August 2023 Meeting Minutes

August 14, 2023

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:31 pm by Grand Knight (GK) Dan Fuller.

Warden’s Report

All present were in possession of a current membership card.

Opening Prayer

Opening prayer was led by Grand Knight (GK) Dan Fuller.

Pledge of Allegiance

Salute to the flag was led by the council members.

Chaplain report

There was no chaplain report as the chaplain was not present.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

Motion to approve July meeting minutes made by John Watral and seconded by Joe Cottone

Grand Knight’s Report (Dan Fuller)

• Brother Rick Banchansky, former Grant Kight as passed away.  He was a great brother and will be missed.  Mass cards were sent to his family.
• In support of those impacted by the wild fires in Maui, the NJ Knight of Columbus will be looking to make a donation to the Hawai’i Knights of Columbus.
• Lighthouse Pregnancy Center – we were blessed to be able to present a check for the purchase of an ultrasound machine this month.  This organization does an amazing job supporting mothers and children even after birth.  After delivery, new mothers are sent home with a care package including items needed.  We will be looking to do a Christmas drive for the moms.
• September 25^th will be the Donald E. Ryan Federation Golf Outing
• October 20-22 – NJ State Council retreat in Sea Girt at the San Alfonso Retreat House
• We are organizing a CUF degree ceremony for September
• Communion Breakfast will be held on the second Sunday in September (9/10/2023).  Mike Sabella has arranged for a guest speaker for the event.
• Several of our brother Knights visited Greg Buckalew for lunch as he recovers. He was grateful for the visit and is in good spirits.  Wally will be organizing a committee for similar support for those in need.
• St. Joseph’s Guild – we will be looking to establish a parish operation, sponsored by our Council, to provide labor for work projects (repairs, maintenance, etc.) in support of those in the parish community that need assistance.

Treasurer’s Report (Wally)

No Treasurer’s report as the Treasurer was not present. 

Membership Report (Chip Sturm)

No member candidates at this time.

Financial Secretary’s Report (Gerard)

Financial secretary’s report is emailed in advance to Trustees for approval of expenditures.

Program Reports – Led by John Watral

Bingo (Mike Mallon)- Things are going well.  We need to renew our license.  Shaun Mickus to work on the renewal. 

Soup Kitchen (Lenny Martin) – Will continue participation.

Charity Mania (Tom Rohe) – Program is ongoing.  Three weeks left.  Sales have been slow.  50 tickets have been recorded thus far.  Please return envelopes ASAP. 

Fishing Trip (Tom Rohe) – Will be at the Atlantic Highlands and will be self-funded.  If interested, we could reserve spots on a boat for $65-$75 per person.  Need to finalize a date.

Summer service projects (Tom Rohe)

• Chair refurbishment – need to figure out how to disassemble chairs for repair.

Squires (Tom Rohe)

• Trunk or Treat will be on October 28 in the parking lot.  Participants are asked to register their car and bring a donation for the Mt. Olive Food Pantry.
• Christmas Craft vendor sale to be held on December 9.  Only 16 tables left.

Blood Drive (Gerard Petrocelli) – Next blood drive is Saturday, August 26, 2023 from 6:30am to 12:30pm in the Parish Center.  Plenty of appointments are available and this is a scholarship drive.

4^th Degree (Tom Rohe) – There will be a pasta dinner on 10/21/23 to plan for the year.

Soccer Challenge will be held by the end of September

Annual Audit – has been completed & submitted.

District Deputy Report (Bob Holl)

• Don Ryan Federation 10 th Annual Golf Outing scheduled for September 25 th at Farmstead Golf & Country Club for an 8:30 AM Shotgun Start at $125 per golfer
• St. Lawrence Church is hosting an overnight trip to The Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, MA from October 5 & 6.  Special room rates are available. Please see or contact me if interested before September 1st.
• NJ State Council Retreat will be held on the weekend of 10/20-22 at the San Alfonso Retreat House at $185
• The Free Online Membership Code “BlessedMcGivney” remains in effect.
• Reminder to complete and submit Form #10784 at the end of each completed program.
• Over the next 2 weeks our State Deputy is asking all councils to donate to the NJS Council Relief fund to be sent directly to the Hawaiian State Council.
• Our online Membership Director has asked each District Deputy to ask their Councils to host a CUF. I have volunteered our District to host for November 2023. A Financial Benefits Seminar is planned to follow the CUF degree ceremony.
• This being the Year of the Eucharistic Revival, all councils are encouraged to work with their Pastors to host a Eucharistic Procession.
• Over that past couple of years our councils have been encouraged to participate in the Bring a Hero Home Campaign. Please remember our active military and help bring a hero home for the holidays.
• As more council brothers are looking to strengthen their faith and for ways to reconnect with Jesus, councils are asked to consider hosting an Into the Breach, Cor Evangelization, or Apostolic Exhortation small group study.
• Please consider donating any unused new or used-but-serviceable manual or power tools to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Randolph off Route 10. You can contact Greg Birrer, PGK, FDD at 973.294.4413.
• Dan Rossi’s August Religious and Civil Rights Talking Points focuses again on our ongoing support for Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs). The AG’s office and Division of Consumer Affairs are misrepresenting these center’s ethics rules and standards of care. They contend that CPCs mislead and deter people from choosing abortion. The Consortium of NJ Pregnancy Centers filed suit requesting the AG’s office to substantiate their claims. The AG’s office denied their request resulting in a suit filed against the State. We, as KofC members, need to be there for these CPCs by providing financial and prayer support through our ASAP and CPC programs, which support these centers in their work to help mothers and babies under their care.
• And, as I keep asking, please continue to provide spiritual and financial support to your deacon candidates, seminarians and religious novices through our RSVP and Scholarships programs, and acknowledge their sacrifices through letters of appreciation.
• The Pride in Priest Dinner will be held at the Hanover Manor on November 20.  Cost is $55 per person.

Unfinished Business

• Amendment of motion from June meeting related to Bingo boards and related equipment, increase the amount from $8,000 (first reading passed last month) to $12,000. Motion made by Chip Sturm and seconded by Don Campbell. – Second Reading for amendment – Passed unanimously

New business

• Motion to pay bills was made by Shaun Mickus and seconded by Tom Rohe. Passed Unanimously.
• Motion to sponsor a hole at the Donald E. Ryan Federation Golf Outing on September 25^th for $100.  Motion made by Gerry Kaufhold and seconded by Lenny Martin.  Passed unanimously.
• Motion to donate $250 to Boys’ Town and $250 to The Seeing Eye in memory of past Grand Knight Rick Banchansky.  Motion made by Chip Sturm and seconded by Lenny Martin. – Passed unanimously
• Motion to support the State Retreat on October 20-22, 2023 by reimbursing any Knight who attends $75 for up to ten people. Motion made by Joe Tarallo and seconded by Lenny Martin. – First Reading Passed – 1 Abstention.
• Motion to donate $100 to the Mt. Olive High School Girls’ Soccer team’s booster club assisting to defray the cost for their practice tee shirts. Motion made by Chip Sturm and seconded by Gerard Petrocelli – Passed unanimously.
• Motion to donate $500 to the Vets’ Summer Fest.  Motion made by Shaun Mickus and seconded by Gerry Kaufold – Passed unanimously.
• Motion to fund $1,000 for the new formation of St. Joseph’s Guild for work projects that support parishioners and members of the surrounding community.  Motion made by Tom Rohe and seconded by Joe Cottone. First Reading Passed Unanimously.
• Motion to donate $500 towards Hawai’i wildfire relief fund.  Motion made by Tom Rohe and Seconded by Shaun Mickus.  Passed Unianimously.

Good of the Order

The Good of the Order was directed by Jim Vandenberg. 

Closing Prayer

Closing prayer was led by Dan Fuller.

Attendance: 16 people.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm