CONGRATULATIONS NEW OFFICERS

RECRUITMENT OF MEMBERS

Congratulations to all the new council officers. We look forward to your success in your endeavour this coming year. These brother knights have offered their time and talent to further the cause of Columbianism in this city of Hamilton. Being part of the Knights of Columbus is something to be proud of and unique, something special for each member. Membership in the Order provides the opportunity to do something positive locally and to have an impact internationally. Membership gives a person the chance to champion causes in his parish and community, and to have the resources available to be involved throughout the city of Hamilton. Regardless of the reason a man chooses to join us, the fact is that members are the backbone of the Knights of Columbus. We should continue our drive to recruit younger members into our Order, someone who could inject added enthusiasm to the already dynamic and enthusiastic leadership. Take a look around you. What's the profile of the membership in our council? How many new members were recruited last year? How many young members have been added to our council? Has our council achieved our plans for its future?

Recruiting must be the number one priority in every council. It must become the number one priority of every member. We need to make everyone membership conscious. The function of the Membership Director and his committee is to oversee the membership activities of the council. They must organize, implement and evaluate the membership efforts. But it is every member's personal responsibility and privilege to get involved. A truly successful membership program combines the efforts of the trained membership recruitment teams as well as individual recruiters. Grand Knight Mario Salvatore, Hamilton Council 9553, stipulated that to increase membership in this council, he says, "To solve the problem of recruitment, we need to have a 'team' approach. And that team consists of your GK, your Membership Director, you K of C Agent, and MOST importantly ... you. Without your efforts to continue to recruit new members, our work will go for naught. You are the soldiers that are out in the front lines working with the Catholic men and have the contacts and thrust that is needed to lead them to the Knights. We need to get those active Catholic men into our fold. Be part of the team. Ask your friend that you sit next to at church to become a Knight or one of the men that you see at activities. Wear your badge to church and be proud of being a Knight as you should be, other men will see that and start asking questions. Invite one man this year. Just one. Then see how it multiplies. It's such a little thing, but it has such a big effect". Remember, 'IF NOT YOU, WHO!!' 'IF NOT NOW, WHEN

Have you and your family ever thought of joining the Knights of Columbus     It is a Catholic, Family, Fraternal, Service Organization. But what does this all mean to you and your family?   K now that we strive to grow spiritually, while responding to those who need your help; the disadvantaged, seniors, the unborn, orphans, youth, widows, the Church, and many other worthy organizations through volunteering time and financial assistance.   N ow as never before we have various activities available to help strengthen Family Life. Some of our family programs include Family Bowling day, Day, Arts and Entertainment Day, Children's Christmas Party, Movie Day, Family Fun Skate Day, Youth Talent Day, Soccer Day, Annual picnics, and more.   I ndeed, we have many other activities involving your local Community, Seniors, Church, Pro-Life and Council Socials of various kinds to help build and develop lasting friendships. We are sure that many of these programs would be quite appealing to you and your family.   G ive generously of yourself - your time and talents. Learn how to build self esteem, develop leadership qualities, gain satisfaction in helping others, make new friends and socialize with fellow Catholics who share the same faith, morals and beliefs that you do. Today as never before, Catholics need each other.   H e must be a Catholic gentleman 18 years of age or older and a practicing Catholic, as understood by the Church. He must be willing to get involved a little to help in the community. So, let us come together for mutual Support and encouragement.   T o obtain further information about the Knights of Columbus please contact our Membership Director. He would be only too happy to answer any questions that you may have concerning our Order. Find out about the many benefits available to you as a member.   S ince God has blessed us with so much, we owe it to Him and ourselves to assist those who might otherwise be neglected. All we ask is that each Brother Knight help a little, and m this way a great deal will be accomplished. Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has called the Knights of Columbus the 'Right Arm of the Church'   The Supreme Councils eight-page Overview Booklet (pdf, 415k) gives additional information about what it means to be a member of the Knights of Columbus. Why Join the Knights of Columbus? LEADERSHIP GUIDE FOR MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT to visit the Supreme Councils Site click here.

	Membership Application For your convenience, we have adapted the Knights of Columbus Membership Application form so that you can start your induction process. We will use this information to fill out the formal application. Then, we will invite you over so that we can get to know each other. First name: Last name: Middle initial: Title: Address: City: Province: Postal code: No. of yrs at above residence Email address: Home phone: Cell phone Date of birth Occupation Employer Marital status SingleMarriedWidowedDivorcedSeparated KofC ins. certificate #: Former squire? YesNo Are you a practical Catholic: YesNo Name of parish: Did you apply before: YesNo Degree REC'D & date Number of last council: Location of council: Termination date: Reason: