BY-LAWS
Knights of Columbus
Verde Council No. 2493
Cottonwood, Arizona
ADOPTED February 12, 2007
ARTICLE I
Section 1. This Council shall be known as Verde Council, No. 2493, Knights of
Columbus.
Section 2. The initiation fee shall be $15.00 except that for applicants under 26
years of age it shall be $10.00 and for Priests and religious it shall be nil. Onehalf
of the initiation fee shall accompany the application but it shall be refunded if
the applicant is rejected.
Section 3. Each member shall pay annual dues, the same to be payable
quarterly in advance at the first regular meetings in January, April, July and
October. The annual dues of members shall be $25.00, excepting insured
members under 26 years of age whose dues shall be one half of that sum,
honorary members who shall pay $10.00, and honorary life members who shall
pay nothing. Except as above stated, the dues of associate and insurance
members shall be the same.
Section 4. The officers shall receive annual compensation, payable in quarterly
installments at the end of each quarter, as follows: Financial Secretary: From the
Council an amount equal to eight per cent of the moneys collected on account of
dues from both insurance and associate members, payable in quarterly
installments at the end of each quarter.
ARTICLE II - Elections
Section 1. The annual election of officers shall take place at a regular meeting
held between May 15 to and including June 15. Not less than two months before
the annual election the Grand Knight shall appoint a Nominating Committee of
three who shall prepare a slate of candidates for the elective Council offices. This
slate shall be presented to the Council not later than the regular business
meeting preceding the meeting at which annual elections are to take place. Other
nominations may be made from the floor and nominations may not be closed
until the election meeting has convened and the members are ready to ballot.
Section 2. The election of officers shall be by ballot. A majority of all votes cast
shall be necessary to elect; except that where several of equal degree are to be
chosen, a majority shall not be necessary, but all shall be voted for on one ballot
and no ballot containing names of more or less candidates than there are such
offices to be voted for shall be counted, and those receiving the highest number
of votes shall be declared elected in the order of the number of votes received.
Section 3. The Grand Knight shall appoint two members to act as Tellers. After
all who are entitled to do so have voted, the ballot shall be declared closed and
the Tellers shall then proceed to count the votes in full view of the Council. One
of the Tellers shall examine each ballot singly and pass the same to his
associate, who shall read
Aloud the name or names written or printed on all legal ballots. The Recorder
shall tally the same and the result thereof shall be announced by the presiding
officer.
Section 4. Each officer elected must qualify and fill the office to which he is
chosen, with or without installation, at the first regular meeting in the month of
July succeeding his election, unless excused by a vote of the Council, and must
present himself for installation at the time specified in the notice issued by or
through the State Deputy or District Deputy, unless excused by such officer.
Otherwise such office shall be considered vacant.
Section 5. Vacancies in elective offices shall be filled, after notice to the
members, by election at the regular business meeting next succeeding the
regular meeting at which the vacancy was created.
ARTICLE III - Officers
Section 1. Only members who are in good standing and who have been initiated
in the first three Degrees of the Order shall be eligible to hold office in this
Council. No member shall hold more than one office at the same time.
Section 2. The elective officers shall be as follows: Grand Knight, Deputy Grand
Knight, Chancellor, Recorder, Treasurer, Advocate, Warden, Inside Guard,
Outside Guard (two Outside Guards may be elected) and Board of Trustees.
Section 3. The appointive officers shall be as follows:
Financial Secretary, Lecturer and Chaplain.
The Financial Secretary shall be appointed by the Supreme Knight.
The Chaplain shall be selected by the Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight and Board of Trustees in accordance with any rules established by the Bishop of the
Diocese. The Grand Knight shall select the Lecturer and Organist.
Section 4. At the last regular business meeting in June of each year the Council
shall determine the amount of the bond to be given by the Treasurer and
Financial Secretary in addition to the bond furnished by the Supreme Council,
and the Treasurer and Financial Secretary shall not take office or be installed or
receive any money or property of the Council until they have furnished such bond
and the same has been approved by the Board of Trustees. The premium on
said bond shall be paid by the Council.
Section 5. The Council Officers shall perform the duties required of them by the
Laws and Rules of the Order and these By-Laws and such other duties as the
Council may direct.
Section 6. Except when notice of applications shall be published as provided by
Section 110 of the Laws and Rules, it shall be the duty of the Grand Knight, as
early as practicable before each regular meeting, to file with the Recorder a list of
candidates to be balloted upon at such meeting.
Section 7. At the end of each semiannual period the Board of Trustees shall
meet and audit the several books of this Council and shall in each January and
July make a full report of their findings, including the receipts and disbursements
of the moneys of this Council for the previous semiannual period, the balance on
hand to the credit of each of the various funds at the end of each semiannual
period, and the assets and liabilities of this Council. The Grand Knight shall issue
the call for such meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Section 8. Where a member ipso facto forfeits his membership the Grand Knight
and Financial Secretary shall immediately notify the Supreme Secretary of such
forfeiture and shall immediately send notice in writing to the member, including
the date and the reason therefore. In those cases relating to ipso facto forfeiture
for failure to pay Council dues, such notice shall not be sent to the Supreme
Secretary or to the member until an officer or a member of the Conservation
Committee shall contact the member and endeavor to have him retain his
membership.
Section 9. The Recorder shall file all reports in a filing book to be provided for
that purpose and the same shall be preserved as a part of the records of this
Council.
ARTICLE IV - Meetings
Section 1. The Grand Knight or his representative may negotiate for such time
and space as necessary for council meetings. The Council Officers, by a
majority vote of those present at a regularly scheduled Officer’s meeting, may
change the meeting night and/or time. Such change must be communicated to
the membership through normal means not less than 30 days prior to the next
previously scheduled meeting and said change must also be appropriately
communicated to the District Deputy, the State Deputy, and the State Directory
Editor. Eleven members shall constitute a quorum at business meetings.
Officers Meeting shall be held to prepare for the Regular meeting. These
meetings are primarily for the Council Officers and Program Directors. All
Knights are welcome to attend.
Section 2. All meetings of the Council shall be presided over by the Grand
Knight, who will ascertain from the Warden if all present are possessed of the
current membership card.
Section 3. The order of business and procedure at regular business meetings of
this Council shall conform to Section 125 of the Laws of the Order. [See inside
back cover.]
Section 4. Special business meetings shall be convened as follows: By vote of
the Council at a preceding regular business meeting; by direction of the Grand
Knight; by the Grand Knight upon the written request of seven members, which
request shall state the object of the meeting. Due notice of special business
meetings and their purpose shall be given to each member in the usual way and
no other business shall be transacted at any such meeting.
Section 5. The following shall be the order of business and procedure at special
business meetings:
1. Call to Order.
2. Warden's Report on Membership Card.
3. Prayer.
4. Roll Call of Officers.
5. *Opening Ode.
6. Special Order of Business.
7. Prayer.
8. *Closing Ode.
Section 6. It shall be the duty of all officers to attend each meeting of the Council
In case of inability of any officer to attend a meeting, due notice shall be given to
the Grand Knight and arrangements made to have all necessary books and
papers in the possession of such officer at the meeting. If a Chair Officer is
absent from a meeting, the presiding officer shall designate a member to act for
him. If an elected officer, without reasonable excuse approved by the Grand
Knight, is absent from three consecutive regular business meetings, the Grand
Knight may report this fact to the District Deputy for such action under Section
92(b) of the Laws of the Order as the District Deputy deems appropriate.
Section 7. In the absence or inability of the Grand Knight the Deputy Grand
Knight shall preside and he shall execute all of the duties of the Grand Knight. In
the absence of the Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight the duty of presiding
shall devolve on the other officers of the Council in the order in which they are
named in Section 126 of the Laws of the Order.
Section 8. If any meeting shall fall on a legal holiday said meeting shall be held
the following day unless the Council, by vote at a previous business meeting,
annuls such meeting or fixes a different date for such meeting within the month
for which it is scheduled.
ARTICLE V - Balloting for Candidates
Section 1. The Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight shall privately inspect the
ballot box, both before and after the ballot, and the former shall announce the
result. Balloting of candidates shall be in charge of the Warden who shall
distribute ballots to all members present. He shall place the ballot box on the
salutation table and take his place six feet there from. He shall then request that
all officers vote and after they have voted, he shall request the members to vote.
They shall advance in single file and deposit their ballots, but no member shall
pass the Warden until the member preceding him has voted. After all who desire
to do so have voted, the Warden shall exhibit the ballot box to the Grand Knight
and Deputy Grand Knight and they shall count the votes. If the number of
negative ballots cast does not exceed one-half of the members present, the
applicant shall be declared elected, otherwise rejected. The exact number of
negative ballots shall not be stated. If more than one candidate is to be balloted
for at a meeting, the Grand Knight may announce that the first ballot shall be a
general one upon all the candidates, and that if not more than one-half of those
present shall cast negative ballots upon such general ballot no other ballots shall
be taken. If such announcement is made, and not more than one-half negative
ballots are cast upon said general ballot, all candidates so balloted for shall be
declared elected. If more than one-half negative ballots are cast upon said
general ballot, then an individual ballot shall be taken on each candidate.
ARTICLE VI - Committees
Section 1. In addition to the Committees provided for in the Laws and Rules of
the Order, the following Service Program Directors shall be appointed:
(a) Program Director whose goal will be the direct involvement and personal
commitment of the Council and membership in a program that will establish the
Knights of Columbus as truly a Catholic, family, fraternal, service organization.
(b) Membership Director to have supervision of a comprehensive program of
recruitment and retention for his Council.
( c) Director of Church Activities to promote a program that will enable the
membership to respond to the constant call for the active participation of the laity
in the work of the Church.
(d) Director of Community Activities whose responsibility it will be to make the
Council aware of its life.
ARTICLE VII - Funds
Section 1. All moneys obtained from any source, by or through any person or
persons, acting for or in the name of the Council or under its direction or
authority, shall be considered Council Funds and shall be forthwith delivered to
the Financial Secretary, who shall give his official receipt therefore and who shall
report at the close of each meeting the amounts so received and from what
source and shall deliver the same to the Council Treasurer and take his receipt
therefore.
Section 2. The Treasurer shall deposit all moneys received from the Financial
Secretary in a bank to the credit of the Council. Disbursements from this fund
shall be made only by check signed by the Grand Knight and Treasurer. The
depository bank shall be furnished with a copy of this section.
Section 3. No money in excess of $500.00 shall be paid or transferred from the
Treasury of this Council, except such moneys as the Council is called upon to
regularly pay for its current expenses and as provided by the Laws of the Order
or for purposes approved by the Supreme Councilor Board of Directors, unless
by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at a regular business
meeting held subsequent to a regular business meeting at which notice in writing
of a resolution of intention to pay or transfer such money and the purposes and
amount to be paid or transferred shall have been given and regularly read.
Section 4. All bills shall be presented to the Recorder and by him read to the
Council before being referred to the Board of Trustees. In case a bill is not
approved by the Board of Trustees, it shall be referred back to the Council for
action.
Relief Fund
Section 5. The sum of $100.00 shall be paid from the General Fund to the
Financial Secretary and shall be known as the Relief Fund. The Grand Knight,
Financial Secretary and Treasurer shall constitute a Relief Committee. They shall
investigate the case of any brother who is reported to be in distress or in need of
relief and if in their judgment the case is one deserving of assistance, they shall
have power to draw from this Relief Fund such reasonable sum of money to
afford assistance as the circumstances of the case may require, provided that in
no single case shall more than $25.00 be paid out without reference to and
approval by the Council.
ARTICLE VIII - Funerals, Etc.
Section 1. On the death of a member in good standing the Memorial Committee
shall give notice to the members and, if time permits, shall request them to
assemble and pay their respects to the memory of the deceased at a time and
place to be indicated in such notice.
Section 2. When notice of the death of a member in good standing is received
the Memorial Committee shall forward to the family of the deceased a message
of condolence on behalf of the Council and the Memorial Committee shall
arrange to have five Masses said for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
Section 3. The Memorial Committee shall arrange for the celebration during the
month of November of each year of a Mass for the repose of the souls of the
deceased members and shall cause five days' notice to be given to the members
of the time and place of such Mass. The Mass shall be celebrated by the
Chaplain unless he is indisposed.
Section 4. The Council shall receive Holy Communion in a body during the
Easter period, at a time and place to be determined by vote of the Council.
ARTICLE IX - Miscellaneous
Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended by a two thirds vote of the
members present and voting at a regular business meeting held subsequent to a
regular business meeting at which a resolution in writing providing for such
amendment shall have been read and notice of the proposed amendment shall
have been given to the members in writing or in the Council publication at least
five days prior to the second meeting.
Section 2. Procedure and debate shall be in accordance with the Laws and
Rules of the Supreme Council, the Board of Directors, these By-Laws and the
Rules of Parliamentary Law known as "Robert's Rules of Order."
These By-Laws adopted by vote of the Council, January 11, 2007.
Gary Lamm - Grand Knight.
Frank Petrosky –
Recorder.
Date of Institution July 8, 1923
Approved January 11, 2007
PAUL R. DEVIN Supreme Advocate.
The Order's Laws, Section 125, require that the following shall form a part of the order of business and procedure at regular business meetings of every subordinate council:
1. Call to Order.
2. Warden's Report on Membership Card.
3. Prayer.
4. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag or some other suitable patriotic
display of loyalty.
5. Roll Call of Officers.
6. *Opening Ode.
7. Reading of Minutes of Previous Meeting.
8. Report of Admission Committee and Reading of Applications.
9. Balloting for Membership.
10. Reading of Notices of Applications in other Councils.
11. *Initiations.
12. Grand Knight's Report.
13. Chaplain's Report
14. *Treasurer's Report
15. *Reading by Grand Knight of Receipts of Treasurer to Financial
Secretary and Treasurer's Voucher of Deposit.
16. *Reading of Bills and Communications.
17. Financial Secretary's Report of Receipts of Meeting.
18. *Report of Auditors and Trustees.
19. *Chancellor's Report
20. *Report of Committees.
21. Unfinished Business.
22. *New Business (When elections are in order, this is the first item
under New Business).
23. Insurance Agent's Report
24. District Deputy's Report
25. *Good of the Order.
26. Chaplain's Summation.
27. Closing Prayer.
28. *Closing Ode.
*Parts of the order of business marked with an asterisk may be omitted at regular
meetings other than regular business meetings. At regular business meetings
minutes of all meetings to and including the last regular business meeting shall
be read.