The Tar Heel Knight

A Perspective of What a Grand Knight Should Establish in the First 30 to 60 Days
The first months of a Grand Knight’s term are important. They set the tone not only for the year ahead, but also for the spirit, direction, and confidence of the council. A Grand Knight does not need to have every answer on day one, and he certainly does not need every detail of the year fully planned. But he should begin with clarity about where the council is going, why it matters, and how the men of the council will move forward together.
One of the first things a Grand Knight should establish is mission. Mission is different from a goal. A goal may be to earn Star Council, grow membership, complete a certain number of programs, or raise a certain amount of money. Those are all good and worthy goals, but they are not the mission itself.
A mission is deeper. A mission is the driving force behind the work. It is the reason we keep going when the work becomes difficult, when decisions are not easy, and when obstacles appear. A good example of a council mission might be: Encounter Christ through Father McGivney’s vision of the Knights of Columbus.
A simple way to test whether something is truly a mission is to ask: If we reach it, do we stop? If we exceed it, are we done? If the answer is yes, then it is probably a goal. Mission does not end when a checkbox is marked complete. Mission continues to call us forward.
And fair warning: when a council places Christ at the center, challenges will come. Things may be thrown at you to test your mettle — and maybe even your metal. But that is also where real leadership begins.
Once the mission is clear, the next step is to establish a measure. A measure helps the council see progress. It gives the men something concrete to look at, especially several months into the journey when motivation may begin to fade or the road feels long.
A measure does not always have to be membership. It depends on the mission. For one Grand Knight, a good measure might be: Meet all 264 members of my council. For another, it might be increased participation in faith programs, stronger relationships with the parish, better communication with members, or a more active officer team.
The point is not to reduce the mission to a number. The point is to help the council recognize movement. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. When you are at step 345, it helps to remember that you arrived there because of the 344 steps already taken. And from there, it only takes one more step to reach 346.
A Grand Knight should also establish expectations early. Every council needs to know the rules of the road. Officers and members should understand how they are expected to operate, communicate, lead, and support one another. This includes expectations for progress and performance, but it also includes expectations for faith, fraternity, and leadership.
The council should know what to expect from the Grand Knight as well. How available will he be? How involved will he be in day-to-day decisions? What is the best way to communicate with him? What information does he want brought to his attention? These things may eventually become clear over time, but it is far better to place them on the table early.
The Knights of Columbus is not only here to complete programs. We are here to grow leaders and to grow in faith. Clear expectations help create the environment where that growth can happen.
Another important responsibility in the first months is understanding the council’s resources. Every council is unique, and the most valuable resource in any council is its people. The Knights are a hands-and-feet organization. The real treasure, the real work, and the real men are found in the council.
What do your men bring to the table? Are they cooks? Are they builders? Are they creative? Are they good with social media? Are they strong in faith? Are they organizers, speakers, planners, recruiters, or quiet workers who simply get things done?
If you do not know, then find out. Build relationships with your men. Learn their gifts. Learn their stories. A council becomes stronger when its members are known, invited, and given the opportunity to serve according to their talents.
A Grand Knight should also take time to learn the history of his council. There is a richness in the Knights of Columbus that is found in our history. Every council has stories, traditions, past leaders, challenges overcome, and moments of grace. Knowing that history helps a Grand Knight appreciate his place in something bigger than himself, bigger than his term, and bigger than any one council.
Finally, the Grand Knight needs a plan. The plan does not need to include every step in perfect detail. In fact, it probably should not. A practical way to think about planning is: easy as ABCZ.
You need Step A. You need Step B. You may need Step C. And you need a clear picture of Z.
Z is the final destination. It is where you are trying to lead the council. Have the end in mind. Visualize the end. Then begin moving forward with the next faithful steps.
During the first 30 to 60 days, there are also several practical items that should not be overlooked. The council should hold an installation of officers, vote on the budget, schedule regular meetings with the priest, publish the annual meeting schedule, and nail down events for at least the next six months. Required Supreme forms and reports should also be completed, including Form 185, Form 365, and the Annual Audit in August.
These first two months matter. They are not about doing everything at once. They are about setting the foundation. Start with mission. Establish your measure. Communicate expectations. Understand your resources. Build relationships. Learn the council’s history. Then create a simple plan that moves the council toward the final destination.
A Grand Knight who begins this way gives his council more than a calendar of activities. He gives his council direction, confidence, and purpose. Most importantly, he helps his brother Knights remember that our work is not simply about meetings, forms, events, or awards. It is about encountering Christ, serving His Church, and living Father McGivney’s vision in our own time.
And when the work becomes difficult, as it surely will, we return to the hope at the heart of our mission. As Saint Paul reminds us in Romans Chapter 5, “hope does not disappoint,” because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. That hope gives the Grand Knight courage to lead, the council strength to persevere, and every brother Knight a reason to take the next faith-filled step forward.
Vivat Jesus!