School is starting again, or it's just about to. As adults, let's be careful as drivers and keep our eyes and ears open around school zones. Let’s also be appreciative of all of the school crossing guards. Give ‘em a brake!

With the start of the school year the K of C steps into full swing to recruit new members and grow the order. New members are the lifeblood of the Order and the key to the success of Councils and their officers. For Councils who bring in new members, it is important to get the new members initiated as quickly as they can. The rules of our Order are spelled out that this is is the responsibility of the Council to which the prospect applies and the initiation is to be conducted by that Council. This gives rise to the duty of Grand Knights to see that there is a First Degree Team within his Council.

Forming a First Degree Team is not difficult. The GK should find members who are willing and able to learn the script for the Degree. In addition, he should consider that there are several roles within the team that do not require speaking but are just as necessary in that they are support roles to ensure a well presented First Degree.

The importance of the First Degree is underscored by the fact that Supreme entrusts District Deputies with the job of attending and reviewing each First Degree. If the team is able to present the Degree form memory, and understand what should occur at the appropriate times, then the DD certifies each team member and the team.

Presenting the First Degree in order to initiate new members is the small step that is taken within the Council to activate new members. The large step is to get them into activities. This is actually a series of small steps. Councils should find out where a prospects interests lie through the fraternal survey or a similar type of questionnaire. Councils should tailor this to include the activities that the Council conducts. It will not be very useful to ask if a new member is interested in an activity in which the Council has no participation. That would be a sure sign of a new member who will loose interest. Even if the new member indicates a minimal interst in only one Activity, The GK should ensure that the director or chairman of that activity contacts the new member and extends a personal invitation to him to come to a meeting, join at the activity or something similar. This will have dividends as the new members gets to meet others within his Council. Thus new friendships and relations are forged.

If at all possible, get a new members wife and family involved. We are a Catholic, Family, Fraternal, Service Organization. Remember, family comes first. Always keep family where it belongs and encourage new members to understand that.

I wish all the Council in District 27 the beast of luck recruiting this fall. Let’s really get new members and get them involved!

Vivat Jesus!,