The program director is the key man that coordinates the activities of the committee chairmen. He makes sure his council’s programs benefit the Church, community, council, family and youth, with activities and events that also have the potential to attract new members.

Addressing the needs of the Chruch
In response to the changing world around us, Christians are searching for ways to further develop the reach of the Catholic Church. If these good intentions are going to bear fruit - if the Church is going to not only exist, but thrive in today's society - men and women throughout our communities must come forward and take an active part.

Far more action of an ecumenical nature is needed. As Knights of Columbus, our prime responsibility is to encourage and promote that action. The lay apostolate must respond to the constant call for active involvement n the work of the Church. Our council has the numbers, the organization, and the communication ability to get involved and spread the word throughout the Christian community...this is the mission of our Church activities. Areas that encompass the activities of the Church Director are:

• Corporate Communion
• Evangelization
• Seminarian Support
• Vocations
• CRHP Breakfast Tacos
• Lenten Soup Supper
• Parish Picnic
• Thanksgiving Turkeys for church staff
• Keep Christ in Christmas

Shaping the World We Live In
Wherever we live, whether New York or British Columbia, we all have our own perceptions of "community." Usually, these perceptions are formed by the concrete reality of the world immediately around us. It may be a bustling metropolis, a town, a tiny village, a large county, a broad rural area. It is the place we call home - with all its good and bad features, its beauty and ugliness, its strengths and weaknesses.

Every individual has a voice in shaping the world around him, and every individual can make that voice heard. Make your voice heard in your community! Do more then throw up your hands in despair over what's wrong with the world? Our community offers limitless opportunity for action that can be seen, felt and judged for its true worth. Looking for something that's needed and workable in our community - fighting poverty, aiding individuals with mental retardation, planting a tree, sponsoring a blood pressure screening, supporting law enforcement, campaigning for every baby's right for life, helping the aged - whatever the needs of our community that our members are interested in and that our council's resources can allow...these are the priorities of our Community activities. Areas that encompass the activities of the Community Director are:

• Austin State School Christmas Party
• Austin State School Freedom Fest
• Austin State School Swim-a-Fun
• Habitat for Humanity
• Recognize and Support Public Safety Officials
• Blood Drives
• Toys-for-Tots
• Lone Rose Program

Entertaining, Enjoyable and Beneficial
Many of the activities of the Knights of Columbus sound demanding, and certainly many are, but that does not mean that others can't be just for fun. The members of our council are your neighbors, friends and acquaintances, who are just as interested in athletic, cultural and social events as you are. Programs and activities that come under the council activities section are unlimited - golfing softball, soccer, hockey, curling, tennis, bowling, art exhibits, movies, lectures or demonstrations, holiday dances, picnics, open houses, council anniversaries or birthday parties - all the events that are an important part of fraternal life.

Public relations activities are also included under the council activities section of the Service Program. Serving under the director of council activities, public relations personnel are charged with the responsibility of keeping the council's membership accurately and constantly informed of current and future events. Additionally, the image of the council must be maintained within the community through the use of newspapers, the internet, radio and television. People deserve to know the good works of our council. To fulfill these obligations, the public relations chairman and his committee member must work closely with all Service Program directors and council Officers. Areas that encompass the activities of the Council Director are:

• Knight of the Month/Year
• Public Relations
• Membership Socials
• Insurance Night
• Installation/Awards Banquet
• Athletic Teams (Softball, Golf, Bowling, etc.)
• Sick/Condolences Committee
• Host Columbus Day and Founder's Day Events

Strengthing Family Life
Take a look at what's happening at our family life. De we communicate? Do we share? Do we take time to get involved with each other? Are there opportunities for improvement? What is God's plan for us? Today's society makes it hard to be a family. Television takes up a lot of our time together. The hustle and business of business, rushed meals, school, work, committee meetings, sports and shopping are cramming our days and weeks. The family is under heavy attack today. The battle is largely over values and commitments. To survive, the family needs support. Its primary source of strength must be found in a growing religious and parish life. But it also can be helped substantially by an organization such as ours.

We must strive to help prevent the death of the family by administering preventive medicine. By conducting those programs and activities which aid in rebuilding the family spirit from within, we aim to make it vital and strong enough to resist society's ills. We encourage our members and their families to choose as their model the Holy Family, copying their attitude of interdependence, sharing and respect for authority.

We also work to strengthen family life. We look to nourish wholesome home life through the sponsorship of activities involving the entire family on a scheduled and continuing basis. Encouraging communications and routines which involve family members within their own homes, and bringing families together in social and recreational events in the community. By stimulating togetherness within family units, we have found that there are many ways in which families can enjoy time together in a scheduled, organized way, even when the age range of members varies significantly. Areas that encompass the activities of the Family Director are:

• Family of the Month/Year
• Education
• Family Fun Day Outings
• Superbowl Party
• Survivors' Assistance
• Memorials
• Thanksgiving pot-luck social

Building Leaders for the Future
Today's youth, the leaders of tomorrow, are looking for a challenge, for responsibility, for faith, and trust. Yet, despite their commitments and dedication, the youth of the world are often condemned because of the uncontrolled actions of a minority of young people. As Knights of Columbus, it is our responsibility to provide youth with the means and the opportunities to become personally committed and involved in meeting the challenges of our times.

There is a great deal more all of us can do to improve our youth programs. We look to recruit more men from the council level to work with young people. These adult leaders can help to mold the youth of today into the influential citizens of tomorrow. Exerting more positive and constructive influence on our young people by becoming involved with them and by paying more attention to what they are saying. We know we need to demonstrate that support by sponsoring a Columbian Squires program, aiding the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, promoting the Boy Scouts, or helping to combat drug and alcohol abuse. Numerous other avenues are always open in helping to build leaders for the future. Areas that encompass the activities of the Youth Director are:

• Antioch Retreat meals
• Back to School Party
• Basketball Free-throw contest
• Charter sponsor for Boy Scouts
• Pack 990, Troop 990, Venture Crew 2100
• Youth Retreat support
• Annual College Scholarships

Protecting God's Children
Pro-Life is an educational and advocacy awareness program that encourages a respect for life from conception through natural death. Emphasis is placed on the most vulnerable in our society: children (born and unborn), the aged, the mentally ill, and the physically challenged. Legislative efforts address abortion, capital punishment and other social justice issues.

A consistent ethic of life reflects the church's firm conviction of the dignity of each and every human life. Created in the image and likeness of God, each of us is unique and special. And, each of us has a responsibility to God, self and others to nurture, protect and sustain life at all stages of existence. Abortion plays a central role among the issues of concern and draws all other issues of basic human rights under the same umbrella. Areas that encompass the activities of the Pro Life Director are:

• Walk for Life
• Fundraising Banquets
• Awareness Activities

Membership - the life blood of any organization
“Volunteerism is not just a giving of time – but of ourselves. By this gift, we are doing far more than counteracting the economic recession. We are building a nation of neighbors helping neighbors, making each of us more fulfilled as individuals, and creating a solidarity that makes us more united as communities and as a nation.” - Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson

Our membership campaign follows this call to service by not only asking Knights and their families to serve, but to encourage them to bring men with a similar commitment to helping others into our Order – increasing our ability to serve our neighbors. Our members help our communities and people in need in many ways – by sponsoring blood drives or youth sports teams, raising funds and volunteering for Special Olympics and other programs for people with intellectual disabilities, holding food drives for local soup kitchens. Through these and other actions, they show prospects firsthand the great work that our Order does and encouraging them to join the Knights of Columbus. Areas that encompass the activities of the Membership Director are:

• Membership Recruitment
• Advancembent to further degrees
• Retention
• Insurance Promotion

Communications




Areas that encompass the activities of the Communications Director are:

• Website Design & Maintenance
• Develope & Maintain Email lists