Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men's fraternal benefit society that was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.

The history of the Order shows how the foresight of Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Vatican, brought about what has become the world's foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities.

The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 12,000 councils and 1.7 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan.

Council 10877 Officers July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011
Office	Name	Responsibility
Grand Knight	John Perigaut	The Grand Knight is responsible for the welfare of the council. He presides over council meetings, acts as ex-officio member of all committees, appoints a membership and program director, convenes officers for a monthly meeting, and ensures all necessary reports are submitted to the state and Supreme Council. He should also be aware of the council�s financial status and ensure that his signature appears on all checks drawn. The grand knight is a member of the Advisory Board with general supervision of the council�s Columbian Squire circle. For more specific duties and responsibilities, refer to the Grand Knights Handbook (#915).
Deputy Grand Knight	Joe Tornatore	The deputy grand knight is second in command. He assists the grand knight with council affairs and fulfills all duties assigned to him by the grand knight. Should the grand knight be absent from a council meeting, the deputy grand knight will preside. He is chairman of the council�s retention committee and also a member of the Advisory Board charged with overseeing the council�s sponsored Columbian Squires circle.
Chancellor	Dennis Vecchi	The chancellor has a variety of responsibilities. Primarily, he assists the grand knight and the deputy grand knight in the execution of their duties and oversees the council in both their absences. He is charged with strengthening the member�s interests in council activities. The chancellor is chairman of the admission committee and a member of the Columbian Squires circle ceremonial team.
Recorder	Gary Ryan	The recorder is similar to a court reporter or a secretary. He is responsible for maintaining a true record of all actions of the council and it�s correspondence.
Financial Secretary	Tom Atkins	The Supreme Knight, upon recommendation of the council, appoints the financial secretary. His main area of responsibility is maintaining all financial and membership records. He collects and receives all moneys from all resources, including annual dues from council members. He also handles supply orders for the council officers and members, filing the Report of Officer (#185), and submitting all membership transactions to the Supreme Council. For more specific duties and responsibilities, refer to the Financial Secretary Handbook (#1410).
Treasurer	Bill Kurkul	The treasurer is responsible for the safekeeping and maintaining records of all council funds and accounts. He is responsible for depositing money into the council�s accounts and provides a certificate of such monies to the grand knight. He is also responsible for payment of all expenses.
Advocate	Ken McPartland	The advocate is the legal representative of the council and serves as the council�s attorney at trials and investigations of any interest to the council. While he does not need to be member of the legal profession, he should be familiar with the council by-laws, the Order�s Charter, Constitution and Laws (#30), Methods of Conducting a Council Meeting (#1937) and Robert�s Rules of Order.
Warden	Bill Wolfendale	The warden is the �watchdog� for council property and degree paraphernalia, except the property of the financial secretary, treasurer and recorder. He is also responsible for setting up the council chambers for meetings and ceremonial work. During ceremonial exemplifications, he will appoint and supervise guards.
Inside Guard	Phil Giguere	The guards have similar responsibilities, but distinct differences. The outside guard tends to the outer door admitting visitors and members to the inner door. Once at the inner door, the inside guard checks to make sure that their membership cards are current.
Outside Guard	Michael Fleming
Three Year Trustee	Jim McKain	The board of trustees consists of three members elected by the council. They and the grand knight, who serves as chairman, comprise the board of trustees. They oversee the work of the financial secretary and treasurer. The board of trustees and the deputy grand knight serve on the councils retention committee. During council elections, only the three-year trustee is voted on, with the others moving on to become two-year and one-year trustees respectively.
Two Year Trustee	Daun Vecchi
One Year Trustee	Rob Enos
Lecturer	Jim Murphy