Knights of Columbus St. Mary of Hills Council # 13950 General Membership Meeting October 16, 2012 Meeting Minutes Call to Order The Worthy Grand Knight Forrest Cooper called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. Worthy Inside Guard Mark Havas vouched that all present possessed current membership cards. Father Stan Ulman led the opening prayer and Worthy Grand Knight Forrest Cooper led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call The Worthy Trustee Ed Ratzenberger acted as Recorder, called the roll of Officers and was answered by Worthy Warden Mark Havas. Grand Knight Forrest Cooper Present Deputy Grand Knight Sam Buckley Present Chaplain Fr. Stan Ulman Present Financial Secretary Bob Reblin Present Treasurer Andrew Fadanelli Present Advocate Bob Jackson Present Chancellor Tony DeFinis Present Lecturer Alex Dominique Present 1 yr Trustee Ed Ratzenberger Present 2 yr Trustee Rich Maciejewski Present 3 yr Trustee Bill Travnik Present Inside Guard Rich Alexander Present Outside Guard Bob Choma Present Outside Guard Bob Szymanski Excused Recorder Rich Diem Excused Warden Mark Havas Present District Deputy John Hundiak Present Minutes Sir Knight Bob Jackson made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 18, 2012 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Chaplin s Report Father Stan Ulman advised that October 11, 2012 marked the beginning of the Year of the Faithful. The Second Vatican Council emphasized extending Faith throughout the World and that all members of the Church should live with Jesus in our lives with emphasis on service to others. Grand Knight s Report GK Cooper advised that the meeting would adjourn at 8:30PM in order to join the Knights Ladies in the gym for refreshments. GK Cooper read a letter from Laura Corrion thanking the Knights and Ed Ratzenberger for all they did at the Picnic. He encouraged the Knights to be more helpful to the Deputy Grand Knight Sam Buckley in identifying candidates for Knight of the Month and Family of the Month. Discussed the distribution of coats to the needy children through the Clothes Closet and St. Vincent DePaul. Worthy Grand Knight expressed the need for an Essay Chairman and a Membership Chairman but did not get a volunteer.
During discussion about the Shed to hold the Nativity Scene, Worthy Arnie Vandercruyssen stated that he needs 6-10 volunteers on October 27 th or if it rains then on the 28th to put up the shed. They will need cordless drills with Phillips head screwdrivers. Email the GK Cooper to volunteer. Treasurer s Report Worthy Treasurer Andrew Fadanelli reported: Month s Starting Balance $18,600.69 Month s Income 663.00 Month s Expenses 5,974.97 Month s Ending Balance $13,288.72 Vouchers were written, approved and checks were written for: Vouchers 12-75 - $4,742.10 To St. Mary of the Hills for the purchase of a Nativity Scene. 12-76 - $1,083.75 To St. Mary of the Hills for the purchase of Storage Shed for the Nativity Scene. 12-77 - $25.91 To Anthony DeFinis Reimbursement Memorial Committee Supplies 12-78 - $75.05 To Forrest Cooper Reimbursement Food & Refreshment 12-79 - $100.00 To Day House as a donation to the Manna Meal food for the homeless. 12-80 - $250.00 To Michigan State Council for Membership Tribute Financial Secretary s Report Worthy Financial Secretary Bob Reblin reported that there are no additional membership admissions. Financial secretary reported that the Council has 154 members. The quota for the fiscal year is 11 and we have 2 new members. The Insurance quota is four and we have 0. There are 4 Honorary Members and 4 Life Members. Worthy Paul Thorn was presented with a Life Membership Card. He is exempt from paying certain dues. A motion by Worthy FS Reblin was passed to approve the purchase of tickets for $250 for the Michigan State Council Membership Tribute. Chancellors Report Worthy Chancellor Tony DeFinis informed the assembled that the Memorial Committee met and were finalizing activities for the Memorial Mass to be held at 9:00AM on December 9, 2012. The wreaths and grave covers will be purchased from the St. Mary Boy Scout Troop. Advocates Report Worthy Advocate Bob Jackson advised that there is a need to obtain more K of C shirts that are used for rewarding Knights for their hard work and volunteerism for the MI Drive and the Millionaires Party. The Changing Lives Together capital campaign will need about 100 volunteers. The income from the capital campaign will be shared. The Parish will retain 70% for whatever projects or needs are designated and the Diocese will receive 30%. A meeting will be held on October 24 to discuss the capital campaign further. The next Millionaires Party will be December 16-19, 2012. Volunteers are needed. It was mentioned that spouses are welcome to participate. Worthy Advocate attended the Breakfast with Detroit Fire Department and gave a description of a brave deed by a fire fighter in saving a child for which he was awarded the Medal of Valor. He felt it to be a fitting tribute to the fire fighters for their heroic actions, and thanked Ed Ratzenberger for being the Chairman of that annual breakfast. Trustees Report Worthy Trustee Ed Ratzenberger announced that six bills were read, signed and approved.
Deputy Grand Knight The Knights are urged to record their service hours on the Council s website. Those who have difficulty doing so on line are encouraged to record their service hours in the ledger that the DGK has at each meeting. Worthy DGK Sam Buckley stated that the Knights should be more helpful in identifying Knights to be nominated for Knight of the Month and Family of the Month. He said out of 154 Members he had only four responses and needs a lot more each month. DGK Buckley presented Ed Ratzenberger with a Knight of the Month certificate. DGK Buckley announced that David and Carol Gunther were selected as the Family of the Month. Unfinished Business Past Grand Knight Bill Sabanos advised that the chili cook-off has not drawn any interested parties. It will be held January 26. Need volunteers for a committee. Worthy Paul Thorn and Worthy Tony DeFinis volunteered. The MI Drive collected $2,206.83. Hollywood Market experienced a power failure at the peak time for donations so the amount of donations was less than expected. For the next drive the Starbucks location at Rochester Road and Auburn may be available. SK Paul Thorn was thanked for being Chairman of the MI Drive. There is a need to form a Degree Team composed of 7 Knights selected from members of the St. Anastasia and St. Mary Councils. It was also mentioned that there would be 2 nd & 3 rd Degree Ceremonies October 27 th in Harrison Township and on December 2 nd in Garden City. Worthy Grand Knight Forrest Cooper again asked for a Knight to be Membership Chairman and no one volunteered. The Webmaster has obtained new employment so he needs to be replaced to maintain the Website. The Prep Bowl for the Catholic School League Championships is Saturday, October 20 and tickets were made available at the meeting. The Knights Bowling Tournament is in January. Contact Paul Thorn if interested. Worthy Sir Paul Thorn reminded Knights that the annual Washington DC trip for the Right for Life March would be held January 25, 2013. The bus ride will cost $100.00 each and the hotel is $99/person for a room. The bus will depart from Chelsea on January 24 and return January 26. Please contact Worthy Paul Thorn for more information. He circulated a baby bottle for the Knights to make Right to Life donations. New Business The GK Forrest Cooper stated that there is a new Principle at Holy Family who has agreed to let the Knights to use their kitchen and suggested that we have a pancake breakfast. Worthy Arnie Vandercruyssen will chair the event. Worthy Frank Walkiewicz advised that he will confirm four dates for the Knights to visit the soup kitchen. He said that the St. Mary Youth Group will install a ceiling at the soup kitchen on Thanksgiving weekend. For an alternative for trick or treating in the neighborhood for Halloween, St. Mary Parish will offer Trunk or Treat at 6PM in the South parking lot of the Church on October 28 th. Knights are asked to help with handing out cider and donuts. Worthy Andrew Fadanelli reported that the St. Mary s Men s Club, now called Brave Hearts will host Father Ben Ludkin on November 3, 2012 on the topic Catholic Men in a Secular World. Coffee and donuts will be served at 8:30AM and the presentation will be from 9AM to 11AM. The will be flyers and one can register on St. Mary s website. Flyers are being distributed. Worthy Trustee Rich Maciejewski advised that the annual sing-along at Mercy Bellbrook would take place at 2:00PM on December 8 th. Following the caroling the residents will be given poinsettia plants. It costs about $300 to provide the residents with the plants. A motion was made by Tony DeFinis to authorize $300 for the plants and the motion passed unanimously.
Fourth Degree Report Worthy Trustee Bill Travnik discussed the Wreaths Across America for the military. Worthy Trustee Travnik discussed the Provincial meeting for training to be held at DeCarlo Banquet Hall. The Knights Ladies will help with the meeting. The Color Corp will be at Modetz Silver Bell Chapel, the Mass for Commerce at Sacred Heart Seminary and St. Andrew s Pastoral Mass. The Retention Committee has been making a lot of contacts to save our Brother Knights to keep them in the Council and help them in other ways when need be. Lecturer Worthy Lecturer Alex Dominique advised that the cost of building a stable for the Nativity Scene would be $495.00. Worthy Trustee Bill Travnik made a motion for $495 and the motioned passed. Field Agent s Report General Agent Douglas Schultz provided information about the highly regarded and highly rated Knights of Columbus insurance and investment programs that are available to all Knights. Those with Annuity contracts of $10,000 or more have access to a new Systematic Withdrawal Option. He presented several Knights with their certificates informing them of the details of the fraternal benefit. There will be a Fraternal Benefits program presented on March 7, 2013. Knights attending will be given information about such matters as taxes, funeral planning, annuities, life insurance, home care and assisted living, etc. Council Members are urged to attend. District Deputy Report Worthy District Deputy John Hundiak discussed the Mass for Commerce to be held October 17, 2012 at 8AM at the Sacred Heart Seminary. Worthy DD will lead the Color Corp and offered a ride at 6:30AM for those interested. There will be a Religious Liberty Rally in Detroit on Saturday, October 20. Holy Cross Children s Services will have an open house on October 28, 2012. There will be an 11:00AM Mass. There will be a Fourth Degree Packing Party for the troops in Afghanistan. The children will make holiday cards. For the Good of the Order Prayers are asked for Pope Benedict, Joe Bono, Claire Bono, Ted Skrzyszewski, L. T. Matthews, John McKevitz, SK Bill Travnik s daughter and daughter-in-law, Cindy Yanachik s niece, Mike Blake's brother-in-law, Deacon Gene, Father Strain, Dan Saunder s son, Jason Buckley (in service in the Middle East) and Paul Durak's mother who passed away. Closing Prayer Father Stan Ulman led the Knights in the recitation of closing prayers. Drawing During the time of the drawing of tickets Worthy Financial Secretary read the names of Knights who had birthdays and anniversaries during October. Worthy Knight John Showalter won $35 in the 50-50 drawing and $36 was placed in the Attendance Raffle account. The name of Worthy Knight Dennis Zelek was drawn as winner of the attendance raffle but due to his absence he did not receive the $200 he would have won. Adjournment Grand Knight Forest Cooper adjourned the meeting at 8:30PM.
Ed Ratzenberger for Rich Diem The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 starting at 7:00 PM. The Attendance Raffle will be worth $236.00. Remember, you can t win this Raffle unless you attend the meeting.