NH State Council
Spot Light on our Grand Knights

Why did you become a Knight:

Two reasons. One; my maternal grandfather was a Knight and he was the major influence in my life. He enjoyed it. Two; my life-guiding principle is Matthew's Gospel 25, verses 14-30...the Gospel of the "talents". The Knights offer a way to exercise those talents.

What is your biggest challenge as a Grand Knight and how do you become Successful at it?

Biggest challenge is getting council members involved. The five-part answer is (1) consistent, pro-active relationship building...which MUST begin before you become a Grand Knight; (2) operating in a disciplined, organized fashion...which engenders respect; (3) Confident, enthusiastic outreach to brothers to get them involved; (4) set a personal example with a strong work ethic; (5) Recognition

Tell us about a Council Project or Event your membership currently supports that you are most proud of:

PROJECT MOSES: We are the first council to bring a monument of the Ten Commandments to our church, St. Elizabeth Seton, the first in the state of New Hampshire. NO PROJECT has ever had a higher percentage of the council involved. We raised more money than we need...and we are now in the process of planning installation. "Stretch" projects like this prove to the council that it can do almost anything. It raises the bar. It also makes a loud, respect-building statement to the parish community about who we are.

As a benefit to other Grand Knights, what has worked best to increase Activity within your Council?

1. You must have a calendar, drafted no later than June.
2. You must pro-actively seek ideas from the council...and listen to the ideas of the wives of council members with the same vigor.
3. You must pro-actively seek ideas from your pastor...and LISTEN to your pastor and other other church ministry leaders for their needs... and then respond.
4. Let the idea-providers lead the way.

As a benefit to other Grand Knights, what has worked best to Increase Involvement of new and exiting members within your Council?

Reach out, in a one-on-one environment, NOT in a meeting...and explain that you need help and why you are coming to this individual. NEVER ask for volunteers in a meeting. Match skill-sets and personal attributes to needs...this of course implies that you must know your members well. It comes back to relationship building.

What Service to your State Council would you like to be considered for when you become a Past Grand Knight?

It would depend upon the need, and if it matched my abilities and interests

Why did you become a Knight:

I became a Knight simply because someone asked me. My father and grandfather both belonged and the local Council at the church I grew up in were very active. My own goals were to give back to the community that has been so good to me. The Knights of Columbus provide me to do just that both in local and parish community.

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What is your biggest challenge as a Grand Knight and how do you become Successful at it?

The fear of not knowing what do or when to do it. I have been very blessed by the ability to learn from others who have been down this path before me. Everyone within your Council has strengths - find out what they are and use others to succeed.

Tell us about a Council Project or Event your membership currently supports that you are most proud of:

For the past 8 years our Council has sponsored the Rob Dwyer Memorial Christmas Giving Tree Project. Each year at Christmas, we secure gifts from the parishioners for needy children and adults within southern NH. This coupled with providing much needed funds for worthy non-profit agencies in our community helps spread joy, comfort and the spirit of Jesus during the Christmas holiday season. We have grown from providing ~ 150 gifts to over ~ 400 gifts and several thousands of dollars to others in need.

As a benefit to other Grand Knights, what has worked best to increase Activity within your Council?

We have a great group of men within our Council and within our parish community. Ask the members what they would like to do or accomplish - brainstorm and be sure to reach out to your Pastor in an effort to seek guidance and his support. Aligning the Council goals with the Parish Team's goals makes for an active Council all year long.

As a benefit to other Grand Knights, what has worked best to Increase Involvement of new and exiting members within your Council?

Simply ask others for their help in special events and projects. Reach out to others - it's that simple. Involve others who are not always the first to step forward - many hands make like work and promote the virtue of Unity. Ask and ask again. People want to say yes and want to be an active member.

What Service to your State Council would you like to be considered for when you become a Past Grand Knight?

When the time is right I look forward to being active at the State level.

Why did you become a Knight:

I became a Knight because I was looking for a way to help my Parish Priest and what I had seen the other brother Knights doing to serve our local community. To establish a bond with people whom share the same values that I have.

What is your biggest challenge as a Grand Knight and how do you become Successful at it?

Having enough time to devote to my council to make it successful and rewarding to keep the members involved. Time management and getting the most out of my council officer's to make it rewarding for all. Also by asking the elder members for their perspectives on new programs and how the other programs we have done in the past were successful.

Tell us about a Council Project or Event your membership currently supports that you are most proud of:

 I would say that this is a very hard decision because we have a lot of council programs that are very note worthy. But I would have to say the adopt a highway program. We get together 3 times during the summer to clean up a 2.5 mile stretch and afterwards we go out as a group and have breakfast and a little time to discuss our busy lives and family.

As a benefit to other Grand Knights, what has worked best to increase Activity within your Council?

Let everyone have an opinion as to how the council should proceed each year. If they have an idea let
them explain how it works and how it will be beneficial to the council as well as the community.

As a benefit to other Grand Knights, what has worked best to Increase Involvement of new and exiting members within your Council?

Everyone has ideas and if you don't take those ideas you will grow dormant and your council will die. Once you bring in a new person let them get involved in a program and mentor them so that they will be able to lead your council in the future. If you don't keep them involved, then they feel there isn't any need for them to come to the monthly meetings.

What Service to your State Council would you like to be considered for when you become a Past Grand Knight?

District Deputy

Why did you become a Knight:

A man I greatly respected filled out a form 100 and told me to sign it. He said "Trust me, you'll like it".

What is your biggest challenge as a Grand Knight and how do you become Successful at it?

This is my second time around as GK. I have just finished 8 years of service as a State Officer including the past two as State Deputy. I have time now to give and we have a great membership team together that is really doing good things with new members and contacting and trying to involve more existing members.

Tell us about a Council Project or Event your membership currently supports that you are most proud of:

There are two long running programs that we do. The first is the monthly middle school dances. 16 years and still going strong. For some of these kids who come to the dance, it is the closest they come to the church. The other is the St. Jude Classic Charity Golf Tournament. We are raising funds for some very needy people and it is a joy to see them smile when we give them a check.

As a benefit to other Grand Knights, what has worked best to increase Activity within your Council?

Having a great Deputy GK/Program Director who keeps things moving. We have had two of them who did a great job of working with a membership committee to contact and inform members of upcoming things.
This year we have him on our membership team working with recruitment, retention and involvement.

As a benefit to other Grand Knights, what has worked best to Increase Involvement of new and exiting members within your Council?

As soon as they take their 1st degree we are goaling them to become Knight's in Shining Armor. We give them a roster, a calendar and some direction right into the next programs that are coming up. We also have them working together as a team or a class. This is part of what our membership team is doing for us.

What Service to your State Council would you like to be considered for when you become a Past Grand Knight?

Undecided at this time

Are there any other thoughts you'd like to share?

There is no GK who will succeed without a plan and a team behind him. Have a Program and a Membership director that actually direct and not try to do it all. Your membership team should have a director working with the Chancellor, a recruitment chairman, a retention chairman and the Program Director. Give this team a goal and some strategic direction and let them go.

Why did you become a Knight:

To become more active in my parish. When I was approached to join, I refused for 12 years, because I was to busy. Some one figured out to explain that everything I was doing in the community and church, are all activities that the knights are involved in. They pointed out that I was already a Knight but not getting the credit for doing all of this, and that I would be a great asset and inspiration to other Knights.

I’m sure for New Grand Knights it’s dealing with the overwhelming planning and execution of activities and paperwork/reports, and keeping them up to date and submitted on time. I’m extremely fortunate that our council has so many active Grand Knights that my transition was effortless. They are constantly there for guidance and to tend a hand. Rely on your Past Grand Knights, Utilize there talents.

Tell us about a Council Project or Event your membership currently supports that you are most proud of:

Restoration of our Church’s Eucharistic Chapel with new stain glass windows. We were able to have photographic quality windows designed from historic great works of religious art. The 7 windows depict the life of Christ from conception the Annunciation, through His Crucifixion and Resurrection. I can’t describe how beautiful these master works of art appear in sun light. We also back-lighted them from outside so they can be lit at night. We unveiled this outdoor lighting at our Vigil Christmas Eve Mass.

As a benefit to other Grand Knights, what has worked best to increase Activity within your Council?

Activity isn’t a problem in our council, we have over 100 projects. Many are repeated monthly ex: Coffee and Donuts after all our Masses. This helps with recruitment. I have to say that I am blessed with overly energetic guys and we’re constantly looking for new projects. We need to involve any new Knights into projects they are interested in during the interviewing process for membership. Ex: Scouting, Ministries in the church, Coaching, Youth sporting programs. Recognize their past accomplishments, and tap into this.

As a benefit to other Grand Knights, what has worked best to Increase Involvement of new and exiting members within your Council?

Personally asking them to help out with a council activity. Even if its just for an hour or two. Example: St. Pat’s Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner. Break up the activities, Set-up, Cooking, Serving, Clean-up. This way they can feel connected and involved if they can’t be there for the entire day. The more their involved the better they feel and more connected they are to there brother Knights.

What Service to your State Council would you like to be considered for when you become a Past Grand Knight?

State Degree team memebr

I feel that the key to a successfully fulfilling Knighthood is becoming involved in community and church activities. This helps you to grow as a Knight and enriches your personal life.

Why did you become a Knight:

I was invited, my grandfather and father were once members of the organization (contributed to my decision), I was surprised that my participation was wanted at such a young age (fresh out of high-school), and all indications led me to believe that this organization would be a positive means towards being a 'contributing member to society.

Time management, motivating members, working within the different group dynamics, generating enthusiasm, empowering program directors and officers to take action, and having enough manpower to accomplish the KofC mission & goals are all the biggest challenges. As for success, I am still working on it with a lot of energy -TBD. I'll let you know when I get there.

Tell us about a Council Project or Event your membership currently supports that you are most proud of:

This year we very fortunate to have two active priests within our council that regularly provide assistance, input, and fellowship within our council. In my twenty years as a member of three various councils across the country and visiting other councils, priests have yet to be FULLY embraced by GK's and their members to edify their pastoral responsibilities for guiding the church's flock. This is a welcoming & refreshing evolution that I am seeing re-develop within our organization ,which I fully endorse. Priests are special.

As a benefit to other Grand Knights, what has worked best to increase Activity within your Council?

Servicing the needs of our brothers, fostering fraternal fellowship bonds and friendships, organizing workable game-plans, constant follow-up, attention to business, communicating like information to all members accurately, all while balancing a calming effect upon those around you seem to be working. Retention and recruitment are our next steps. A GK's example should never project laziness, procrastination, or undue delay. All of which is very much like the mission example shown to us by our Savior, Jesus Christ.

As a benefit to other Grand Knights, what has worked best to Increase Involvement of new and exiting members within your Council?

Being/acting as a positive catalyst. Getting our members to openly talk to each other while letting them decide for themselves what is the best interest of the council's survival. We are trying to keep intact our distinction as the oldest council in NH. Listening to the Holy Spirit and getting these passionate views coordinated collectively in the right direction is our goal.

What Service to your State Council would you like to be considered for when you become a Past Grand Knight?

Undecided at this time

None Listed

Why did you become a Knight:

Tell us about a Council Project or Event your membership currently supports that you are most proud of:

As a benefit to other Grand Knights, what has worked best to increase Activity within your Council?

As a benefit to other Grand Knights, what has worked best to Increase Involvement of new and exiting members within your Council?

What Service to your State Council would you like to be considered for when you become a Past Grand Knight?