Quest for Quality: Ceremonials

Man is a "Ritualistic Being." From his entry to departure on earth, man is always relating to "significant rituals" which have manifestly influenced his course of action.

So, too, in the Knights of Columbus, our newest candidates anticipate receiving "significant rituals," which, hopefully, will impact favorably upon the Catholicity of their families, themselves, and all those countless others with whom they share their ideologies and Christian values. Impressive rituals provide meaningful insights as to Columbianism and strongly impact the hearts and minds of our new Brother Knights. The Four Principles of Columbianism - Charity, -Unity, -Fraternity, - Patriotism - are emblazoned onto the hearts of all that attend a Third Degree Exemplification. Do you remember your Third Degree Day?

With these thoughts in mind, it becomes clearly evident that our Ceremonials must be exemplified in a manner and dignity consistent with our Supreme Council Ceremonial guidelines; hopefully, every new Brother will advance through each Degree - First - Second - Third - and Fourth, and enjoy a lifetime of Columbianism!

Edward G. Willer,
Former State Ceremonials Chairman
Member of 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Degree Teams
Member of DeSoto Council #517, Chicago, Illinois

The following is adapted and updated from Brother Willer’s pamphlet entitled “Quest for Quality” which was written for the 1988-89 fraternal year. This information is intended only for Council and District Officer use.

THE COUNCIL MEETING IS OUR FIRST CEREMONIAL

The council meeting is the first ceremonial that strengthens the council, and thusly the brotherhood of the Knights of Columbus. All meetings must adhere to the principals of the dignity, openness, and fairness. This is accomplished by following the meeting agenda and Roberts Rules of Order. New business/Old business and other worthy items to be addressed or voted on should be published whether in a council news bulletin, reminder cards, web sight, email, and as reminders in a council phone tree. Meetings out of courtesy must start on time, and generally should last no more than 40 minutes to an hour. When there is openness, communication, teamwork and brotherhood, members will be informed, and not surprised with immediate votes. This requires snap decisions, and today most decisions, are delegated to committee for study.

An officers meeting, prior to the regular council meeting is the place to hash out program, membership, and charity logistics. A member’s valuable time is wasted on ineffective meetings where members disagree on logistics, and drives them to stay at home. It is most difficult to attract new members, why would we just drive them away? The officer meeting is not a means of hiding from the membership or of creating a dictatorship, but rather to dispense with time wasting actions, such as who will chair a certain function.

Asking the question on the council floor, puts people on the spot, and members that feel guilty for not doing more may volunteer, just to get the meeting moving, and then not follow through. Wisely planned and interesting meetings create a tight bond in membership. A council needs to set goals, and the membership will help the council achieve.

Meetings are not the place to open and read mail! Bring the letters of importance to the officers to the officers meeting, and have the appropriate chairman speak to letter when his committee report is due. This simple act will give great fluidity to the meeting, and shows preparedness, and importance of committee operation. No council is successful, that is a one-man show.

Never operate a meeting, not in compliance. It becomes easier and easier to take short cuts, such as saluting the Grand Knight, allowing the District Deputy to speak, observe Roberts Rules of Order. We must really examine the strengths of our councils, and our meetings. We can no longer give or accept the excuses that are offered not running a council, and it’s meetings, by the book. Buy the book works for the ceremonials, and by the book works for the council. Because of our degrees our candidates expect the meetings to be run properly. Many are sorely disappointed at their first meeting.

Fraternally,
Gary R. Nolan, PSD
Supreme Ceremonial Chairman

FIRST DEGREE

Some of the more meaningful Guidelines applicable to the First Degree include the following:

1. The First Degree should be exemplified whenever candidates have successfully filled out a Form #100 and have complied with the requirements of the Admission Committee.
2. The work of the Admission Committee is vital, and needs to be completed so that the practical Catholicity of each applicant has been fully determined. Candidates from other councils’ cannot be initiated without evidence of their acceptance in that council, duly signed by the Grand Knight and attested to by the Financial Secretary. [In the past the Admissions Committee was only responsible for verifying the qualifications of candidates, however, today the Admission Committee is also responsible for seeing that the new member becomes active in the council.]
3. The Grand Knight is in charge of this degree, which shall be conferred during a regular council meeting. The conferring officers need not be current chair officers. They serve at the pleasure of the Grand Knight of the council. They MUST be able to deliver their respective charges in an inspiring manner, and from memory. It is preferable that the conferring officers leave their stations to deliver their charge in front of the candidates, to emphasis the seriousness of their statements. Conferring officers shall wear the robe of the officer for that particular part. If no robes are available dark suit may be worn, with the jewel of office.
4. All officers especially the Grand Knight, must strictly comply with and enforce the provisions set forth in the ceremonial books. Their attention is called to the two following rules, and they shall see that no infraction is allowed under any circumstances whatever.
• First: it is absolutely forbidden to give the work of this or any other degree to a priest, except by observation on his part. Priests shall take no part in the degrees as they are being admitted to the same, with this exception, that they shall take all the pledges and participate in the conferring of knighthood.
• Second: it is forbidden to make any use during the conferring of the First Degree of methods or acts tending to anticipate the working of the Second and Third Degrees.
5. In all degrees, provide some form of identification for candidates, such as a ribbon, a nametag or badge.
6. In all ceremonials, avoid unnecessary movement by conferring officers, aids, and membership.
7. If the Grand Knight addresses an officer or member, the Grand Knight need not salute. If an officer or member addresses the Grand Knight, the brother must salute, and thus turn and salute the Deputy Grand Knight, after saluting the Grand Knight.
8. Lights are lowered at the entry of the candidates and raised at the conclusion of the ceremonial. Candidates’ masks are lowered before entering the chamber and remain masked until receiving instructions for the Warden to raise them.
9. When a major degree is held, the first degree should be exemplified, and then followed by a break, for lunch or refreshment, allowing ample time to take care of personal needs such as medicine, and restroom.
10. The use of music in conjunction with our Order’s ceremonial has been placed on cassette tape and CD for the convenience of degree teams. Please use the prescribed songs on an appropriate system, located in the rear of the chamber and out of the direct line of sight of the candidates. Their focus is to be on the ceremonial officers not the sound system or lighting system. If members are to sing along with the music, words should be provided.
11. With advent of technology, prior to the beginning of the degree, all beepers, pagers, cell phones, palm pilots, or other devices are to be turned off, unless an on duty police or firefighter, or an expectant father. Encourage everyone to focus on the beauty of the degree.
12. All parts must be memorized. Reading parts will not be tolerated.
13. The Local District Deputy is in charge of the 2nd Degree, and if a District 2nd Degree Team is not formed, all Major Degree Teams have a 2nd Degree Team.
14. The 3rd Degree is the responsibility of the State Deputy who appoints Major Degree Staff to exemplify the ceremonial. The appointed Conferring Officer is totally in charge of the degree.
15. No bar serving alcoholic beverages will be open for membership for any reason after the beginning of the 2nd Degree (or 1st degree if one is also being held) until the conclusion of the 3rd Degree. No exceptions!

NEW 1st DEGREE TEAMS

Of the 400+ councils in Illinois over 100 do not have a certified 1st Degree Team! This means that councils are taking the easy way out, not forming or really participating in the ceremonials of our Order. As reports of status of councils, District Deputy’s report that councils are not big enough, have meetings in bad areas, do not have a place to have the degree, or any of a hundred excuses. If a council truly doesn’t have a place to hold a degree, then the question is, “Where is the regular council meeting being held?” If the council meeting is being conducted in accordance with procedures, then the place is available to hold the degree. With research one will find, that the councils that do not participate in the exemplifying their own 1st degree, that that same council also does not participate in a council meeting, according to the rules. It is the expressed duty of the District Deputy assigned to each council to make certain that the council meeting is proper, dignified, and a true value to the membership.

Requests for First Degree Ceremonial Kits (Form #532) are to be mailed to the State Ceremonial’s chairman. Some guidelines for new First Degree Teams include the following:

1. When the team is ready for certification, the Grand Knight shall request the District Deputy to certify the team by use of Form #551. Certification shall be accomplished during a dress rehearsal prior to an actual degree. Memorization is mandatory.
2. When the tam has been certified, the District Deputy shall apply to the Supreme Secretary for a certificate and certification card for presentation to the team. The application shall be made on Form #543.
3. The Supreme Secretary will mail the District Deputy the certificate and certification cards to be presented to the degree team members
4. All councils should be encouraged to develop backup members for their degree teams. When back-up members are ready for certification, the District Deputy shall certify them in the same manner as outlined above.

MAJOR DEGREE GUIDELINES

Some tips and guidelines, which should benefit both Councils and District Deputies in arranging and executing a major degree, include the following:

1. In June and July District Deputies, (incoming and outgoing) should meet and assess the Ceremonial needs of each council in his district and the district as a whole. Make plans to host at least one major degree or actively co-host or participate in two others. What is the state of ceremonials in your district? When was the last major held, and what was the outcome? If all of the council’s in a district are not Star Council’s then it is evident that the councils of that district are not as active as they must be in ceremonials. Make immediate plans to start working! Start a membership drive.
2. Ascertain the number of eligible candidates for a Major Degree in your District by constant contact between the District Deputy, Diocesan Membership Chairman, Grand Knight, Financial Secretary and Council Officers.
3. Once it is decided to sponsor a Major Degree, there are three actions that will help the degree be successful, they are, promotion, communication, and preparation.
• Make certain that you have confirmation of an adequate facility to host the degree.
• Rooms needed include the registration area, chamber, holding room, & vesting room. Also consider parking and ease of those unfamiliar with the area to find the location.
• Contact the Degree Coordinator to see if the Major Degree staff is available on the date you wish to hold the degree.
• Send the Ceremonial Chairman a Request for Major Degree as soon as possible. Include your choice for Degree Staff and CO. Due to the rotation requirements a favorite team or CO may not be available. With all teams of Illinois providing superb degrees, the State Ceremonial Chairman should upset no council with a change in assignment.
• As a Host District Deputy a packet will be sent to you with your part for memorization, and information packet on CO’s, sign in sheets, introductions and the like.
• Start working on making sure those candidates eligible for initiation are present at the degree. Make certain that councils for car pools, and arrange pick points to get the highest percentage of candidates to the degree. Sponsors are the key! Promote the fact that if a sponsor is unable to attend the degree, that a surrogate sponsor be assigned and introduced to the candidate. Etiquette and manners are not only required, are simple common courtesy and common sense.
• Start the degree on time. It is stressful and inconsiderate on the candidates, the membership, and the degree staff to have a degree start late.
• Host District Deputies are to present the final charge. Be familiar with the charge, so that it can be delivered with pride and feeling.
• Introductions are the death of a new member. Once introduced is enough! Be prepared to quickly give name and council, and move on. “Please hold your applause until all are introduced: First degree team, Brothers, Bill Jones, Tom Smith and Phil Kennedy. Thanks for your help; let’s thank them with our appreciation. (Applaud.) Then have the Major Degree team captain introduce the 2nd degree, and any 3rd degree members not yet introduced. Applaud and move on. Make certain that the Host Grand Knight is prepared to give instructions to the members on the after degree arrangements. The representative of the State Deputy will introduce the dignitaries and speak to the members. Close with prayer and be done. In total the closing after the degree should take no more than 10 minutes.
• o Immediately after the degree, fill out Form 450NC, DD Exemplification Report and forward to Supreme Secretary and State Deputy.

BASIC GUIDELINES FOR TRAINING CEREMONIAL TEAMS

PURPOSE

Inspire and instruct candidates on the principles of the Order: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Respect for the Priesthood. The dedication with which candidates join the Order depends primarily on the first impression they receive. The skillful performance of the team members will always make a lasting impression on the candidates. The responsibility of the best possible performance is in the hands of the team captain and his training ability.

CEREMONIAL PERSONNEL

The first general requirement for a member of the ceremonial is reliability. The team member must be genuinely interested in his work: His loyalty to the ceremonial team should be surpassed only by his loyalty should be surpassed only by his loyalty to the Order. The second is Sincerity: The team member must not act his part, he must LIVE it. His example must match his words.

For those accepting speaking parts, there are voice and memory requirements. Each speaker should have a mature voice that is free from defects and a demonstrated ability to speak loudly and clearly. The team member must be able to speak naturally and sincerely under the strain of actual performance, and should be able to improvise in case he suddenly forgets his part. He must effectively project himself with necessary gestures and voice modulation to hold the attention of the candidates.

THE TEAM CAPTAIN

The team captain must balance the needs and desires of the team members with the strict compliance with the ceremonial rules. It is human nature, and those that deeply love our Order will naturally want to help make the degree even better. However, to change a part without the approval of the Supreme Council Ceremonials Chairman is strictly prohibited. The simple part of the duties of the captain is to do the ceremonial by the book.

1. Display leadership and communicate to the rest of the team planning for practices and increasing teams backups.
2. Develop a systematic method for training members of the team.
3. Plan, prepare for, and supervise the Degree Ceremonials.
4. Provide for the acquisition, care and maintenance of ceremonial properties, robes, and etc.
5. Adhere precisely to the general instructions in the Degree ceremonial books. Of these duties, any can be delegated to other qualified members of the team

TRAINING CEREMONIAL TEAMS

Effective presentation of the Degree ceremonials requires trained ceremonial teams. A training program shall consist of five closely related parts.

1. Instruction in the purposes of the Order, the principles of the Order, and the symbolism of the ceremonials.
2. Strict and complete memorization of speaking parts:
   • Set a certain place and time and place to memorize and practice.
   • Use all of your senses in memory work, write it, say it, read it. Delivery into a mirror will help you stand in front of a class.
   • Practice until you are comfortable with your part; understanding and enjoying the message you are to impart. It is essential to successful degree work to memorize word for word, and then deliver from the heart.
   • Enjoy memorizing, yes it is a challenge to each person, but it is for the edification of the candidates. Don't let them down!
   • Don't over practice. Remember that there is a life beyond the team.
   • Performance of the live ceremonials at actual degree. Don't anticipate, allow the degree to flow and happen.

BASIC INSTRUCTION

It is essential that every member of the ceremonial team clearly understands the meaning and significance of the various parts of the Degree; otherwise, he will not be capable of effectively imparting this understanding to the candidates.

MEMORIZATION

Memory work takes time and patience, but it is absolutely essential. A part is properly memorized when it can be recited in a natural manner. In any ceremony, the warmth and sincerity of the speech must always conceal the fact that the words have been memorized.

The ideal ceremonial team is one in which at least two brothers have the same part memorized, and is available if the other is unable to attend a degree. Additionally, this gives the team the flexibility to work on short notice. Furthermore, a team that is deep in talent will not be turning down degrees, because the one person that does a part is unavailable.

WINDOW DRESSING TIPS

1. Confirm your degree dates, with your GK and Degree Team Captain.
2. Make certain the facility is available.
3. Contact the Executive Secretary at the State Office to prepare mail outs to the surrounding councils and district deputies.
4. Check the monthly degree team list sent out by the State Ceremonial Chairman to insure that your degree in on the list.
5. Promote “Sponsors Bring Candidates to the Degree”.
6. Work with the Council to determine the Class Honoree’s. Prepare a small biography so that the candidates will know who is being honored.
7. Stimulate interest amongst the members of the sponsoring Council and ultimately promote better attendance.
8. Utilize Council bulletins, newsletters, post cards, web pages, Church bulletins, phone trees and any other method to get the word out. If you don’t prepare, and implement a plan of action, you will have a tough time.