Author: Rick Lewis
We start this month’s message with a message mostly of happiness, but also a little sad. After 5 months, we can proudly see the efforts in Swannanoa at the Alan Campos Project as the rebuild is COMPLETE! On March 29th, the State Deputy, my wife Debbie, and I attended the official “Welcome Home” ceremony at Alan Campos. Though people were already moving in as homes were completed, this was a day of celebration as ALL residents impacted were officially welcomed back to their homes.
The day consisted of acknowledging those groups who helped bring this project to fruition, which key honors going to the Knights of Columbus of North Carolina right there with other notable groups as Catholic Charities of Charlotte, the United Way of North Carolina, the Methodist Church of Western North Carolina, and Samaritan's Purse. Then, of course, there was the FOOD we shared. Oh my goodness! My “girls” cooked up another fabulous meal. Let’s just say, we were not worried about keeping my girlish figure for a couple of hours. So good…so, so good! There was music and dancing, a bouncy house for the kids, and just a tremendous wave of gratitude by all the homeowners for helping them restore their lives to normal.
Finally, with the assistance of the local Methodist minister, each family and house was blessed as a NEW START in their journey.
To all the Knights of Columbus that joined in these efforts, whether it be one Knight for one day, or a team of Knights that came for a week, or better still, week after week, thank you for your time and talents. This includes our brothers who journeyed from Idaho, Tennessee, Georgia, plus other jurisdictions that came to NC because they wanted to do something to help this specific endeavor. So, to my best estimate, we averaged about 25 Knights a week for 20 weeks. This puts the total man-hours between 4,000 and 5,000 hours dedicated to this rebuild alone. Add to that the additional support from local councils who brought materials in, supplies in and ALL the councils that donated financially. THIS EXEMPLIFIES THE MISSION OF BLESSED MCGIVNEY TO IT’S BEST.
There is still much work to be done. As of this writing, we now must contend with the forest fires. Luckily for us, no impact on people, just land. Our brothers in South Carolina, not so lucky. As we have said from the very beginning, this was never a sprint, but a marathon.
Last month, we wrote about the passing of PSD/FVSM Jim Neeley. I had the honor at the Special Olympics of NC board meeting in March to present SONC with a $500 donation on behalf of Jim.
SHOOTING FOR THE STARS:
Congratulations to the latest recipients of STAR COUNCIL RECOGNITION for March:
Mooresville 7406
Arden 8923
Asheville 11911
Raleigh 12025
Swannanoa 13016
What an AMAZING JOB! Thank you for your STEWARDSHIP and all you did to achieve this honor. There are a couple more that have been added to the calendar going into April.
March closes Q3. It is now Q4. With 3 months to go, are you on track for STAR RECOGNITION for 24/25?
Are you recruiting new members? Contact your Membership team for help and suggestions.
Are you current on all your form submissions? Contact the State Warden for possible missing forms.
Is your council's SAFE ENVIRONMENT compliant? Contact the State Advocate for more information on completing this.
Is your council conducting and reporting vibrant programs? Contact any of your talented Program Directors for ideas. [Be sure to fill out that 10784 after EVERY program you do]
life@kofcnc.org
community@kofcnc.org
Faith@kofcnc.org
Family@kofcnc.org
Have you scheduled your two (2) Fraternal Benefits Knights? Contact your Field Agent for help and support. If you don’t know who your agent is, you can contact the general agent christopher.mahoney@kofc.org
COUNTDOWN TO CONVENTION:
The State Convention 2025 in Hickory, NC is just around the corner. Specific questions regarding the convention can be directed to the Convention Chairman. A “Countdown to Convention” program and all registration links are posted on the State Web Site at https://www.kofcnc.org/convention
By now, your councils should have completed a host of items:
Due by March 2025 during and done at the Council business meeting
Election of Council Delegates – Councils must hold elections for delegates and alternates by their March business meeting. “By March” means this is the latest you can submit. If you get it done in February, EXCELLENT. See bullet point under Due April 1, 2025” below.
See the message in THK from the Credentials Chairman on submitting delegates
Bishop’s, Culture of Life and ASAP Funds – Councils should approve the expenditure of these funds at either their February or March Business Meetings. Once approved write, and bring these checks to the Convention. Make checks payable to Knights of Columbus NC State Council. Put the fund on the memo line. EX: Bishop’s Fund Raleigh, Bishop’s Fund Charlotte, Culture of Life
Due April 1, 2025
Ad Book – Last day for submission of Ads for the convention book.
State Raffle – Tickets & Money – Ticket stubs and money are due to your District Deputy.
Credentials – Complete online https://www.kofcnc.org/convention/credentials.
Supreme, State Per Capita & All Outstanding invoices – Must be paid to seat delegates at the convention.
Necrology – Report the names & 3rd degree titles for all brothers who died since 4/1/2024 to State Secretary using the Necrology Form.
District Deputies, RDDs, State Directors and Chairmen. – Fraternal Year report due to the State Deputy with a copy to State Secretary StateSecretary@kofcnc.org
Due April 8, 2025
Hotel Reservations – Last day to register with the hotel for room reservations at special rate.
Due April 15, 2025
State Convention Registration – Last day to register for the convention.
3 MONTH ROLLING STATE CALENDAR:
April:
ROSARY EVERY SUNDAY EVENING AT 8P
April 2 – Church dedication All Saints Church Hampstad
April 5 – State Free Throw Competition - Burlington
April 15 – Submit Family of the Month to Supreme
April 23 – THK Articles Due
April 25-27 – State Officers Meeting
May:
May 16-18 – NC State Convention, Hickory, NC
May 23 – THK Articles Due
June:
COUNCIL LEADERSHIP TRAININGS (TBA) – ALL NEW GK, DGK/PROGRAM DIRECTORS AND SITTING FS NEED TO ATTEND
June 7 – NEW 4th Degree Exemplification, GREENVILLE (See Golden Plume)
June 15 – Submit Family of the Month to Supreme
June 23 – THK Articles Due
June 30 – Colombian Award (SP-7 Form) is due