Feb KofC Mtg 2018 Knight of the Month

February 2018 Knight of the Month is Brother Rick Philips.  Rick has stepped up and is currently shadowing Sir Knight Ed Doyle in order to assume the Council Officer duties of Financial Secretary when the billet is vacated in April; he’s already well up on the learning curve. With an annual audit just completed, dues notices and card preparation underway, roster purging, and digesting the contents of the Financial Secretary’s Handbook, Rick has assimilated well in taking up the arduous duties of managing bills, correspondence, revenue, and records for a large and complicated Council—with tutelage from Brother Ed Doyle.  Rick intends to become Sir Knight Phillips on March 10th .

Over two-hundred Knights have joined our Council since the millennium; over a hundred other Brothers are no longer with us since then.  It’s safe to assume that many current Brothers are therefore unaware of the history of our Council and those Knights that grew this Council to what we have inherited from them. That said, let me tell you about one of our more dedicated Knights.

Knight of the Month December 2017

Sir Knight Russ Harrison has been a pillar of this Council for over 15 years.  For example, he was the Knight of the Month in July 2002, Knight of the Month in February 2014, the Grand Knight for the 2005-2006 Fraternal Year—leading the Council to receive the STAR Award, receiving the Contest of Champions Award, and the Daughters of the American Revolution Award.  His 4th Degree Offices and contributions also span several years with notable and appreciable accomplishes.  The list of his contributions cannot be summarized in a short presentation—he has been involved in literally hundreds of events within our Council and the Assembly over the years.

This month your Officers and Directors felt it imperative we again recognize Brother Russ for his continued dedication and contributions to our Councils’ efforts.  

As we attempted to replace the Petit Jean Ham Sale tradition, Russ was asked to take the lead in arranging the online ham sales as well as selling $2,000 worth of gift certificates before and after Masses during parts of November and December.  Why Russ?  Because he’s an effective and dependable leader, produces tremendous results, and always has a can-do attitude and a record of success in all his endeavors.  He personally sold $2,000 of gift certificates and organized and advertised the online website effort with Brothers Darnell and Doyle.  

Knight of the Month Gerald Krawczynski

Last April, Sir Knight Gerald Krawczynski celebrated 50 years as a Knight of Columbus.  He has been a member of this Council for over 17 years.  After retiring from the Supreme Council Agency in 2007, he became more involved with the State and local Knights’ activities.  He was recognized as Agent of the Year by the Supreme Council for 2004 and 2005.  Sir Knight Krawczynski served as Arkansas State Council Fund Raising Director from 2007 to 2012, and as the State Warden from 2008 to 2010.  He was recognized and Awarded the State Knight of the Year in 2014.

Gerald is a member of the Arkansas State Council Fourth Degree Exemplification Team, and the District 10 Second Degree Team.  He’s currently our Council’s Family Director and the State’s Pennies from Heaven Director and serves on our Council’s 1st Degree Team.  Gerald participates as a member of the Fourth Degree Honor Guard in our local Assembly, served as our Council’s Financial Secretary from 2012 to 2015, and was our Council Treasurer from 2015 to 2017.  Currently he’s our Council’s Family Director, generates our certificates and proclamations, serves as an Extraordinary Minister and a Lector for the parish, and participates in and helps with the administration of our Perpetual Adoration Program.

Gerald credits his membership and activities in the Knights of Columbus as one of his major accomplishments in his lifetime.  Throughout his journey as a Knight he has had the wonderful support of Ann, his loving wife of 56 years.  We’re honored to have such a dedicated Knight in our Council and it’s a pleasure to present Gerald with our Knight of the Month of September Certificate