Council Officers

The Priest chosen will primarily act as spiritual advisor to the brother knights and families of the council. He has no specific duties with regards to running the council. He is expected, however, to make a report at council meetings and give brief talk on any religious matters. The chaplain should also serve as an advisor to the church activities director.

The Chaplain's emblem is the Cross, worn on a black ribbon. The robe, too, is black with black trimming and yoke with white projecting collar. The cincture is black with silver fringe

The Grand Knight is responsible for the overall welfare of the council. The grand knight must provide thoughtful and inspired leadership to the 14 other council officers, the Service Directors, chairmen and members of the council. More specifically, his duties include: presiding over council meetings, appointing membership and program directors, acts as an ex officio member on all committees, including membership of recruitment and retention committees while making sure all required reports are submitted on time. The grand knight represents the council at Chapter meetings and the annual state convention.

Grand Knight's emblem is an Anchor which is suspended from a purple ribbon. The Anchor is indicative of Admiral Christopher Columbus and has also been a variant form of the Cross for centuries. The Grand Knight's ceremonial officer robe is royal purple. He wears a white cincture with silver fringe and a purple mantle with white roll collar.

The Deputy Grand Knight is second in command in the council. He assists the grand knight in the operation of the council affairs and is responsible for any duties assigned to him by the grand knight. He is also the council's program director advising the various service program directors.

The Deputy Grand Knight's emblem, the Compass, was also used by Columbus, the Mariner. The Knights of Columbus Compass, with its points being Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism, is known as the Compass of Virtue; its 32 flame-like rays represent the 32 virtues which may be possessed by men. It is hung from a purple ribbon. His robe is the same as the Grand Knight, but without the mantle.

The Chancellor assists the grand knight and deputy grand knight in the execution of their duties and takes charge of the council in the absence of the grand knight and deputy grand knight. He chairs the membership activities of the council to attract new members, getting them through the three degrees and making new members feel welcome in our council.

The Chancellor's emblem is the Isabella Cross, with Skull and Crossbones; it is worn on a black over white ribbon. The Cross is self-explanatory, while the Skull and Crossed Bones are symbolic of man's mortality. The Chancellor wears a black robe trimmed with white and a white cincture with silver fringe. He also wears a black mantle with white roll collar.

The Recorder functions the same way that a court recorder does. He also maintains all council correspondence.

Crossed Quills hung from a white over yellow ribbon are symbolic of The Recorder's responsibilities for letter and document (records) writing and preservation. His robe is black, trimmed with black, with a white cincture with silver fringe.

The Financial Secretary's duties revolve around two areas: financial records and membership records. He receives all moneys that come into the council from any source. He then turns that money over to the council treasurer for deposit in the council account. One of the main functions of this office is to collect money in the form of dues. He is the one who send outs dues notices. He must insure that new members sign constitutional roll of membership at the first degree.

The Financial Secretary's emblem is a Crossed Key and Quill. The Key has always been associated with an office concerned with money, safekeeping and secrecy. The Quill is the symbol of a scribe - a record keeper - one who writes letters, documents, etc. This jewel is worn on a white over yellow ribbon. His robe is black, trimmed with black, and a white cincture with silver fringe.

The Treasurer is the elected officer in charge of handling all council funds. He receives the money from the financial secretary. He must keep accurate financial records. The treasurer makes payments approved by the trustees.

Crossed Keys worn on a blue ribbon are symbolic of The Treasurer's complete authority over funds, particularly responsibility for their safekeeping. His robe is black, trimmed with black, and a white cincture with silver fringe.

The Lecturer provides brief spiritual discourses and reflections during business meetings for the “Good of the Order”. If the lecturer cannot be present, he should appoint a council member to give the reflection for him.

His jewel consists of the Scroll over the Lyre suspended from a white over blue ribbon. The Scroll and Lyre represent Literature and Music. The Lecturer's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with national blue. He wears a blue cincture with silver fringe. (Duties taken from section 141 of the Charter, Constitution, Laws).

The Advocate is the legal representative of the council and serves as the council's attorney in case of trial and investigation of any matter of interest to the council. He should be thoroughly familiar with all of the laws of the Order as stated in the "Charter, Constitution and Laws" and with council by-laws as well as a working knowledge of the "Roberts Rules of Order".

The Advocate's emblem is the Scroll with Crossed Sword hung from a yellow ribbon. The Scroll is emblematic of legal literature and law, while the Sword indicates the power to defend and enforce the law. The Advocate's robe is black with golden yellow trim and yellow cincture with silver fringe.

The Warden is responsible for supervising and maintaining most council property except that which belongs to the financial secretary. He sets up council chambers for meetings and degrees and supervises guards for ceremonial exemplifications. The Warden should also oversee the inside and outside guards and make sure they are fulfilling the duties assigned to them.

The Warden's emblem, an Axe Bound with Rods, known as a Faces, was traditionally carried by the guards or protectors of Roman magistrates as a symbol of authority. The Warden ideally has and exercises that authority. The ribbon is colored red over black. His robe is black trimmed with scarlet with a scarlet cincture with silver fringe.

The Inside Guard attends the inner door of the council chamber, checking on paid up membership cards before allowing entrance. The Inside Guard is charged with the security of the Council Chamber and assists the Warden in meeting the duties of his Office.

The Inside Guard's emblems, Crossed Key and Axe hung from a white ribbon, represent their power as sentries at the door. Their robes are gray with black trim and yoke. The cincture is also black with silver fringe.

The Outside Guard tends the outer door of the council home, admitting all visitors to the inner door. The Outside Guard is also charged with the security of the Council Chamber and also assists the Warden in meeting the duties of his Office.

The Outside Guard's emblems, Crossed Key and Axe hung from a white ribbon, represent their power as sentries at the door. Their robes are gray with black trim and yoke. The cincture is also black with silver fringe.

The Board of Trustees consists of the grand knight and three members elected by the council which traditionally are past grand knights. Trustees supervise all financial business of the council. They serve as auditors of the books. They also serve on the council's Retention Committee.

The 3rd Year Trustee oversees the financial transactions of the Council, reviews all bills and financial reports and audits the Council's financial records semi-annually.

The Trustees emblems, Crossed Key and Sword, indicate this financial authority and are worn on green ribbons. Trustees wear black robes trimmed in green.

The 2nd Year Trustee also oversees the financial transactions of the Council, reviews all bills and financial reports and audits the Council's financial records semi-annually.

The Trustees emblems, Crossed Key and Sword, indicate this financial authority and are worn on green ribbons. Trustees wear black robes trimmed in green.

The 1st Year Trustee assists the 2nd & 3rd Year Trustees with their duties.

The Trustees emblems, Crossed Key and Sword, indicate this financial authority and are worn on green ribbons. Trustees wear black robes trimmed in green.

The District Deputy is the representative of the Supreme Knight and the State Deputy and is responsible for the supervision, growth and expansion, and general care and well-being of the councils assigned to his district. His responsibilities include ensuring that his councils follow the Order’s laws and rules, promoting effective membership recruitment and retention programs, identifying and developing new council locations, assisting councils to conduct relevant service programs, and monitoring the general financial and social health of the councils in his district. The District Deputy is directly reportable to the State Deputy for all activities within the district and fulfills the very important communication link between the State and Supreme Councils and local councils.

The District Deputy's emblem is a Sextant and Feather with the words "District Deputy" laid a crossed them and suspended from a red ribbon. These symbolizes his role in helping to guide the Councils in his district.