September-October, 2014
State Deputy
Use our numbers when you recruit a new member
Community Activities Award at Supreme Convention
Supreme names Marysville project best in the Order
By Ken Girt State Deputy
As Knights of Columbus members, we can take pride in our charitable work here in Ohio. Whether this charity is a monetary donation or volunteer hours, we are examples of the vision of Fr. McGivney. Each year, Supreme Council uses the Fraternal Survey that a council submits in January and February to tabulate all our charitable donations and the hours of service provided to our churches and many, many charitable programs. When recruiting a Catholic man to join the Order, be sure to emphasize all the good things we do. You should explain that our 2013 charitable activities make our members the “Light of the World” and the “Light of Ohio.” Be sure to mention the $170.1 million that the Knight of Columbus gave to charity worldwide in 2013 and the 70.5 million hours of volunteer service provided. You also can mention what the Knights of Columbus in Ohio donated during 2013: • Our $3.63 million of total donations for charity. • Our 1.49 million hours of volunContinued on Page 2
With Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson (center) are State Deputy Ken Girt and his wife, Linda (left), and Marysville Council Grand Knight Randall Ralston and his wife, Kristine (right).
Actor Gary Sinise describes his work with the most severely wounded GI’s
Eleven Cardinals were present at the 132nd Supreme Knights of Columbus Convention. Ninety Bishops/Archbishops were there. So were more than a hundred Priests. Many of the Church’s hierarchy were applauded for giving eloquent, important and informative speeches, and telling of the Knights of Columbus’ great works of Charity. But the longest and loudest ovation was given to a man who spent nearly an hour at the States Dinner giving a stirring account of work with the most severely wounded veterans of our U.S. Armed Forces, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan. He told of personal and family challenges; of the conversions of him and his wife to the Catholic faith; of his career and his desire to help the country’s wounded warriors. His name: Gary Sinese, a movie actor ….. the actor who played Lt. Dan Taylor in the movie, Forrest Gump. He established the Gary Sinise Foundation, with a mission “to serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, an those in need ….. by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain,
Ohio’s Marysville Council 5534 was honored at the 2014 Supreme Convention for having the best Community Activities Program in the entire Order for the 2013-2014 fraternal year. The council’s project involved sponsorship of a Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team (WWAST) softball game in the Marysville community. Grand Knight Randall Ralston, accompanied by his wife, Kristine, accepted the award from Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson. With them were State Deputy Ken Girt and his wife, Linda. Last May, the Marysville (Columbus Diocese) project was honored as the Best Community Activity in Ohio at the State Convention. Approximately 2,000 Knights and family members attended the 132nd Supreme Convention, held Aug. 5-7 at the Orlando, Fla., World Center Marriott. The project was the inspiration of Brother Knight and DD-45 Duane Lord, and involved raising more than $10,000 to pay for the team’s travel, room, board and advertising. He took the idea to Marysville Council, which backed the plan and established a committee, headed by Lord. Lord found out that the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team had a
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Membership
Try some Individual Recruitment Training
By Ken (Ohio Jones) Gardner, State Membership Director Supreme and State council levels constantly ask local councils to recruit new members. Special programs are rolled out, such as “Just Ask”, “One Member … Per Council … Per Month”. “Orderwide Church Recruitment Drives” and “Bi-Monthly Targeted Recruitment Drives” are others. We provide data as to where councils stand with membership growth. We send out newsletters, emails, updates, flyers, and many other communications urging councils to recruit. I believe this may overwhelm some councils, especially new Grand Knights and other council officers who themselves may be members for only a few years. Maybe Continued on Page 7
OR CURRENT RESIDENT Ohio State Council Knights of Columbus Buckeye Bulletin 32649 Surrey Lane Avon Lake, OH 44012-1642
CLEVELAND, OHIO PERMIT NO. 229
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