 Worthy Knights and Squires,
School is out and summer is here. Now may seem like
the time to take a break from circle meetings and activities. It also may
be the time to plan some summer monthly activities for your Squire Circle like a
cookout, a campout, a sleep over, a hiking trip, or maybe get together and go
swimming. With school out for the summer this is an opportunity to start
recruiting new squires or starting a new circle in your council or assembly.
Right now you don't have to compete with any extracurricular activities. I
know families go on vacations during the summer but if you are like me, you only
get a week or two. Think about it summer vacation may be the right
prospect for starting that new circle or increasing membership.
I would like to thank Jack Boggan and John Martin for
inviting me and my son Christopher to give a presentation about the squires
program at Cathedral of St. Paul Sunday, May 20, 2007. There was a good
turn out of boys and despite my fumbling with John Martin's help it turned out
good meeting.
Here are a couple of good ideas
from Supreme:
As part of your circle's
celebration of the 125th anniversary of the founding of Knights of Columbus
consider showing The Life and Legacy of Father McGivney to members, families
and guests at events — possibly at your circle home, parish, school, or
local library. This production chronicles the life of this holy and
hardworking priest through his boyhood and priesthood to his death. This
production is available free except for a $3 shipping and handling charge
from the Department of Fraternal Services. Work with your sponsoring council
throughout this year-long celebration to pay tribute to our 125 years of
"Faith in Action."
The following is a
response to the "Let Us Know" question: What types of programs conduct to
help attract new members!: Ascension Circle 4893, in Chesterfield, Mo., and
a nearby circle held a state informational meeting that allowed anyone that
was interested in forming a circle to see how a meeting was run. The program
had a brief introduction from our state squires chairman, with a video and
then the Squires and Columbian girls held a mock meeting. The meeting was
followed with free pizza., soda and cookies for all that attended. Squires
spent a night in our parish hall basement and then the following day they
went downtown St. Louis for a fun day of touring. This event could be
done annually or monthly. Let us know what your circle does to recruit
members. Please respond to: Squires Newsletter, Department of
Fraternal Services, 1 Columbus Plaza Haven, CT 06510-3326; or send an e-mail
to: fraternalservices@kofc.org.
(Put Attention: Newsletter in the subject bar.)
Regarding overnight trips this
was in the Supreme Squire Memo for April 2007.
Guidelines For Foreign Travel And
Overnight Trips
1 - No local or state circle, or other group of Squires, should be taken out of
their
respective country or travel to any foreign country without the express written
permission of both the Supreme Advocate's office and the State Deputy.
2 - No
Squire should be permitted to attend an overnight outing unless the chief
counselor has a permission slip signed by the child's custodial parent. The
permission slip should include the Squire's full name, address, date of birth,
the dates and destination of the trip, the signature of the Squire's parent(s),
the name(s) of the individual(s) who have organized the trip, and name(s) of the
individuals who will accompany the Squire.
"Youth Leader" Procedures For
Overnight/Away Activities
Refer to the
"Youth Protection Program" guidelines listed in the counselor handbook (page 31)
or in the "Youth Protection Program" handbook (#4670) when planning for state
circle conventions or other overnight or away activities. Review the procedures
with Squires committeemen, counselors, parents or other chaperones before such
activities.
I received this email from
Donald Schwarzhoof regarding Youth Protection Training. I am in the
process of making arrangements to have this Youth Protection Training offered to
all Chief Counselors and Knights who help with the Squires. I hope to have
more information about this training at State Council organizational kickoff
meeting in July 2007.
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Hi
Dan:
Theresa Petruzella and I were visiting about the Knights and
their involvement with youth. Since you are involved with the
Squires on a state level, would you mind passing on a reminder
to the rest of the councils. As you know, anyone who works with
minors or who has a reasonable chance of being alone with a
minor has to qualify through our criminal background check and
youth protection training. This would go for any program
(including Scouts) conducted by, held on church property,
sponsored or hosted by a Catholic parish or school. I know that
many of the programs the Knights work with are conducted at a
church or Catholic school, so they all fall under the rules. I
also know the Knights sponsor a number a Scout units.
The
Archdiocese of Mobile has very similar rules so it is really the
whole state. I would also suggest that the training would be
good for Knights, even if the program is held on KC property.
Donald Schwarzhoff
Director, Office for Youth
Coordinator, Child and Youth Safe
Environment
Diocese of Birmingham
Voice: (205) 838-8301
Fax: (205) 838-8330
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Squire
Advancement Program Highlights
Upon achieving
the status of "Swordsman" through the Squire Advancement Program, you will be at
the midpoint in reaching the highest level of "Squire of the Body of Christ."
To qualify for "Swordsman" you need to be a Squire in good standing for at least
six months, and complete 16 "Swordsman" achievements. Through achieving
the level of "Swordsman" you will have the opportunity to enjoy activities with
your family, develop your leadership skills, learn about the Knights of
Columbus, serve the community, and grow in your faith. Along with gaining
some knowledge and helping others, you'll learn more about yourself and grow as
a person. Here's a sample of just a few of the "Swordsman" level achievements to
choose:
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Plan and hold an
international night your family to experience the food, music,
entertainment, and dress from country you choose. |
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Organize a family
charity project such as working at a soup kitchen. |
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Volunteer on a circle
activity committee of your choice, and help organize and hold at least
two activities. |
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Talk to a veteran about
his/her military service. |
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Recruit at least one
new member. |
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Describe the three
types of vocations - married, single, religious. |
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Lead a personal prayer
at a Squires meeting. |
For a complete list of
achievements, as well as other criteria for reporting and earning the
"Swordsman" level , see the Squire Advancement Program Achievement Level
Requirements booklet (#4661). A "Swordsman" certificate (#4626) and name
badge, commemorating the reaching of that level are available.
I enjoyed seeing everyone at
the convention and I look forward to seeing everyone at the State Council
organizational kickoff meeting in July. I hope you all have a safe, happy and
productive summer.
Vivat Jesus
Dan Gardner
State Squires Chairman
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Inside this issue:
Alabama State Council - One Hundred Fourth Convention
Supreme
Knight at Rosary Bowl in Southern California
State Deputy Remarks
State Warden Remarks
125th Supreme Convention
Council Number 3227 Father William H. Zinn Council
Persons With Intellectual Disabilities Director Report
Award Winners: Fraternal Year 2006 - 2007
The
Chairman's Quill
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