Getting Involved: Membership Means More

Just by paying your dues you are helping your council, it can be overwhelming when you hear about all the great things the Knights of Columbus do for their churches and communities. Rest assured that we don't expect you to be involved in everything. 

You can help your council significantly just by attending a few of our business meetings and participating in only a couple of events a year. It’s up to you how involved you become, but we ask all of our new members to try and achieve their Shining Armor Award.

Requirements of the Shining Armor Award

Awarded for service to the Order with distinction during the first year of membership, the Shining Armor Award, is given to those men that exemplify a true Knight of Columbus. The result of obtaining this award is that it shows that you are an active member, this is helpful if your children are interested in applying for scholarships, either for a Catholic high school, or for a Catholic college or university. Members awarded with this honor receive a lapel pin, as well as a certificate worthy of framing.

To qualify for the Award the new Knight must participate in all of the following requirements.

• Be involved in 3 service programs – people join the Knights of Columbus for many reasons, but probably the number one reason is to help their community. We ask that you participate in at least three council service programs. This can be as easy and fun as attending your council picnic or christmas party, or as complex as helping build a house or organizing the special olympics. Stay tuned for upcoming events with your council and see what you want to be involved in

• Attend at least 3 council business meetings - the best way to learn about upcoming events, and to have a say in what those events are, is by attending your council business meetings. Usually council have at least one business meeting a month, and usually a social meeting as well. We hope that you come to more than 3 meetings, but we only ask you to attend 3.

 • Receive your third degree within one year - by making your first degree you have started a process, and by continuing on through your second and third degrees you will have a full understanding of what it means to be a Knight of Columbus. Also by making your third degree you eligible to become an officer, you never have to take a leadership position, but it opens the door to you and helps you have a more complete understanding of the Knights of columbus.

•Meet with your council’s insurance representative - By joining the Knights you are now eligible  for the many benefits that the Knights of Columbus has to offer. These include some of the best rated life insurance in the industry, long term care, retirement plans as well as many free benefits as well. Please take the time to allow your professional field agent the opportunity to introduce himself to you and your wife so that you can familiarize yourself with these benefits

•Recruit at least one new member - The Knights of Columbus wouldn’t be the amazing organization that it is today without our members. We have all heard the saying many hands make light work, this is even more true in the Knights, even if you joined to make more friends we ask that you extend the invitation of membership to someone who has not yet joined so that they can have the same opportunity that you have in your membership in the Knights of Columbus.