Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the web site for
the Knights of Columbus headquarters?
Sorry no, the
international headquarters for the Order of the Knights of Columbus
is called the
Supreme
Council. kofc5382.org is just a simple web site for one of
the local KofC councils here in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
What is
the Knights of Columbus?
The Knights of Columbus
are the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service
organization with 1.75 million members and over 13,000 councils. It
provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in
service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families and
young people.
It is best known for it Fourth
Degree Honor Guards, seen in many special Catholic events, and
for its many charitable activities. The Knights of Columbus
life and disability
insurance programs have consistently been certified as among the
best in the nation by independent insurance rating agencies.
What are some of the benefits in
joining the Knights?
As a member of the Knights of Columbus
you and your family enjoy many benefits,
including
12 free issues annually of the Columbia
magazine, the world's largest Catholic family magazine, eligibility
to join the Knights of Columbus top-ranked life
insurance program, and many more family and personal benefits.
What are some of your Councils activities?
Council activities include: Summer Picnic,
Annual Tom & Jerry Christmas social, help local Nursing Home
Residents attend St. Jude Parish Annual Picnic, State Raffle,
Tootsie Roll fund drive to help local charities, Rosary Program,
Youth Punt, Pass, and Kick, Basketball Free Throw contest, Mission
Honduras fund raiser & social, State K of C Bowling Tournament, and
much, much more.
You can find our members
active in our Parish Councils, Youth Ministries, serving as
Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Lectors, Saint Vincent DePaul
Society, Paul's Pantry, and even the Boy Scouts.
URGENT! I have an insurance problem,
who do I contact?
Fort Howard Council 5382 is served by David Nier (920) 619-4068
E-mail: david.nier@kofc.org
Is the Knights of Columbus a secret
society? Absolutely not! All our members should
be proud to let people know that they belong to the Knights of
Columbus. The Fourth Degree Honor Guard wears a black
tuxedo-based uniform, but does not otherwise hide their identities.
Many Knights wear name tags as part of our dress code at our
functions, which are frequently not exclusive to members or even to
Catholics. Knights work with other religious organizations in
ecumenical ministries, despite the KofC being a fraternity only for
Catholic gentlemen. Like most fraternities, our members that a
pledge of loyalty to the Order, but our pledge tells us never to
allow that loyalty to violate our religious or civic
responsibilities. Of course, like many fraternities, SOME
traditional ceremonies are secretive, so as to promote a sense of
unity and a sense of self-belonging.
How do I become a Member? (or) My membership lapsed, but I
think I want to become active in the Knights again, how do I find
out more?
Contact
your
local KofC council.
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practicing Catholic
men in union with the Holy See, who are at least 18 years old. A
practicing Catholic is one who lives up to the Commandments of God
and the precepts of the Church. Application blanks are available
from any member of the Knights of Columbus or
contact us here and we
will be happy to talk to you about becoming a member.
How
do I become a Fourth Degree Member?
Any
Third Degree member in good standing, one year after the anniversary
of his First Degree, is eligible for membership in the Fourth
Degree. The primary purpose of the Fourth
Degree is to foster the
spirit of patriotism by promoting responsible citizenship and a love
of and loyalty to the Knights' respective countries through active
membership in local Fourth Degree groups (called "assemblies").
Certain members of the Fourth Degree serve as honor guards at civic
and religious functions, an activity that has brought worldwide
recognition to the Knights of Columbus.
Additional Resources
Why Join the Knights of Columbus? Imagine being part of an organization that
fills your heart and your mind with the joy of giving to others and
the feeling that comes with making a difference. Come see just
what we are all about and take the first steps to enhance your
personal life by viewing the segment,
"Why
Join?" If your still interested come back to this
page and fill out our contact
form
and one of our Knights will contact you.
Knights of Columbus
Insurance Program For more than 126 years, the Knights of
Columbus has provided for the well-being of its members and their
families. With continued support of the members, sound business
practices, a professionally trained field force and a commitment to
Catholic values, we have grown to become a Fortune 1000 company with
assets in excess of $14 billion. The Order consistently receives the highest
possible ratings from two of the industry's
most prestigious rating
companies - Standard & Poor's (AAA, Extremely Strong) and A.M. Best
(A++, Superior). We also continue to be a proud member of the
Insurance Marketplace Standards Association (IMSA) for best
practices. This award is reserved for only those insurance companies
that conduct their business by the highest ethical standards. To
learn more please visit
http://www.kofc.org/un/insurance/index.cfm
or contact our Field Agent David Nier (920) 619-4068 or E-mail
david.nier@kofc.org
