November 2023 Meeting Minutes

November 13, 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 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 August meeting minutes made by Bob Jacobs and seconded by Joe Tarallo and passed unanimously.

Grand Knight’s Report (Dan Fuller)

• We need have an audit trail for all vouchers and check requests.  Therefore, if you made a motion that requires a payment, please complete a voucher (including the motion request #) along with the check request and send to the Secretary at least 1 week before payment is needed.
• Bingo staffing – in order to know who will be working from week to week, whomever will be working the back room each week will be designated the captain for that week.  Please let the captain know if you will not be able to work on your scheduled week and find a replacement.
• Last week was the CUF degree for new knights including Joe Schalkoff, Michael Eannone, Fr. Antonio, (others?).  We are pleased to officially welcome them to the Council.
• We will be working on the wiring of the parish center on Tuesday nights at 7pm and Saturdays at 8:30am until the TVs are installed and networked into the new Bingo flash boards.  Please come help as much as you can.
• Pride in our Priest dinner is scheduled for November 20 at 6:00PM at the Hanover Manor.  Dan will be sending out a list of those who will be attending.
• We need help for a Eucharistic Procession on Corpus Christi.  After 12pm mass, there will be a procession to through the parking lot and back to the church, followed by a repast.  We are looking for volunteers for a committee to organize.  This will be good for the parish and good for the Council.
• We need to come up with a fundraiser idea to raise $1,000 for the Scholarship Fund.  Any suggestions?
• We need volunteers to distribute costs for the Coats for Kids drive on 12/17/2023.  This is an amazing event to see first-hand how the Drive benefits needy families.  There will be a meeting on 12/5 at 7pm for anyone interested in volunteering.
• The old bingo machine will be donated to a Seniors’ Center.  They are very grateful for the donation.
• There will be a Grand Knights meeting on 1/6/2024 in Basking Ridge at St. James Church.
• Bishop’s Night will be on 1/26/2024 at Holy Angels Church – will need a check.
• The Fr. English Center food bank is asking for the Council to make a donation.
• There is a family in town with 2 children with cerebral palsy.  They need to raise $17,000 to purchase a lift.  So far, almost $15,000 has been raised.  There is a GoFundMe page to assist with the fundraising.

Treasurer’s Report (Wally Krake)

The Bank statement was sent to trustees.  A copy can be obtained upon request.

Membership Report (Chip Sturm)

Great CUF degree ceremony last week.  There are 3 more prospects including one who was supposed to join the CUF but could not make it.  Also 3 potential transfers into the Council.

Financial Secretary’s Report (Gerard Petrocelli)

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

Program Reports – Led by John Watral

Bingo (Mike Mallon)- We did not have enough help last week.  Only 4 people were available for set up and we had issues with machines that delayed the games.  We need a few more folks to help on Friday mornings at 9:30 and also getting started at 6pm  We need to be organized so things run smoothly for the players.

Soup Kitchen (Lenny Martin) –October event served 67 meals with 52 take outs. Meals included flounder, veggies and baked beans.

Respect Life (Gerry Kaufhold) – RTL Raffle raised $890.  There will be a rose fundraiser (donors get roses) on January 6-7, 2024 to raise money for the Washington, DC Right to Life March, which will be held on 1/19/2024. This trip leaves at 6:30 am and returns at 10:30pm.  The cost of the bus is $4,639.  Sign up for trip with Gerry if interested.

Blood Drive (Gerard Petrocelli) – Next drive is scheduled for December 2.  It is a scholarship drive.  We are securing dates for 2024.

Food for Family Wreath Drive (Gerard Petrocelli) –We started selling Christmas Wreaths for the wreath drive after masses to raise additional funds.  We purchase the wreaths by the case, so we have extra wreaths for sale. There are 20 pieces left (6 wreaths, door sprays, centerpieces, etc.).  All products will be in on Thanksgiving weekend and will be distributed after masses. Thus far, sales are down due to the economy, but donations are up. 

Squires(Tom Rohe)

• Trunk or Treat will be on October 28 was a success.  Over 15 cars participated, along with police and rescue squad.

Council 6100 Christmas Party – will be held 12/16/23.  E-invitations will be sent.  Please respond to that invitation. Party will include ugly sweater contest. Also secret Santa gift exchange for gifts under $25.  We will be taking free-will donations for car seats / pack & play for crisis pregnancy center.

Paragon Christmas Party – will be held for residents in mid-December.

District Deputy Report (Bob Holl)

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

State Secretary Report (Jim Sweeney) – State Secretary was not in attendance.

Unfinished Business

• Motion to spend up to $1,000 to refurbish all of the chairs in the Parish Center.  Costs incurred will be for vinyl and hardware to replace seat coverings, and foot covers. Motion made by Joe Tarallo and seconded by Mike Sabella.  Second Reading – Passed unanimously.
• Motion to donate up to $3,500 to purchase boxes of coats for the Coats for Kids Drive with the intent to donate the coats to needy families in Patterson and other townships.  Motion made by Chip Sturm and seconded by Pierre Kernizan. Second Reading – Passed unanimously.
• Motion to spend up to $1,000 for the 2023 Christmas Party.  Motion made by Gerry Kaufhold and seconded by Mike Sabella.  Second Reading – Passed unanimously.
• Motion to spend $625 for Christmas gifts for St. Jude support staff. Motion made by Mike Mallon and seconded by Don Campbell. Second Reading – Passed unanimously.
• Motion to spend $660 to purchase a table at the Pride in Our Priest dinner on November 20.  Motion made by Gerry Kaufhold and seconded by Gerard Petrocelli. Second Reading – Passed unanimously.

New business

• Motion to spend $281.25 for an additional light for the sidewalk outside the parish center. Motion made by Gerry Kaufhold and seconded by Gerard Petrocelli. – Passed Unanimously.
• Motion to provide a $20 credit towards the purchase of K of C gear for new members who attend 4 council events within 6 months. Motion made by Lenny Martin and seconded by Chip Sturm – Passed Unanimously.
• Motion to donate $500 to provide financial support for Deacon Joseph DeMarzo through the RSVP program. Motion made by Pierre Kernizan and seconded by Mike Mallon – Passed Unanimously.
• Motion to donate $500 to provide financial support for Marc Morano through the RSVP program. Motion made by Joe Tarallo and seconded by Lenny Martin – Passed Unanimously.
• Motion to donate up to $1,600 to cover 1/3 of the cost of the bus transportation to the Right to Life March in Washington on 1/19/2024, offset by proceeds from the Rose Drive – First Reading Motion made by Gerry Kaufhold and seconded by Chip Sturm – First Reading Passed Unanimously.
• Motion to spend up to $100 for supplies for the Rose Drive. Motion made by Chip Sturm and seconded by Gerry Kaufhold – Passed Unanimously.
• Motion to donate $500 to Birth Haven to help them recover from a fire. Motion made by Bob Jacobs and seconded by Gerard Petrocelli – Passed Unanimously.
• Motion to donate $89 towards the Baby Bottle Boomerang, to increase the total amount raised from $2,911 to an even $3,000 so that each recipient organization will receive $1,000. Motion made by Mike Sabella and seconded by John Watral – Passed Unanimously.
• Motion to spend an additional $500 to sponsor CPR/AED training for St. Jude ushers Motion made by Joe Tarallo and seconded by Gerard Petrocelli – Passed Unanimously.
• Motion to donate $500 to purchase a lift for a family in need.  Donation should be directly to family and not through GoFundMe – Motion made by Pierre Kernizen and Seconded by Wally Krake III – Passed Unanimously.

Good of the Order

The Good of the Order was directed by Don Campbell. 

Closing Prayer

Closing prayer was led by GK Dan Fuller.

Attendance: 17 people.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm