S U M M E R
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New York State Circle COLUMBIAN SQUIRES
In this issue: 2
Letter from the State Chief Squire
3
Messages from the State Youth Director and State Squires Chairman
4
Congratulations to the newly-elected
2011-2012 State Circle Officers State Chief Squire Patrick Klein State Deputy Chief Squire John DiSanto State Notary Squire William Liles
Brother Barnabas Award Winners and Convention Fundraising
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2011 Convention Recap
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State Indoctrination Meetings
State Bursar Squire Alex Bedosky State Marshal Squire Philip Tullo State Sentry Squire Mario Giustizia State Father Prior Rev. James Williams, S.M.
Submit your paperwork! Form #468
Form #247-NC st
Please visit our website!
www.newyorksquires.com
Due August 1 Officers & Chairmen Form must be submitted to Supreme.
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Due September 1 Semi-Annual Circle Status and Audit Report Form must be submitted.
Form #1728C PAST DUE Please submit the Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity Form ASAP.
NEW YORK STATE CIRCLE
SUMMER 2011
Letter from the State Chief Squire
Patrick Klein Worthy Squires, Counselors and Knights,
at the top of our division in membership, and to have a circle at every council. Also a main goal of the state circle will be to increase spiritual, patriotic, and fraternal activities across New York State. However the State Circle’s most important goal is to increase communication with local circles around the State. In order to succeed at this goal I humbly ask two things of you: visit our website regularly and like our Facebook Page. Both of these tools are amazing. The state website offers vast amounts of information. Please utilize it, we can add any circle events to our calendar and any state officer would be more than happy to attend a circle event. Our Facebook page enables circles to directly interact with officers. Please feel free to post anything you like pertaining to your circle on our wall, offer congratulations to new members and post pictures or any events. I know this year will be the best Colombian Year to date for every Squire in New York State, and I look forward to seeing you all at our 55th annual convention. Plans are still being made but begin to fundraise now!
It is with great pleasure that I write to you at this time. The 2011-2012 Colombian Year is off to a great start. The State Officers attended the Annual State Council Indoctrination Meeting held in Suffern, New York. While there the officers spoke to district deputies about starting Squire programs and helping existing circles in their districts. Later in the day the officers held their own private meeting. Officers found out which committees they would hold for the year. State Deputy Chief John DiSanto will be in charge of the Convention, State Notary Will Liles will be in charge of all faith activates around the state including our annual Br. Barnabas Mass, State Bursar Alex Bedosky will plan our annual journal, State Marshall Phil Tullo will be in charge of communication and media, and finally State Sentry Mario Giustizia will be in charge of membership. Please contact any of the officers or myself if you have any questions about any of these committees. Later in the night I addressed the State Council, Directors, Chairmen and District Deputies on the Circle’s goals for the year. The State Circle wishes to be
Esto Dignus, Be Worthy.
New on the State Circle Website: Please be sure to download a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws of the State Circle, as revised at the 2011 State Squires Convention. We encourage all Squires to read and share this information with his circle. Check out the new Events page, where you can view and add to a calendar that will be shared with Squires throughout the state! Let us know of any upcoming Investitures, Installations, Fundraisers, etc. 2
NEW YORK STATE CIRCLE
SUMMER 2011
Message from the State Youth Director
Michael Galgano It is an honor for me to address you as the State Youth Director. I have always placed the utmost importance on supporting our youth programs, and in particular our Squires Program. As a former Squire I know that the Squires program helps to form our leaders of tomorrow. Congratulations to Past State Chief Squire Sean Breiman and his Officers for an outstanding year in 2010-11. We finished the year with 6 new Circles and 209 new Squires, making the New York State Circle #2 in Net Membership Gain and #3 in Percent Membership Gain. I also congratulate State Chief Squire Pat Klein and the other newly elected State Officers and issue a challenge to them to beat last year’s numbers. While that may seem like a difficult challenge, I’m confident that under the leadership of State Squires Chairman Tom Gillin and State Chief Squire Pat Klein they can do it. New York State should be proud that we had 3 Circles win the Brother Barnabas Award for 201011: St. Francis DeChantel Circle in Wantagh, Immaculate Conception Circle in Astoria, and Don Bosco Circle in Manhasset. Congratulations to you all and keep up the good work. In closing, please make sure to check out the State Squires Website and Facebook page for up to date information on what’s happening, and submit information on what your own Circle is doing so that we can get the word out about the great things that the Circles around the state are doing.
Message from the State Squires Chairman
Thomas Gillin As we start a new Columbian year, I look forward to the challenge of being the State Squires Chairman. As Mike Galgano has moved up to the position of State Youth Director, I am filling the role that Mike did a great job for the past two years. We have a great, energetic group of State Squires Officers led by State Chief Squire Patrick Klein. My objectives for the year are membership growth, retention and visibility. Growth: last year, New York State was second in net membership growth while adding six new circles. My goal for nine new circles this year and #1 in net membership gain. This can only happen if all circles continue to recruit new members to replaces those who age out and JOIN THE KNIGHTS. Retention: there are many new circles that have not recorded any new members in the past three years. I plan to reach out to those circles to see how we can re-energize their efforts. Visibility: I want to see more press for Squires accomplishments. This will include this newsletter, our state website, the Empire State Bulletin and the Columbian Magazine. By seeing the great works of the Squires, others will be inspired to start circles in their areas. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you have events where you would like to see a state presence. Esto Dignus. 3
NEW YORK STATE CIRCLE
SUMMER 2011
Brother Barnabas Award Winners This award is presented for the top 25 circle-sponsored activities throughout the Order. We are extremely proud to have three Brother Barnabas Award winners in New York State this year – keep up the great work!
St. Francis DeChantel Circle Circle #2541 – Wantagh, New York “Honoring our Troops, Past and Present”
Immaculate Conception Circle Circle #4411 – Astoria, New York “Bro. Barnabas Mass and Day of Recollection”
Don Bosco Circle Circle #548 – Manhasset, New York “Make A Wish Foundation Raffle”
Fundraising for Convention Make sure your circle starts fundraising NOW for the 2012 State Convention! Letter Writing Campaign: Write a letter explaining the Columbian Squires to neighbors, friends, local businesses, etc. asking them to help sponsor your trip financially. Babysitting Service: Create a flyer to share with your family, friends, neighbors and Knights. Offer games and activities for children, and plan group babysitting the first Friday of the month for parishioners. Lawn Mowing, etc.: Create a flyer to share with your family, friends, neighbors and Knights. Offer lawn-mowing services in the summer, raking in the fall and snow shoveling in the winter! You can ask Knights to sign up for these services and team up with fellow Squires to get the job done! Pancake Breakfast: Fun and easy! Advertise your event in council newsletters and your parish bulletins. Offer a pancake breakfast after Mass in exchange for free will donations. Raffles & Silent Auction: Request donations from local businesses, arrange for tickets to be printed and distribute to the Squires in your circle. Ask each Squire to sell a certain number of raffle tickets. Spaghetti Dinner: Requires lots of planning and volunteers, but these events are very successful and lucrative. Get as many items donated as possible, decorate the space for dinner and make sure Squires serve the meals at tables. Sell tickets in advance, possibly at Council meetings or Masses.
Like us on Facebook! “New York State Columbian Squires” Follow us on Twitter! @NYStateSquires 4
NEW YORK STATE CIRCLE
SUMMER 2011
2011 State Convention: Recap Convention Banquet. Past State Deputy Art Harris spoke to those assembled and Administrative State Chairman for Squires Michael Galgano presented each State Officer with a plaque. In addition, Blessed William Chaminade Circle 5419 (Mineola) and Our Lady of Lourdes Circle 5307 (Fishkill) were presented with plaques for achieving the highest Net
The Annual Meeting of the New York State Circle was held from May 20-22, 2011 at Roaring Brook Ranch and Resort in Lake George. There were eleven circles represented, comprised of Squires, Counselors, and State Officers. We were also very pleased to have Past State Deputy Art Harris and his wife, Marlene, join us for the weekend. After an opening pizza party Friday night, the first business session was convened. During the business session Saturday morning, Past State Chief Squire Anthony Critelli gave a presentation on the general advantages of implementing the Squires Advancement Program, followed by a Q&A for Squires and Counselors to discuss the pros and cons of using the program in their own circles.
Membership Gain and Percentage Membership Gain in New York State, respectively. After the State Chief Squire’s Final Report was submitted, State Officer elections for the 20112012 Columbian Year were held Sunday.
After an exciting day at the “Fun Spot” – which featured go-karts, laser tag, mini golf and an arcade – everyone headed back to the convention site for the Annual
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NEW YORK STATE CIRCLE
SUMMER 2011
New York State Indoctrination Meetings The New York State Council Knights of Columbus held its annual statewide Indoctrination Meetings from July 22-24, 2011 in Suffern, New York. The State Squires Officers attended as guests of State Deputy Sal Restivo. During the “Program Fair” on Saturday afternoon, the State Officers had the opportunity to promote the Squires program by distributing material and speaking with the District Deputies. Immediately following the Program Fair, they held their first meeting of the Columbian Year (minutes on the website). State Chief Squire Pat Klein addressed the Knights Officers during the banquet on Saturday night.
Installation of State Officers Please join us for the 55th Installation of New York State Circle Officers on Saturday October 8, 2011. Mass will be held at 1:00PM at Resurrection Church (2331 Gerristen Avenue, Brooklyn) followed by dinner and ceremony. Bring your counselors and fellow Squires! Suggested contribution of $15 per guest is payable at the door.
SUBMIT YOUR STORY! Please let us know when your circle conducts a project so we can recognize your efforts in the State Circle Newsletter! Remember to tell us the “Who, What, When, Where, Why and How” of the event and include photos and contact info! Please send your stories and photos to michael_adam@verizon.net.
New York State Circle Columbian Squires www.newyorksquires.com