In order to maintain the proper decorum after a degree, introduction of Dignitaries and Speakers needs to be controlled. Many times, as we have all seen, some dignitaries are left out, or some have been given an opportunity to speak that shouldn’t have been. As hard as it is to say “no” to a brother Knight, protocol mandates that only certain persons get speaking opportunities after being introduced. Please review the following information for First and Second Degrees.
Once the degree has concluded, the degree team GK facilitates the announcement of all dignitaries but first turns the gavel over to the degree team captain (if not the team GK) for the introduction of just the degree team members announcing their name and current council office only. The gavel is then given back to the degree team GK for the purpose of introducing all the dignitaries in the Chamber based on a specific order pertaining to their current position in the Knights of Columbus.
NOTE: If a person on the team has many titles, or is a former or past officer, they are identified by their highest title ONLY! There is no need to announce all positions held by the individual. This is also true for the introduction of dignitaries with the exception of DDs, RDDs, or PSDs currently holding other state positions – see below.
Proper order for introductions:
1. All Priests and Clergy – done by the degree team GK
2. Degree Team from lowest to highest – done by the degree
team captain
a. Inside/Outside Guards
b. Sound Man
c. Warden’s Aides
d. Warden
e. FS
f. Chancellor
g. DGK
h. GK
The remaining introductions are done by the degree team GK:
3. Any GKs present (they can rise give their name and council
number). The Host GK should also be announced and
allowed to briefly welcome
all
the new Knights and members and give some direction as to what will happen
after the
Degree regarding refreshments. NOTE:
if the degree is held during a business meeting, the Host GK should defer
comments
until
the GK’s
Report during the meeting.
4. Any Field Agents present
5. General Agent – if present. If the GA is not present,
then Field Agent assigned to that council should be allowed a
couple of
moments
to
briefly introduce himself and the role of the Field Agent. This is not
a time to sell Insurance, and
comments should be limited. NOTE: if
the degree is held during a business meeting, the Field Agent should defer
comments until the Field Agents report
during the meeting.
6. Any State Chairman present (DDs, RDDs, and PSDs holding
a state chairmanship are not introduced here)
7. Any State Directors present (DDs, RDDs, and PSDs holding
a state directorship are not introduced here)
8. All District Deputies present (if they are a state director
or chairman, mention it here)
9. All Regional District Deputies present (if they are a state
director or chairman, mention it here)
10. All Past State Deputies present (if they are a state director
or chairman, mention it here)
11. All State Officers present
12. Any Supreme Representative present (they do not speak unless
requested by the State Deputy)
13. State Deputy of North Carolina – must be invited
to speak and is the last person to do so.
NOTE: The last person to give a report or speech is the State Deputy of the North Carolina. In his absence, the State Officer, RDD or DD present, is his duly appointed represented and as such will be the last person to speak.
Introduction of Dignitaries and Speakers at a Second Degree
The DD of the Degree Team should facilitate announcing all dignitaries
in the chamber, except for the actual Degree Team. The Degree Team Captain
(if not the DD) should announce the team by name, council and current council
office (if any), and then turn the introductions back to the Degree Team
DD.
NOTE: If a person on the team has many titles, or is a former or past officer,
they are identified by their highest title ONLY! There is no need to announce
all positions held by the individual. This is also true for the introduction
of dignitaries with the exception of DDs, RDDs, or PSDs currently holding other
state positions – see below.
Proper order for introductions:
1. All Priests and Clergy present – done by the
District Deputy
2. Degree Team from lowest to highest – done by
the degree team captain
a. Inside/Outside Guards
b. Sound Man
c. Guards of Honor
d. Simon of Cyrene
e. Warden’s Aides
f. Warden
g. FS
h. Chancellor
i. GK
j. DD
The remaining introductions are done by the District Deputy:
3. All GKs present (they can rise give their name and
council number). The Host GK should also be announced and
allowed to briefly
welcome
all
the new Knights and members and give some direction as to what will happen
after the
Degree regarding refreshments. NOTE:
if the degree is held prior to a Third Degree, the Host GK should defer
comments
until
introduced
at
the end of the Third Degree.
4. All Field Agents present
5. General Agent – if present. If the GA is not
present, then Field Agent assigned to that council should be allowed a
couple
of
moments
to
briefly introduce himself and the role of the Field Agent. This is not
a time to sell Insurance, and
comments should be limited. NOTE: if
the degree is held prior to a Third Degree, the Field Agent can defer comments
until introduced at the end of the
Third Degree.
6. Any State Chairman present (DDs, RDDs, and PSDs holding
a state chairmanship are not introduced here)
7. Any State Directors present (DDs, RDDs, and PSDs holding
a state directorship are not introduced here)
8. All District Deputies present (if they are a state
director or chairman, mention it here)
9. All Regional District Deputies present (if they are
a state director or chairman, mention it here)
10. All Past State Deputies present (if they are a state
director or chairman, mention it here)
11. All State Officers present
12. Any Supreme Representative (they do not speak unless
requested by the State Deputy)
13. State Deputy of North Carolina – must be invited
to speak and is the last person to do so.
NOTE: The last person to give a report or speech is the State Deputy of
the North Carolina. In his absence, the State Officer, RDD or DD present,
is his duly appointed represented and as such will be the last person to
speak.