Minutes of the Archdiocese of San Antonio Chapter, Knights of Columbus

Aug  17,  2005 - Council  7016,  Blessed Sacrament

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Chapter President Mike Nishimuta at 7:30 pm

Opening Prayer:  Deacon from Blessed Sacrament said the opening prayer.

Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Master Ken Boone

Warden’s Report:  Given by Roy Ball

Recognition of Dignitaries and Guests

• Texas State Football Committee members Alfred Ramirez and Bob Balzer

• Rusty League, ACTS Missions Golf Tournament

First Time Attendees were recognized. 

DD George Terrell, Host Grand Knight Eddie Caballero of Council 7016 were recognized and members of the host council were thanked. Also Deacon Juan  Dean Murphy was introduced as the Star Tracker for the State of Texas. Also all first timers were introduced and welcome.

Minutes.  Minutes of the June meeting were approved as posted on the website.

Chapter Chaplain Bishop Tom Flanagan is on holiday in Ireland.   

President’s report - Chapter President Mike Nishimuta

The dues for this year are now due from each council.

Habitat for Humanity $10,000 challenge. Thanks to Council 4315 and 9291 for $1000 donations and to Council 9765 for $250, Johnny Aguilar for $100, and Henry Gonzales for $100.

A card with a $50 gift card to Target was sent to Arianna Chavez, of Habitat for Humanity from the Chapter signed by all of the officers.

Jay Vela, the chairman 0f the dinner/dance for Bishop Tom's minivan, reported the final payment was made and the fund has in excess of $4000.

The St Vincent DePaul Society is having a 20th Anniversary Dinner for Bishop Flanagan. They are requesting our support in attending this fund raiser.

The Chapter budget will be presented at the next meeting.

The crucifix which was restored has been given to the Guadalupe Home

• Rusty League from ACTS Missions talked about the annual fund raiser at the Dominion Golf Course for the ACTS Missions. He is asking for $150 per player or $600 per team. They are looking for corporate sponsors starting at $450 up to $3,500. The Mission of ACTS is to bring retreats to those who need it. Accepts donation.  Five team winners. The date is a Monday October 3, 2005.

• Alfred Ramirez and Bob Balzer spoke about Texas Football Sweepstakes tickets. Last year San Antonio took out 4,537 tickets and sold 1700 tickets. This year issues 4,900 ticket to the San Antonio Chapter. Go outside your council to get that outside money to bring it in.

Treasurer’s report (Wayne Pipes):

The beginning balance was $ 867.97 on June 30, 2005

 A motion to approve the Treasurer's report was made and seconded.  The chapter voted to approve the treasurer’s report.

General Agent:    

Correspondence -  Guadalupe Home received the Cross that was found and it thanked the Chapter for the Cross.

Chapter Committees:

1.  Golf Tournament and Auction Party.    

Committee met on July 11.  The tournament is set for May 1 next year. As Reggie Thorpe plans to move back to St Louis, we are looking for someone who would like to help us as operations director. If there is anyone who loves golf and wants to walk into a wonderful hill country setting in directing the golf tournament.

 2. Habitat for Humanity.  Sam Szalwinski is on the other side of the world.

Jim Wade, Mike Nishimuta and Henry Gonzales will meet with our family tomorrow night. They are Sergio and Wendy Valdez, and they have two boys.

The schedule is posted, along with a map to the location near Palo Alto College. Districts who have not made any commitment are 33, 35, 36, 38, 41, 42 and 46. We need Councils to provide lunch to the work crew each day of the Friday/Saturday 13 day build. If you have any questions about the house contact Brother Henry Gonzales. We are also requesting a 40% increase in manpower due to some brothers not showing up. There will also be a Leadership day on Friday. Habitat will also provide a circus tents for lunches if there is a rain day. District Deputy George Terrell moved to have a gift for Reggie Thorpe and that he be invited to the next meeting. See the website home page.

3. Coordinator of Religious Activities. Rudy Escamilla. 

Donations for Assumption Seminary student and Knight Eric Clarkson who is on a World Youth Day trip to Europe. He will be in an audience with Pope Benedict. Thanks to $100 from Joe and Josie Lopez, $100 from Mike Nishimuta, $100 from Doug Harrison, $100 from Greg Tatum. The Chapter will contribute $100 so we can give him $500. A church in Dallas paid $2300 for his trip.

Men's Retreat: Sep 23-25. Walter Hughen 680-9733, or Klaus Collinsworth 496-2379. Brother Walter of Council 5262 is the Director and he spoke about the retreat and he invited all knights to join in the retreat the theme is "Do this in memory of me." He mention the top notch speakers who would be a part o this retreat. All men are welcome.

Archbishop's Lunch supporting Battered Women's Shelter is on Saturday Sep 24, 10:30 am until 1 pm at the SBC Community Center at San Fernando on 321 W. Commerce. $50 per person or $500 for a table. There is a need for ten more tables. The goal is $50,000. There are many auction items which includes a basketball signed by the entire team of the Spurs and a trip to Rome for two or five days.  See Bob Von Lehmden or Ray Newman. He also thanked all knights who attended the knight at the ball park.

5. Trustees. Audit of finances will be conducted Aug 24.

Diocesan Deputy Report -   Jim Wade. He thanked all the knights for electing him to the Supreme convention, the 1 million 700,000 member was there. The opening mass was outstanding, the Pope sent a letter to the meeting supporting the knights. We had incredible support and it was nice to have Texas in the Circle of Honor. It ended on Thursday and immediately started the Eucharist Congress. On Friday Cardinal George from Chicago said the mass. Make plans to go next year it is a wonderful experience as a Catholic.

State Directors and Committee Reports:

Education and Training: Ken Martinez.  

Star Council: Dean Murphy spoke about council meeting their deadline on forms and requested that all DD make sure that they get their forms in on time.

Council Growth: Jerry Janecka.  

All Council Active: Mike Urrutia.  At the end we reached 104 % of our membership goal we recruited 777 new knights. DD,s were recognized by State Deputy Leo Hanus.   We had a tremendous team in meeting our goals for last year. This year we plan to reach and pass those goals. So far this year we are slightly behind last year in recruiting.  He requested that all councils start a recruiting team and recruiting effort right away.  There are some Blitz flyers to help councils start their Blitz. The Flyer is available on the interest on out website. There are men waiting for you to ask them to join your council.

Church Liturgy: Joe Lopez.    

Awards/Reports & Forms Chairman:  Ken Boone.   

Membership Retention Committee: No Report

Special Olympics.  Don Smallwood. 

Round Table:  Bob Stegge.  

Fourth Degree.    Exemplification Sep 24 in New Braunels.

Old Business.  

Revision of bylaws.  Brother Bob  Von Lehmden went over the changes in the By-laws. DD George Terrell asked if recommendations could be made, Brother Bob stated that he would ask for those after he went over the changes so that everyone could hear those suggestions. Floor recommendations were the method for selecting Trustees and the audit of special funds such as the golf tournament. Copies were given to each DD present and one per table for the membership.

A questions was asked about why soccer kits have not been received. DD will be received

Toostie Roll Drive deadline is August 31 The $25 and the list of names of those who will be active must be presented to the SA police department. The drive is October 8, 2005.

DD Buddy moved that the December meeting be cancelled and it was overwhelms passed.

Guide to Good Care. Gil spoke about the tax situation. The order must then be done by the person. The council will be get credit and the council will receive the check in the mail.  The council still can provide care conferences with medical professional who can answer any questions.  The question was asked who updates the information the response was the individual person updates their own information. This fund raiser will provide $15 per book to the council that sales it. Research shows that once that  one person buys it they show it to two to three people who then purchase the Guide to Good Care.  All DVD's have a statement that this information should only be shown to their doctors and no one else. That this information be shown only on the individuals information.

New Business.  The Knight and Family of the year awards will be presented in January. Start working on nominations which are due by Dec 31.

Guest Speakers:

 Roy Ball Council 9291 offer a safe driver course that any council can provide to all the councils so that they can meet their Star Council.

Oscar Gutierrez from Council 5262 is inviting all for a major degree on September 11 at St. Vincent DePaul. Registration at 8:45 am at  starting at 7:30 am at the St Vincent DePaul Council Hall located at 5763 Ray Ellison Dr. inside 410. Continental Breakfast will be service at 10 am. Candidate fee will be $10.00. Lunch price is $5. Contact DD John Godoy if you have any questions.

GK Gene Cortez from Council 9342, this council sponsors a rosary every Third Tuesday of the month at 7 pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary. Also St. Michael fall festival is occurring to repair the church roof. There are some ticket available tonight.

Jim Young of Council 4140 invited everyone to a special birthday party on January 21, 2006. The State Deputy and the Archbishop will be the special guests. Also he requested support for an advertisement in the special booklet for this function. The dinner is $30 per person.

Jessie Tovar to a dance on September 19 from 7 to 11 pm at La Villita with the Glen Miller Band.

DD from District 34 would like to recognize Former DD Carl Bernal for outstanding performance. GK Bill Finuf from Council 13704 also spoke about putting Christ back in Christmas. Clear Channel stated that they provide a discount for the knights. It would cost somewhere between $500 and $600 to put up each bill board. The DD 34 Richard challenge all the DD and Councils to $100 match for sponsoring a billboard.

The Next meeting will be Sep 21, Council 6833, Little Flower.

The sick and in distress were remembered.

Closing Prayer   

Respectfully submitted,

Brother Louis Benavides, Council 7770, Chapter Secretary