Knights of Columbus
WV State Council
Presented on May 17, 2009
Canaan Valley, Davis, West Virginia
Resolution No. 1
RESOLVED: That the West Virginia State Council, in its One-Hundred Seventh Convention, respectfully and solemnly pledge our loyalty to our Most Reverend Michael J. Bransfield, Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston. We pray that his spirituality will call us to a future, which will be rich in ecumenical experience with all our Christian Brothers. (2007) Action:
Resolution No. 2
RESOLVED: That the West Virginia State Council, in its One-Hundred Seventh Convention assembled, gratefully express to our Supreme Knight, Carl Anderson, our Supreme Officers and Directors, our utmost appreciation for their capable leadership and services during the past year.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That we, in Convention, assembled in Canaan Valley, West Virginia, are indeed grateful and applaud the presence here with us of Brother Ronald J. Tracz, Assistant Supreme Secretary. (2009) Action:
Resolution No. 3
RESOLVED: To Worthy Past State Deputy, Angelo Viani, Jr. Worthy State Secretary Darrell W. Capral, and to their respective committees, to State Deputy Benard V. Kelly, Jr. and his respective committees and all council members, we express our gratitude in this most successful state meeting. We would like to thank the Thomas Council for hosting this year’s hospitality room. We further extend to them our sincere appreciation for their beautiful arrangements for the assembled delegates, their wives and guests. (2009) Action:
Resolution No. 4
RESOLVED: That the West Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus continue to conduct an annual Council Officers Training School in each District of said State Council, same to be conducted under the supervision of the District Deputy. The school is to be attended by the Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, General Program Chairman, and one or more Trustees of each Council within each respective District. (1977) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 5
WHEREAS: The Year of the Family has been extended on a permanent basis by the Bishops of the United States.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the West Virginia State Council and its subordinate councils of the Knights of Columbus shall engage in programs which will strengthen "The Family" by making our homes the place where we pray together and live our Christian lives together as did the Holy Family. The members of our Order must set good examples to those committed to our care. We will make the Holy Family our ideal and above all we shall make Jesus the very center of our family life, thus preserving the sanctity of “The Family" in this nation. (1988) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 6
WHEREAS: The State Deputy receives requests for contributions to various charitable and emergency organizations; and
WHEREAS: The State Deputy is not always able to determine the legitimate nature of such requests.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That a committee be established to determine the true nature and amount of contribution to be made in response to requests made of the State Deputy. Such committee shall include the State Deputy, a District Deputy, and a Grand Knight to review the request. The State Deputy may choose to name additional members to the committee as he sees fit. (1984) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 7
WHEREAS: New Councils have very little funds when first established to purchase items needed to function properly.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the State Council of West Virginia will furnish Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($250.00) to each new council established in West Virginia.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the State Council of West Virginia will purchase a full set of Council Officers Jewels for each new established council in West Virginia. (1992) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 8
WHEREAS: The success of this brotherhood in West Virginia in good times and bad, is due to those Brother Knights who have served as our leaders; and
WHEREAS: It is proper that the State Council of West Virginia give formal recognition to the families of deceased leaders so that the often great, difficult, kind, and charitable works of these leaders is not soon forgotten.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the State Secretary shall prepare a necrology for the Mass on the occasion of the Annual State Convention. Said necrology shall include, but not be limited to Past and Present State Officers, Chaplains, District Deputies, Grand Knights, Masters and Faithful Navigators of the Fourth Degree, of West Virginia.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the State Council of West Virginia, in Annual Convention, will read aloud the names of these deceased leaders in conjunction with a memorial service led by the State Chaplain.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the widow, or family, of the deceased leader be sent proper notice on official stationary, signed by the State Deputy of West Virginia, with a copy sent to the current Grand Knight or Faithful Navigator of the deceased members’ Council or Assembly. (1993) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 9
WHEREAS: The West Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus annually sponsors tournaments in bowling, golf and softball, which require advance planning and preparation; and,
WHEREAS: It is of utmost importance that these activities be conducted in a consistent manner from year to year.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the site of these and future such tournaments be determined Two (2) years in advance of the Annual Convention to the extent possible.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the sum of One Dollar ($1.00) per participant, with a minimum of One Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($150.00) be paid to the host council for athletic tournament expenses.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That all such events shall be under the direction of the State Council Athletic Director, who shall have the following responsibilities:
WHEREAS: It is becoming more difficult to find a golf course to host the West Virginia State golf tournament for the one weekend in June that has been designated.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the West Virginia State golf tournament be held on a weekend in June, July or August, giving the host council some flexibility in finding a weekend acceptable with a golf course. This flexibility may also increase participation, as the last week in June and the first week of July are heavy vacation weeks. The tournament will continue to be a handicap tournament. Amended (1999) Action: Passed
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the annual softball tournament will be held on a weekend in August; and expenses shall include one (1) paid umpire per game; and that entry fees will include two (2) new softballs for use in tournament games.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the annual bowling tournament be held the weekend following Easter. It shall be the responsibility of the State Athletic Director to assure the host council has received American Bowling Congress sanction, and that ABC guidelines are observed in the awarding of prizes and trophies. The host council tournament director shall obtain unattached cards, at the bowler’s expense for any participant not having a card. In the conduct of the tournament, the following rules shall be observed:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the host council recognizes that many members regard these events as family affairs, and to the extent reasonable, make provisions for other family members in planning for the event. (1996) Action: Passed.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
WHEREAS: The West Virginia Council of the Knights of Columbus annually holds a State Bowling Tournament the weekend after Easter. (1999) Amended; (2001) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 10
WHEREAS: The State Council office of State Advocate is established to provide the State Officers with legal council;
WHEREAS: The previous practice of a practicing attorney serve as the State Advocate is no longer followed;
WHEREAS: In the recent past the State Council has required the service of legal council because of legal action against the State Council, or to provide legal advise for other activities of the State Council; and
WHEREAS: It has been necessary to secure such council, or even to proceed without legal council.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the position of Associate Advocate be established. Such position shall be filled by a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus who is a practicing attorney. The appointment to the position shall be made by the State Deputy in council with the State Council Officers, and the Candidate shall serve at the will and pleasure of the State Deputy. The Associate State Advocate shall attend all State Council meetings, and other meetings of the State Officers as determined by the State Deputy. (1998) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 11
WHEREAS: The Supreme office, with its technology advances, has the capability to determine how many membership cards are needed by each council in good standing.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: We request that the Supreme Staff mail automatically, in September the appropriate number of membership card pads for each council in good standing and automatically bill each council. (1999) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 12
WHEREAS: The number of vocations to the religious life is diminishing each year;
WHEREAS: The mother Church needs help in recruiting people for the Religious life;
WHEREAS: There are individuals who are undecided the direction their life should go; and
WHEREAS: The Knights of Columbus support vocations to the Religious life.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: A West Virginia Knights of Columbus State Council “Mentoring Program” be established to nurture vocations to the Religious life.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The State Council Vocations Chairman will provide a printed outline for conducting the “MENTORING PROGRAM.” (2000) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 13
WHEREAS: The Knights of Columbus is the largest Catholic Organization in the country;
WHEREAS: The Mass is a Catholic Obligation;
WHEREAS: The Knights of Columbus is Family Oriented;
WHEREAS: The Supreme Council would like each State to perform some worthy church activity yearly; and
WHEREAS: The Rosary is a valuable Prayer, and prior to the Mass, the Rosary is said by the members and family members.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: All West Virginia State Council members are invited to attend Mass in a body with family members each 5th Sunday of the month. (2001) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 14
WHEREAS: Each year the State Council makes Service Program Awards under Supreme Council categories;
WHEREAS: It is the objective to submit the best program in each category to the Supreme Council for order wide recognition; and
WHEREAS: The Supreme Council has provided the criteria followed in making its choice of the International winners.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That those criteria as presented here shall be established as those used to determine State Council winning programs:
Service Program Awards Criteria
The Supreme Council Service Program Awards recognizes those councils conducting outstanding projects in each of the five divisions of the Surge Service Program: CHURCH, COMMUNITY, COUNCIL, FAMILY, and YOUTH. Judging criteria as received from the Supreme Council follow:
1. All entries shall be submitted on Supreme Council form STSP, found in the COUNCIL REPORT FORMS BOOKLET. No entry will be considered without this form.
2. The project is based on a SINGLE project or activity conducted by the council in the May to April 30 year. It is not a series of activities in a single area of the Service Program.
3. A project submitted in the wrong category will be disqualified. A community-wide project to benefit a parish church is a Church activity, not a community one. Ask the question, “Who benefits from this program?”
4. All entries shall be in the hands of the responsible State Activity Chairman by May 1st. There will be no exceptions to this deadline.
5. The State Activity Chairman will serve as the chairman and additional members of the committee may be appointed by the State Deputy as he may determine to be required.
6. No Activity Chairman or Judge will be permitted to judge a project submitted by his council. The State Deputy will contact each chairman to determine if additional judges will be needed but the chairman will not change.
7. All judging will be completed prior to the arrival at the State Convention. It is intended that the Awards will be presented at a gathering on Friday evening of the convention. No Council will be permitted to enter a project which has judged the winning project in the previous three years. This rule does not deny another council to submit a similar project.
Guidelines for Competition Judging
The following “Basis for Judging” distributed by the State Council shall be used for Service Program Awards.
1. Nature of the activity: Does it demonstrate the objectives of the Service Program (Catholic, Family, Fraternal, Service)?
2. Participation of membership in project: How many members participated? What percentage of the entire membership participated?
3. Results: What were the benefits derived from sponsorship of the project? How did the results affect Church, Community, Council, Family or Youth?
4. Program Originality: Was the program something new?
5. Committee planning: How effectively was the program organized? How much detail was involved in staging the event?
6. Delegation of responsibility: How many members served as workers or planners? What type of organization was established for implementation of the project?
7. Publicity: How effectively was the program publicized throughout the area (Radio and Television, local and diocesan newspapers, and council newsletters)?
While supporting documentation can be submitted, the complete documentation on the current year STSP form should be the controlling factor. It most certainly will be in Supreme Council judging. (2007) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 15
WHEREAS: The West Virginia State Council and the Supreme Council make awards in addition to the Service Awards addressed in Resolution 14;
WHEREAS: The determination of the winners shall be determined in a manor allowing the State Deputy sufficient time to make arrangements for the winners to attend and be recognized at the annual State Council Convention; and
WHEREAS: The criteria for those awards differ from those applied to the Service Awards.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That those Awards and Criteria for judging are as follows:
1. Knight of the Year
2. Family of the Year
3. District Deputy of the Year
4. Top Proposer of the Year
Entries for the Knight and Family of the Year shall be forwarded to the State Deputy only prior to May 1st of each year. The winning entry will be determined by the State Deputy and such committee as he determines. The Family of the Year award shall be submitted to the Supreme Council for consideration for the Supreme Council International award. The entry shall be submitted prior to the deadline determined by the Supreme Council.
Top Proposer candidates shall also be submitted to the State Deputy only by May 1st.
District Deputy of the Year shall be determined by the State Deputy without committee. (2007) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 16
WHEREAS: The West Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus maintains a State Scholarship Program as part of its commitment to education and children, especially those of its members and their families;
WHEREAS: The West Virginia State Council, Knights of Columbus, State Scholarship Foundation is in need of consistent funding source for its fund principal; and
WHEREAS: The Father John Halpin Council, #5657, Beckley, has volunteered to conduct an annual fund raising activity, bear all expenses, and dedicate all proceeds to the State Scholarship Foundation to increase the fund principal.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Father John Halpin Council #5657, Beckley, hereafter conduct a golf tournament in conjunction with, but prior to, the start of the annual State Convention, separate from and without connection to the annual State Golf Tournament; that Council #5657 bear all expenses of the event and forward all proceeds to the State Secretary for deposit in the State Scholarship Foundation Fund.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Father John Halpin Council #5657, Beckley, be authorized to request voluntary contributions from the subordinate Councils, the WV District and subordinate Assemblies, and any other appropriate source willing to assist; and that the event honor the late PSD Russ Bolen by bearing his name as the Russ Bolen Memorial Golf Tournament. (2002) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 17
WHEREAS: All persons associated with the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, together with all other ladies who become associated with them and their successors, are constituted a body corporate by the name Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus;
WHEREAS: The purpose of the organization is (a) to aid the Knights of Columbus Councils; (b) by promoting and conducting educational, charitable and religious work;
WHEREAS: It may adopt a constitution, by laws, rules and regulations for its own government and the advancement of its own well-being; and
WHEREAS: The State Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus would consist of two bodies from each auxiliary. This would include the President and one elected lady. Their goals would be to assist councils in setting up a Ladies Auxiliary if none has been formed. They would also assist in statewide functions of the Knights of Columbus. (2002) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 18
WHEREAS: The West Virginia State Council may elect two (2) Delegates to the Supreme Convention;
WHEREAS: These Delegates should properly be chosen from the membership at large as recognition of the members contributions to the Knights of Columbus;
WHEREAS: Such election as a Delegate will normally be the single occasion for the Brother Knight to attend this Supreme Convention;
WHEREAS: Each elected State Officer will, in the normal cause of events, be entitled to attend four (4) Supreme Conventions as State or Past State Deputy;
WHEREAS: Lesser State Officers have been elected to these Delegate positions; and
WHEREAS: Such elections have deprived worthy Brother Knights from the opportunity to ever attend a Supreme Convention.
IT IS THEREFORE RECOMMENDED: That Lesser State Officers nominated for Delegate positions decline such nomination.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That if nominated all State Officers will consider this RESOLUTION and its RECOMMENDATION before accepting such nomination. (2002) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 19
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the State Council per capita assessment shall be Six Dollars ($6.00) annually. College Council per capita assessment shall be Two Dollars ($2.00) annually. Inactive members shall be Four Dollars ($4.00) annually.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the State Council has established the mileage rate at Forty Five Cents ($.45) per mile, one way; and a per diem rate of Sixty Dollars ($60.00), not to exceed two (2) days.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the State Council forward to the State Convention host council the sum of Ten Cents ($.10) per member, based on the Supreme Council Membership Insurance Program Progress Report dated July 1 of the Fraternal Year of the Convention.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That attendance of Grand Knights and or Financial Secretary at other meetings called by the State Deputy is vital to the ultimate success of the State Council service programs and communication with subordinate councils. And since personal financial considerations may hinder such attendance, the State Deputy has the discretion to provide Grand Knights and or Financial Secretary a sum of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) for food allowance and Forty Five Cents ($.45) per mile, one way, for attendance at “other meetings called by the State Deputy”. Total expenditure not to exceed one day per such scheduled meeting. (2008) Amended Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 20
WHEREAS: The exemplification of the Knighthood Degree is important to the growth of the Order and necessary to teach the lessons of Charity, Unity and Fraternity to all members;
WHEREAS: The Initiation Fee of each new member of the Order is intended to cover the cost of that members initiation in all three Degrees of the Order;
WHEREAS: Knighthood Degrees are scheduled well in advance by the State Deputy and are known by all Councils;
WHEREAS: The number of candidates for the Knighthood Degree is critical to the success of the exemplification teaching the lessons of the Degree to the candidates; and
WHEREAS: A Subordinate Council may desire to exemplify the Knighthood Degree primarily for the benefit of council’s members.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That each subordinate Council be assessed semi-annually at the rate of Five Dollars ($5.00) for each new member. This fee shall not apply in the case of reinstated members and Subordinate Councils shall make note of any corrections to fees charged when remitting fees to the State Secretary. Monies so collected shall be placed in a fund to defray the costs of the Knighthood Degree Team, and that the State Council shall supplement the fund as required.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the cost of the Knighthood Degree Team cost for exemplification of the degree be established at Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the minimum number of candidates required for the exemplification of the Knighthood Degree be established at Twenty-Five (25), and when there are a lesser number of candidates, the degree may be canceled at the discretion of the Degree Team Captain.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That when a Subordinate Council, with the agreement of the State Deputy and the Knighthood Degree Team Captain, schedule the exemplification primarily for that Council’s benefit, there shall be a minimum of Twenty-Five candidates and the State Council’s contribution shall not exceed Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00). Costs in excess of that amount shall be negotiated between the Subordinate Council and the State Deputy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That at his discretion, the State Deputy may direct that the exemplification of the Knighthood Degree be conducted with less than the established minimum number of candidates. (2003) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 21
WHEREAS: The success of the State Council, and its operation, and the Subordinate Councils, depends upon information transmitted between the two bodies.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the printed copy of the Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the West Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus be made available to the State Officers and each council at the time of the Mid-Year Meeting, and that a printed copy of the Proceedings of the Mid-Year Meeting be made to the same at the time of the Annual State Meeting.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the State Secretary and the State Treasurer of the West Virginia State Council, Knights of Columbus submit their required financial reports based on a fiscal year of July 1st to June 30th, and that the official reports and audits be distributed at each Mid-Year Meeting. Furthermore, these reports and audits shall include the Charitable and Program Funds, as well as all other West Virginia State Council special purpose funds.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the State Deputy be empowered to edit reports of State Officers, District Deputies, State Program Directors and Chairmen, and Grand Knights to each Annual Convention to limit such reports to no more than Two Hundred (200) words. This restriction is not applicable to the State Deputy’s Annual Report. (2003) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 22
WHEREAS: It is proper for the State Council to establish programs to recognize the contributions of both individual councils and individual Knights for contributions to both the Church and the Order.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That each year a State Church Activity Award be presented to a council or a Catholic Layman for outstanding support of the Church. The recipient of this award to be chosen from recommendations made by the councils, the State Activities Chairman, the State Deputy and the State Chaplain, with the approval of the Ordinary of the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese. Recommendations for the award must be submitted to the State Deputy at the annual Mid-Year Meeting, and the choice finalized in time so as to be presented at the following Annual Meeting of the West Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That because Council Newsletters are an excellent communication to inform not only local council members, but State Officers, State Program Directors and Chairmen of local council activities, each subordinate council publishing a newsletter transmit a copy of the same to all State Officers, Chairmen and Directors, and all West Virginia Grand Knights. A committee under the direction of the State Publicity Director shall determine the best council newsletter and the State Council shall present a suitable award to be presented to that council at the Annual Meeting. (2003) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 23
WHEREAS: The West Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus, and it’s subordinate councils have continuously supported the Mentally Handicapped Program since 1979; and
WHEREAS: The subject council has established the COLUMBIA MENTALLY HANDICAPPED FOUNDATION as a separate entity with the jurisdiction of the State Council to direct this program.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the West Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus, assembled in Convention, is dedicated to continuing this program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That all subordinate councils participating in the annual Mentally Handicapped Drive, and following the rules and guidelines set forth under license and registration granted to the West Virginia State Council, Knights of Columbus, that the subordinate council’s share of net proceeds from it’s drive be set at Eighty-Five Percent (85%), and the Columbia Mentally Handicapped Foundation share be set at Fifteen Percent (15%).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the State Secretary and the State Treasurer of the West Virginia State Council be permitted to transfer from the West Virginia State Council all funds remitted to it from the various drives to the Foundation, except that it shall retain a sum not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,500.00), which the State Council shall use to pay the necessary expenses it may occur for the success of the program (i.e., liability insurance). (2003) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 24
WHEREAS: The West Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus has maintained a State Scholarship Foundation intended to benefit Members and their children alike, for more than Twenty Years (20); and
WHEREAS: The Fund, which supports the scholarship program, is in constant danger of depletion.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the West Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus adopt the “Keep Christ in Christmas” Christmas Card Program as a continuing State Council Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That any “bonus” per box sold paid to the West Virginia State Council by the distributor of the Christmas Cards be designated for the State Scholarship Foundation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOVLED: That when the Scholarship Foundation principal on deposit and/or invested of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) is realized, this resolution does revert to the floor of the next Annual Meeting of the West Virginia State Council for reconsideration of reassignment of the State Council’s “bonus” per box.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the West Virginia State Council adopt the NFL Sweepstakes Program as a continuing program, and that Sixty Percent (60%) of the profits be transferred to the Knights of Columbus Scholarship Foundation, Inc., after the first $5,000 profits has been realized which goes to the Catholic Schools Dinner as stated in Resolution No. 25. (2003) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 25
WHEREAS: The West Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus and it’s subordinate councils in convention assembled, continue to offer our services and support to our Bishop, Priests, and Religious, in all categories.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the West Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus are firmly in accord in providing our Bishop with financial aid in the education of candidates to the Priesthood, continue to support the Bishop’s Burse Program began in 1936.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That subordinate councils demonstrate their unceasing effort to improve the Vocations programs of our Diocese and the Supreme Council through the RSVP Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Prayer for Vocations be recited at all State and Subordinate Council Meetings.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That support of Catholic Schools is important to both our Bishop and all members of the Knights of Columbus of the West Virginia State Council, designates the first Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) of proceeds of the NFL Football Sweepstakes for the Catholic Schools Dinner as a supplement to the contributions of the subordinate councils. (2003) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 26
WHEREAS: The West Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus needs to join into the 21st century;
WHEREAS: The need of the West Virginia State Council of the Knights of Columbus needs to be able to communicate with the rank and file members of all councils in the State; and
WHEREAS: We need to establish a web site on the Internet and be able to have two-way communication with our Brother Knights.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That a State of West Virginia Internet site be established and that the necessary funds to host this site and to obtain and keep a domain name be approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the State Deputy shall appoint a web master and shall oversee the site. The domain name will be known as; “kofcwv.org.” (2003) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 27
WHEREAS: Grand knights are chosen leaders for all Knights of Columbus Councils in West Virginia;
WHEREAS: Grand knights are enlisted with the direct responsibilities for leading and guiding the destination of their councils; and
WHEREAS: The numerous hours devoted by grand knights in fulfilling their leadership responsibilities often go unnoticed with little or no recognition for their services.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That April of each fraternal year be designated as “Grand Knight Month”, whereby, all First Degree ceremonies held during April are to be conducted with the names of grand knights as class honorees. (2005) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 28
WHEREAS: The Supreme Council has established a Matching Fund Program whereby contributions from the West Virginia State Council will be matched by the Supreme Council on a dollar-for-dollar basis, to a maximum of $5.00 per member of West Virginia, said funds to be contributed to Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc. and the earnings thereon to be paid annually for charitable purposes as established in this resolution; and
WHEREAS: It is deemed beneficial to charitable programs of West Virginia State Council to avail itself of such a matching fund program and thereby enter into a cooperative arrangement with the Supreme Council whereby the charities of the West Virginia State Council will receive greater benefits.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the 2006 annual meeting of the West Virginia State Council hereby adopts this resolution so as to enter into the Matching Fund Program proposed by Resolution 134 adopted at the 1992 Supreme Council Meeting.
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the West Virginia State Council shall donate to Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc. the $30,000 of the monies raised at various fund raising events, and monies to be transmitted to Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc. as soon as practicable after the conclusion of the fund raising event, it being understood that the monies be received and credited as of June 30 and December 31 of each year only.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That we hereby designate the following to be the recipients of the earnings on our portion of the Christopher Fund: The West Virginia Knights of Columbus Scholarship Foundation, Inc. which includes the following Board Members: Immediate Past State Deputy, State Deputy, State Advocate, President, Secretary and Treasurer, it being of the earnings on our portion of the Christopher Fund: the West Virginia Knights of Columbus Scholarship Foundation, Inc., it being understood that the earnings disbursed by check to these recipients but forwarded after April 1 of each year to State Deputy of West Virginia for appropriate presentation, it being further understood that the recipients may be changed from time to time by a State Resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That we hereby establish a special committee as follows; the members of the board of the West Virginia Knights of Columbus Scholarship Foundation, Inc. to administer the West Virginia State Council’s participation in the Christopher Fund, said committee to be known as the Christopher Fund Committee and to be composed of not more than six members of said committee, said committee to perform all acts that are necessary in administering the West Virginia State Council’s participation in the Christopher Fund. (2006) Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 29
WHEREAS: Young members are continuously being heralded as the most important resource needed for growth and development of any organization;
WHEREAS: The various subdivisions of the Knights of Columbus are continuously stressing the need for recruiting young members; and
WHEREAS: Many young prospective members refrain from joining the Knights of Columbus due to financial hardship.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That members within the age group of 18 years of age to 21 years of age will be exempt from paying West Virginia State Council per capita dues, and at the discretion of subordinate council dues until their 22nd birthday. The State Council will not be obliged to exempt a subordinate council if the council does not exempt member(s) from paying initiation fees and council dues. In addition, the Financial Secretary must notify the State Secretary of any and all members in this category. Members within the 18 years of age to 21 years of age remain obligated for paying Supreme Council’s $3.50 per capita dues and $1.00 Catholic Advertisement Assessment. (2008) Amended Action: Passed.
Resolution No. 30
WHEREAS: The Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus recognizes the service of Priest and Religious Brothers by bestowing upon them the status of “Honorary Life Member;”
WHEREAS: The Second Vatican Council has restored the deaconate "as a proper and permanent rank of the hierarchy;"
WHEREAS: Regarding permanent deaconate, The Catechism of the Catholic church affirms, “The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint ("character") which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the "deacon" or servant of all;” and
WHEREAS: The Supreme Council has, to date, not granted Honorary Life Membership status to members of the permanent deaconate.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the West Virginia State Council submits to the Supreme Council a resolution calling for the recognition of the permanent deaconate to its proper order in the hierarchy of the church and to confer upon them the status of Honorary Life Member.