From the State Deputy

Brothers,

 

I want to reach out to all of you on the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The State of Oregon currently has 21 confirmed cases across eight counties.   Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced yesterday the banning of all public gatherings of more than 250 people until April 8^th.   As you all know the Supreme Knight has asked for a halt on all Knights of Columbus events and meeting.  

I understand that a lot of councils have events during lent planned and are helping their parishes for the month of March. What I ask from the Grand Knights is to use good judgement and consult with your parish priest, so you both can come up with a plan if the parish wants the Knights to continue with that event or cancel it.  Please work with your parish priest and inform your members on the risk’s if the event takes place.  Information from CDC informs you who are at higher risk of getting sick from this illness. This includes; Older adults, people who have serious heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.  If you know of a member with these risks reach out to them to make sure they are a were of the risks and if they are okay.

The State Council is going about as business as usual. The State Convention in Newport is still a go. Please pass this on to all your delegates. We have seven weeks until the State Convention, so we all have a lot of time to see how this virus goes.  We need to just show good judgement and common sense. I would recommend the delegates to still make your hotel reservation with the Best Western Agate Beach Inn and submit your Registration Forms and Council Credential Forms to Sid Thiel @ 17180 SW Smith Ave., #83, Sherwood, OR 97140. 

Those Councils who have first degrees scheduled this is a great time to reach out to those candidates and have them join the Knights of Columbus as online members.  This can be done with a phone call to the candidate.  The Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, Council Membership Director, or District Deputy can coach them through the process, it should be easy. Just direct the candidates to the following online address www.KofC.org/JoinUs

After the candidate signs up the Council will need to inform each candidate, “We will take you through the next step in your journey, after this situation calms down”. Don’t cancel a degree and then let a candidate hanging for 4 weeks, we will lose them.

I want all of you to know the Oregon State Council is monitoring this Virus and will keep all of you informed if there are any changes.

Vivat Jesus

Ron Boyce, State Deputy

 

One Member, Per Council, Per Month