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

May  18,  2005 - Council  4315, Our Lady of Fatima.

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

Opening Prayer: Led by Fr. Flanagan from Our Lady of Fatima

Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Master Ken Boone

Warden’s Report:  Given by John Godoy

Recognition of Guests and VIPs

First Time Attendees were recognized. 

DD Jesse Aguilar, Host Grand Knight Victor Quesnot and DGK Dale Wenzel were recognized and members of the host council of Our Lady of Fatima were thanked. 

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

Chapter Chaplain Bishop Tom Flanagan.  Bishop Flanagan continues to  improve.  Tonight he is at a Confirmation. In his place Father Flanagan was invited to speak. He stated that he was very impressed with the State Convention and he thanked those who worked so hard to make this a great convention. He stated that the film that was shown at the convention should be shown at all the council meetings. He stated that we knight should look to evangelize more not only to increase our membership but for the church. He stated that one thing that really stood out for him was that we need to recruit, recruit, recruit.

President’s report - Chapter President Mike Nishimuta

The last month has seen five amazing, high energy, successful events.

The Exemplification was awesome - I'll let someone else brag on that.

The Auction party was superlative. We had about 250 people turn out - although they started off slow with only two bartenders, they never ran out of food or drink. The auction tickets, silent auction, and live auction netted more than $5000 profit. It was high-energy, loud, and the hurricanes did their job in loosening up the purse strings.  I want to thank Jim Wade for chairing the event. He had several volunteers who made it a success. I'd especially like to thank Bob and Ginny Von Lehmden, Betty Wade, Angel, Bill, and all the Councils who brought gifts and made donations.

The golf tournament was a success. I worried about the rain, since we were overdue, but it turned into a gorgeous day. The new nine holes were decorated with thousands of wildflowers that looked like bouquets. I've got over 80 pictures posted on the website. We had 36 teams, lots of fun with the special contests, the traditional outstanding dinner from Outback, and professionalism down to the smallest detail. The Hyatt is a class golf course - and they did an outstanding job. I'd like to thank Reggie for his countless hours in doing what he does best - but especially for putting up with us amateurs.

On May 11 Assumption Seminary had their gala. We had a great turnout of Knights and Councils supporting the Seminary. Thanks for being faithful to that cause.

The State Convention was a great success. We got tagged sneaking the liquor in, but did it later. The Corpus Christi room got shut down immediately because guys were talking in the halls and carrying open glasses of drinks. We had a full room Friday night until 11 pm. The next day, after the banquet, 1500 people tried to get into six rooms that hold about 40 people each. The Austin room was first to get closed by security, then Victoria. I played bouncer and hall monitor. I'd like to thank Council 7770 of St. James for their leadership. GK Walter Murray and Mary, Tony Cassanova and Martha, Larry Peña and Alice, and Louis Benavides and Sandra. 

At the convention, many awards were presented to Councils and Districts in our Chapter. Our Family of the Year, Bill and Kathy Faucher, were selected as the State Family of the year.

The next and last two events for the month are supporting Bishop Tom and the Clergy who are celebrating Jubilees. I'll let Rudy and Jay cover those events, and I encourage you to give them your full support.

Treasurer’s report (Wayne Pipes):

The beginning balance was $ 1,316.67 on Mar 31, 2005

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

General Agent:     Absent

Correspondence -   None.

Chapter Committees:

1.  Golf Tournament and Auction Party.    We will have a more detailed report of our financial results at the next Chapter meeting. It looks like we will be in the $30,000 range for our net profit. Our biggest challenge is obtaining major sponsors but we are well positioned with the Auction Party, our existing sponsors, and our agreement with the Hyatt to grow to 180 players with no increase in cost.  We need to equip our Councils and Knights with the right resources to be able to go out and sell these sponsorships to people who will enjoy this tournament.

2. Habitat for Humanity. No report

3. Coordinator of Religious Activities. Rudy Escamilla.

Dinner Dance for Bishop Tom - Jay Vela.  The purpose is to obtain a new vehicle for Bishop Tom. The cost of the dinner dance is $20 person. To further offset the cost of the vehicle are the sale of raffle tickets. The event will occur on Friday, May 27 at 4140.   See details here.

Jubilee Dinner - Rudy Escamilla. Sr Charlene Wedelich has requested the Knights support the Jubilee dinner for the Religious at Assumption Seminary on May 27. Brother Escamilla requested monetary donation for this event. This event was funded by former Archbishop Flores and was not a part of the Archdiocesan budget so the planning committee was caught without funding.

He requested that every council look into adoption of a seminarian. Donation for this can be made monthly instead of one annual contribution.

We still need drivers to assist drive Bishop Flanagan.

4. Retreats.   No report.

5. Trustees. Audit of finances is still pending and changes to bylaws are pending for recommended changes. The trustees announced the slate of officers for the June election are:

• President: Mike Nishimuta

• Vice President: Henry Gonzales

• Treasurer: Wayne Pipes

• Secretary: Louis Benavides

Nominations from the floor will be accepted.  The Trustees will be in charge of the nominating Committee for the election in June and the installation in July.  

Old Business.  

Knights at the ballpark is Sunday July 17 starting at 6 p.m. discount tickets are $6 person. Each council to submit one check for all council members. Contact Stu with the Missions at 675-7275.

New Business. None   

Diocesan Deputy Report -   Jim Wade.  He was pleased seeing so many brothers knights from San Antonio and how well they represented the Archdiocese in a positive way.  He also plans to have a training on how to write up our events so as to get awards. Another good thing was it gave all of the councils where they are to make Star Councils. At this time we also lead the State in Charity goals. We are $5, 187.37 away from meeting our goal. He thanked all who voted him as the Archdiocesan representative to the Supreme Convention in Chicago in August.  He suggested we form a committee to assist councils in preparing and submitting awards.

Fourth Degree.  Master Ken Boone.  Fourth degree had 165 new fourth degrees along with 5 new priests. He requested any input on how to make it better from anyone. Perpetual meeting for the all the masters is being planned, any assembly who is interested let him know.

State Directors and Committee Reports:

Education and Training: Ken Martinez.  Absent.

Council Growth: Jerry Janecka. He recognized DD Eddie Garcia for reactivating Council at Christ the King. and its new GK John Godoy.

All Council Active: Mike Urrutia.   No report.

Church Liturgy: Joe Lopez.   No report

Awards/Reports & Forms Chairman:  Ken Boone.  A new fraternal year will start in July. Please submit your new form 185 quickly along with the form 365.

Special Olympics.  Don Smallwood.  Absent.

Round Table:  Bob Stegge stated that San Antonio needs 10 round tables to reach its goal. If you fill out a form now it counts for not only this year but also for next year. Contact the parish priest at those parishes so that the knights  can start helping out at the parish. Form 2629 is what is needed to start a round table.

Guest Speakers:

Ruben Alvarado from St. Jude Council 13041. He invited all the knights to participate in the All American Parade on Saturday May 21 starting at 7:30 p.m.

Richard Gonzales from Council 5262.  He wanted to thanked all of the wives for Council 7770 for the great job they did and he personally recognized Mary Lou Murray, Martha Casanova, Alice Peña and Sandra Dallas.

Noel Hamilton GK from Council 9681. He suggested that the chapter  form a fund named for Sgt. Cepeda to pay dues for the troops serving overseas.

Eddie Caballero GK from Council 7016. Blessed Sacrament will be having its Mid-summer Reverse Raffle and Gala. On July 2 Saturday. The event cost includes dinner, beer and wine and dance and the grand prize of $5,000 at a cost of $50 per ticket. For information call GK Eddie Caballero at 210-320-7188 or 210-860-9055 e-mail: eddiefcaballero@yahoo.com .

Host guest DD Jesse Aguilar welcomed everyone.

The Next meeting will be June 15, Council 7770, St James

The sick and in distress were remembered.

Closing Prayer  was given by Fr Flanagan.

Respectfully submitted,

Brother Louis Benavides, Council 7770, Chapter Secretary