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Brother Knights of Council 11939:

It is the start of a new Columbian year 2008 and I would like to thank the members for voting me Grand Knight once again.  I feel it is important to have a stable Grand Knight until we can really get our council moving as a council should be going.

We have temporarily suspended our Officers and Committee Directors Meeting and combine it with our regular business meeting due to the lack of attendance.  Temporarily we have one meeting per month.  That is we meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month.  We also need new officers for some of the vacant positions.  We know there are capable and outstanding brother Knights in our council.  Please give it some thought.

For our Quarterly Communions we will start them up again.  This is how you can remember there is one.  If you count 5 Sundays in a month we will have one in that month.  Normally they will be at St. Agnes Church, unless otherwise advertised.  So as I see in my calendar and write this letter, there is a fifth Sunday in August, November, January 2009, and May.  I hope to see everyone and their family at St. Agnes for the 8:00 AM mass.  Do not worry about eating breakfast; St. Agnes always has great cooks that fill your appetite and make you want to come back for more.

Again thank you to all the members so I can really give this council a spark so it can be what I always believe it can be as Grand Knight.  GOD bless you.

Thanks again,

Robert Haro, GK re-elect, PGK, FFS, FDD 69

Aside from the numerous personal rewards that come from being a Knight, here is a list of the many tangible rewards for you and your family

Columbia - Twelve free issues annually of the world's largest Catholic family magazine.

Rosary Program - A free Knights of Columbus rosary is given to new and readmitted members.

Daily Mass Remembrance - Mass offered daily for deceased members, deceased spouses of members, and deceased Columbian Squires at St. Mary's Church, New Haven, Connecticut.

Insurance Program - Offers member, spouse, and children the opportunity to provide for their security and well being.  Rated AAA (Superior) by Standard & Poor's and A++ (Superior) by A. M. Best.

Annuity Program - Enables member and spouse to provide for retirement and build an estate through tax-deferred savings.

Long-Term Care Insurance - Enables members and their spouses to safeguard their assets and afford the care and assistance needed later in life.

Member/Spouse Fraternal Benefit - Accidental death coverage for member and spouse at no cost.

Orphan Benefit - $80 monthly allotment for orphans of eligible families; up to $7,000 in college scholarships available.

Family Fraternal Benefit - For eligible families:  a) Pays $1,500 for the child who dies before the age of 61 days; b) Pays $750 for the child who is stillborn at least 20 weeks after conception; c) Offers guaranteed-issue insurance up to $5,000 to any child under age 18.

New Membership Plan - A low-cost whole life policy to new members and their spouses upon joining the Order.

Widow Benefits - a) Continues to be covered under the Member/Spouse Fraternal Benefit; b) May purchase insurance, annuities, or Long-Term Care up to one year after insured member's death; c) Receives a free lifetime subscription to Columbia; d) Eligible with her children for scholarships, etc.

Scholarships/Fellowships - Six different college scholarship programs for members and their families; two different graduate fellowship programs; and scholarship programs for seminarians.

Leadership Development - Opportunity to build personal leadership skills through active involvement in the Order's unique structure, supported by Knightline/Program Supplement:  Fraternal newsletters mailed to state and local council officers and chairmen.

Fourth Degree - Eligibility of Third Degree members to join the Patriotic Degree, one year after initiation into the Order.

Honorary Life Membership at Age 70 - After 25 years of continuous service, member merits this distinction and no longer need pay dues.

Catholic Information Service - Opportunity for member and family to avail themselves of a variety of literature on Catholic faith and spirituality.

Membership Card - Entitles participation in all Catholic faternal, and social activities in member's council and also in over 13,000 councils throughout the world.

Family Activities - Eligibility for recognition in Orderwide "Family of the Month/Year" program and participation in a wide variety of local family events, such as family Communion breakfasts.

Athletic Programs - Participates in annual council, state, and international golf, bowling, and softball tournaments; many councils sponsor teams in a variety of sports.

Youth Programs - Opportunities for your children to participate in a variety of youth-oriented programs such as the Columbian Squires, a leadership training program for young men under council sponsorship.