Worthy Wardens
Welcome to another missive from the Warden’s Corner dedicated to all Council Wardens… but please share this with your Council.
In this edition, a quick review on what is protocol, next Dignitaries at Meetings, and lastly some Pastor’s Musings.
… So let’s get started…
What is protocol?
Protocol is the rigid code setting forth the degree of obedience, the order of precedence, and the rules of official and social behaviour… in essence it covers anything that is proper and in good taste.
Dignitaries at Meetings
When state officers, district masters, district deputies, priests or special guests are present at a meeting they should be accorded due recognition for the office or position they hold. They should always be seated at a place of honour.
If a state officer, district master, district deputy, priest or special guest should arrive while a meeting is in progress, the presiding officer raps the gavel three times for all to stand and instructs the warden to escort the individual to the station of the presiding officer. He will then occupy a seat of honour.
However, a state officer, vice supreme master or district master or district deputy, when present at his home council or assembly, need not be specifically recognized unless he has been invited to attend in his official capacity or requests to be recognized. This will allow the officer to engage in the regular business of his home council without involving the position he holds.
When a general agent or field agent of the Order’s insurance program is present at a meeting he should be treated as a guest. He should be seated and introduced with the dignitaries.
An exception to this is when the state officer, district master, district deputy, priest, special guest, or, the general or field agent has requested to be seated elsewhere …such as with the council members. I have visited Councils where the Council Chaplin and insurance/field Agent has requested to be seated with the members attending the Council meeting… in the audience so to speak. Brothers it is their prerogative to choose where to be seated and should be respected. Just don’t forget to recognize their presence at the start of the meeting.
It is important for all Knights to know and understand Protocol whether or not you hold a position of office. Please refer to the Grand Knights Manual on the State website found at https://kofc.ab.ca for additional information.
Pastor’s Musings
An English professor wrote the words, “Woman without her man is nothing” on the blackboard and directed his students to punctuate it correctly. Curiously, all the men wrote, “Woman, without her man, is nothing.” And all the women punctuated the sentence this way, “Woman, without her, man is nothing.”
If anyone has any questions or comments I may be contacted at StateWarden@nullkofc.ab.ca
Thank you for your attention…and God Bless.
Vivat Jesus
Sir Knight John Onyskiw
State Warden