Knights of Columbus
Immaculate Heart of Mary Council, No. 9270
Riverview, New Brunswick
REVISED APRIL 12, 2017
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1
Section 1. This Council shall be known as Immaculate Heart of Mary Council, No. 9270, Knights of Columbus.
Section 2. The initiation fee shall be $15.00 except that for applicants under 26 years of age it shall be $10.00 and for Priests and religious it shall be nil. One half of the initiation fee shall accompany the application but it shall be refunded if the applicant is rejected.
Section 2. The initiation fee shall be $15.00, and it shall accompany the application, and it shall be returned if the application is rejected. Priests and Religious shall be exempt from paying these fees. (CCL Article 118a.)
Section 3. Each member shall pay annual dues, the same to be payable quarterly in advance at the first regular meetings in January, April, July and October. The annual dues of members shall be $10.00, excepting insured members under 26 years of age whose dues shall be one half of that sum, honorary members who shall pay $10.00, and honorary life members who shall pay nothing. Except as above stated, the dues of associate and insurance members shall be the same.
Section 3. Dues payable by each member shall be levied in advance in an amount as fixed by the council , and are payable by December 31st of the year in which they are levied. Members who have reached age 65 and who have been members of the Order for 25 consecutive years shall be designated as honorary members and they shall pay dues equal to the sum of the per capita levies of Supreme and State Councils. Members who have attained 70 years of age, and who have been members of the Order for 25 years, and those who have been members of the Order for 50 years, regardless of age, shall be designated as Honorary Life Members and pay no dues. Priests and Religious, on taking the First Degree of the Order, shall automatically be designated as Honorary Life members and pay no dues. (CCL Article 118 b,c)
Section 4. The officers shall receive annual compensation, payable in quarterly installments at the end of each quarter, as follows: Financial Secretary: From the council an amount equal to eight per cent of the moneys collected on account of dues from both insurance and associate members, payable in quarterly installments at the end of each quarter.
Section 4. Delete this section.
ARTICLE II – Elections
Section 1. The annual election of officers shall take place at a regular meeting held between May 15 to and including June 15. Not less than two months before the annual election the Grand Knight shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three who shall prepare a slate of candidates for the elective council offices. This slate shall be presented to the council not later than the regular business meeting preceding the meeting at which annual elections are to take place. Other nominations may be made from the floor and nominations may not be closed until the election meeting has convened and the members are ready to ballot.
Section 1. The Annual Election of Officers shall take place at the regular Business meeting of the Council in June of each year. At the April business meeting of the Council, the Grand Knight shall appoint a nominating committee of three members who shall prepare a slate of candidates for election to Council Office for the upcoming year. This slate shall be presented at the regular business meeting in the Month of May. Other nominations may be made from the floor until the nominations are closed and the members are ready to ballot.
Section 2. The election of officers shall be by ballot. A majority of all votes cast shall be necessary to elect; except that where several of equal degree are to be chosen, a majority shall not be necessary, but all shall be voted for on one ballot and no ballot containing names of more or less candidates than there are such offices to be voted for shall be counted, and those receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected in the order of the number of votes received.
Section 3. The Grand Knight shall appoint two members to act as Tellers. After all who are entitled to do so have voted, the ballot shall be declared closed and the Tellers shall then proceed to count the votes in full view of the Council. One of the Tellers shall examine each ballot singly and pass the same to his associate, who shall read aloud the name or names written or printed on all legal ballots. The Recorder shall tally the same and the result thereof shall be announced by the presiding officer.
Section 4. Each officer elected must qualify and fill the office to which he is chosen, with or without installation, at the first regular meeting in the month of July succeeding his election, unless excused by a vote of the Council, and must present himself for installation at the time specified in the notice issued by or through the State Deputy or District Deputy, unless excused by such officer. Otherwise such office shall be considered vacant.
Section 5. Vacancies in elective offices shall be filled, after notice to the members, by election at the regular business meeting next succeeding the regular meeting at which the vacancy was created.
ARTICLE III -Officers
Section 1. Only members who are in good standing and who have been initiated in the first three Degrees of the Order shall be eligible to hold office in this Council. No member shall hold more than one office at the same time.
Section 2. The elective officers shall be as follows: Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, Chancellor, Recorder, Treasurer, Advocate, Warden, Inside Guard, Outside Guard (two Outside Guards may be elected) and Board of Trustees.
Section 3. The appointive officers shall be as follows: Financial Secretary, Lecturer, Chaplain and Organist. The Financial Secretary shall be appointed by the Supreme Knight.
The Chaplain shall be selected by the Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight and Board of Trustees in accordance with any rules established by the Bishop of the Diocese. The Grand Knight shall select the Lecturer and Organist.
Section 3. Delete the word “Organist”
Section 4. At the last regular business meeting in June of each year the Council shall determine the amount of the bond to be given by the Treasurer and Financial Secretary in addition to the bond furnished by the Supreme Council, and the Treasurer and Financial Secretary shall not take office or be installed or receive any money or property of the Council until they have furnished such bond and the same has been approved by the Board of Trustees. The premium on said bond shall be paid by the Council.
Section 5*. The Council Officers shall perform the duties required of them by the Laws and Rules of the Order and these By-Laws and such other duties as the Council may direct.
Section 6*. Except when notice of applications shall be published as provided by Section 110 of the Laws and Rules, it shall be the duty of the Grand Knight, as early as practicable before each regular meeting, to file with the Recorder a list of candidates to be balloted upon at such meeting.
Section 7*. At the end of each semiannual period the Board of Trustees shall meet and audit the several books of this Council and shall in each January and July make a full report of their findings, including the receipts and disbursements of the moneys of this Council for the previous semiannual period, the balance on hand to the credit of each of the various funds at the end of each semi-annual period, and the assets and liabilities of this Council. The Grand Knight shall issue the call for such meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Section 8*. Where a member ipso facto forfeits his membership the Grand Knight and Financial Secretary shall immediately notify the Supreme Secretary of such forfeiture and shall immediately send notice in writing to the member, including the date and the reason therefore. In those cases relating to ipso facto forfeiture for failure to pay council dues, such notice shall not be sent to the Supreme Secretary or to the member until an officer or a member of the Conservation Committee shall contact the member and endeavor to have him retain his membership.
Section 9*. The Recorder shall file all reports in a filing book to be provided for that purpose and the same shall be preserved as a part of the records of this Council.
*Section 5 to 9 no change – renumber only
ARTICLE IV -Meetings
Section 1. Regular meetings of the Council shall be held on the first Wednesday and third Sunday each month. The first meeting each month shall be a regular business meeting. All meetings shall commence at 7:30 P.M. Twelve members shall constitute a quorum at business meetings.
Section 1. Regular business meetings shall normally be scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month, but may be rescheduled when necessary at the discretion of the Executive. All meetings will start at 7:00 p.m., but this time may also be changed as necessary by the Executive.
Section 2. All meetings of the Council shall be presided over by the Grand Knight, who will ascertain from the Warden if all present are possessed of the current membership card.
Section 3. The order of business and procedure at regular business meetings of this Council shall conform to Section 125 of the Laws of the Order. [See inside back cover.]
Section 4. Special business meetings shall be convened as follows: By vote of the Council at a preceding regular business meeting; by direction of the Grand Knight; by the Grand Knight upon the written request of seven members, which request shall state the object of the meeting. Due notice of special business meetings and their purpose shall be given to each member in the usual way and no other business shall be transacted at any such meeting.
Section 5. The following shall be the order of business and procedure at special business meetings:
- Call to Order.
- Warden’s Report on Membership Card.
- Prayer.
- Roll Call of Officers.
- Opening Ode.
- Special Order of Business.
- Prayer.
- Closing Ode.
Section 6. It shall be the duty of all officers to attend each meeting of the Council. In case of inability of any officer to attend a meeting, due notice shall be given to the Grand Knight and arrangements made to have all necessary books and papers in the possession of such officer at the meeting. If a Chair Officer is absent from a meeting, the presiding officer shall designate a member to act for him. If an elected officer, without reasonable excuse approved by the Grand Knight, is absent from three consecutive regular business meetings, the Grand Knight may report this fact to the District Deputy for such action under Section 92(b) of the Laws of the Order as the District Deputy deems appropriate.
Section 7. In the absence or inability of the Grand Knight the Deputy Grand Knight shall preside and he shall execute all of the duties of the Grand Knight. In the absence of the Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight the duty of presiding shall devolve on the other officers of the Council in the order in which they are named in Section 126 of the Laws of the Order.
Section 8. If any meeting shall fall on a legal holiday said meeting shall be held the following day unless the Council, by vote at a previous business meeting, annuls such meeting or fixes a different date for such meeting within the month for which it is scheduled.
Section 8. Delete – See Section 1(Repeat)
ARTICLE V -Balloting for Candidates
Section 1. The Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight shall privately inspect the ballot box, both before and after the ballot, and the former shall announce the result. Balloting of candidates shall be in charge of the Warden who shall distribute ballots to all members present. Ile shall place the ballot box on the salutation table and take his place six feet therefrom. He shall then request that all officers vote and after they have voted, he shall request the members to vote. They shall advance in single file and deposit their ballots, but no member shall pass the Warden until the member preceding him has voted. After all who desire to do so have voted, the Warden shall exhibit the ballot box to the Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight and they shall count the votes. If the number of negative ballots cast does not exceed one-half of the members present, the applicant shall be declared elected, otherwise rejected. The exact number of negative ballots shall not be stated. If more than one candidate is to be balloted for at a meeting, the Grand Knight may announce that the first ballot shall be a general one upon all the candidates, and that if not more than one half of those present shall cast negative ballots upon such general ballot no other ballots shall be taken. If such announcement is made, and not more than one-half negative ballots are cast upon said general ballot all candidates so balloted for shall be declared elected. If more than one-half negative ballots are cast upon said general ballot, then an individual ballot shall be taken on each candidate.
ARTICLE VI-Committees
Section 1. In addition to the Committees provided for in the Laws and Rules of the Order the following Service Program Directors shall be appointed:
(a) Program Director whose goal will be the direct involvement and personal commitment of the council and membership in a program that will establish the Knights of Columbus as truly a Catholic, family, fraternal, service organization.
(b) Membership Director to have supervision of a comprehensive program of recruitment and retention for his council.
(c) Director of Church Activities to promote a program that will enable the membership to respond to the constant call for the active participation of the laity in the work of the Church.
(d) Director of Community Activities whose responsibility it will be to make the council aware of its life
within the community and to develop programs that will be of service to the community.
(e) Director of Council Activities who will be concerned with the promotion of brotherhood through athletic, cultural and social programs. Additionally, he will be responsible for the development of public relations in the council.
(f) Director of Youth Activities to provide the youth in the community with the means and the opportunity to become personally committed and involved in meeting the challenges of our times. He will also be responsible for the promotion of the Order’s junior organization, the Columbian Squires.
(g) Director of Family Life Activities to promote activities and programs within the Council that would strengthen and support the family life of its members.
(h) Such other Committees as may be required by these by-laws.
Section 2. Except as herein provided, all Committees shall be appointed by the Grand Knight and the first person named on the Committee shall act as Chairman thereof. Standing Committees shall serve for the current fiscal year or until their successors have been appointed. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
ARTICLE VII – Funds
Section 1. All moneys obtained from any source, by or through any person or persons, acting for or in the name of the Council or under its direction or authority, shall be considered Council Funds and shall be forthwith delivered to the Financial Secretary, who shall give his official receipt therefore and who shall report at the close of each meeting the amounts so received and from what source and shall deliver the same to the council Treasurer and take his receipt therefore.
Section 2. The Treasurer shall deposit all moneys received from the Financial Secretary in a bank to the credit of the council. Disbursements from this fund shall be made only by check signed by the Grand Knight and Treasurer. The depository bank shall be furnished with a copy of this section.
Section 3. No money in excess of $200.00 shall be paid or transferred from the Treasury of this Council, except such moneys as the Council is called upon to regularly pay for its current expenses and as provided by the Laws of the Order or for purposes approved by the Supreme Council or Board of Directors, unless by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at a regular business meeting held subsequent to a regular business meeting at which notice in writing of a resolution of intention to pay or transfer such money and the purposes and amount to be paid or transferred shall have been given and regularly read.
Section 3. No money in excess of $500 (five hundred dollars) shall be paid from the treasury of this council except such money as the council is called upon to regularly pay for its expenses and as provided by the Supreme Council Board of Directors, unless approved by a two thirds vote of the members present and voting at a regular business meeting held subsequent to a regular business meeting at which notice in writing of a resolution of intention to pay such money shall be given and regularly read.
Section 4. All bills shall be presented to the Recorder and by him read to the Council before being referred to the Board of Trustees. In case a bill is not approved by the Board of Trustees, it shall be referred back to the Council for action.
Relief Fund
Section 5. The sum of $100.00 shall be paid from the General Fund to the Financial Secretary and shall be known as the Relief Fund. The Grand Knight, Financial Secretary and Treasurer shall constitute a Relief Committee. They shall investigate the case of any brother who is reported to be in distress or in need of relief and if in their judgment the case is one deserving of assistance, they shall have power to draw from the Relief Fund such reasonable sum of money to afford assistance as the circumstances of the case may require, provided that in no single case shall more than $25.00 be paid out without reference to and approval by the Council
.
Replace by “Sick and Visiting Fund”
Section 5. The sum of $200 (Two Hundred Dollars) shall be paid from the General Account to the Financial Secretary for the use of the “Sick and Visiting Committee” to purchase cards, gift baskets or other such items for Brothers and members of their families who are admitted to hospital or confined to their homes due to illness or injury. These funds may also be used to purchase parking passes at the hospital while visiting a brother or family member who is confined. There shall be a maximum of $50 (fifty dollars) permitted for one event. This fund shall be replenished as required upon approval of the trustees who shall review all expenditures.
Building Fund
Section 6. All moneys received on account of initiation fees and five per cent (5%) of all moneys received on account of dues shall be deposited in a special fund to be known as the “Building Fund” of this Council, and such fund, together with the interest thereon shall be maintained for the purpose of providing and maintaining a permanent home for the Council.
Replace by “Capital Fund”
Section 6. Five percent (5%) of all moneys received from the payment of dues shall be transferred to the Capital Fund. In addition to these funds, a predetermined percentage of the Net Revenue from all fundraising activities shall be transferred to this account. Moneys from this account shall be used to fund equipment purchases, or renovations to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church building or the Dan Bohan Family Center. The percentage of contribution shall be established as part of the Annual Operating Budget of the Council and may be adjusted as required by the passing of a motion at a regular Business meeting of the Council.
Section 7. A fund is to be set up in the amount of $100.00 with the Grand Knight for rendering assistance to sick, disabled and needy members and their families and families of deceased members. These funds can only be spent with the approval of the Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight and Chancellor. This fund will be replenished on written request to Council, signed by the Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight and Chancellor stating that the funds were spent in accordance with By-Law Article VII Section 4.
Replace by “Fraternal Fund”
Section 7. The Fraternal Fund is established for the purpose of rendering assistance to a “Brother in Need”. The monies from this fund may be used to make the home of a Brother Knight more accessible, purchase medical equipment and/or any other expense authorized by the Fraternal Fund Committee. All expenses are confidential as to the name of the Brother, and are to be reported to Council as “expenses for a Brother in Need”.
Section 7.1 The Fraternal Fund Committee shall be appointed by the Grand Knight, and would normally include the Grand Knight, the Deputy Grand Knight, the Financial Secretary, the Treasurer and the immediate Past Grand Knight. Records of all meetings of the Fraternal Fund Committee, including amounts spent, shall be kept by the Financial Secretary and reported to Council at the next regular business meeting. At no time is the name of the Brother to be made public.
Article 7.2 The Fraternal Fund shall have a cap of $20,000 (twenty thousand) dollars and will be funded by transferring from the General Fund, a predetermined percentage of all Net Revenue received from all Fundraising activities. The percentage shall be set during the Annual Budget preparations, and may be adjusted as required by the passing of a motion at a regular Business meeting.
Article 7.3 Expenses exceeding $500 (Five Hundred dollars) must be approved by a vote at a regular Business meeting following a notice of resolution announced at the previous meeting.
ARTICLE VIII -Funerals, Etc.
Section 1. On the death of a member in good standing the Memorial Committee shall give notice to the members and, if time permits, shall request them to assemble and pay their respects to the memory of the deceased at a time and place to be indicated in such notice.
Section 1. Change “Memorial Committee” to the Grand Knight or his Delegate.
Section 2. When notice of the death of a member in good standing is received the Memorial Committee shall for ward to the family of the deceased a message of condolence on behalf of the Council and the Memorial Committee shall arrange to have five Masses said for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
Section 2. When notice of the death of a member in good standing is received, the Grand Knight or his Delegat shall forward to the family of the deceased an expression of condolence on behalf of the Council, and arrange to have two Masses said for the repose of the soul of the deceased. The first of these Masses is to be said as soon as can be arranged, and the second shall be on the first anniversary of the death of the member.
Section 3. The Memorial Committee shall arrange for the celebration during the month of November of each year of a Mass for the repose of the souls of the deceased members and shall cause five days’ notice to be given to the members of the time and place of such Mass. The Mass shall be celebrated by the Chaplain unless he is indisposed.
Section 3. A Memorial Service for deceased Brothers shall be convened each year on the day of, and immediately prior to, the regular Business meeting for the month of November. The purpose of this service is to honor the memory of Brothers who have died in the previous year.
Section 4. The Council shall receive Holy Communion in a body during the Easter period, at a time and place to be determined by vote of the Council.
Section 4. Each year during the Easter season, Council members and their wives shall attend a “Fraternal Mass” as a body at a time and date agreed upon by the Chaplin and the Executive.
ARTICLE IX – Miscellaneous
Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended by a two thirds vote of the members present and voting at a regular business meeting held subsequent to a regular business meeting at which a resolution in writing providing for such amendment shall have been read and notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given to the members in writing or in the council publication at least five days prior to the second meeting.
Section 2. Procedure and debate shall be in accordance with the Laws and Rules of the Supreme Council, the Board of Directors, these By-Laws and the Rules of Parliamentary Law known as “Robert’s Rules of Order.”
These By-Laws amended and adopted by vote of the Council, April 12, 2017.
RAY MARCH, GRAND KNIGHT.
BACK COVER
The Order’s Laws, Section 125, require that the following shall form a part of the order of business and procedure at regular business meetings of every subordinate council:
- Call to Order.
- Warden’s Report on Membership Card.
- Prayer.
- Roll Call of Officers.
- *Opening Ode.
- Reading of Minutes of Previous Meeting.
- Report of Admission Committee and Reading of Applications.
- Balloting for Membership.
- Reading of Notices of Applications in other Councils.
- *Initiations.
- Grand Knight’s Report.
- Chaplain’s Report.
- *Treasurer’s Report.
- *Reading by Grand Knight of Receipts of Treasurer to Financial Secretary and Treasurer’s Voucher of Deposit.
- Reading of Bills and Communications
- Financial Secretary’s Report of Receipts of Meeting.
- *Report of Auditors and Trustees.
- *Chancellor’s Report.
- *Report of Committees.
- Unfinished Business.
- *New Business (When elections are in order this is the first item under New Business).
- Insurance Agent’s Report.
- District Deputy’s Report.
- *Good of the Order.
- Chaplain’s Summation.
- Closing Prayer.
- *Closing Ode.
*Parts of the order or business marked with an asterisk may be omitted at regular meetings other than regular business meetings. At regular business meetings, minutes of all meetings to and including the last regular business meeting shall be read.