1. How to Be an Effective Grand Knight
What does it mean to be “effective”?
Know what is expected, and what resources are available to help you meet and exceed expectations.
ef-fec-tive: successful in producing a desired or intended result
Maryland State Council Leadership Seminar

2. An Effective Grand Knight
Grand Knight is Official Representative
He Represents his Council to District & State
He Represents Supreme and State to His Council
Recommended Dress for Meetings
Coat & Tie, Jewel of Office, Council Name Badge
If Unable to Attend a Meeting
Inform Your District Deputy
Inform Your Deputy Grand Knight
You don’t speak for yourself. You speak for the Council or you speak for the State and Supreme.
You set the tone - POSITIVE attitude is a must. Watch Body language & Non verbal Communications.
Let DD and DGK know what you are up to so they can fill in when GK is absent or unable to attend meetings.
Maryland State Council Leadership Seminar

3. Meetings, Meetings, & Meetings
State Council Meetings
Chapter Meetings
District Meetings
Council Officers’ Meeting
Regular Council Meetings
Program or Committee Meeting
Assembly Meeting
State Training in June/July and Mid-term are mandatory for GK to attend.
DD calls District meetings as he sees fit – at least quarterly.
Have a Council representative at Assembly meeting who reports back on the Fourth Degree.
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4. State Council Meetings
Organizational Meeting
Held in June/July
Training of District Deputies and Grand Knights
Midterm Meeting
Held in January
Review Progress and Realign Goals
Annual State Council Meeting
State Convention in May
Grand Knights and Delegates - Formal Meeting
Organization Meeting – what we are doing today.
Midterm – Focus on Membership and training DGK
State Convention is a council obligation, so that if possible, the Council should fund Grand Knight’s expenses. Delegate also if funds are available, but some offset to GK should be offered.
Maryland State Council Leadership Seminar

5. Chapter Meetings Chapters of Grand Knights Attendance
Baltimore – 2nd Thursday
Bishop McNamara – 3rd Wednesday
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton – 4th Tuesday
Attendance
State Representative, DD, DW, GK, PGK
Council Activity Directors and Officers
Programs - Training - Communications
Much better than in past years – more training and input requested by GK.
Promotion of the Order.
Major Projects or Programs of Common Interest to member councils.
Better Communications up and down the Chain of Command.
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6. Council Officers’ Meeting
GK Runs and Actively Participates
Preparation for Business Meeting
Control Surprises
Decide Who will Report on What
Discuss and Plan Programs and Events
Q & A – “Go around the table”
Most critical meeting if done correctly.
Plan and script the business meeting, know who will speak and what they will say.
GK actively participates – demonstrates Leadership as well as Management skills.
Follow up on chairman to make sure programs are moving along on schedule.
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7. Regular Monthly Meetings
Two Regular Monthly Council Meetings
Council SHALL Hold at least Two per Month
One SHALL be “Regular Business Meeting”
Order of Business
Responsibilities of Grand Knight #1937 5/15
Maryland State Council Script
Follow the Script – Official Ceremony
Non-business Meeting – Reports, but No Business
Maintain control. Use gavel as needed. Follow the Script.
Be firm but not harsh. Be fair, but keep it moving.
GK RUNS the meeting, he does not participate in discussions or Q/A with person reporting.
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8. Chamber Layout Responsibility of Warden and Guards References
Others may Help Setup and Cleanup
References
Responsibilities of Grand Knight #1937 5/15
Maryland State Council Protocol Book
Those Who Speak Up Front and Visible
Use Audio Mic & Speakers as Needed
With older members or a big room – use amp and speakers. Members will not clearly understand what is being said – especially if speaker has soft voice or mumbles.
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9. Regular Business Meeting
Keep the Meeting Focused
Keep it Brief yet Informative
Avoid Conflict
Be Prepared – GK, Directors, & Officers
Have Good Lecturer Programs
If You Feed Them, They Will Come
If they stay for food, GK can talk one-on-one
GK does not take part in meeting – he runs it.
Resolve potential issues at Officers’ Meeting so Regular meeting runs smoothly and avoids major surprises.
Lecturer’s Programs are about Education and Information.
Feed the members so they will stick around so GK and Chairman can talk one-on-one and get their commitment to help. Simple food is OK – just something to keep them from leaving too quickly. Socialize and get to know members.
Maryland State Council Leadership Seminar

10. Grand Knight’s Function
Grand Knight Runs the Meeting
GK does NOT participate in Discussions or Reports
GK Chairs the Meeting & Speaks in Third Person
The Chair recognizes Brother Smith for ……
The Chair will entertain a Motion to ……..
Grand Knight Reads the Vouchers
Grand Knight Follows Robert’s Rules
Grand Knight Controls via the Gavel
Grand Knight reads the vouchers as head trustee and so that he can’t say he didn’t know what was committed.
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11. General Issues Dress Code Opening and Closing Recommendations
No Formal Requirements, but Sets the Tone
GK should be Coat & Tie, Others KofC Casual
All Officers Wear Jewel of Office
Opening and Closing Recommendations
Open with Our Father or Decade of Rosary
Close with Mary Queen of the Knights
Opening/Closing ODE should be the KofC ODE
Remember you are not speaking for yourself – You are Grand Knight speaking for the State Deputy and Supreme Knight – support their programs.
Maryland State Council Leadership Seminar

12. Speakers – Who, When, What
Chaplain
Speaks First before Minutes
Speaks at Any Time He So Desires
Report of Admissions Committee
Status of Interviews, Applications
Recommendations on Candidates
Ballot is a Ballot NOT a Voice Vote
Priest can bend all the rules and even break a few. We support our Priests – especially at a KC meeting.
Admissions Committee is not the same as the Membership Directors Report. Admissions is working on interviewing candidates and recommending approval or not. They work with membership. Membership is about recruitment and retention – getting candidates for the Admissions Committee and keeping members active(see Chancellors role).
Ballot is a Supreme Council Requirement, Local Council has no authority to dispense with Ballot and use voice vote. (Sec )
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13. Speakers – Who, When, What
Grand Knight’s Report
Information from Supreme, State Council, Parish
Does NOT report on Programs or Events
May Recognize Appreciation, Gratitude, Service
Financial Reports
Treasurer
Financial Secretary
Trustees
GK reports or activities outside the council and motivates members to be active and supportive.
Maryland State Council Leadership Seminar

14. Speakers – Who, When, What
Chancellor’s Report on Vocations
Special needs of Members or Widows
New Member Participation in Activities
Program and Committee Reports
Membership, Activities, Round Table, Committees
Stand – Report – Sit
No Discussion, No Questions
Hold Any Pending Motions until New Business
Read the Duties of a Chancellor – he takes care of getting all members active and takes care of special needs such as widows or members in need.
Chancellor is advisor to Grand Knight – he should have something to say.
Committee Reports – call them ONLY if they have a current report – not just three minutes of comments.
Know who is going to speak and what they will say from Officer’s Meeting.
Report is a REPORT not a discussion. If any issue – see the chairman after the meeting.
Maryland State Council Leadership Seminar

15. Speakers – Who, When, What
Report of the Fourth Degree
Liaison Reports on Fourth Degree Activities
Fraternal Benefits Advisor’s Report
Monthly Topic From General Agent or Field Agent
District Deputy’s Report
Stand and Greet the District Deputy
DD speaks on behalf of State Deputy
They all should have a brief report if present.
Stand and clap for the DD – he is most senior and represents the State Deputy.
Maryland State Council Leadership Seminar

16. Speakers – Who, When, What
Good of the Order
Worthy Lecturer Presents Program
Instruction and Edification of Members Present
Members MAY speak if Preapproved by GK
Discretion & Pleasure of Grand Knight
Worthy Lecturer Presides
Discretion and Pleasure of Grand Knight
GK can terminate this Order of Business
Lecturer – not just a few bad jokes – something meaningful. Could also set up a special speaker for social meeting and have an open meeting for wives or Parishioners.
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17. New Business Must be a Motion or Resolution Robert’s Rules of Order
Chair Recognizes Member to make Motion
Chair will ask for a Second
If Seconded, there may be discussion
Discussion alternates for and against motion
All Discussion is Directed to the Chair
Robert’s Rules of Order
Grand Knight does not Participate
I make a motion to…. Or I submit a Resolution… Not an open mike situation.
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18. New Business Considerations
Financial Considerations
Council By-Laws may Limit or Restrict Amount
Trustees Review Funding Availability
Trustees Approve Bills to be Paid
Other Considerations
Quorum is Required & may Vary
Percent Needed to Approve Motion
Additional Information may be Required
Know what is in the Council By-laws. Are there limits, requirements, special considerations.
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19. Resolutions Simple Resolution Required by By-Laws Use Proper Format
Should be in Writing
Required by By-Laws
Presented but not Discussed
Notification to Members
Discussed and Voted at Next Meeting
Resolution usually has to be published or at least members notified.
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20. Late Arrivals Member is Late Priest or Dignitary is Late
IG Gains Attention of GK and Introduces
Member Salutes and Takes a Seat
Priest or Dignitary is Late
IG Gains Attention of GK
GK Raps Three Times
GK asks Warden to Escort to Proper Seat
GK Welcomes and then Raps Once & Continues
Warden, Inside Guard, and Grand Knight should work out a smooth system. Pick a good point to break.
Give a priest proper treatment – he may want to quietly walk in and sit for a while and then leave – know the needs and likes of your Chaplain.
Maryland State Council Leadership Seminar

21. Issues at Meeting GK is Firm but not Harsh
GK is Flexible and Fair but in Control
The GK has a Style and Personality
Be Yourself, but Be In-Charge
The Council has a Personality
Acknowledge, Accept, and Adapt
We are Knights not Congressmen
Be aware of your skills and limits and work with other members to strengthen weaker points.
Be aware of your council members and their quirks and limits – see first two items.
Maryland State Council Leadership Seminar

22. Know your Skills Add Backup as Needed
Communication Skills
Group or One-on-One
Introvert versus Extrovert
Thinker or Doer
Delegate and Follow Up
Get Advice, Consider Options, Decide
Consider inputs from others, but then you, the GK decides. Once decided – the officers and members should support.
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23. Leadership Versus Management
Control, Finances, Administration, Paper Work
CIO, CFO, COO
Leadership
Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk
Lead by Example
Coach, Motivate, Develop Talent
Identify Tomorrow’s Leaders and Doers
Mentor members with one-on-one talks
Grand Knight has to be both manager and leader.
Manage during the meetings, lead after the meetings and outside the meetings.
Develop the talent that is in your council. Give members something useful to do.
Communications to Members, Parish, & Community – Get it Done!
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24. Honey, I’ll be out again Tonight
Family
Children
Community and School
Work
Other Council or Assembly Duties
When in Doubt – Pray
Note: Officers, Directors, and Members have same issues and conflicts
You, the Officers, and the members all have lots of outside responsibilities.
Be especially aware of family pressures. We are a Catholic FAMILY Fraternal Service organization.
If you want to be in their memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today.
Work Hard, Pray Hard, Play Hard!
Maryland State Council Leadership Seminar