2016 Knights of Columbus State Convention

Subject: 2016 Knights of Columbus State Convention

Dear Brother Knights and Friends of the Knights of Columbus,

It’s that time of the year again and the Knights of Columbus annual Arizona State Convention is just around the corner. The convention is scheduled for May 20-22, 2016. It will be held at Casino Del Sol Resort, located in Tucson, Arizona. You will find all the new updates and information listed below. The convention website is completely redesigned and easy to use. New for 2016 is that all registration and payment can be done online. No forms need to be filled out or sent in.

Registration:For registration, visit the convention website at www.azkofcstateconvention.org and select “Register Now”. You can also purchase your Advance Event Tickets and 2016 Convention Polo Shirts. Those who require disability assistance or who have any dietary restrictions, please note them in the Additional Information section on the checkout page. Credit card payments can only be made directly online. For Check payment, simply register on line and select the Check option. An email will be sent to confirm your registration. Simply print the confirmation and mail it along with your payment to the address listed on the email. The Registration form can still be downloaded and printed out and filled in manually if preferred. Then, mailed to the address listed on the form along with your payment.

Registration information and payment must be received no later than May 3, 2015.  Additional $10 will be assessed for Registration received after May 3, 2015.

Hotel:Hotel accommodations must be made by the individual directly. Reservations can be made from the convention website: www.azkofcstateconvention.org. Instructions are given from the Hotel Information page. We have negotiated a Standard room rate of $109 per night plus tax. Refer to the Hotel Information page for additional room upgrade options. Rooms may also be booked from the hotel website: www.casinodelsolresort.com. Use offer code Knights to receive your discounted rate. Special Access rooms are available upon request.

Hospitality Suites:
There are a limited number of suites available for hospitality rooms. You will not be allowed to book a hospitality suite directly through the hotel. Please contact the Convention Chairman, Ken Gallagher at telephone (520) 661-1262 or email at registration@azkofcstateconvention.org for assistance in reserving one.

Convention Advertising:
Advertising in the Arizona State Convention Program Book is still available. Please visit the convention website at www.azkofcstateconvention.org and select “Buy Advertising”. Advertising can also be purchased directly online. Simply purchase desired ad space on line and use Checkout. Credit card payments can only be made online. For Check payment, simply purchase desired ad space and select the Check option. An email will be sent to confirm your purchase. Simply print the confirmation and mail it along with your payment to the address listed on the email. Email your ad to advertising@azkofcstateconvetion.org. The preferred format for submission of advertising is a high resolution PDF file. But will accept other forms as well (JPG, AI, or EPS files). All advertising must be submitted no later than April 22, 2016.

If you have any questions regarding the convention registration or website, please contact either:
Ken Gallagher    Convention Chairman        (520) 661-1262
Mark Waltz        Registration Chairman       (520) 207-4035

Or send an e-mail to:info@azkofcstateconvention.org
registration@azkofcstateconvention.org

I hope you will be as excited for the upcoming convention as we are. Thank you for your participation and we look forward to seeing you in Tucson in May.

Vivat Jesus!

Larry Becker
State Deputy
Arizona State Council
Knights of Columbus
PO Box 1944
Gilbert AZ 85299
Cell: 480.760.5122
Email: azlarry@cox.net

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Knights in Action

 

The Color Guard from Fr. Henry Miller, Assembly 2308, in Tucson presented colors for St. Augustine High School's Homecoming and athlete recognition earlier this month.

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Triple Star award

Immaculate Heart of Mary council 15497 receiving their charter and Triple Star Council award from State Deputy Larry Becker on Sunday January 24, 2016. 

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March for Life

March for Life in Phoenix!!!

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Free Throw Championship 2016

Knights of Columbus

Council, District and State Free Throw Championship 2016

Brother Knights,

The Free Throw Championship season is just around the corner.  We are looking forward to a great event with the anticipation of all Arizona Councils participating this year.  If you have not received or ordered your kit from Supreme, do so right away.  Schedule your Council event for the month of January. 

Grand Knights: Within a week after the Council event, forward/scan all the entry forms/score sheets to your District Deputy.  He will need this information for the District level Free Throw Championship. 

District Deputies: After you determine if there will be a District event, and once it is completed, forward/scan the entry forms/score sheets to the State at azknights@q.com.  If there is no District Championship, it’s still your responsibility to forward/scan all of your Councils’ entry forms/score sheets to the State.  Please make sure the Council # and the District # are on each form and send in all the forms, both winners and non-winners.

District Deputies please make sure that this information makes it to each of your Council’s Grand Knights and Youth Directors.

This year’s State Championship will be at

Notre Dame Prep High School

9701 E Bell Rd. Scottsdale AZ. 85260

On March 5^th 2016

Sign-in is between 9:00 to 10:00 AM

Start time 10:15

Award Ceremony will be immediately after the event.

Lunch will be offered by St. Joseph’s Youth Camp

Thank you for your assistance and if you have any questions contact

Joe Danko

District Deputy 15                                                     

State Free Throw Co Chair     

joedanko@cox.net                                     

602 710-0418

OR

Howard Birnbaum

State Free Throw Co Chair

buckbirn@aol.com

602 809-5442

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Tucson Veterans Administration Hospital

Tucson Veterans Administration Hospital

Patriotism is alive and well at the San Manual School System in part due to the efforts and leadership of Deb Mansager, a teacher in the system and wife of Drew Mansager, Southern Arizona District Marshal.  Deb organized a campaign in the system to collect comfort items and toiletries for the patients at the Tucson VA hospital and also for homeless veterans.  The students also hand wrote over 100 Christmas cards for the patients. I helped Drew deliver 11 boxes of donations to the hospital before Christmas.  It was a very pleasant task.  On behalf of the Knights of Columbus "Serving Those Who Served" program, the patients and homeless veterans, Thank You, Deb for instilling a sense of patriotism in our youth and for helping our veterans.  Thank you to the students in San Manuel for your dedication and support of our veterans.

Sincerely,

James Maino, FDM

Tucson VA Hospital, Knights of Columbus Representative

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New Year's Membership Resolutions

Brother Knights,

Happy new year!  As the new year begins, and as the second half of our Fraternal Year commences, we often take stock of where we've been and what we have accomplished.  Some folks often consider New Year's resolutions, a set of well-intentioned goals or changes in their lives like losing weight, getting more exercise, or quitting some bad habit.  Even with these good intentions, such resolutions seldom bear fruit.  But we are Knights of Columbus, and we can make some resolutions that will pay off big for our councils and our Order.  Our resolution should be for our councils to achieve Star Council, and Arizona to make Circle of Honor.

We can accomplish this!  Why do I have so much confidence? We have built up some powerful momentum.  Due to the incredible effort of the councils in Arizona, we had the best recruitment month of December in recent memory, and we welcomed 101 new Brothers into our Order.  We were second in our division nationally in for membership growth in December and are currently at 47% of our membership goal for this Fraternal year.  The second half of the year is always stronger in Arizona, and if each council keeps working hard at membership, we will make our membership goals.  Congratulations on a strong first half of the Fraternal Year.

Retention is a key component to Star Council and Circle of Honor.  The Star Council incentive is in place again this year.  Councils achieving Star Council will be refunded $4.50 per billable member.  This incentive meant thousands of dollars to Councils in Arizona last year, and should be serious motivation to redouble our efforts to retain members and avoid suspensions that would put Star Council at risk.

Let's remember the importance of programs for membership recruitment.  Remember the Supreme Knight's new Order-wide initiative, "Building the Domestic Church while Strengthening our Parish".  Focusing on this initiative, and being an indispensable asset to our Pastors and our parishes will make us all the more relevant and visible in our parishes and inspire more Catholic men to join our order.

Don't forget to work closely with your Insurance Field Agent.  General Agent Nate Raso and his team are indispensable assets for meeting your recruitment and insurance goals.  They can obviously work with you to help make Father McGivney's dream come alive to protect the families of your parish.  They can support your retention efforts, especially as it relates to inactive Insurance members.  And as experts in "all things Knights", no recruitment team is complete without your Field Agent.

It goes without saying that your District Deputy is a key member of your team. Consult with him often.  He has the experience, dedication, and access to resources to help you succeed.  He wants a Star District as much as you want Star Council!  He can help you keep on track with recruitment, required reports, and ideas on how to achieve your goals.

Strive to hold a First Degree per council per month, or at least one First Degree per district per month.  No new member should have to wait to become a member, and folks tend to recruit if there's a degree coming up shortly.  Remember the ceremonial DVD is a viable option!

Don't forget to register for and attend the Star Council Webinar on Saturday, January 23 presented by Gary Nolan, Vice President for Fraternal Training and Ceremonials. If you have not yet registered, now is the time to do so, even if you cannot participate in the live webinar.  By registering, you will receive a link to the recorded version of the webinar that you may listen to at your convenience.  This session will be geared toward all fraternal leaders. This webinar will discuss various tips and techniques on how your council can earn the Star Council Award, including:

• Planning and Conducting Charitable Service Outreach Programs
• Implementing Effective Recruitment/Retention Strategies and Welcoming New Members
• Keeping Current with Administrative and Financial Obligations
  
  Please click here to register for this event.

Also, we have a very special opportunity to learn how to change your council's culture to help strengthen your parish. Our Worthy Supreme Membership and Program Consultant (MPC) Pat Maloney will be in Arizona holding a workshop in Tucson, entitled "KofC Changing a Council's Culture".

• When: Wednesday, January 27, 2016, 7:00 to 9:00PM
• Where: Holy Family Church, 338 W University Blvd, Tucson, AZ (The same location as the Chapter meetings.)
• What: Changing a Council's Culture:  This workshop presents a powerful method of revitalizing a council. The workshop focuses on this tried and true method for any council that have few members attending their meetings, or helping during activities, or have the same members in office year after year, or councils that appear to be dying. This simple recipe works – and the workshop explores how one council turned their efforts around and are now extremely successful and meaningful in their parish.

Due to a very tight schedule, Brother Pat will only be able to do this workshop this one night in Arizona. It will be worth your time and effort to make this informative workshop.  This includes councils outside Tucson!

Brothers, again I congratulate you on a strong first half of the Fraternal Year.  If we all redouble our efforts for the second half, our Order will "Find us Ready" to achieve the honors of Star Council and Circle of Honor!

Vivat Jesus!

Kevin McCarthy
State Membership Director
Arizona State Council
Knights of Columbus
Cell: (602) 684-8125
http://www.azknightsofcolumbus.org
Find us ready Lord.

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Diocesan Eucharistic Congress

Brothers,

During the week of February 16-19, 2016 there will be a Diocesan Eucharistic Congress held at SS Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85017.  This is a very special week which will include Daily Mass with Keynote Speakers to follow, Special Exhibits, 40 Hours Devotion, 24 Hour Reconciliation and much more.

The Cathedral has requested the assistance of the Knights. There is a need to assist with some security for the 40 Hours Devotion and 24 Hour Reconciliation.

Specifically what is need is a few Knights for security Wednesday, February 17th and Thursday, February 18th, from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am.  Will you please pass this request along to the members of your Council and see if any Brothers would be willing to help.  If so we are thinking of have at least 2 or 3 knights each take two hours shifts.  If they could respond to me with their NAME, COUNCIL Number and possible time they can help.  The shifts would be:

Wednesday, February 17, 2016
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
10:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight
Thursday, February 18, 2016
12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.
4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.

and 

Thursday, February 18, 2016
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
10:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight
Thursday, February 19, 2016
12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.
4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.

For more information on the Eucharistic Congress go to the website at:http://simonjude.org/ 

Schedule of Events
Main Flyer

Please distribute this request widely, and thank you in advance for doing so. 
Vivat Jesus!
Rick Garrison
Knights of Columbus
State Executive Secretary
KofCRick@Q.com

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KofC Changing a Council's Culture Workshop in Tucson, January 27, One Night Only!

Brothers,

 

We have a very special opportunity to learn how to change your council’s culture to help strengthen your parish. Our Worthy Supreme Membership and Program Consultant (MPC) Pat Maloney will be in Arizona holding a workshop in Tucson.

 

·         When: Wednesday, January 27, 2016, 7:00 to 9:00PM

 

·         Where: Holy Family Church, 338 W University Blvd, Tucson, AZ (The same location as the Chapter meetings.)

 

·         What: Changing a Council’s Culture:  This workshop presents a powerful method of revitalizing a council. The workshop focuses on this tried and true method for any council that have few members attending their meetings, or helping during activities, or have the same members in office year after year, or councils that appear to be dying. This simple recipe works – and the workshop explores how one council turned their efforts around and are now extremely successful and meaningful in their parish.

 

Due to a very tight schedule, Brother Pat will only be able to do this workshop this one night in Arizona. I believe it will be worth your time and effort to make this informative workshop!

 

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

 

Vivat Jesus!

 

Larry Becker

State Deputy

Arizona State Council

 

 

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2016 State Charity Raffle

Brother Knights,
The Charity Raffle material was given to all District Deputies for distribution to their councils at the Mid-Year meeting.  Charity raffle tickets posters and envelopes with a letter and manual was included for the Grand Knight, Chaplain, Raffle Chairman, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer of each council that sold tickets last year.  

Raffle Manual
Raffle Posters - English and Spanish

If you do not have the raffle material, contact your District Deputy. 

Vivat Jesus,

Dennis Sullivan
State Charity Raffle Director

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Council 12246 Knights support of Family Promise

Happy New Year!

For those who helped last week: THANK YOU for sharing your TIME, TALENT and TREASURE with our Family Promise families!

The week flew by and one of our families (Sara Hedlund and her 4 kids) was placed into an apartment on New Year's Day, truly a reason to celebrate!

May God Bless you and yours in 2016!

Fran and Tracy

In addition to providing a "heads up" for the June 26 - July 3 hosting event, I wanted to thank the men (and women) that helped out over the holidays. We built four temporary rooms, we deconstructed the rooms at the end of the week, and we organized the structural supplies (poles and tarps) so that in the future we will be very organized. 

Thanks to Jim Clarida, David Carerra, Rich Zawtocki, Ron and Sara Ellenberger,  Tim Fitzgerald, Al Van Vianen, and Rudy Cavolina.

Jay

Here's the entire set up team, thanks as always to wives and friends that supported this great event.

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State Deputy Message - January 2016

January 1, 2016

Happy New Year! May the New Year bring your council new energy to help build up the domestic Church, while strengthening your parish. Pope Francis's "Year of Mercy" enforces the need to be a better Catholic. Membership in the Knights of Columbus builds better Catholics through our Service Programs. Now is the time to set a new resolution to try to improve our lives during this New Year. You need to commit to earning the Star Council Award! EVERY COUNCIL should and can be a Star Council!

We are at the mid-point of this fraternal year. Is your council at their mid-point is achieving the Star Council Award?  The Star Council Award demonstrates to your parish community the evidence of you council’s involvement.  A brief checklist of this evidence should include:

• All reports are submitted to Supreme – The Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity #1728 is one of the most important reports, as it provide the evidence to continue to secure our tax status, and directly helps our insurance program through better dividends. It is due on January 31, 2016. Also, the Columbian Award Form #SP-7 can be submitted as early as April 1, 2016.
• Service Programs - At the beginning of the fraternal year, we suggested building a program plan.  How is your plan going? You should be well on your way to completing four activities in each of the six program service areas.
• Membership - The goal of a council is to continue to grow in membership.  This is ever more important today with the mission from the Supreme Knight to “Build the Domestic Church, While Strengthening the Parish”.  You can suggest an article from your Council Chaplain on his impression on what is needed to build the domestic Church and strengthen your parish. I am confident a Council Chaplain will welcome the opportunity to provide such an editorial for the membership.

Brothers, it is an honor to provide the leadership during this biggest turning point in our Order's history.  Aligning our Service Programs will continue to build the strength necessary for our Order's Legacy.

The Arizona Knights of Columbus 2015-2016 fraternal year’s theme is “Find Us Ready Lord”. This year’s theme deals with the Destiny of Man and how we prepare ourselves for our final reward and attain the joys of heaven. We can prepare with Service, Prayer, Charity, Unity, Fraternity, & Patriotism.  We need to build our Order stronger so together we can work to combat the evil lurking in our world today. Please pray the Prayer of St. Michael the Archangel at the end of every meeting and gathering. Satan is destroying our society and Church while working on every family, man, woman, and child to not follow the teachings of our Catholic Church. We must keep our councils and assemblies strong to fight this battle and defend everything we know as good. Please pray that St. Michael will protect us and our Lord will guide us so we will remain victorious and continue to build our Church with service and faith.

Vivat Jesus!

Larry Becker

State Deputy

Arizona State Council

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