MINUTES OF COUNCIL GENERAL MEETING
Dining Room
09/03/2024
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 7:30 P.M.
OPENING PRAYER: by MIKE FITZGERALD
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: by PAUL RYAN
OPENING ODE: by MIKE FITZGERALD
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: P=PRESENT, A=ABSENT, EX=EXCUSED
CHAPLAIN: VACANT
GRAND KNIGHT: MIKE FITZGERALD: P WARDEN: ADAN LUNA: P
DEP GRAND KNIGHT: MARC EVANS: P INSIDE GUARD: GAMALIEL HERNANDEZ: P
CHANCELLOR: PAUL RYAN: P OUTSIDE GUARD: RUSSELL LEROY: P
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: PETE PERTA: P LECTURER: JAMES RUSSELL: P
TREASURER: JAMES SMITH: EX. 1ST YR TRUSTEE: DAN MURPHY: EX
RECORDER: ROBERT NIETO: P 2ND YR TRUSTEE: DAVID DYBALA: EX
ADVOCATE: RUSSELL GULLY: P 3RD YR TRUSTEE: TOM GRECO: P
DISTRICT DEPUTY KEBRAN ALEXANDER -EX
ARE ALL PRESENT IN POSSESSION OF A CURRENT MEMBERSHIP CARD: per Outside Guard: Yes
Approve Minutes of the Prior Meeting – The minutes of our August 5th General Membership Meeting have been post on the Council’s website. The minutes were approved.
GRAND KNIGHT’S REPORT: by Mike Fitzgerald
Two New Knights who are attending their first General Membership Meeting:
Jesus Medina -He does bathroom remodeling and tile work
Antonio Verduzco -he is principal at Raul Quintanilla Sr. Middle School in the Dallas ISD. He has been a principal for 16 years and has been an educator for 24 years. He has been a member of Holy Spirit for 3 years.
Knights in Need Fund -During our Officers and Director’s meeting, we discussed the possibility of setting up a maximal amount that can be awarded to a Knight. The current amount in the fund is $1375. Discussion was held during the meeting. Paul Ryan suggested we add a line item from our general budget, in the amount of $5,000 per year to be allocated to the Knights in Need fund. Up to this point, this fund has solely been funded by individual donations to this fund. The dispersement of the funds can be done by a committee. Jorge Ruiz states there is already a committee to provide scholarships to young students and we can form a similar committee for the purposes of the Knight in Need Fund. The committee can determine if there are caps on the amount of the award/donation to a fellow Knight. We average about 6 requests per year. A motion was made that we 1) set up a general budget line item for $5,000 for the Knight in Need Fund, and that we 2) set up a committee to review/discuss requests for disbursing the Knight in Need funds. The motion was seconded and the motion passed. Mike Fitzgerald and Marc Evans have volunteered to be on that committee.
Rummage Sale -A big thanks to the many Knights who helped with the set up and the operation of the Rummage Sale. There was one Knight who was there every day to volunteer and help out. Special thanks to Jeff Traub! There were many Knights who helped with the Rummage Sale Tear Down -This included Jack Ramsden, David Ybarra, Mike Fitzgerald, James Smith, Mario Luna, Miguel Hernandez, David and Benjamin Hernandez, Jesus Medina, Moses Martinez, and Fr. Uchi. Unfortunately, while disabling one of the shelves, James Smith fell and the EMS took him to the hospital. It was determined he has fractured his femur.
Wheelchair Drive -Parishioner, Victoria Hernandez asked for a wheelchair for her aunt in México. A phone call was made to Bill Weber, and he was able to arrange a wheelchair delivery to Victoria’s aunt in México! The Wheelchair Drive Campaign for 2023-24 in June raised $10,486. The promised contributions for the next fiscal year totaled $1, 550.
Exemplification Ceremony -At the June 11th exemplification ceremony, Antonio Verduzco was inducted into the Knights. We now are at 5 new members. Our goal is 14 new members. Russell Gully was not able to attend this event. Jim Russell and Mike Fitzgerald had to fill in several positions for the exemplification ceremony. Tom Greco sent out an e-mail blast asking for additional volunteers to help with the exemplification ceremonies. Roberto Nieto and Paul Maldonado have volunteered. Tony Rodriguez may be able to help out at a future date. English speakers and Spanish speakers are welcome to volunteer. The scripts are in English and Spanish and there is a video on how to do the ceremony. There is nothing memorize as scripts are provided. We average one degree ceremony per month. We hold it typically on the Sunday after the general session meeting at 2:30 p.m. (After the 1 p.m. Spanish mass)
Mike Fitzgerald recognized Adan Luna for all his help this past year in introducing and bringing new Knights to our Council. Thank you, Adan!
Baseball/Concession Stand by Allen Reitmeier (James Smith is out with his injury)
There will be 10 games played on 09/07/2024 John Espree will be opening up the concession stand and Miguel Hernandez will be calling on fellow Knights to volunteer for shifts at the concession stand. There will be 29 regularly scheduled games this Fall. They will all take place on Saturday. Allen said the place had a bad smell. The freezer had not been working for some time. We had to throw away $350 worth of spoiled items. José Montoya was able to diagnose the problem and replaced the compressor and 2 fans. Thank you José Montoya for your help!
Knight Hands -Allen Reitmeier has taken over Knight Hands as David Dybala has stepped down from this post. Allen is also being helped by David Ybarra. A recent project was done by Allen and his grandson that entailed installing grab bars for resident in Cedar Hill. This Saturday, a tree trimming project will be done for a Holy Spirit parishioner. Alex Carlson will be in charge of the project. Project Improvement Project (PIP) Days are coming to Duncanville and Cedar Hill on 09/27/2024.
Knight Hands History -Knight Hands started in May 2010. Since then, we have completed 485 projects. We have small projects and some very large projects that have required > 300 hours of labor. There are 4 requirements to qualify for a Knight’s Hand project: 1)They are unable to do the work themselves, 2) they do not have friends or relatives who can do the work for them, 3) they are the primary resident, and 4) they have to sign a hold harmless agreement. In summary, we are considered a “last resort” for these folks.
Financial Secretary’s Report
Presented by Peter Perta:
Membership currently stands at 240
Loss of Knight: Dan Schneider transferred to the Mansfield Council
New Members: Jesus Medina, Antonio Verduzco
Dues Collected YTD: 72%
Star Council Quota/Goal is fourteen (14) – The Fraternal Year started July 1st; we have added five (5) new members against our goal of fourteen (14)
Family of the Month Form has been submitted
The Knight in Need Fund currently stands at $1,375
The semi-annual Council audit will be submitted soon
We have updated Council rosters
Treasurer’s Report – Sir Knight James Smith was absent but sent his report to GK Mike Fitzgerald in writing He advised the Council of last month’s ending balance, the deposits overall made this month, the overall expenditures for the month, and the resulting ending balance.
4th Degree – SK James Smith -Officer installation took place at Holy Spirit on August 16th.
Church Activities – SK David Ybarra -absent; he wanted to thank all the Knights who helped on the September 1st breakfast. Speak thanks to Allen Reimeier, Billy Callender, Jack Ramsden, Pedro Zuniga, Efrain Ochoa, Miguel Hernandez, Eduardo and Cynthia Flores, John Owen, Gamaliel Hernandez, Mario Luna, John Espree, Juan Gomez, Luis Ramirez, Marc Evans, Jim Ouimet, Lou Lemons, and Mike Fitzgerald
Program & Committee Reports
Programs
Faith –
Men’s Bible Study -by Marc Evans
We will use the Knight’s Core program to provide a spiritual program for the men in the parish. Fr. Uchi blessed this endeavor and the Knights would run the program for the men in the parish. Marc spoke with Marcela Solis. She recommended a program called ‘This Man Is You.” It is a one year program and similar to the Knight program, “Into the Breach.”
The Bible Study program would start with a time for community sharing in English and Spanish. Then we will break to small groups and talk for about 45 minutes. The break out sessions will be done in English and Spanish. We would then meet up again and do a wrap up session. Possible times to meet is twice month on a Saturday morning or meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month in the evenings. The program is called “The Eucharistic Revival.” This is in keeping with the celebration of the Eucharist in 2024. This is a national program that folds well with focus on the Eucharist for 2024. There are short videos and handouts as well. We took a hand vote and the membership preferred “The Year of the Eucharist” program over the “That Man is You” program. This will start in September/October 2024.
Family – José Montoya
Community – Dan Murphy –on vacation; No report
Life – Sir Knight Mike Moloughney -absent; Mike Fitzgerald led us in praying three (3) Hail Marys to end abortions.
- The First Hail Mary – for the Unborn
- The Second Hail Mary – for the moms of those unborn babies – that they allow their babies to be born.
- The Third Hail Mary – for those in the abortion industry that they turn away from evil and seek the face of God.
Admissions Committee – S/K Jim Russell -information presented earlier in the meeting
Council Activities – Vacant
Health Director – by Dr. Robert Nieto – The Health Fair will take place during our Fall Festival on 09/21/2024 from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. Please stop by the Health Fair
Knight Hands – information presented earlier in the meeting
Recruitment – SK Jim Kowalski -Plans are underway for a membership recruitment drive will take place in February 2025.
Retention – SK Paul Ryan -A fraternal event will be planned in October. More details to come.
Safe Environment – postponed until the next meeting
Unfinished Business
New Business
Jorge Ruiz informed the Council that Adan Luna has suffered a serious stroke and is still recovering. He is sole breadwinner in his family and he is unable to work at this time. Jorge recommended that we take all the funds from the Knight in Need funds and donate it to the Luna family. A motion was made, it was seconded, and the motion passed.
New Field Agent -Evan Hernandez introduced himself to our Council He is the new field agent for our Council. He is looking to meet with each and everyone of you. There will be a fraternal event on 09/10/24 at 7: 30 p.m. called “Protect Those You Love the Most. The Knights of Columbus Extended Care Plan.”
Good of the Order: by Paul Ryan and José Montoya
Knight of the Month – Pedro Zuniga
Family of the Month – Lou and Therese Lemons (July)
Frank and Lourdes Salazar (August)
Prayer Requests – We prayed for Adan Luna, James Smith, David Dybala, and other prayer requests
Closing Ode
50/50 Meeting Drawing – #938 Winner won $47
Membership Drawing: Jeffrey Wallace
Meeting adjourned: 8:55 p.m.
Council Meeting Schedule
