Resolutions Process & Requirements for State Council Meetings 2022

Council Officers Meeting January 15 & 22, 2022

State Convention RESOULTION REQUIREMENTS Paul Zock, State Advocate state.advocate@gakofc.org (706) 313-4456

The Purpose of the Resolutions Process The resolutions process is intended to enhance the fraternal character of the Order, to improve its governance and administration, and to serve its evangelical mission. While the Supreme Council welcomes resolutions submitted in good faith to accomplish one of these goals, it strongly discourages State Councils from submitting resolutions challenging well settled policies of the Knights of Columbus that represent the sound judgment of the Supreme Council and that have served the Order well for many years. In this regard, it is important to remember that the purpose of the resolutions process is not to send a message to the Supreme Council or to challenge policies that have been reaffirmed repeatedly by the delegates at previous Supreme Conventions. Any resolution that would require amending the Laws of the Order must be submitted to and adopted by the Supreme Council before it can be enacted. Most of the resolutions that are submitted at state conventions recognize notable achievements by members and clergy in that jurisdiction, pertain to issues of State Council governance, or address other matters relating to the jurisdiction. State Councils may also adopt resolutions that are intended to be submitted to the Supreme Council at its annual meeting in August.

STATE BYLAWS ARTICLE IX REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS SECTION 2 Councils may submit resolutions to the State Council. All resolutions presented at the annual meeting, , shall be in writing and shall be submitted in duplicate hard copy to the State Advocate at least forty- five (45) days prior to the opening session of the annual meeting at which the resolution is to be considered. APRIL 1, 2022 IS THE DEADLINE Council-submitted resolutions will be signed and countersigned by the Grand Knight and another elected officer of the council. They will include a statement in the resolution indicating the date that the council adopted the resolution. The Council Advocate will attest to the accuracy of the adoption by signature and raised seal of the council.

APRIL 1, 2022 2 (TWO) hard copies with the Council Seal Mailed to the State Advocate at PAUL ZOCK 2601 TWIN LAKES DRIVE BAINBRIDGE GA 39819

You only have two or three more Council Meetings to get your resolutions drafted, voted on, signed, and sealed to get them mailed in time to meet the deadline!

SECTION 3 The State Executive Committee may submit resolutions adopted by a majority of its members present at an Executive Committee meeting. Resolutions submitted by the State Executive Committee shall be signed by the State Deputy and State Advocate.

SECTION 4 No later than twenty-eight (28) days prior to the opening session of the annual state meeting, the State Advocate will forward all resolutions received in accordance with Article IX, Sections 2 and 3 above, to each District Deputy. No later than twenty-one (21) days prior to the opening session of the annual meeting of the Georgia State Council, the District Deputies will forward the resolutions to the delegates of his councils for their review.

SECTION 5 At the opening session of the annual meeting of the Georgia State Council, all resolutions, together with any opinion of the State Advocate thereon, shall be referred, without debate, to the Committee on Resolutions. No resolution shall be considered by the Committee on Resolutions that is not presented in the manner described in Article IX unless otherwise ordered pursuant to a motion approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the delegates present and voting at the annual meeting.

SECTION 6 No resolution which commits or binds specified Subordinate Council or the Subordinate Councils within specified District, to detailed obligations, or actions not under the jurisdiction of the Georgia State Council, shall be adopted by the Georgia State Council unless and until such resolution has been submitted and approved by majority vote of members present and voting at a qualified meeting of said Subordinate Council or Councils.

SECTION 7 Within seven (7) days after the conclusion of the annual meeting of the Georgia State Council, the State Advocate will present a copy of each resolution to the State Secretary. The State Secretary will publish each resolution, regardless of outcome, in the Proceedings of the meeting. The State Secretary will forward a copy of each resolution adopted by the State Council that requires consideration by the Supreme Council to the Supreme Secretary by the date so designated.

The Format of the Resolutions A resolution is composed of two parts: The first part consists of one or more paragraphs setting forth the relevant facts and the rationale for the action that the delegates are being asked to take. Each paragraph in the first part begins with the word Whereas . The second part consists of one or more paragraphs describing with specificity an action to be taken. The first paragraph of the second part of the resolution begins with the words Therefore be it resolved; any subsequent paragraphs begin with the words Further resolved . CHECK THE STATE WEBSITE FOR A SAMPLE RESOLUTION. gakofc.org, click events, then convention, then scroll to resolutions.

STATE BYLAWS ARTICLE XI SPECIAL COMMITTEES OF ANNUAL MEETING SECTION 4 It shall be the duty of the Committee on Resolutions to review all duly processed resolutions and to conduct hearings relating thereto, and to submit to the annual meeting a report including the recommendation of the Committee on Resolutions pertaining to approval or rejection of the resolution. The committee can also recommend no action, or refer a resolution to the Executive Committee.

Then all duly seated Then all duly seated delegates vote on the delegates vote on the recommendations of the recommendations of the Committee for each Committee for each resolution. resolution.

All of this information will be on the State website. gakofc.org Events Convention Scroll down to Resolutions section For more details and information, see the Officers Desk Reference https://www.kofc.org/apps/oo/cm/en/odr/council_assembly_issues/index.h tml?expandAll scroll down to Resolutions Also see our State bylaws, also found on the State website under Resources, then Documents.

Paul Zock, State Advocate 2601 TWIN LAKES DRIVE BAINBRIDGE GA 39819 state.advocate@gakofc.org (706) 313-4456