chapter president’s report sk art...

© 2018 Oakland Diocese Chapter • Knights of Columbus • Publication Production: SK M Souza • All Rights Reserved�

Volume XVIII, Issue I�•� JULY 2018�•� OAKLAND DIOCESE CHAPTER�•� Editor-in-Chief : SK David Schwartz�

Chapter President’s Report�SK Art Londos�

Welcome to the 2018-2019 Columbian Year!�

And thank you for electing me as your Chapter president.�

I would like to first acknowledge our new slate of officers: Kip Trombley, Vice President; David Schwartz,�Secretary; and Dennis Valerio, Treasurer. Bob Burnside will again be our Chapter Advocate and Bart Kinard has�accepted the position of Marshal. We also welcome back Father Antony Vazhappilly as Chapter Chaplain who will�guide us on our spiritual journey.�

Our vision for this year will be community and spirituality with increased emphasis on faith, family, community, and�life.�

We will also see a change for service programs order wide. The Surge with Service program is being replaced with�a new program model titled Faith in Action. Faith in Action adds new programs that emphasize the spiritual nature�of our order and charity in our communities. Supreme is requiring that each council establish four programs under�this new program: Spiritual Reflection; Consecration of the Holy Family; Homeless Assistance; and Novena for�Life. Your District Deputy will be reviewing the new Faith in Action program and all that it entails.�

With district restructuring, the Chapter now has twelve districts down from thirteen last year. Our districts have been�assigned numbers 35 to 46. Every District Deputy now has at least four councils in their district. I would also like�to acknowledge our newest District Deputy, SK Ed Canilao, who replaces me in the newly designated District 43.�

We have two events that take place in August. The Silver Rose Program will travel thru our Chapter from Saturday,�August 18th, to Wednesday, August 22nd. The Silver Rose, which was started 58 years ago by the Columbian�Squires in Mexico, will arrive at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Brentwood, move to St. Michael in Livermore, then�San Leandro with the goal of finishing at Christ the Light Cathedral. The Silver Rose journey will continue thru�designated Chapters in California eventually arriving at the Basilica in Monterrey, Mexico, on December 12th, the�Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.�

On Saturday, August 25th, and Sunday, August 26th, we will provide lunch for 350-400 Special Olympians at the�Heather Fields Softball Complex in Walnut Creek. The Feed the Athletes Program is being chaired by WDD Patrick�Jalbert who needs man power and donations to assist with this first ever program in northern California.�

The installation of Chapter officers is scheduled for Saturday, September 8th, at Immaculate Heart of Mary in�Brentwood. Starting with Mass at 5 PM, we will welcome our State officers with dinner followed by the installation.�All are welcome!�

Preceding the officer installation, there will be a 4th degree exemplification in the morning hosted by IHM Council�#7467 and presided over by WM TW Starkweather.�

Finally, I have provided the District Deputies with the schedule for our monthly Chapter meetings and would request�that the councils consider volunteering to host a date. We will again alternate between west and east Diocese. Our�next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, August 18th, and I would like to have a council in the western part of the�Diocese be the host.�

Again, thanks for your support and let’s make this Columbian Year a successful period in the history of the Oakland�Diocese Chapter.�

PG1�

© 2018 Oakland Diocese Chapter • Knights of Columbus • Publication Production: SK M Souza • All Rights Reserved�

2018 - 2019 ELECTIONS�

By all accounts, the 2018-2019 Columbian Year Election�of Officers was the most contested in quite a long while.�However, I seem to remember that there was some contest�at the 2017-2018 Election, but not nearly as interesting as�it was this time.�

It appeared that the only two seats not contested were those�of President and Treasurer (hint - if you want in, brush up�on accounting and bookeeping).�

The other noteworthy observation was that there was a total�absence of adversarial attitudes or animosity - as it should�be. If you were a stranger observing the post-results con-�gratulatory comments, you would think every candidate�was trying their best to lose! How very odd it must seem to�the stranger unaware of our brotherhood.�

Below are our Worthy Officer-elect who shall be duly�installed at a date to be announced later. Let us offer our�heartfelt congratulations and full support!�SK Mike Souza�

PG2�

ODC OFFICE� OFFICER-ELECT�

President� Art Londos�

Chaplain� Rev Father�Antony Vazhappilly�

Vice President� Kip Trombley�

Secretary� David Schwartz�

Treasurer� Dennis Valerio�

Advocate� Robert Burnside�

Marshal� Bart Kinard�


Chapter Secretary/Chief Editor’s Message�David Schwartz�

Greetings brother Knights! Thank you for those who�attended the Chapter meeting in June and provided a�“Vote of Confidence”. I trust that this year will make the�Oakland Diocese Chapter Great Again.�

How you can help our Chapter is to become involved in�activities for it. Our President mentions about great pro-�grams in August, but I want to make my pitch for an�important program to all Councils.�

The American Wheelchair Foundation is one of the�“essential programs” in the Knights and is right up there�with Special Olympics and PID. It would be great if each�District could have ONE wheelchair Sunday. If you are�having trouble getting that started, at least each council�should budget 300 for this program. That covers two�chairs and counts as 100% participation, earning a spe-�cial recognition. But better than that, that means 8 chairs�(for a 4 council district) for those who desperately need�it. I would like the Oakland chapter to have 100%�participation and this is very easy to achieve.�

How you can also help our Chapter is to make sure that�new brothers get a chance to attend our degrees! There is�a WEB CALENDAR on the Chapter Website with the�latest listings of degrees. If you know of a degree that is�NOT on there, please email me and I will make sure it�gets up there.�

This is for ALL degrees because you may have a neigh-�boring district that wants to send new brothers to take�those degrees. So let’s work together in UNITY to make�sure that everyone in our FRATERNITY is aware of our�degrees so we can get the message out about which is a�message of CHARITY.�

© 2018 Oakland Diocese Chapter • Knights of Columbus • Publication Production: SK M Souza • All Rights Reserved� PG3�


VICE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE�Kip A. Trombley�

Happy July Brother Knights.�The Chapter dynamic is new to me. Leadership and work-�ing as a team to achieve common goals is not. There are�times when I believe it is prudent to look ahead at our�common goals and look at what we are doing with a�critical eye.�

Is our current course of action going to achieve the com-�mon goals? Are we going to enjoy life in the process? Are�we going to build this fraternity along the way? Each year�an action plan is set before us. This action plan includes�goals that are new each year but certainly do not replace�our main mission which is to serve.�

We must, in my opinion, be ever wary to not let the�execution of our responsibilities diminish from the pri-�mary goal which is to serve our community, to serve our�fellow parishioners, to serve our Clergy, to serve the Holy�Mother Church and through all of that to Serve God.�

As we go forward we must remember to be humble, kind�and charitable toward our fellow brothers. I sincerely look�forward to working together to find ways to make things�happen as long as they are done in a humble way with the�main goal being the building up of each and every member�of this great family.�

Vivat Jesus,�Oakland Chapter Vice President�Kip Trombley�

CHAPLAIN’S MESSAGE�Fr. Antony Vazhappilly, Chaplain, ODC�

(510)792-1962,�[email protected]�

My dear Brother Knights,�Greetings from Father Antony! Hope you are all keeping well. As we�at the outset of another Colombian year, let us pray that the coming�year will bring us closer to God and His Mother. Knights, above�everything else, are men of God, fully committed to establish His�Kingdom here on earth. We are not just admirers of Jesus. Jesus does�not lack them. We are to be His followers with an undivided heart to�serve His church. “Make a difference” should be our maxim. And the�first place to begin with is our own respective parishes.�On July 3, every year, we celebrate the feast of St. Thomas, one of the�twelve apostles. He is very dear to me as he evangelized my people�in, Kerala, India. I would like to share a poem I wrote on him.�

HOLE IN THE WATER�Among the twelve he was a born skeptic,�

He believed only in what is specific.�Without seeing he wouldn’t easily believe,�

Public opinions he would not receive.�

He upheld human reason and logic,�Without reasoning life he thought was tragic.�

His Master would soon teach him a new lesson,�With new teaching his life he would fashion.�

He did not believe his companions word-�That the Savior had risen from the dead!�

He thought his friends had fun at his expense,�Showing His wounds, Jesus broke the suspense.�

Thomas repented for his unbelief,�With “My Lord and My God” came his relief.�

He learned to trust Jesus without seeing,�His life then became one of believing.�

He chose India for his missionary field,�The seed of faith that he sowed there bore rich yield.�

The Faith in Jesus grew strong day by day,�People realized their daily need to pray.�

With his blood he paid for his faithfulness,�In suffering for Jesus he knew gladness.�

The seed that he planted became a big tree, In Jesus only�we can be truly free.�


Council Retention�TW Starkweather�

Retaining a council starts at its inception. A well-formed coun-�cil, with guidance from the State Council and the District Dep-�uty, goes a long way to keeping a council active and vibrant.�When a council lacks guidance, it will most likely encounter�problems. There are multiple aspects of maintaining an active�council:�

Conduct an orientation of the Officers’ Duties (Use the video,�“Those Who Serve.”)� a) Find this video at http://www.kofc.org/un/en/videos/#�under the tab “Instructional” then scroll to the last video.�Train key officers on how to conduct their job. The officers are:�A. Grand Knight� (Grand Knight training video available using�the same link and instructions above.)�How to run an effective meeting.�B. Financial Secretary� (Financial Secretary training video�available using the same link and instructions above.)� The duties and responsibilities of the Financial Secretary,�including and not limited to the use of the FSPC.� The correct 1845 procedures.� All the forms that are the responsibility of the Financial�Secretary.� C. Treasurer� How to open and maintain an account.� How to keep accurate records.�D. Recorder�i. How to take notes during the meeting.�ii. How to use the Recorder Minute Book.�E. Trustees�i. Teach them to help oversee the well-being of the council and�how to conduct an audit.�ii. Duties of a Trustee as noted in the REFERENCE Section of�the Grand Knights Handbook (Form 915).�F. Membership Director�i. How to work closely with the Financial Secretary on member-�ship issues.�ii. How to Schedule Admission Degrees for new members.�iii. How to appoint, with the help of the Grand Knight, the�following:�(1) Admission Committee�(2) Retention Committee�(3) Recruiting Committee�


G. Program Director� (“Surge…With Service” training video�available using the same link and instructions above.)�

How to identify members that will conduct council programs.� How to help the Grand Knight prepare a planning meeting�for the fraternal year.� How to make sure that there are enough programs to attract�potential new members to join the council.� Teach him to work closely with the Membership Director and�admission committee to identify the programming interest of�new members.�

3) Admission Committee�

Use some of the many Membership videos at http://�www.kofc.org/en/videos/download/membership_videos.html� How to effectively screen potential members, include Parish�Pastor or Council Chaplain.� How to make sure that a member interest survey or anything�similar is filled out and signed by the member as a commitment�to his participation.� How to carefully match the potential member with an officer,�a director, or the proposer to help him continue along the way�to his full knighthood.�

When a council begins showing signs of trouble, the District�Deputy is the first line of defense to keep the council from�becoming suspended.�

The District Deputy needs to make sure that he is in constant�communication with the Grand Knight.� During each quarter he must attend at least one council�meeting or more.� Observe the behavior and demeanor of the officers.� Must attend the state organizational and state mid-year�meeting to keep abreast of all the new programs that the state�council and supreme are promoting.� Should conduct at least two district meetings a year. In�addition, he should not be afraid to solicit help from the state�council.�

(Cont’d Page 5)�ì�


(Cont’d)�

Signs of Trouble�

The following is a partial list of the signs that a council is�experiencing difficulty:�

• No one is willing to take office.� • They are getting behind on paying their per capita for state�and supreme.� • No quorum for their meeting.� • Few programs are being conducted.� • No new members.� • Indifference amongst members.� • Not supporting the parish or the Pastor.� • Form 1295 Semi Annual Audit – Schedule C� • Large number on the Assets line, “Due from ________�(number) members”� • Not completing some or all of these required forms #185,�#365, #1295, & #1728.�

When one or more of these signs appear, the District Deputy and�the State Council need to start taking measures to help the�council. Always, try to involve the Pastor in resolving issues in�the council.�

Remember, by recognizing the warning signs of a council in�trouble and acting upon them, the efforts to retain a council will�keep our Order strong and growing into the future.�

TW Starkweather�State Membership & Council Retention Chairman�925-997-4947�[email protected]�


State Wheelchair Committee�

Congratulations to the 2018-2019 Officers-Elect. On behalf of�the State Wheelchair Committee and the American Wheelchair�Mission, I wish you a successful Columbian Year in leadership of�the Oakland Diocese Chapter.�

Brothers, there are over�139 million people worldwide that are�in desperate need for a wheelchair, but have no way of getting one.� I am hoping for this to be a big come back year for the Oakland�Chapter and the State overall. The Oakland Chapter has been�historically one of the leaders in raising money to sponsor wheel-�chairs for the poorest of the poor.� The State initiative this year is two fold. We will be distributing�wheelchairs to Guadalajara, and Mexico City. We will also�(depending on money raised) be placing containers in Northern,�Central, and Southern California. These containers will be strategi-�cally placed throughout the State , so councils throughout Califor-�nia will have easy access to them. The specifics will have to be�worked out, more info on that to follow.� To the District Deputies of the Oakland chapter - in case you�haven’t received the incentive set by the State and the American�wheelchair Mission, let me tell you what it is. The FIRST district�deputy to have all his councils participate (minimum $300 dona-�tion), with at least one of his councils hosting a Wheelchair Sun-�day, that DD and his wife will be the guest of the State and the�American Wheelchair Mission on the 2019 wheelchair distribution�in Guadalajara and Mexico City.� Worthy district deputies. I need your help, you are the leaders!�What I would like to see is this : Every district deputy should have�their individual councils participate or even host a wheelchair�Sunday.� The reason is quite simple. You as a “leader” can not ask anyone�to do something that you are not doing yourself. I am not a DD, but�since I have taken the role as Wheelchair Chairman, my council�has done two wheelchair Sundays and participated with fundraisers�the other two years, and that will continue.� What I am getting at brothers is this, PRACTICE WHAT YOU�PREACH!,or LEAD BY EXAMPLE!, whichever you prefer.� As always, I am ready , willing, and available to help with�anything you may need, answer questions , meet with pastors,�attend a council meeting, whatever. I would suggest you first�contact the Northern California Committeeman -� Brother Deepal Karunaratne� [email protected], 925-354-3449�

Fraternally, Louis Salvatore�State Wheelchair Chairman�[email protected] 707-301-0332�

I found a blank space, Yay! So here’s a short Website and�Newsletter Production update.�•�The INFO-X SubSite development team - CS Dave Schwartz, he�holds a BS in IT Management. VP Kip Trombley will contribute�fresh ideas.�• CS Dave will be sending me�EVENT INFO & FLYERS� for�posting on the Website “Coming Attractions” and the Web Calen-�dar.�• Past Chapter Officer Richard Milward will continue to post�Degree Exemplifications on the Calendar.�• The Christopher news cycle starts after the Chapter Meeting.�Please submit articles to CS Dave on time!�-�Mike Souza, Communications Dir.�


While jobs may be safer in 2018, accidents, injuries, and illnesses that can impact your ability to work still happen. Most,�in fact, do not happen on the jobsite or place of employment. Did you know that a 2011 study revealed that more than�95 percent of the long-term disability claims on file were not work related?�

The Knights have always sought to protect members’ families from the “loss” of a breadwinner. I’m sure you know all�about Father McGivney’s vision for our insurance program. But you may not know that Father McGivney also wanted�to find a way to help members who couldn’t work because of an illness. After all, the “loss” of the breadwinner does not�have to mean that person’s death; it can also mean the loss of the breadwinner’s income.�

Consider that loss for a moment. How would your family fare if a source of income suddenly stopped? Could a�dual-income family manage on one income stream? What about young families with a working father and a mother who�cares for the children? What if his income halted due to an accident or illness?�

I’ve heard some people say they have coverage at work, but too many aren’t sure what this coverage entails, how much�income it would provide or for how long. Having this protection counts for something, certainly, but it isn’t “yours”; it’s�provided by the company for which you work at their discretion. It could be eliminated tomorrow.�

That’s where a personally-owned disability income insurance product, like Income Armor, comes into play. It can offer�valuable income replacement in the event of an injury or illness.. If you have a job, you must know about this coverage.�

SK Paul Morassutti�Trusted Insurance Agent, San Francisco Bay Area�Office: 925-889-6366�

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