Holy Spirit Council No. 11661
11300 W 103RD ST OVERLAND PARK KS 66214
Website: http://kofc11661.com/
Meeting Minutes of June 8, 2023
Call to Order: Grand Knight, Jim Easterday, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Warden’s Report: The meeting was held in the Mary and Martha room at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance: The Grand Knight led the Council in pray and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: The Officer missing at the meeting was the Advocate. The Chaplain, Treasurer, and 2nd Year Trustee were excused. Thirty-three (33) members were present and duly recognized.
Attendance: Present: 33 Total Membership: 320
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made to adopt the May 11, 2023, minutes which were previously e-mailed to all of the members. The motion was seconded and passed.
Grand Knight’s Report
Prior to providing his report, the Grand Knight introduced and welcomed Don and Janet Goodwin. Don and Janet Goodwin were the recipients of the Family of the Month Award for their untiring service of saying the rosary before the 6:45 a.m. Mass and for over 40 years of service to Holy Spirit.
Grand Knight, Jim Easterday, gave his report as follows:
1.He thanked the Council for their contribution in making the last two years a success;
2.He thanked those Knights who helped with Donut Sunday on May 28th;
3.He thanked all the Knights who worked the Parish Picnic June 3, 2023. He specifically thanked Don Watson for heading it up;
4.He reminded the Council that this Saturday, June 10 was the Council’s Award Banquet after the 4 P.M. Mass;
5.He reported he had not heard from the John Mahon Agency if we were successful in meeting our requirements pertaining to “Fraternal Benefits Night” to achieve the Founder Award from Supreme. At the meeting he learned of two additional Council members who attended “Fraternal Benefit Night” he did not have on the list;
6.He reminded the Council that after the 11 A. M. Mass this Sunday there would be a Eucharistic Procession. He indicated he was still looking for Knights to carry the canopy and conduct traffic control;
7.He thanked Chris and Al for the refreshments tonight;
8.He announced the Council had received thank you cards from recipients including Uplift and Little Brothers of the Poor; and
9.He announced we received a donation request from the Religious Sisters Appreciation for $500. He indicated we donated $500 last year to them.
Deputy Grand Knight
The Deputy Grand Knight, Don Watson, was present. He reported the Parish Picnic was a big success on June 3rd with the Knights serving up at least 350 hamburgers and an equal amount of hotdogs. He said over 600 people attended the event and gave special recognition to the Knights who worked the grill.
Chaplain’s Report
Fr. Andrew was excused. There was no report
Financial Reports
Financial Secretary Report
Tom Gaume, the Financial Secretary, was present. Tom read the two (2) bills that needed to be paid tonight. They were:
1.Al Gracik (Beverages) $48.40
2.Chris Horvat (Refreshments) $114.70
TOTAL $163.10
Upon a motion duly made and seconded the Council approved paying the above bills.
Finally, he reported all dues had been collected from members for 2023.
Treasurer’s Reports
Tom Spencer, the Treasurer, was absent and Tom Gaume read his report into the record:
Bank Balance on hand: $22,890.75
Less Funds Earmarked:
Coats for Kids - $10,830.56
Seminarians - $ 3,825.00
Attendance Prize - $ 104.00______
Remainder: $ 8,131.15
Lector’s Address
The Lector, Gregg Brown, was present and gave his program titled “Eucharistic Processions.” Afterward, he led the Council in the prayer for the canonization of Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney, our Founder.
Membership Director
Chad Eickholt, the Membership Director, was absent. Bill Ramsey gave his report. Bill indicated the Exemplification that was scheduled in June had been cancelled.
Faith Director
Everett Fritz, the Faith Director, was present and gave no report.
Family Director
John Weber, the Family Director, was present. He informed the Council the last day to make reservations for the June 10th Award Banquet would be tomorrow, Friday. He encouraged anyone without a reservation to make one. He said the three Knights of the Council who would be inducted into the Hall of Fame were:
·Jerry Gerstberger,
·Tom Spencer., and
·Steve Vehlewald.
Vocation Director
Bob Roennigke, our Vocation Director was absent. There was no report.
Life Director
Joe Molen was present. He informed the Council the drop-off for the “Baby Bottle Program” will be Father’s Day, June 18. He indicated around 594 bottles were passed out with only a few returned. He passed around a sign-up sheet for help. He reminded the Council the pick-up of the bottles would be before Mass, not after.
Youth Director
Don Watson, the Youth Director, was present. He had no report.
Community Director
Mike Bergkamp, the Community Director, was present. He had no report.
Play Along Football
Ken O’Brian was present and gave a report on “Play Along Football.” He said the tickets have come-in. He indicated the promotion and sale of tickets for the event would start in July.
Webmaster Report
Bob Long, the Webmaster, was present. There was no report.
Exemplification Report
Trinidad Molina was absent. There was no report.
Unfinished Business
With the Directors’ reports concluded the Grand Knight moved onto unfinished business.
The Grand Knight read the slate of elected Officers for next year and asks the individuals to stand. The new Officers were recognized. Installation of Officers is to take place June 29, 2023.
Thereafter, Rick Trudell stood and was recognized. Rick spoke for the Council regarding its appreciation for the service provided by Jim Easterday as its Grand Knight for the last two years. Jim Easterday received a standing ovation from the Council.
Next, Everett Fritz stood and was recognized. Everett informed the Council he commenced the solicitation for hole sponsorship for this year’s Council’s golf outing. He reported he sought help and suggestions from the Council as each year some sponsors from the year before drop off. He reported to the Council that was the case this year, too. Everett indicated Mr. P’s would be providing the food for this year’s event.
Next, Greg Davis stood and was recognized. Greg reported to the Council he had secured Heritage Golf Course for the event this year again. He said the event would be held September 29. He indicated he had made arrangements with Heritage Golf Course to conduct the presentation of awards there versus conducting them on the premises of either Mr. P’s or Tequila Harry’s as done in the past.
Finally, Greg Miller stood and was recognized. Greg reported on the results of the food drive conducted the weekend of June 3 and 4. He said 1,023 lbs of food was collected and $1,577 was collected.
New Business
With “Unfinished Business” concluded the Grand Knight took up New Business.
The Grand Knight announced the Council had three new members. They were
·Robert Alson,
·Dennis Dominic, and
·Jacob Schmitz.
He asked for a motion to accept them into the Council. A motion was duly made and seconded to accept the above three into the Council.
Fourth Degree Report
Greg Davis, the Faithful Navigator, was present. Greg indicated the next Assembly meeting would be either September 5 a Tuesday, or September 11, a Monday. He indicated he was still trying to work out the final date with the Church.
Greg announced he did find a priest recipient for the chalice the Assembly owns.
KNIGHT AND FAMILY OF THE MONTH
The Grand Knight reported the Knight and Family of the Month were as follows:
Knight of the Month: Bill Ramsey
Family of the Month: Don and Janet Goodwin
District Deputy Comments
John Weber, the District Deputy, was present. John had no report.
State Program Report
Eric Sevart, a State Officer, was present. He took a few moments to report to the Council the State Council had raised $73,000 through the “State’s Aid & Support after Pregnancy Program.” He said the money would be divided between eight (8) pregnancy centers to provide assistance to young mothers.
Insurance Agent Report
We still do not have a new Field Agent. The Council was informed if anyone had an insurance question to contact Luke Henry. Luke will be acting as our temporary Field Agent. Luke’s phone number is (913) 568-6518. His e-mail address is luke.henry@kofc.org.
For the Good of the Order
Prayers Requested
Before closing the meeting the Grand Knight asked whether any Brother Knight wished to request prayers for the sick and distressed. In response, came the following:
1.Prayers for Pope Francis who has been hospitalized after suffering a hernia;
2.Prayers for Susan Molen, Joe’s wife, who was injured in an auto accident; and
3.Rick Trudell asked for prayers that his skin cancer would be determined to be benign.
Adoration
Jerry Gerstberger was present. He said 11 Knights were at adoration this past Wednesday. He called upon the Council to look at the “sick and distressed” list as a number of those listed have been on there a long time. He indicated he’d like to remove anyone that should be removed.
50 / 50 DRAWING
There was a 50/50 drawing at the meeting. The lucky member won $33.
ACCUMULATION DRAWING
Richard Pustka’s name was drawn. He was not present. He would have won $104. The prize money now is $137.00.
After the drawings, the Grand Knight led the Council in prayer and officially passed the gavel to the new Grand Knight, Tom Watson; the meeting closed at 8:00P.M.
Next meeting is July 13 2023, preceded by Guys’ Night Out at 6 p. m.. The next Officers’ Meeting is June 29, 2023.
Respectfully submitted,
Everett Fritz, II, Recorder
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