Meeting Minutes for 15 February 2023

Opening Ceremony

• Faithful Navigator Caleb Strittmatter opened the meeting at 1900 hours in the Saint Mark Parish Hall, 1011 Eastwood Rd, Wilmington, NC. There were 23 Sir Knights with ID cards and rosaries in attendance.

Roll Call of Officers

Opening Prayer

• Meeting’s opening prayer was led by the Faithfull Frair the Rev SK Father Greg Spencer.

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

Opening Ode

• The opening Ode, America the Beautiful, was sung.

Call for the approval of the January Minutes

• A call was made for changes or amendments to the January 2023 meeting minutes. No changes or amendments were offered and a motion was made to accept the minutes as recorded on the assembly website; the motion was seconded and passed by unanimous vote.

Report of the Faithful Friar (Fr. Spencer)

• Lent: Father reminded the assembly that Lent is the time to be vigilant, faithful, and reflect.

Report of Faithful Comptroller (SK Decker)

• A report of income and expense items of the past month was provided. In addition, the assembly received two Honorary Life cards for Robert Gorman and Hubert Dutton. SK Gorman was on hand to receive his card.

Report of the Faithful Purser (SK Philips)

• The financials reported can be requested by contacting the Faithful Purser.

Report of Committees

Membership Report / Reading of Applications / Balloting (SK Decker)

• There was one Transfer In request Frank Manole, Sr., a PFN and PGK recently entering council 12017.

• Saint Stanislaus council had provided four individuals for the next 4th degree exemplification:

  • Allen Rule
  • Samuel Russel
  • Billy Schwinn and
  • George Jayne

• Motion to accept the transfer and new candidates was second and approved by unanimous voice vote.

• Next 4th degree exemplification will be held in Raleigh on 15 April.

RSVP Report (SK Decker)

• SK Decker provided a short brief on the the RSVP program and that he is currently working with the diocese's Office of Vocations to identify a new seminarian to support in the next Fraternal Year. The current seminarian we supported this year, transitional Deacon Nicholas Rapkoch, is expected to be ordained in June.

Color Guard Report (SK Hargett)

• No Color Guard report - FN Strittmatter reiterated that there will be another lottery for those who wish to buy the regalia and have the Assembly cover 50% of the cost.

Patriotic Reports

Veterans Support - (SK Ludgate)

• On 21 February there will be a tour of Ashley House at 10:30 AM. Ashley House is a residence for homeless veterans, located at 2002 Colwell Ave, Wilmington 28403. The desire is to help the veterans move into permanent housing which may occur several times a month.
  The plan calls for help to provide them with some cooking utensils, personal supplies, or cleaning supplies to help get them started in their new home.
  The tour will help us get a better idea of the things they may need from the assembly.
  As such, all who can attend please show up for the tour and get involved with helping veterans in need.

In God We Trust - Deanery support - (SK Strittmatter)

• • The FN thanked Fr. Greg for his continued support of the Scholarship for Future Saints and was hopeful it would expand. The program is now in the marketing phase - how does the assembly get word out? It is currently advertised with the Saint mark school as Principal Tripp Burton is promoting the program via his weekly school email blast. The focus is to reach out to all eligible Catholic school children. A similar approach has been initiated at the Sait Mary school.
• SK Russ Cappello proved an update on the chalice for SK Lou Stanely's family and that it is ready for issuance.

Fraternal Social Report (SK Weisgerber)

• SK Weisberger reported the Annie show at the Wilson Center on 28 January was a successful outing.

Trustees Report (SKs Backes, Macaluso, Plarre)

• No report. No trustees present.

Unfinished Business

• None to report.

New Business

• STAR Assembly Award was presented to PFN Frank Weisgerger and Fr. Greg Spencer by District Master JP Horvat.
• DM Horvat reiterated that a new assembly would be starting soon in Hampstead and that FN Strittmatter approved the transfer of 23 current SKs to the new assembly. Details of the transfer and establishment will be provided as they develop.
• A reminder was given to track service hours for the Annual Survey of Fraternal Activity that occurs each December. All SKs are asked to consider everything they do and provide a solid count of their respective hours.

Call for election of vacating officer positions (SK Strittmatter)

• A call to replace Inner Sentinel Russ Cappello was made. The motion to nominate SK Joe Damitz was made. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously by voice vote.
• A call to fill the vacant Two Year Trustee postion was made. The motion to nominate Sk Dennis Kelleher was made.The motion was seconded and passed unanimously by voice vote.
• A call was made for a Webmaster - to help Greg Decker with the Assembly's web site. If anyone is interested, please contact Greg Decker.
• A reminder that on 25 March, there will be a Council 12017 retreat called Joyfully Gifted and led by Saint Mark's Adult Formation Director Terrie Baldwin and held in the Saint Mark Parish Hall from 9AM - 4PM. All are welcome to attend. Registration is required.

Report of Third Degree Councils

1074 Wilmington (ICC/BSSM)

• No report.

11817 St. Stanislaus

• The council will host a post-March for Life luncheon on 25 March at approximately 1 PM. After the March come join us for a luncheon and share your experiences with everyone.
• 10 March the council will host a drive-by Fish Fry and a sit-down Fish Fry on 31 March.
• 4 Candidates were nominated and approved for exemplification to the 4th Degree.

12017 St. Mark

• The council is a Gold sponsor of the Polar Plunge being held at Kure Beach on 18 February at 3PM. Come join the fun.
• March for Life Wilmington at Long Leaf Park on 25 February from 10 till noon. Come join the March.
• The Council is hosting a St Patrick's Day Dinner/Dance at Saint Mark on 11 March from 6-10 PM in the Our Lady of Victory Center (aka: the school gym).

12281 All Saints

• All Saints and Saint Stanislaus councils are rehabilitating a trailer for a family in need.
• On 28 February there will be a Polar Plunge at Topsail Island Beach Access #2. Register and join the fun.
  The funds raised will provide year-round sports training, competition, leadership opportunities, and health services to Special Olympics athletes in our community. Help with parking would be appreciated - Please contact SK Cappello.
• On 11 March there will be another Yard Sale. If you have any items you wish to discard please contact SK Cappello and he will pick up your items.
• The council delivered chocolate covered strawberries (from Edibles) to widows of Knights and to Catholic Daughters.

12885 St. Therese

• the June assembly meeting will be held at St Therese.

12921 Transfiguration

• No report.

Brothers in Need

• Allen Brown passed on 3 February; funeral will be held on 3 March at 1:00 PM at All Saints Catholic Church.

Good of the Order

• Prayers as asked for the wife of SK Macaluso who is ill.

Closing Prayer

• Led by the Rev SK Greg Spencer.

Adjourn

• Meeting adjourned at 2007 hours.