Third Quarter 2009 - 2010

Grand Knights Message:

Tadd R. Klimmek – Grand Knight

Vivat Jesus Brother Knights,

Since our last newsletter, the Council has changed some but we continue in our successes.  Before I explain some of these changes, I would like to first talk about some very important future events.  First, the annual Spring MI Drive (Tootsie roll) is scheduled for 3/26 through 3/28.  This is our biggest fundraising event of the year and help will be needed from every member.  Phone calls will be made and emails will soon be sent to each member to arrange the volunteer schedule.  Please do everything possible to ensure another successful MI Drive. 

In addition to the MI Drive, our annual Blue Mass is scheduled for 4/11/10 at the 10:45 Mass.  The Blue Mass is a Corporate Mass with the Color Corp with a special invitation and recognition of area law enforcement and emergency service personnel.  This Mass is open to everyone and Knight attendance is strongly encouraged.  There will be a light lunch served afterwards in the grade school gym. 

Next, I would like talk about some of the changes since our last newsletter.  Most of the changes revolve around retention and membership.  Over a year ago, the Council started the process of suspending members who were very delinquent on their dues.  This is a very long process and requires many contacts to make sure everyone is given every chance to avoid suspension.  Recently, Supreme officially suspended 17 delinquent members.  Suspending these members is very important to the Council’s viability because the Council is required to pay “per capitas” to the State and Supreme regardless if a member pays his dues.  Thus, please remember the importance of paying your dues and please contact me if you are unable to pay your dues to discus a hardship request.  Despite these suspensions, our membership is very strong.  Our Membership Director, Sir Knight Sean McCarthy, has been working very hard to recruit new members to the Council.  So far, we have gained 8 new members this fraternal year.  That is right on track for a council our size.  However, I would like to remind everyone that there are nearly 5000 families who are Shrine Parish members.  Despite this very large membership pool, we only have approximately 150 Council members.  I know there are many good Knights yet that need to be discovered in our Parish.

Finally, I have talked to several members lately who expressed concern on why such a membership push is needed.  I understand these concerns and thought the same before I became Grand Knight.  However, greater involvement in the Knights has shown me that membership is always a priority in any civic organization.  Membership growth and change is needed to ensure organizational strength and to prevent stagnation. 

Thank you to everyone for your help and keep making us great! Vivat Jesus. 

Our Council Officers for the 2009-2010 Fraternal Year:

We have many future events planned in hope of increasing our membership and membership activity. When permitted, the business meeting will be the first meeting of each month and a round table style meeting will be the second meeting of each month.  This change is in effort to increase meeting efficiency and meeting attendance. 

Council Recognitions:

January

Knight of the Month: S.K. Matthew Grosodonia

Family of the Month: B.K. Gerard Baltrusaitis

February

Knight of the Month: B.K. Robert Gullo

Family of the Month: S.K. Joseph Guarino

Happy Birthday!!

From our Financial Secretary:

By now all dues-paying Brother Knights should have received his letter notifying them of 2010 council dues that we request are to be paid by the end of the year. The dues received from Brother Knights represent a significant portion of the council funds, which we use to support several religious and community organizations throughout the year. The council is required to pay the State and Supreme Knights of Columbus councils a fixed amount per council member, whether that member has paid their dues or not. Therefore those Brother Knights who do not timely pay their dues place the council under significant financial strain. Please respond to the dues notices if possible (if you are unable to pay please contact a council officer), as well as any past dues for council year 2009. Payment is due January 1, 2010 and the council thanks you for your prompt payment.

All Payments can be remitted to our Financial Secretary

B.K. Ryan Rosevear

304 S Kenwood Ave

Royal Oak, MI 48067-3993

One Nation, Under God

Did you know? In 1954, Congress after a campaign by the Knights of Columbus, added the words, 'under God,' to the Pledge. The Pledge was now both a patriotic oath and a public prayer.

Pray for our Troops

Please say a prayer for the safety of those men and women who protect our freedom with their lives.

Insurance Update:

WHY PEOPLE DO NOT BUY LIFE INSURANCE.

(From an article by Tom Smith, Executive Vice President—Agencies and Marketing)

Statistics tell us that 50 percent of households in the United States have no individually owned life insurance. The tendency is to get very comfortable that you are “covered” if you have group life insurance through work.

The statistics for why people have not availed themselves of life insurance coverage are pretty clear, and they really don’t change from survey to survey. According to the Life Insurance Marketing Research Association (LIMRA), there several reasons why people don’t buy life insurance:

74 PERCENT list “can’t afford the coverage”.

52 PERCENT say they “can’t decide what to buy”.

50 PERCENT agree it is a good idea but “put it off until tomorrow”.

43 PERCENT worry about “making the wrong decision”.

Let’s examine each of these reasons. First, coverage is only offered if it meets your budget. It is in no one’s best interest to offer you a product that you cannot afford. Your Knights of Columbus Field Agent goes through a process of determining an affordable monthly cost.

If you cannot decide what to buy, the agent will help you decide, and identify your goals and objectives as well as a budget. We offer term insurance and permanent insurance, or a mix of both. We believe a combination of these products can solve all personal protection issues.

Putting the purchase of life insurance off can be costly, and we recommend against that! As you get older the premiums go up, and you run the very real risk that your health can change. A negative change in your health can cause your premiums to increase, or you could be denied coverage all together.

For those worried about “making the wrong decision”, we can help. Our professionally trained agents work with hundreds of families just like yours. They know what to look for and what to recommend. A conversation with a K of C agent can help erase your doubts.

Please contact me today for more information and in depth needs analysis.

Kevin Murphy    

Phone: 248-439-0409

e-mail: kevin.murphy@kofc.org

Future Dates to Remember:

4/02/10 – GOOD FRIDAY - @ 4:30-7pm – Fish Fry at Clawson Council 4188 – 870 N. Main St. Clawson, MI

Sunday April 4^th, 2010 – EASTER SUNDAY

Sunday April, 11^th 10:45am Blue Mass @ Shrine

Meeting Reminder

If you have not been to a meeting in a while, here’s an opportunity to have a say so in the operations of the council. Our meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

Meetings are held in the Conference Center located in the Plaza with YaYa’s Chicken, on Woodward Ave. Just North of the Church. Park in the Northwood Church Parking lot and enter through the rear of the building. It is mandatory that you present a current membership card to enter the meetings.

News submissions are invited from all our Brothers, Officers, Directors and

Committee Chairs to be included in our newsletter.

Address all information to:    

Matt Grosodonia (248) 588-3469   Email: thedonatthemac@gmail.com

Council  Meetings

Our meetings are held in the Church Conference Center.

North of the church in the commercial strip center, across Northwood Blvd. Near Ya-Ya’s Chicken.

Park in the Northwood parking lot and enter thru the rear of the building.

Meetings are the 2^nd & 4^th Tuesday of the month

At 7:30p

 U

Our Little Flower

Published by

 Knights of Columbus

National Shrine of the Little Flower

Council No. 12408

A Parish based Council

2100 West Twelve Mile Rd.

Royal Oak, MI 48073

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When you visit www.kofc.org, our official website, spend some time on the insurance portion of the site.  This will help keep you well versed on this fraternal benefit offered to all members.

 Vivat Jesus

Send comments or questions to the web page editor, admin@kofc12408.com.