Author: JP Horvat
My Brothers:
Worthy brothers, June has been a very busy month for me. I have be doing installations and presenting STAR Assembly awards. If I have missed yours installation, I apologize. I am trying to do ones that I have not done before or doing combined installations. (This saves me so time and the fraternity afterwards is tremendous.) I want to thank all of you for working so hard.
I am also doing an Exemplification on the 25th of June to get some men who have trouble getting to an exemplification because of health issues. More on this next month.
I’m also preparing to do a “special” Exemplification for some of our newly ordained priests in the Charlotte diocese (27 July). More on that later, too.
We are in need of MORE Exemplars. Some of my colleagues are getting older and can’t travel. Please consider joining this elite crew. You will get to see the entire state, meet new brothers and have some fun, too.
We now have a new Assembly in North Carolina. It is the SK Al Varner Assembly #3994, in Smithfield. (I was trying to get #4000, but apparently I was too quick.) We are awaiting the Charter for this new assembly.
Attached is the first two pages from our Supreme Master’s April 2024 newsletter. (This was sent previously, but I’ll bet not all has read.) Please read very closely and definitely pass this along. This is for all Sir Knights.
I am missing some Civic awards and a few To Be a Patriot awards. Civic awards are due to Supreme on 30 June 2024. If you are late, there is no “grace period”. Your To Be a Patriot awards were due to me on 30 APR 2024. If you get them to me by 29 JUN 24, you will be covered. After that, sorry.
REMEMBER: Info me and the District Secretary on all your submissions. Not a separate E-mail. If you don’t, we will not be able to assist you. The due dates are fixed and do not mean the date you sign the report. It is the date of your E-mail to Supreme or me. See the Supreme website for more details or call me.
Be SAFE and PRAY often
JP
IMPORTANT DATES:
JUL 12-13-14 DD Organizational meeting
AUG 5-8 Supreme Convention (Québec)
Supporting our Country, Community, and Church With
Supreme Master Respect and Honor
Michael McCusker Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree
suprememaster@kofc.org
Let’s Get Social!
As in social baldrics. Because there’s been some changes lately and despite best efforts to communicate these changes, it seems that the message never quite makes it down to the membership or often gets jumbled along the way. So, I am committing this month’s Supreme Master’s message to explaining the changes in a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) format. So, here we go!
Why did the social baldric go away?
Answer: It has not gone away. Instead, it will no longer be given out to new members at an exemplification.
Why was this change made?
Answer: With shipping and handling, the cost of a social baldric eats up approximately 20-25% of the exemplification fee to provide a baldric that will seldom if ever be used again. For one, it does not go with the current uniform, as it was designed for wear with a tuxedo. Two, when it’s given to new members completing the degree in a military, law enforcement or firefighter dress uniform, it is not authorized and does not fit with the uniform at all.
Who can still wear the social baldric?
Answer: Any member. Most importantly, those members who still use the tuxedo because they have not been able to acquire the new uniform yet actively participate in the Fourth Degree. This policy change is not intended to make such members feel excluded. New members have the option to buy one for wear at black tie functions requiring a tuxedo, e.g. state or supreme conventions. However, the use of the social baldric with a tuxedo is not mandatory but a way for a member to show pride in their Fourth Degree membership.
Can districts or assemblies purchase social baldrics as gifts to new members?
Answer: Yes. Although, it would not seem to be a very practical financial decision considering how seldom they are used any more.
What is the dress code for the Patriotic Degree?
Answer: The preferred dress code is the new official uniform with beret. However, if the candidate does not have the new uniform, they may wear a dark suit and tie. Cont.—Supreme Master on Page 2
May new candidates wear tuxedos for the Patriotic Degree?
Answer: No – effective July 1, 2024, as it makes no sense to buy or rent a tuxedo for a degree. The expense of purchasing or renting could be used instead to offset the cost of a new uniform.
Can mixed honor guards occur where some members still wear their tuxedo and social baldric, and others wear the new unform?
Answer: No, as it does not lend to uniformity. Honor guards are limited to the new uniform.
What is the District Master’s Fund and how does this change impact it?
Answer: District Masters are not reimbursed by the Supreme Assembly except in very rare cases. As such, the Master must carefully plan travel to visit assemblies and to conduct degrees. Last year, the Board of Directors voted to increase the exemplification fee to $90, meaning that a district may charge up to that amount. Masters often lose money carrying out their duties. Between travel and degrees, many use their own money to keep the Fourth Degree going. Simply put, this is not right! By increasing the fee and eliminating the social baldric for new candidates, it increases the Master’s ability to conduct a meaningful degree, Mass, and banquet without going in debt. Essentially, it pro vides relief to dedicated Sir Knights who are giving significant time and leadership to the Fourth Degree.
What is the change with name badges?
Answer: Previously, no name badges were worn with the current uniform, and this creates a bit of confusion. Especially in social settings where nobody knows the names of attendees from other assemblies, etc. To remedy this, members may now wear a Fourth-Degree name badge with the current uniform ONLY in a social setting and NEVER in an honor guard. Since the embroidered emblem on the left breast and wear of medals prevents wearing a badge on the left, the name badge may be worn on the right breast, using either a pin or magnetic backing.
May I wear any name badge?
Answer: No. It must be the Fourth Degree name badge for your assembly or one that designates your current rank, including past or former FN, FF, DM or VSM ranks. There is no requirement to purchase a specific name badge for wear and you may even add a magnetic backing to your current badge instead of incurring additional costs.
Are there any exceptions for wearing a Third Degree name badge?
Answer: Yes – current State Officers (including District Deputies) may wear the badge for their respective office. The same rule applies to current Supreme Officers and Directors. Past Supreme Knights, Immediate and Past State Deputies, Former State Chaplains, and Former Supreme Directors, may wear their respective badge indefinitely.
I hope that these answers provide a better understanding of the recent changes to policy. However, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Supreme Master’s office at SupremeMaster@kofc.org.
Vivat Jesus!