STATE OFFICER REPORT

Here we are that the end of another fraternal year. How did your council fair? Did you submit your Columbian Award Application to Supreme? Are your 185 and 365 completed and submitted to state and Supreme? If there is one guarantee in our KofC lives is that there is no down time.

Let me start off by thanking all of the Grand Knights and Councils for a successful 2022-2023 fraternal year. Leadership has its many challenges and, as State Advocate, there were only a couple of issues here in the diocese. For the most part, it was business as usual.

Congratulations to all of the new/ returning Grand Knights and Council Officers. We are praying that your efforts will help increase your councils charitable outreach, faith, and growth.

Your Diocesan Team has some changes too for the 2023-2024 fraternal years. You can find the diocesan staff and their contact information on the last page of this, and every, newsletter. I recommend that you print that page off for your officers.

As for the diocese, this year the Cleveland Diocese, and the State of Ohio, started to come out of the pandemic. More councils became active and programs were kicking into gear. Here are some things for you to keep note of:

1. 290-New Members in the Diocese

2. 82% of the Councils Recruiting

3. 3.62% Growth

We will go over all of the 2022-2023 highlights at the State Tour Meeting on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Brunswick. All Grand Knights and their officers are encouraged to attend.

You can read all about it later in this issue.

Every two years, the diocesan team puts together a Strategic Plan. This plan is what we are working on specifically in the diocese to comply withtheStateDeputy’sandSupreme’s plans. You will hear more about that in August’s newsletter as there are some minor items that we need to update.

Part of that plan is to look to see what training you and your councils need that you are not getting from Supreme. I am looking to schedule regional training sessions in September. This may include things like Delta Church Drives, Council Officer Duties, Safe Environment Proctoring, Member Management and Billing, Forms, and more. If there is something specific you or your council needs, please let me know so we can add it to our plan.

Your council should be getting through your Measure Up program now. Those funds are due to State Advocate Chris Sarka by August 1st. Chris will stress this on tour, but that is a hard date. Chris will be rolling right into Matching Funds starting September 1st so Measure Up will need to be completed prior to that.

Your State Per Capita invoices will be coming to the Financial Secretary of record here in July. Once you receive your invoice, please remit payment to State Secretary Mike Felerski. Once you do that, Mike can then turnaround and send the mileage and per diem checks from the state convention for those delegates that attended and signed the cards.

My big project his year is Super Cash Bonanza. We are planning a flashback to the good old days of our youth with a theme and show that we hope will make you laugh but still get the point across. Come to the state tour for a sneak peak.

Support Our Seminarians (SOS) is now being chaired by our IPSD Mark Siracusa. Mark grew up a Cleveland boy and is always welcome within the diocese. Mark will be sending out information to all the councils soon, but start passing the jug at the meetings and events. The first turn-in is in December.

We say see you later to Robert Byers PSD. I came in under Bob’s administration and COVID did him no service. But his leadership got us through those times. I am glad I will always be his Warden. Thank you for everything Bob.

Everything is ready to go for our new State Deputy, Jeff Kiliany. Jeff has been preparing with his team, for programs and activities that will keep Ohio moving in the right direction. You can meet Jeff and the team in Brunswick on July 15. Stop by and say hello when you are there.

It is time to get busy. So, plan those events; work with your pastors and parishes, and let us go forth and be worthy as our state deputy is telling us.

Vivat Jesus, Jim Maslach, State Treasurer