Of importance to you the new members of our Council is to understand the duties and responsibilities of the various offices. One day, you may very well ascend to one or more of these positions and knowledge about them is mandatory.

The grand knight is in charge and responsible for the welfare of the council. He presides over council meetings, acts as an ex-officio member of all committees, appoints a membership and programming director, convenes officers for a monthly meeting, and ensures all necessary reports are submitted to the state and Supreme Council. He should also be aware of the council's financial status and ensure that his signature appears on all checks drawn. The grand knight is a member of the Advisory Board with general supervision of the council's Columbian Squire circle. For more specific duties and responsibilities, refer to the Grand Knight's Handbook (#915).

The chaplain is the spiritual advisor of the council. He is expected to make a report at council meetings on religious matters. The grand knight appoints a priest in accordance with any rules established by the bishop of the diocese to serve as council chaplain. For more specific duties, responsibilities and eligibility, refer to the Chaplain 5 Handbook (#945).

The deputy grand knight is second in command. He assists the grand knight with council affairs and fulfills all duties assigned to him by the grand knight. Should the grand knight be absent from a council meeting, the deputy grand knight will preside. He is chairman of the council's retention committee and also a member of the Advisory Board charged with overseeing the council's sponsored Columbian Squires circle.

The chancellor has a variety of responsibilities. Primarily, he assists the grand knight and the deputy grand knight in the execution of their duties and oversees the council in both their absences. He is charged with strengthening the members' interests in council activities. The chancellor is chairman of the admission committee and a member of the Columbian Squires circle ceremonial team.

The recorder is similar to a court reporter or a secretary. He is responsible for maintaining a true record of all actions of the council and its correspondence. A Recorder's Minute Book (#1403) is available from the Knights of Columbus Supply Department for keeping a record of council meetings.

The financial secretary is appointed by the supreme knight, upon recommendation of the council. His main area of responsibilities is maintaining all financial and membership records. He collects and receives all moneys from all sources, including annual dues from council members. He also handles supply orders for the council officers and members, filing the Report of Officer (#185), and submitting all membership transactions to the Supreme Council. For more specific duties and responsibilities, refer to the Financial Secretary Handbook (#1410).

The treasurer is responsible for the safe­ keeping and maintaining records of all council funds and accounts. He is responsible for depositing money into the council's accounts and provides a certificate of such monies to the grand knight. He is also responsible for payment of all expenses.

The lecturer is appointed by the grand knight to provide both educational and entertaining programs to the council. He is responsible for the 'Good of the Order' portion of council meetings. In order to provide members with informative and educational programs, he must be knowledgeable and aware of all council programming.

The advocate is the legal representative of the council and serves as the council's attorney at trials and investigations of any interest to the council.  While he does not need to be a member of the legal profession, he should be familiar with the council by-laws, the Order's Charter, Constitution and Laws (#30), Methods of Conducting a Council Meeting (#1937), and Robert's Rules of Order.

The warden is the 'watchdog' for council property and degree paraphernalia, except the property of the financial secretary, treasurer and recorder. He is also responsible for setting up the council chambers for meetings and ceremonial work. During ceremonial exemplifications, he will appoint and supervise guards.

The guards have similar responsibilities, but distinct differences.The outside guard tends to the outer door admitting visitors and members to the inner door. Once at the inner door, the inside guard checks to make sure that their membership cards are current.

The board of trustees consists of three members elected by the council and the grand knight, who serves as chairman of the board. They oversee the work of the financial secretary and treasurer, and with the deputy grand knight serve on the council's retention committee. During council elections, only the three-year trustee is voted on, with the others moving on to become two- and one-year trustees, respectively.

THE DEGREES

There are four degrees in the Knights of Columbus

	Council Level First Degree – Charity Second Degree – Unity Third Degree – Fraternity
	Assembly Level Fourth Degree – Patriotism

There are no equivalent offices in the Fourth Degree for Advocate, Chancellor, or Lecturer.