Cliff Wasmund State Council Retention Director

Council Retention Red Flags No or low recruitment numbers over the past 2 years No or minimal Council Programs Forms 185 & 365 have not been submitted Significant number of suspensions have been submitted over the past 2 years

Council Retention Underlining Factors Changing demographics Age of the Council members Age of the Church congregation Conflicts with the Church Pastor Council members do not want to hold an office Already held numerous offices Too much work to be a GK, DGK, FS, Treasurer Too old Don’t have time, snowbird

Council Retention Action Plan DD/SCRD to schedule meeting with Pastor Following the meeting, schedule future meeting to include: District Deputy Council Officers, members State Council Retention Director Diocesan Membership and Program Directors General and/or Field Agent Pastor Identify and discuss the challenges facing the Council

Council Retention Action Plan - continued Determine if the Council future prognosis is terminal Formulate an action plan for the Council Schedule Membership Drive(s) Identify and hold new Program(s) Increase membership involvement in parish ministries Ushers Funeral Servers Catechism teachers

Council Retention Action Plan – continued Increase Knights visibility by wearing clothing with the KofC logo or name badge at Church or social events Can the Pastor help in some way to promote membership

Council Retention Re-evaluate Action Plan Effectiveness Was the Membership Drive(s) successful, if yes then: Schedule “Information Night” or appointment with Field Agent Schedule an Admission Degree or Major Degree Did the Program(s) attract non-council members, if yes: Did you talk to those that attended the function about the Knights Have Council members joined the Church ministries

Council Retention Re-evaluate Action Plan Effectiveness - continued Determine if the actions plans that were implemented were a success or a failure, and why If new members were realized, are elections of new Officers in order If new Officers are elected, schedule training with Joe Munie

Activating & Engaging Members Programs That Work Ed Nickel Assistant State Membership Director

Information Night Held after the Church Drive All new potential members and families are invited to attend The speakers should be the Grand Knight, District Deputy, Father and the Supreme General Agent and/or Supreme Field Agent NO ALCOHOL SHOULD BE SERVED !!!!

Every Council Active Initiative In order for a council to survive they need to recruit new members. New members are needed to support your councils programs. Failure to recruit will lead to a council that is being set up to fail Why did you join your council How many of your councils are still at -0-. WHY?????

Membership 365 Members at the Council level need to be encouraged to think about membership at every opportunity Council membership director should speak at every council meeting.

One-on-One Recruitment One-on-One remains the most productive recruitment tool Show interest in the potential new Knight and not just another member Never give up - You never know when he will say YES !

Power of 10 Each Council should select a Chairman to lead the Power of 10 (8-6-4) The Council roster then should be divided among the Power of 10 team Each team should contact members of their council to see which programs the members have an interest in participating The councils who have tried this method have had success in getting members to meetings.

Information Table Should consist of: Pictures of council members in action Pictures of your current council officers Council awards Copy of your updated council brochure Copies of Supreme information brochures Regalia from the 4th Degree An apron from the MI-Drive with a bowl of Tootsie roll miniatures

What do we do next ??? Set a date for your Admissions Degree. Promote a combined Major Degree with neighboring districts. Besides the candidates, the proposer should be attending to show support to the candidate Invite ALL members to your council programs Get to know your Supreme Council Insurance agents and what they can do for you !!!

Brian Barlow, FICF, FIC, CFFM Using Supreme Council Insurance Agents to Assist in Activating and Reactivating Membership Brian Barlow, FICF, FIC, CFFM

Communications Keep us informed. We can’t help if we don’t know what is going on. Communication is a two way street. Offer an independent voice to the membership.

Where a Supreme Council Agent can help Recruiting Retaining membership Providing supplies

Recruiting They can help with recruiting the skills they use every day. They are accustom to speaking to strangers. This is their full time job. First things they are taught as agents.

Retaining membership Visit members who don’t attend council meetings. Provide an independent voice from the council to address member concerns. Provide a list of members who have previously been suspended in an attempt to get them reactivated. Provide insurance, annuities, financial advice.

Membership Retention and Activation Steve Jacek State Membership Retention Director

Membership Retention and Activation "Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn't leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it?

Membership Retention and Activation The act of keeping someone. Activate: To cause someone to start working.

Membership Retention and Activation Majority of members Good Catholics/Pay Dues Active members Officers Chair Events Lost Sheep On the Retention List every year Reluctantly pay dues Probably on the Retention List the next year

How can we activate our lost sheep? Attitude Preparation Answers to Excuses No time/Not interested Hardship No Building Moved/relocated No longer want to be a member How to leave a message (voicemail)

Callers Attitude Ask Yourself Why did you become a Knight What do get from being a knight What have you given as A Knight Speak from your own experiences as a knight Speak sincerely brother to brother.

Preparation Before Phone Calls Calendar of events List of charities and service to the community and church. Review and understand the benefits as a member (Item 2773 from Supreme) Review and understand the items in the Retention Guide. http://www.councilnet.us/Jurisdiction/State/Resources.aspx?State=Michigan&Category=10053

Eliminate Excuses No Time /Not Interested Interprets to “You aren’t doing any programs I am interested in”. Ask him what type of activity would interest him. Review 24 hour knight Hardship No member is suspended for financial reasons Don’t tell him the council will cover his dues. Tell him he can pay what he can once he gets back on his feet. Meanwhile suggest that he get more active in the council activities.

Eliminate Excuses Closed Church or building The council is in transition. We no longer have the burden of a building. Most councils that move have a surge in activities and membership Give us one year.

Eliminate Excuses Moved/relocated Pay your dues to keep your years of service and transfer to a council in your new area once you get settled. FS will assist in finding a local Council or direct the member to look up a local council at www.kofc.org/un/en/insuracnce/find-a-council.htmi

Eliminate Excuses No longer want to be a member Ask if he believes in the principles of the knights of Columbus Suggest he consider it a charitable donation with the idea that he will still get all the benefits as a knight (Columbian magazine, social events, family events) Mention Member/Spouse Fraternal Benefit – Accidental death coverage for member and spouse at no cost under benefits.

Leaving Messages Don’t mention dues in the message Keep it light Calling about the new happenings at the council. Come up with a sincere and honest message that you feel comfortable with.   DON’T ACCEPT “NO” - Ask him to pray on it and get back with you by “” Date

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR YOUR CHURCH, YOUR COMMUNITY AND THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS