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Programs
Patriotic
Program Information
• To Be a Patriot Awards
Developed in 1985, the “To Be A Patriot” Award
annually recognizes the top three single best patriotic programs
conducted by Fourth Degree assemblies each fraternal year. Entries are
submitted to the Fourth Degree masters to determine the best program in
each district. These are sent to the vice supreme masters, who select
the best program in their respective provinces.
Provincial winners are sent to the supreme master
who appoints a committee of judges to select the top three international
patriotic program winners.
The 2008-09 international awardees, chosen from the
provincial entries are::
Fray Francisco Dumetz Assembly 55
Junipero Serra Province
San Bernardino, California
Adopt a Hero Program
Through this program, the assembly works with
businesses to adopt a member of the military or an entire military unit.
Father Elmer Robnett Assembly 2233
Our Lady of Guadalupe Province
Norman, Oklahoma
Veteran Recognition and Support Project
As part of its veterans support program, the
assembly sponsored a party for veterans at a local VA Centre and
presented each attendee with a handmade quilt or pillow.
John M. Yencha Assembly 1187
Father Edward F. Sorin, CSC, Province
Parkerburg, West Virginia
Rosaries for the Troops
Under this activity the assembly sponsored two
fundraisers to raise enough money to purchase and ship nearly 1,000
metal finger rosaries and prayer cards to Catholic troops and civilians
in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The 2007-08 international awardees, chosen from the
provincial entries are:
Santiago De Compostela Assembly 2305
Junipero Serra Province
Mission Viejo, California
Support Our Troops/Operation Interdependence Program
This project, running continuously since January
2003, provides a means for the public to reach out to, and show support
for, military personnel in a manner that is cost effective and would
have little impact on the military mail system.
Father Howard J. Lesch Assembly 1564
DeSoto Province
Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Wounded Warrior Scholarship Program
Implemented three years ago, the Wounded Warrior
Scholarship Program provides scholarships to members of the military who
were injured in the war on
terrorism and members of their families. The scholarships can be used
for education and/or training at colleges, trades schools, technical
schools, or other
VA-approved training programs.
Father Gregory Kelly Assembly 872
Cardinal McGuigan Province
Toronto, Ontario
Patriotism - Get Involved Project
When put into action, the Patriotism - Get
Involved Project had two goals: to promote the Knights of Columbus
Fourth Degree and to engender a sense of patriotism in the community
through the assembly’s participation in the the city of
Mississauga’s “Celebrate Canada Day” event and ceremonies.
• Civic Award
Assemblies deemed to be outstanding in their
implementation of an agenda of patriotic programming during the
fraternal year are eligible to receive the Supreme Council's CIVIC
AWARD. This award is a tribute to the spirit of patriotism and national
pride exemplified by the Assembly's program of activities. Those
assemblies winning the award should display it with justifiable pride.
In
order to qualify for the Civic award, the Assembly must conduct and
report four varied patriotic programs held within the fraternal
year.
•
Flag
Protocol
The
Canadian
Flag - Form
1667 (pamphlet)
(click
here pdf format)
Rules
for Flag Display (Canada)
(click
here)
•
Support
for Veterans
Programs
(click
here)
Get Out the Vote! Action Steps
• Get Out the Vote Resource Material
As a Fourth Degree
Knight you have the opportunity to become part of your assembly's
colour
corps. As a colour corps member, you will be recognized widely by
the distinctive attire of tuxedo, feathered hat (chapeau) cape and
sword. Colour corps members regularly take part in civic events such as
parades and wreath-laying ceremonies, and in ecclesial functions at
Catholic churches.
• Getting
to the Polls (Please click link below)
On voting day, many people, especially some senior
citizens and people with disabilities, have trouble getting to the
polls. To help these people, consider providing Election Day rides.
Put up signs throughout your council’s community
(stores, churches, meeting halls, senior centres) offering a ride to the
polls and providing two or three phone numbers or e-mail addresses to
contact to arrange a time. Consider placing an ad in local and parochial
newspapers, and/or in your parish bulletin advertising the service.
Check any convalescent homes, retirement centres, etc., in the neighbourhood. If you have already conducted a voter registration drive,
contact the people you helped to be sure that they have transportation
of the polls. Parish and service organizations may be helpful in identifying
people needing transportation.
Organize volunteers from your council who are
willing to act as drivers. Make sure that these volunteers are scheduled
to cover as much of the day as possible. Try to arrange schedules so
drives can pick up as many participants as they can comfortably
accommodate during each trip. At the polls the drive should drop his
passengers and make specific arrangements on where he will meet them to
return to them to their homes. Drives should also periodically contact a
central council “dispatch” location to check on cancellations and
late requests for rides.
•
Voter
Education
Hosting a seminar for community members on how to
vote is a great way to make people more comfortable with voting
procedures and to encourage them to participate.
Work with your state/provincial and local officials
on getting sample ballots and educating the public on using the voting
machines. Display sample ballots and instructions on how to vote in the
council’s meeting place, the parish hall bulletin board, and any other
spots accessible to the public.
Also, produce and distribute flyers that include the
date of the elections, strictly factual information on what officers and
propositions the election is covering, qualifications for voters, and
where and how to register to vote. Distribute these flyers (with
permission) at the parish, soup kitchens, libraries, senior centres,
community centres, high schools, and other appropriate locations.
•
Learn
About the Candidates
Voters need to know the
candidates and the issues. Local councils and assemblies can sponsor a
“Know Your Candidate” discussion at a convenient community location
(but not in council homes due to the Order’s policy of not allowing
pro-abortion politicians to speak there). Here is how to do it:
- Invite candidates to
attend and address the group.
- Work with cable access
stations to televise the event.
- Ask newspapers and
television and radio stations to cover the discussion.
- Prepare a list of issues on which candidates can
speak.
- Appoint a moderator to
present the records and platforms of the candidates and chair
discussions.
Remember,
an assembly or council must never endorse a political candidate or
party. But they can have an impact on society by making sure voters know
the candidates and the issues.
•
Take a
Knight to Vote
One simple way to help
get people out to vote is to ask a fellow Knight to come with you when
you go to cast your ballot. If he is not registered to vote encourage
him to do so immediately. Especially look to encourage first-time
voters, elderly members, and Knights with busy schedules who might not
otherwise vote. On the day of the election offer to pick up you voting
companion and take him to the polls. Set a specific time to go and
encourage him to bring along other voters.
•
Watch the
Kids While Parents Vote
Arrange for a baby-sitting service on the day of the
election to allow members to leave their children while they go and
vote.
The Service could be provided throughout the day or
in the evening only, depending on the needs and availability of
volunteer sitters. Two or three couples could baby-sit a number of
youngsters for short amounts of time.
Keep toys and games handy
for the event. Consider taking youngsters to a nearby playground area.
Provide snacks for the kids (be sure to check with parents about any
food allergies first) – bringing milk/juice and a snacks could be a
parent’s fee for the baby-sitting service. Older children may want to
assist as a way to help gain some experience for the day they start to
earn pocket money as babysitters.
•
Sample
Public Service Announcements
Deliver copies of the text of these sample radio
public service announcements to the public relations director (or other
appropriate individual) at your local radio station, encouraging the
station to consider using these messages as often as possible prior to
the next election. Type these public service announcements on council
letterhead, or include them as text or an attachment in an e-mail,
and be sure to include contact information for your council.
Also, consider distributing
these messages to your members via your council’s e-mail list. In
addition, ask other groups in your community (such as your parish, local
PTAs, parochial schools, etc.) to distribute these messages via their
e-mail lists.
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