STATE OFFICER REPORT

How do you describe a leader? There’s the steadfast leader, who guides with unwavering confidence. There’s the quiet leader, who listens to learn before considering the way forward. There’s the unassuming leader, who might not hold great power, yet leads by example.

The lesson of this exercise is not that there is one way to lead. In fact, there are many. But what makes a great leader, no matter the approach, is the trust that they earn in their motivations, actions, and goals.

On Good Shepherd Sunday, Jesus explained that a leader is like a shepherd. Every night, the shepherd herds his flock through a gate to rest safely. His sheep follow him and him alone. They know their leader and they trust him.

In this story, Jesus is both the shepherd, our leader, and the gate, our entryway into eternal life.

Throughout the Gospels, we experience Jesus as a leader in many forms. He has been steadfast, he has been quiet, and he has been unassuming. Through every version of his leadership, his actions earn our trust, and we follow him through the gate.

As leaders, we know how important trust is to our mission. Without trust, we would not be working within our parishes and communities to drive change and improve lives.

May is a month that is full of elections and the promise of the future. For all of the councils, it might be the reassuring the current leaders that they will get another year or it might be bringing in a new leader. For the state, this May we will be electing a new State Warden from the Diocese of

Steubenville. Your council’s presence at the state convention on May 19-21 in Columbus, will help to shape the direction of the state for the next 12years. Your vote counts and is EXTEMELY important. Please register for the state convention.

If you are interesting in meeting the candidates for State Warden, join us on Friday, May 12, 2023 at 7:30PM at Garfield Council #4130 where the Greater Cleveland Chapter will be hosting Meet the Candidate Night. This is open to ALL councils in the Cleveland Diocese. You will have the option to talk with the candidates and ask questions about the direction and future of the Knights of Columbus here in Ohio. Please, join us that evening.

At the state convention in Columbus, we will be electing new state deputy, state secretary, state treasurer, and state advocate. We will also have the opportunity to say thank you to IPSD Robert Byers has he ends his tenure as a state officer and begins the life as a Past State Deputy. You truly will have a voice in the future of the Knights of Columbus in Ohio.

Thank you to all of the councils that offered to host the State Tour this coming July. This is a great opportunity for us to come together as a diocese and celebrate our successes but also to look to the future. After considering the mileage all of the councils would need to travel to attend, I have selected Brunswick Council #4847 to host the July 15th meeting. More information will be available soon.

Your Super Cash Bonanza tickets are due by May 12th to State Treasurer Mike “West Side Mickey” Felerski. If you have any additional tickets after that you want to include, you need to get those tickets to me by Wednesday, May 17th. I will be leaving for Columbus on May 18.

If you are looking for something fun to do this summer, join us on August 19th for a Lake County Captains game. District Deputy Pat Gale was able to arrange a picnic and game ticket for $25 each. There is an option for just the game as well. There is a flyer in back of the newsletter for you check out.

Even though the fraternal year is winding down on the calendar, we never really stop. Columbian Award Applications are due to Supreme by June 30th. Membership continues until June 30th and then will reset by July 4th. So, there is still the option to obtain Star Council. Continue to keep asking men to join and get them to an Exemplification of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity before June 30th.

Congratulations to Ohio District 1 Master Brandon Robinson and his staff for hosting and putting on a great Exemplification of Patriotism. There were a total of 55-new Sir Knights and Ladies. The 4th Degree continues to be the visible arm of the Order. If you are interested in learning more, contact a 4th Degree Member in your council or Faithful Navigator. Congratulations also to Gilmour Council #310 as they celebrate their 125th Anniversary!

Join Kathy and I at the State Officer Hospitality Room at the state convention. We would love to see you all again to celebrate our success and look forward to the future.

Vivat Jesus!

Jim Maslach, State Advocate