When Father McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882, he intended that a close working relationship should exist between pastors and Knights. In his writings he projected the council as a social and charitable arm of the parish.
The development of the Order during it's first century demonstrates that close ties between councils and parishes are mutually beneficial and helpful to the members in developing their lives of faith, worship and service.
History further shows that priests have played a vital role in Columbianism. Their contributions as members and as chaplains have given the Order strength and direction.
The relationship between parishes and councils has been and continues to be good. However, when a council has members from several parishes, the members may feel that what is done for one parish must be duplicated for all, while experience shows this is often not possible. Consequently, these multi-parish councils may fail to realize their full potential in service to the church at this basic level.
The K of C Round Table concept set forth in this booklet has been designed to overcome the multi-parish problem and make the tremendous manpower of the Knights of Columbus readily available to our pastors. Simply stated, the K of C Round Table program puts Knight parishioners at the disposal of parish priests for whatever purposes the pastors deem necessary.
One facet regarding this program must be made crystal clear. The K of C Round Table initiative - an offer to serve - will not interfere with any existing or contemplated parish program or organization, since the pastor himself sets the programs.
It is simply a matter of going to the pastor frequently and asking:"Father, what can the knights of this parish do to help?"
GUIDELINES
Councils with members in only one parish do not need the K of C Round Table program. The church activity directors of these councils can handle assistance for the parish.
The involvement of the pastor should be only that which is desired by him. The Round Table should lighten, not add to, his work.
All members of the parish who belong to the Knights of Columbus, regardless of council affiliation, constitute the members of the Round Table.
There are no elective offices in the K of C Round Table. The appointed coordinator is the only officer.
No regular meetings of the Round Table are held.
No funds may be held in the name of the Round Table.
Round Table projects are completely separate from council projects. However, the coordinator must communicate and cooperate with the grand knight.
The parish name may be used in conjunction with the Round Table. (Example - "St. Mary's K of C ")
Coordinators who are reported to the Supreme Council office will receive PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT.
Only two forms are used in this program to keep paperwork to a minimum - Report of the Round Table Coordinator (Form #2629) and the Annual Report of the Knights of Columbus Round Table (Form #2630)
HOW TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A K OF C ROUND TABLE
The grand knight, with the help of the financial secretary, divides his council membership roster by parish. Those parishes having approximately 12 or more Knight parishioners should be offered a K of C Round Table.
Members of the Round Table will be the council members who belong to that parish. Members of any other council who belong to that parish can also be members of the Round Table. Their names might be secured by obtaining a K of C zip code membership list for the area from the supreme secretary (with approval of the state deputy) and comparing it with the parish membership list.
The K of C Round Table Booklet (#2632) is included in the "Surge...with Service" programming packet, and the Report of the Round Table Coordinator (Form #2630) can be found in the Council Report Forms Booklet (#1436).
The grand knight, together with a Knight parishioner who is well received by the pastor, calls on the pastor, presenting a K of C Round Table Booklet (#2632) and a list of knights who are parishioners.
The program is explained and an offer made to establish a K of C Round Table unit in the parish. It is stressed that there would be no conflict with existing groups, since the pastor would assign the projects.
If the pastor's decision is negative, his decision is accepted and an offer made to be available at a later date if the decision is changed.
If the pastor's decision is positive, he selects a member from the list of Knight parishioners to serve as coordinator. It is suggested that the pastor invite this member to the rectory, where the pastor and grand knight explain the program and urge acceptance of the appointment, which is then made by the grand knight.
The grand knight completes the Report of the Round Table Coordinator (Form #2629), and mails to the supreme secretary, with copies going to the state deputy and district deputy.
Formation of the Round Table and appointment of the coordinator are announced in the parish bulletin and in the council bulletin.
The coordinator visits with the pastor frequently (perhaps monthly) asking: "Father, what can the Knights of this parish do to help?"
The coordinator then calls on those Round Table members best qualified to carry out the specific project in hand and provides the leadership and supervision to carry the project to completion.
Yearly, by June 30, the coordinator completes the Annual Report of the Knights of Columbus Round Table (Form #2630), and secures the signature of the grand knight. This is mailed to the supreme secretary, with copies going to the state deputy and district deputy.
Completion of Round Table projects are announced in parish bulletins and council bulletins.
Articles and pictures of Round Table projects are forwarded to the state K of C newspaper, to the diocesan newspaper, and to COLUMBIA magazine.
The coordinator regularly reports activities of the Round Table at business meetings of the parent council.
The grand knight yearly reviews the operation of the Round Table and the effectiveness of the coordinator with the pastor.
If the pastor desires a change of coordinator or if the coordinator resigns during the fraternal year, the pastor selects a new coordinator and the grand knight makes the appointment. The grand knight notifies the supreme secretary, state deputy, district deputy and the outgoing coordinator of the change.
If there is a change of pastors, the grand knight and coordinator call on the new pastor, explain the program, and seek its continuation.
The state round table chairman should select the most outstanding Round Table of the Year for that jurisdiction and arranges appropriate honors at the state convention.
DUTIES OF THE STATE DEPUTY
Determines the status of the K of C Round Table program in his jurisdiction and provides overall leadership
Appoints the most capable and experienced member available, one known and respected through the jurisdiction, as state round table chairman.
Reports the name, address, and phone number of his State Chairman to the Supreme Council on his Report of State Service Program Directors and Chairmen. (#S365).
Provides the state chairman with copies of the Report of the Round Table Coordinator (Form #2629) and the Annual Report of the Knights of Columbus Round Table (Form #2630) received.
Follows up regularly with the chairman to provide encouragement, to instill enthusiasm, and to keep current on the progress of the program.
Instructs his district deputies to promote the program and to follow up on its performance.
DUTIES OF THE K of C ROUND TABLE STATE CHAIRMAN
Informs himself fully on the operation of the Round Table program and its current status.
Presents the program to the district deputies at the statewide summer and midyear meetings for district deputies and urges their cooperation.
Uses the K of C state newspaper or bulletin, state or regional meetings with council officers, the diocesan press, the mail, the telephone - in short, every avenue available - to inform the grand knights and members about the K of C Round Table program and to promote its enthusiastic acceptance.
Ensures that the grand knights file the Report of the Round Table Coordinator (Form #2629) at the beginning of the fraternal year, or as soon as an appointment is made.
Follows up to ensure that the coordinators in his jurisdiction file the Annual Report of Knights of Columbus Round Table (Form #2630) by June 30 of each year.
Provides coordinators with ideas from other K of C Round Tables.
If the jurisdiction has a "point system" for recognizing active councils, the state round table chairman ensures that points are given for active Round Tables which file the Annual Report of the Knights of Columbus Round Table (Form #2630)
In concurrence with the state deputy, selects the most outstanding Round Table of the Year for the jurisdiction and arranges for appropriate honors at the state convention.
DUTIES OF THE DISTRICT DEPUTY
Discusses the K of C Round Table program at his district meetings and urges grand knights to use the program.
Talks about the program when called on at council business meetings and other council functions.
Gives timely reminders to grand knights and coordinators to file the Report of the Round Table coordinator (Form #2629) and the Annual Report of the Knights of Columbus Round Table (Form #2630)
Information reprinted from KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ROUND TABLE PROGRAM Booklet # 2632
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Does your council serve more than one parish?
Does your council have difficulty in providing equal services to each of these parishes?
Are you missing the opportunity to recruit new Knights into your council from all the parishes that you serve?
If you've answered yes to any of the above questions,...
then you should consider establishing a Knights of Columbus Round Table within your council.
Establishing a Round Table in one or more of your local parishes is simple. All you need to do is to divide the council roster among the parishes that you serve; contact the pastor of that parish to inform him of the number of Knights in his parish, and ask what these men (as well as the entire council) can do to assist him; appoint a coordinator with the pastors input and report this to the Supreme Council and become active within each parish community!
It's that simple !
So why not consider a Knights of Columbus Round Table for the parishes that you serve!
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Robert Goossens, CT State Secretary.
