The Star Council Award Aim for the most prestigious award that a council can achieve

Achieving the Star Council Award is the key to a successful year, both for your council and our jurisdiction. It has a strong positive effect on: Membership growth Charitable contributions Hours of Service Insurance Promotion

Challenge: Our State Deputy has set a Star Council goal of fifty (50) Star Councils for the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. Key to success: Each council must exert the efforts necessary toward this accomplishment within their individual councils.

1.Father McGivney Award 1.Achieve a seven percent net gain in membership 2.Must host or participate in four first degrees during the fraternal year 2.Founders Award 1.Meets or exceeds a 2.5 percent net gain of insurance members for the fraternal year (councils under 100 members have a net gain insurance quota of 3 new members) 3.Columbian Award 1.Awarded to councils that conduct at least four activities in the areas of Church, community, council, culture of life, family and youth

File Service Program Personnel Report Form (#365) Not be suspended by Supreme Council for non- payment of Per Capita, Catholic Advertising or Supply Charges File the Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity Report Form (#1728) Submit a completed Columbian Award Application form (SP#7) no later than June 30 th Ensure all membership and insurance documents are received, processed and released at the Supreme Council office no later than June 30 th

The Star Council Award is the attainment of the Father McGivney Award for membership growth, The Founders Award for insurance membership growth and the Columbian Award for service programs.

Awarded to councils that achieve a seven percent net gain in membership and the council must host or participate in four first degrees during the fraternal year. The four first degrees must be reported on Form 450C and filed with the supreme Office by close of business of the last reporting day of June. The key to achieving this award is to begin recruitment activities early in the fraternal year. Start by implementing the Orders membership action, or come up with your own ideas. To qualify, membership transactions and ceremonial reports must be received, processed and recorded by the Supreme Council office by close of business of the last working day of June (EST).

Presented when a council meets or exceeds a 2.5 percent net gain of insurance members for the fraternal year (councils under 100 members have a net gain insurance quota of 3 new members). The councils field agent and financial secretary play key roles in attaining the Founders Award. The field agent must remain active in all council recruitment and membership promotional events, to promote the Orders insurance program and the benefits of membership. Councils should work with the agent to conduct fraternal benefits nights throughout the year. Financial secretaries should forward the Membership Documents (#100) of each new member promptly to the agent after a First Degree, so he can arrange a personal visit with the new member and his family, to discuss the benefits of membership. Finally, councils should work to reactivate inactive insurance members, (these members count as a membership and an insurance gain towards council quotas). To qualify, insurance additions must be received, processed and released at Supreme Council office by close of business of the last working day of June (EST).

Awarded to councils that conduct at least four activities in the areas of Church, community, council, culture of life, family and youth. The Order has designated several Featured Programs that once completed would fulfill the requirement of each of the above activity areas. You can review these key programs by visiting the Knights of Columbus website. A copy can also be found in your Surge with Service kit. Councils should also establish committees to organize the service programs to be conducted throughout the entire fraternal year. A well organized plan is the key to success. The Columbian Award Application can be found in the Council Report Forms Booklet (#1436) or on the Orders website at These forms must be received and recorded at the Supreme Council office by close of business of the last working day of June (EST)>

Report/AwardForm #:Due Date:Note/s: Service Program Personnel Report 365COB last day in August Aids Supreme & State as mailing info Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity Report 1728COB December 31 st Keep Tax Free Status along with a record of Man hours & Charity Dollars donated Father McGivney Award 450CCOB last day in June Four 1 St degrees hosted or participated in, plus 7% increase in membership

Report/AwardForm #:Due Date:Note/s: Founders Award100COB last day of June Financial Secretaries responsible for Form # 100 getting to the council Insurance agent. 2.5% net gain of insurance members, if less then 100 council members a net gain in insurance quota of 3 new members. Columbian Award SP COB June 30thSee Columbian Award Sample sheet

Awarded to councils that conduct at least four activities in the areas of Church, community, council, culture of life, family and youth The following are not all inclusive and are only suggestions as you may have many other different activities, which are not listed here:

Council members act as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, CCD teachers in their parish. Council members serve on Parish Councils, Finance Committee, or other Parish Committees. Council participates in Altar Servers Recognition Program. Council participates in Parish Roundtable Program. Council sponsors a seminarian (RSVP) program. Council sponsors a prayer hour, bible study or other religious activity in the Parish. Council prays for vocations, Council post signs or conducts other Keep Christ in Christmas activities in their town. Council donates funds to the Church or Religious Orders. Council sponsors social activities in the Parish.

Council participates in pro-life Mass. Council participates in pro-life activities or provides financial support. Council hosts or participates in a pro-life Baby Shower. Council is involved with Morality in the Media or similar programs supporting decency. Council supports and/or makes financial donations to support the elderly in their community. Council runs dinners, holds bingos, dances or other social activities for senior citizens. Council participates in annual tootsie roll drive. Council members visit nursing homes. Council members volunteer at local shelters, walk for hunger etc.. Council hall is made available for community activities.

Council holds Communion Breakfast for members and families. Council hosted State Charity Balls. Council holds memorial Mass for departed brothers. Council conducts Blood Donor Drives. Council sponsors baseball, soccer, basketball, volley ball teams etc.. Council holds social events for members and families: spaghetti suppers, Christmas parties for adults and/or children, Installation of Officers, dances, etc.. Council members attend Lantern Award Dinner and participate in other State Council activities such as Bowling and Cribbage tournaments. Council publicizes events and awards in local newspaper. Council members participate in local Veterans Day and other local parades. Council recognizes Knight of the Year, Honorary and Honorary Life Members.

Council makes donations and provides scholarships to widows and orphans. Council invites widows to social events and sends copies of newsletters. Council places K of C flag on graves of departed members on Memorial Day. Council participates in the Family of the Month program. Council runs family picnics. Council provides toys for needy children, contributes to Toys for Tots program. Council runs family night socials. Council runs family bus trips to La Salette shrine. Council provides food for sick members. Council holds family dinners.

Council Sponsors a Columbian Squires Circle. Council hosts a State Squires meeting or event. Council sponsors a Boy or Girl Scout or provides financial support. Council conducts annual Free Throw Competition. Council awards Scholarship for gradating high school seniors. Council runs youth dances. Council members act as coaches or officials for local youth athletic programs. Council members act as counselors for local CYO groups. Council sponsor special awards dinners for youth groups. Council supports Eagle Scout projects.

Council Sponsors a Pro-Life Baby Showers Council donated to Ultrasound Project. Council participated in March For Life. Council had a Pro-Life Mass. Council participated in the State Council pro- Life Masses around the State.