Worthy District Deputy:

Thank you for serving your District this fraternal year.  Many great things to come and experience as you guide your Grand Knights and their team.

We had a great summer Organizational Meeting this past weekend, sharing how District Deputies can be great servant leaders to the Councils they serve in growing the Mission.

If you weren’t able to attend, you can review what was presented along with packets that the Directors put together to help you guide your Councils to greatness!  You will find it in the Sched app.  You will need to download it if you do not have it on your phone.  I believe we will make it accessible on the State Website as well.

As a reminder, here is what is key to fast start growth in your District.

1. Call each Grand Knight in your District and introduce yourself to them.  Find out what help they need.

2. Set a date for your District meeting and send that to your Diocesan Chair. This should be completed no later than August 15th.   Be sure to invite key Council Leadership and Directors, your Field Agent, Pastor, Diocesan Chair, and others as you feel is needed.  Great opportunity to build unity among your Councils.  State Team may take part in your meeting, but they can only do that if they are invited.

3. Make sure each Council completes the Dir-1 as well as yourself.  If they need help, find a way to get it completed.  You will find it under forms on the State Website.

4. Form 185 should be complete and submitted by now

5. Form 365 needs to be completed this month.

6. Audit must be completed by mid-August.—Very important—It is now a part of Star Council requirements.  Make sure your Councils know about this update.

7. Safe Environment Compliance of all four [4] Officers/Directors must be completed by end of August.  No Exceptions here.  Work with your Councils to ensure this happens by the end of August.  If help is needed, you can find much information on the Supreme website and there are phone numbers you can use to contact Supreme for help.  They will find ways to overcome any obstacle.  Everyone will be watching this and you may receive phone calls if this is not completed by your Councils.   It is a top priority!

8. Each month your District is to have an exemplification.  You are expected to submit the exemplification calendar to the State Membership Director and your Diocesan Chair.  Work with your Field Agent.  Suggest rotating it among your Councils and it will give some of those Councils, that have not been active, an incentive to invite and not be left out.  The legacy of the Council depends on bringing in new Knights.  Knights must go to where the prospects are.  The prospects will not come running to your table.  Growing the Mission is vital to the Council.

9. Paper is going away. You will notice that many forms can only be completed electronically and submitted.  It will be critical to help Councils find someone in the Council who can do that, if it’s not the Financial Secretary.

10. The success of your District will depend on you establishing a two-way communication channel within your district.  Call, visit, text, and email.  Use them all and find out the best way to communicate with each Council.  It is not a cookie cutter approach.

11. Reminder, District Deputies are to submit expense reports directly to the State Deputy for approval, at ljrillinoiskofc@gmail.com   If you send it to anyone else, it might not get received and processed.  Make sure if you list any expense other than mileage that you include a copy of the receipt.  Supreme will not pay without receipts.                      PDF ATTACHMENTS ONLY, NO PHOTOS.

If you need further assistance, please reach out to your Diocesan Chair or the appropriate State Chair/Director/Officer.

Again, thank you for your service!!  Looking forward to hearing your success stories in the near future!!

Remember, we exist to fulfill the Mission of bringing Christ to all and Empowering Lives, Serving From The Heart.

That Mission starts NOW!!!  Plan for it and it will happen!

Lloyd J Reinkensmeier

Lloyd J Reinkensmeier
Illinois State Deputy