1. Cliff Wasmund State Council Retention Director

2. Council Retention Red Flags
No or low recruitment numbers over the past 2 years
No or minimal Council Programs
Forms 185 & 365 have not been submitted
Significant number of suspensions have been submitted over the past 2 years

3. Council Retention Underlining Factors Changing demographics
Age of the Council members
Age of the Church congregation
Conflicts with the Church Pastor
Council members do not want to hold an office
Already held numerous offices
Too much work to be a GK, DGK, FS, Treasurer
Too old
Don’t have time, snowbird

4. Council Retention Action Plan DD/SCRD to schedule meeting with Pastor
Following the meeting, schedule future meeting to include:
District Deputy
Council Officers, members
State Council Retention Director
Diocesan Membership and Program Directors
General and/or Field Agent
Pastor
Identify and discuss the challenges facing the Council

5. Council Retention Action Plan - continued
Determine if the Council future prognosis is terminal
Formulate an action plan for the Council
Schedule Membership Drive(s)
Identify and hold new Program(s)
Increase membership involvement in parish ministries
Ushers
Funeral Servers
Catechism teachers

6. Council Retention Action Plan – continued
Increase Knights visibility by wearing clothing with the KofC logo or name badge at Church or social events
Can the Pastor help in some way to promote membership

7. Council Retention Re-evaluate Action Plan Effectiveness
Was the Membership Drive(s) successful, if yes then:
Schedule “Information Night” or appointment with Field Agent
Schedule an Admission Degree or Major Degree
Did the Program(s) attract non-council members, if yes:
Did you talk to those that attended the function about the Knights
Have Council members joined the Church ministries

8. Council Retention Re-evaluate Action Plan Effectiveness - continued
Determine if the actions plans that were implemented were a success or a failure, and why
If new members were realized, are elections of new Officers in order
If new Officers are elected, schedule training with Joe Munie

9. Activating & Engaging Members Programs That Work
Ed Nickel
Assistant State Membership Director

10. Information Night Held after the Church Drive
All new potential members and families are invited to attend
The speakers should be the Grand Knight, District Deputy, Father and the Supreme General Agent and/or Supreme Field Agent
NO ALCOHOL SHOULD BE SERVED !!!!

11. Every Council Active Initiative
In order for a council to survive they need to recruit new members.
New members are needed to support your councils programs.
Failure to recruit will lead to a council that is being set up to fail
Why did you join your council
How many of your councils are still at WHY?????

12. Membership 365
Members at the Council level need to be encouraged to think about membership at every opportunity
Council membership director should speak at every council meeting.

13. One-on-One Recruitment
One-on-One remains the most productive recruitment tool
Show interest in the potential new Knight and not just another member
Never give up - You never know when he will say YES !

14. Power of 10
Each Council should select a Chairman to lead the Power of 10 (8-6-4)
The Council roster then should be divided among the Power of 10 team
Each team should contact members of their council to see which programs the members have an interest in participating
The councils who have tried this method have had success in getting members to meetings.

15. Information Table Should consist of:
Pictures of council members in action
Pictures of your current council officers
Council awards
Copy of your updated council brochure
Copies of Supreme information brochures
Regalia from the 4th Degree
An apron from the MI-Drive with a bowl of Tootsie roll miniatures

16. What do we do next ???
Set a date for your Admissions Degree. Promote a combined Major Degree with neighboring districts.
Besides the candidates, the proposer should be attending to show support to the candidate
Invite ALL members to your council programs
Get to know your Supreme Council Insurance agents and what they can do for you !!!

17. Brian Barlow, FICF, FIC, CFFM
Using Supreme Council Insurance Agents to Assist in Activating and Reactivating Membership
Brian Barlow, FICF, FIC, CFFM

18. Communications Keep us informed.
We can’t help if we don’t know what is going on.
Communication is a two way street.
Offer an independent voice to the membership.

19. Where a Supreme Council Agent can help
Recruiting
Retaining membership
Providing supplies

20. Recruiting
They can help with recruiting the skills they use every day.
They are accustom to speaking to strangers.
This is their full time job.
First things they are taught as agents.

21. Retaining membership Visit members who don’t attend council meetings.
Provide an independent voice from the council to address member concerns.
Provide a list of members who have previously been suspended in an attempt to get them reactivated.
Provide insurance, annuities, financial advice.

22. Membership Retention and Activation
Steve Jacek
State Membership Retention Director

23. Membership Retention and Activation
"Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn't leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it?

24. Membership Retention and Activation
The act of keeping someone.
Activate:
To cause someone to start working.

25. Membership Retention and Activation
Majority of members
Good Catholics/Pay Dues
Active members
Officers
Chair Events
Lost Sheep
On the Retention List every year
Reluctantly pay dues
Probably on the Retention List the next year

26. How can we activate our lost sheep?
Attitude
Preparation
Answers to Excuses
No time/Not interested
Hardship
No Building
Moved/relocated
No longer want to be a member
How to leave a message (voic )

27. Callers Attitude Ask Yourself Why did you become a Knight
What do get from being a knight
What have you given as A Knight
Speak from your own experiences as a knight
Speak sincerely brother to brother.

28. Preparation Before Phone Calls
Calendar of events
List of charities and service to the community and church.
Review and understand the benefits as a member (Item 2773 from Supreme)
Review and understand the items in the Retention Guide.

29. Eliminate Excuses No Time /Not Interested
Interprets to “You aren’t doing any programs I am interested in”.
Ask him what type of activity would interest him.
Review 24 hour knight
Hardship
No member is suspended for financial reasons
Don’t tell him the council will cover his dues. Tell him he can pay what he can once he gets back on his feet. Meanwhile suggest that he get more active in the council activities.

30. Eliminate Excuses Closed Church or building
The council is in transition.
We no longer have the burden of a building.
Most councils that move have a surge in activities and membership
Give us one year.

31. Eliminate Excuses Moved/relocated
Pay your dues to keep your years of service and transfer to a council in your new area once you get settled.
FS will assist in finding a local Council or direct the member to look up a local council at

32. Eliminate Excuses No longer want to be a member
Ask if he believes in the principles of the knights of Columbus
Suggest he consider it a charitable donation with the idea that he will still get all the benefits as a knight (Columbian magazine, social events, family events)
Mention Member/Spouse Fraternal Benefit – Accidental death coverage for member and spouse at no cost under benefits.

33. Leaving Messages Don’t mention dues in the message Keep it light
Calling about the new happenings at the council.
Come up with a sincere and honest message that you feel comfortable with.
DON’T ACCEPT “NO” - Ask him to pray on it and get back with you by “” Date

34. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR YOUR CHURCH, YOUR COMMUNITY AND THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS