at 8:15am.

8. Upcoming Major Degrees

9. Star Tracker (published 10/15/2017)

10. Upcoming District Deputy Council Visits
Father George Council #3758 Wayzata Monday November 13, 7:30PM
Good Samaritan Council #13096 Medina Tuesday November 14, 7PM

October, 2017

TO:                  District 53 Grand Knights, Deputy Grand Knights, & Financial Secretaries

FROM:            Bill Swing, DD #53                        763-479-1168                  [email protected]

RE:                  District Deputy Report – October 2017

Upcoming Major Degrees

October Recruitment Drive
October is Recruitment Drive month. Information on how to conduct a successful Church             Recruitment Drive is available at kofc.org/drive. 

Men’s Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, October 14

A few of you have indicated interest in visiting Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in La Crosse.  Here’s your opportunity:

Join Bishop Cozzens and other men from the Archdiocese for a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in La Crosse on Saturday, October 14.   The bus will be leaving the chancery at 8 am and return by 8 pm. The cost is only $20 per person which includes lunch, program, and transportation. Register at https://goo.gl/forms/2GlanxChaPhuNBRu2.

Special Olympic Bowling Tournament, Nov 10 -12

  Volunteers are needed.   Register by going to www.somn.org/KofC then selecting “Get Involved” –>      “Event Volunteers”  –> “State Bowling Tournament” ==> “Volunteer …as a KoC member”.           

Memorial Mass, November 14

The Wayzata Council will be hosting a 7PM memorial mass at St Anne’s on Tuesday, November 14th. Members of your council are encouraged to attend.  Let me know if you plan on attending along with the name(s) of recently deceased members.    

Mid Year District Meeting, December 7

Mark your calendars for the mid-year District Meeting which will be held in the Emmaus Room at Holy Name of Jesus on December 7th 7-9 PM.  

Free Throw Competition, January – February

With help from the Wayzata Council, the District Free Throw Competition will be held early February at St Bart’s this year.  (Holy Name’s gym was not available.)   The exact date is pending availability of St Bart’s gym which Chris Richie is looking into.  Consider adding this fun activity to your schedule.  

Local competitions should be completed before the end of January.

District competition should be completed before mid February.

The regional competition is February 25th at St Vincent de Paul, 9100 93 Ave N Brooklyn Park.

State competition is April 7th at the Cathedral High School in St Cloud.

Star Tracker (published 9/15/2017)

Please verify these figures (they reflect changes since 7/1/2017) as I believe there may be some errors.  Contact me with corrections.     Let me know if you’d like help increasing the numbers.

Upcoming District Deputy Council Visits