Offices,
Jewels, and Robes
Each
Council Officer has his own ceremonial robe and a metal emblem
called a jewel worn on a ribbon around the neck. Officers' robes
are all of the general design called the Columbus Robe. It is a
flowing robe with inserted yoke, usually white. The opening is in
the back with invisible clasps. There are inner or coat sleeves
and outer or flowing sleeves. There is a standing collar, open in
front, and a cowl or hood. Three belt straps are provided around
the waist for a cincture or belt containing two tabs. The cincture
is worn so that the tabs hang down along the left side of the
body, but not on the hip. The tabs are ended in fringe. The
mantle, as prescribed for the State Deputy, Grand Knight and
Chancellor, is a sleeveless coat with large arm holes, and is worn
over the Columbus Robe.
Council
Offices
|
Officer
|
Office and Robes
|
Jewels
|
| Grand
Knight |
The Grand Knight
is the Chief Executive Officer of the Council. He oversees
all of the Council's activities and is elected by the
members of the Council. Some of his duties include presiding
over meetings, countersigning orders and checks, reading
vouchers and notices relative to the Fourth Degree. He is ex-officio member of
all committees. His jewel is an Anchor which is suspended
from a purple ribbon. The Anchor is indicative of Admiral
Christopher Columbus and has also been a variant form of the
Cross for centuries. The Grand Knight's ceremonial officer
robe is royal purple. He wears a white cincture with silver
fringe and a purple mantle with white roll collar.
|
 |
| Chaplain |
The Chaplain
provides spiritual guidance and direction to the Council.
The Chaplain is selected by the Grand Knight, Deputy Grand
Knight and the three Trustees on an annual basis in
accordance with the rules of the Bishop of the diocese. His
jewel is the Isabella Cross in silver and blue suspended
from a black ribbon. The Chaplain's Ceremonial Office Robe
is black with black trimming and a yoke with white
projecting collar. The cincture is black with silver fringe. |
 |
| Deputy
Grand Knight |
The Deputy Grand
Knight is second ranking officer of the Council and is
elected by the members of the Council. He shall preside in
the absence or inability of the Grand Knight. His jewel is
the Compass, also known as the Compass of Virtue, suspended
from a purple ribbon, with the four main points representing
Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. The 32 points
around the outside of the compass represent the virtues
(Listed Below) which a man can possess. The compass is an
important tool in navigation. The Deputy Grand Knight's
ceremonial officer robe is royal purple. He wears a white
cincture with silver fringe.
The Virtues moving clock
wise around the compass are:
CHARITY
(N), benevolence, sympathy, amiability, patriotism,
submission, unity, obedience
HOPE (E), modesty, temperance, patience, self
control, fortitude, chastity, prudence
FAITH (W), piety, gratitude, impartiality, justice,
loyalty, equity, honesty
TRUTH (S), constancy, wisdom, integrity, brotherly
love, forgiveness, benightly, kindness.
|
 |
| Chancellor |
The Chancellor is
the third highest ranking officer of the Council and is
elected by the members of the Council. The Chancellor shall
assist the Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight in the
performance of their duties and shall take charge during the
incapacity or extended absence of both. He shall exercise a
special interest in new members and members who are sick or
in distress, and act as Membership Director for the Council.
His jewel is the Skull and Crossed Bones on the Isabella
Cross and is suspended from a black over white ribbon. The
Crossed Bones remind us of our mortality, while the cross
represents immortality through Christ. The Chancellor's
ceremonial officer robe is black robe trimmed with white. He
wears a white cincture with silver fringe and a black mantle
with white roll collar.
|
 |
| Warden |
The Warden assures
that all members at meetings possess the current membership
card. He is custodian of all Council property except funds
and is in charge of properly setting up the Council Chamber.
He directs the activities of the Inside and Outside Guards.
His emblem, an Axe Bound with Rods, known as a Fasces, was
traditionally carried by the guards or protectors of Roman
magistrates as a symbol of authority. The Warden ideally has
and exercises that authority. The ribbon is colored red over
black. His robe is black trimmed with scarlet with a scarlet
cincture with silver fringe.
|
 |
| Recorder |
The Recorder keeps
the minutes of the meeting and the historical records for
the Council. He is elected by the Council members. In the
absence of the Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, and
Chancellor, the Recorder will run the meeting. Also, he is
responsible for the correspondence of the Council as
directed by the Grand Knight. The Recorder's jewel is
Crossed Quill Pens suspended from a white over yellow
ribbon. The Quill pens are symbolic of his record keeping
functions of the Scribe. The Recorder's ceremonial officer
robe is black, trimmed with black. He wears a white cincture
with silver fringe.
|
 |
| Treasurer |
The Treasurer
keeps all funds, maintains the accounts of the Council, and
issues Council checks upon receipt of a proper voucher from
the Financial Secretary. His jewel is Crossed Keys,
which represents responsibility for the safe keeping of the
funds, suspended from a blue ribbon. The Treasurer's
ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with black. He
wears a white cincture with silver fringe.
|
 |
| Advocate |
The Advocate is
the Chief Legal Officer of the Council, resolving procedural
matters, acting as parliamentarian, and otherwise handling
all legal activities. His jewel consists of a Scroll and
Sword suspended from a yellow ribbon. The Scroll represents
the legal literature and law and the Sword represents his
authority to enforce those Laws. The Advocate's ceremonial
officer robe is black, trimmed with golden yellow. He wears
a yellow cincture with silver fringe.
|
 |
Guards
(Inside & Outside) |
The Inside Guard
(1) and Outside Guard are charged with the security of
the Council Chamber and assist the Warden in meeting the
duties of his Office. Their emblems, Crossed Key and Axe
hung from a white ribbon, represent their power as sentries
at the door. Their robes are gray with black trim and yoke.
The cincture is also black with silver fringe.
|
 |
| Trustees |
The Trustees
(three in number) oversee the financial transactions of the
Council, review all bills and financial reports and audit
the Council's financial records semi-annually. Their
emblems, Crossed Key and Sword, indicate this financial
authority and are worn on green ribbons. Their ceremonial
officer robes are black, trimmed with green. They
wears a green cincture with silver fringe.
|
 |
| Financial
Secretary |
The Financial
Secretary handles of the financial transaction record
keeping. This includes issuing and collecting bills, issuing
membership cards, etc. The Financial Secretary is appointed
by the Supreme Knight and is compensated in a manner
approved by the Board of Directors. His jewel is the Quill
Pen (record-keeper) and the Key (money, safe-keeping, and
secrecy) crossed and is suspended from a white over yellow
ribbon. This symbolizes his record keeping functions of the
financial matters of the Council. The Financial Secretary's
ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with black. He
wears a white cincture with silver fringe.
|
 |
| Lecturer |
The Lecturer
provides entertainment for the members after meetings,
particularly the second meeting of the month, which is our
social meeting, and handles certain other major social
events of the Council such as Family Dinners. His emblem
consists of Lyre and Scroll. These are traditionally symbols
of music, literature, and the arts. His ribbon is white over blue.
The Lecturer's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed
with national blue. He wears a blue cincture with silver
fringe.
|
 |
|
District
Offices |
| District
Deputy |
The District
Deputy is the representative of the Supreme Knight and the
State Deputy and is responsible for the supervision, growth
and expansion, and general care and well-being of the
councils assigned to his district. He is the key to
the success of the Order. His responsibilities include
ensuring that his Councils follow the Order's laws and
rules, promoting effective membership recruitment and
retention programs, identifying and developing new council
locations, assisting councils in conducting relevant service
programs, and monitoring the general financial and social
health of the councils in his district. The District Deputy,
having been nominated by the State Deputy, is appointed and
approved by the Supreme Knight, and is directly reportable
to the State Deputy for all activities within the district
and fulfills the very important communication link between
the State and Supreme Councils and local Councils. The
District Deputy serves at the discretion of the State Deputy
and his term expires on June 30 of each year.
The District Deputy's jewel is a
Sextant and Feather with the words "District
Deputy" laid across them and suspended from a red
ribbon. These symbolizes his role in helping to guide the
Councils in his district.
|
 |
State Offices
(descriptions
taken from VA State KofC Bylaws)
|
| State
Deputy |
The State Deputy shall be the Chief Executive Officer of
the Order of Virginia, the representative of the Supreme
Board of Directors, and of the Supreme Knight. He shall have
such powers and duties as are established in Chapter IX of
the Constitution and Laws of the Order. All State
Jewels contain the Official Seal of the State in the middle
of the Jewel.
|
|
| State
Chaplain |
The State Chaplain shall serve the
State Council in an advisory capacity for the furthering of
the aims and purpose of the Knights of Columbus.
He
shall conduct all religious exercises of the State Council
and advise and consult with the Chaplains of Subordinate
Councils as to religious programs and activity within their
councils.
|
|
| State
Secretary |
The State Secretary will be the
Chief Administrative Officer of the State Council and shall
as directed and in the manner prescribed by these By-Laws,
keep a true and faithful record of all proceedings of the
State Council, keep in charge the seal of said Council and
prepare, execute, distribute and maintain the documents
records, forms, papers and correspondence required of his
office.
|
|
| State
Treasurer |
The State Treasurer shall be the
custodian of all funds of the State Council. He shall give
bond,
and shall disburse State Council funds.
|
|
| State
Advocate |
The State Advocate shall be the
legal and parliamentary advisor of the State Council in all
matters pertaining to the Order referred to him. He shall be
ex-officio Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions of the
State Council.
|
|
| State
Warden |
The State Warden shall act as the
warden of the State Council. He shall advise and consult
with the State Council and the Subordinate Councils as to
the Conduct of Meetings.
|
|
|
