Officers for the 2025-2026 Fraternal Year

The grand knight is the council's chief executive officer. He is responsible for setting council goals and ensuring that all officers fulfill their duties to reach these objectives. He presides over all meetings; appoints program and committee directors as needed; fills officer roles in the event of vacancies; countersigns checks and orders for payment; and oversees the council’s degree team. He should also be aware of the council’s financial status and ensure his signature appears on all checks drawn.

The chaplain is the spiritual leader of the council. He nurtures the faith in council members particularly through the sacraments but also through spiritual direction, retreats and other events and support.

The deputy grand knight serves as the grand knight's right-hand man and fills in for the grand knight when he is absent. Some deputy grand knights serve as their council's program director. Ultimately, he assists the grand knight in leading the council and reaching council objectives. In some councils, the deputy grand knight role might be used to groom a possible grand knight candidate for the following year. He is chairman of the council’s retention committee. Finally, the deputy grand knight may serve as a liaison between the council and other groups with similar interests.

The chancellor assists both the grand and deputy grand knights in the leading of the council by engaging and strengthening the council's membership. His primary responsibilities include recruiting and retaining members and to this end he should set up events that display the values and principles of the Knights of Columbus.

The treasurer is responsible for the safekeeping and maintaining records of all council funds and accounts. He receives money from the financial secretary and deposits funds into council accounts. He is also responsible for paying all council expenses. He also balances and verifies the ledger and keeps the updated budget approved by the council.

The financial secretary is appointed by the supreme knight, upon the recommendation of the council. His main area of responsibility is maintaining all financial and membership records. He collects and receives all monies from all sources, including annual dues from council members. He also handles supply orders for the council officers and members, filing the Report of Officer (#185), and submitting all membership transactions to the Supreme Council.

The advocate acts as council parliamentarian. He should be knowledgeable in Robert's Rules of Order and Protocol, Meetings, and Ceremonials (#11620). He may seek legal assistance from the state advocate, should issues arise.

The recorder has the responsibility of recording all meetings and events held by the council. He should record minutes, conversations and other information helpful to the council and prepare them to be distributed to the membership in a timely manner.

The warden is the ‘watchdog’ for council property and degree paraphernalia, except the property of the financial secretary, treasurer and recorder. He is also responsible for setting up the council chambers for meetings and ceremonial work. During ceremonial exemplifications, he will appoint and supervise guards.

The inside and outside guards carry out tasks given to them by the grand knight and follow the warden’s orders. The guards have similar responsibilities but distinct differences. At the inner door, the inside guard checks to make sure that their membership cards are current. The outside guard tends to the outer door, admitting visitors and members to the inner door.

The three trustees advise the grand knight, supervise the council's financial matters, and conduct the semiannual audits. Usually the immediate past grand knight will serve as a trustee. Each trustee serves for three years.

The lecturer is appointed by the grand knight to provide both educational and entertaining programs to the council. He is responsible for the ‘Good of the Order’ portion of council meetings. In order to provide members with informative and educational programs, he must be knowledgeable and aware of all council programming. If the lecturer cannot be present, he should appoint a council member to give the reflection for him.

The program director is appointed by the grand knight and oversees the Faith in Action areas of Faith, Family, Community and Life. In some councils, this may be the duty of the deputy grand knight. The program director ensures that all his subordinate committees meet regularly and plan appropriate events. He communicates individual committee reports to the grand knight. Keeps accurate record of council programs for reporting on the Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity (#1728) and the Columbian Award Application (#SP-7). Must complete required Safe Environment training.

The community director is appointed by the grand knight and reports to the program director. Responsible for all community-based council programs. He directs programs that support and encourage service to the community that fight poverty, aid the individual, promote athletic events, and sponsor larger programs and campaigns. He should be comfortable contacting and coordinating with organizations that align in key areas of community assistance. Must complete required Safe Environment training and background check.

The life director is appointed by the grand knight and reports to the program director. Responsible for all life-based council programs. The individual appointed to this position should be comfortable discussing and planning efforts within the context of supporting and affirming life in all stages and in all conditions. Notably, he strives to promote programs that support and encourage the advancement of the pro-life movement, people with intellectual disabilities, and persecuted Christians.

The membership director serves as the head of the Admission Committee and works to grow the council's membership through new and transfer members. He should actively identify potential recruits, plan recruitment programs, host informational meetings and encourage council members to seek candidates. In addition, the membership director should ensure that a council has access to frequent degree exemplifications (whether its own or local councils) and should work that each member reaches at least the third degree in a timely manner.

The retention chairman works to keep the council's members active. implements programs and practices that provide mentors for new members and regularly communicates with the members to encourage their participation. When students graduate, the retention chairman helps them transfer to a council in their area. At times when a council wishes to suspend members, they must have the retention chairman reach out to members and ask them to keep their membership or to transfer to another council.