Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly #762 at 100 Euclid Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940 US - Organization of the Fourth Degree
| Organization of the Fourth Degree |
Middletown Assembly 762 is part of Saint Isaac Jogues Province, 2nd District of New York. The organization of the 4th Degree Arm of the Knights of Columbus is as follows: 1. Supreme Board of Directors 2. Supreme Master 3. Supreme Assembly 4. Provinces and Provincial Assembly 5. Districts and District Assembly 6. Local Assembly 3. Membership Recruitment
• The Supreme power and control over the Fourth Degree, including the making, amending and changing of all laws, rules and regulations concerning the same, is vested in the Board of Directors.
• The Board of Directors appoints the Supreme Master and all Vice Supreme Masters.
• The creation of new Provinces, Districts and Assemblies must be approved by the Board of Directors.
• The Supreme Master exercises administrative authority in the Fourth Degree and supervise all of its officers and assemblies.
• Makes detailed reports with such recommendations as to him seem proper to each meeting of the Board of Directors.
• The Supreme Master appoints a Master for each District.
• The Supreme Assembly is composed of the Supreme Knight, Supreme Secretary, Supreme Master and the duly appointed Vice Supreme Masters of the Fourth Degree.
• Meets annually to consider all matters concerning the welfare of the Fourth Degree. The Supreme Master presides at all meetings.
• Recommends to the Supreme Board amendments to the laws and Rules Governing the Fourth Degree.
• The Order is divided into as many Provinces as the Supreme Board of Directors deems advisable.
• Provincial Assembly is composed of Vice Supreme Master and all the Masters in the Province.
• Provincial Assembly meets whenever the Supreme Master and Board of Directors shall deem it advisable for consideration of Fourth Degree matters.
• Vice Supreme Master presides at all meetings and exercises administrative authority over all the Masters in his Province.
• Subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, each Province is divided by the Supreme Master into as many Districts as, from time, to time, he may deem necessary.
• The District Assembly is composed of the Faithful Navigator of each assembly and one delegate for each 100 members or major fraction thereof
• It meets every two years during April or May in the even numbered years. The Master presides at all meetings.
• It considers matters concerning the Fourth Degree and selects three members to recommend to the Supreme Master for his consideration in appointing a Master for the District.
• Same structure as council except for change in officer's titles.
Relationship of Fourth Degree to Third Degree
1. All Fourth Degree members must be members in good standing in the Third Degree. The suspension or withdrawal of a member in his council shall automatically terminate his membership in the Fourth Degree.
2. The State Deputy is the chief executive officer in his jurisdiction.
• Although he does not exercise administrative authority over the Fourth Degree officers and assemblies, he should nevertheless be concerned with the welfare of the Fourth Degree because its members are members of the Order under his jurisdiction.
• The State Deputy may make recommendations to the Supreme Master and the Board of Directors as to appointments of a Vice Supreme Master and Masters in his jurisdiction as well as the creation of any new districts.
• All Vice Supreme Masters and Masters are instructed to clear all dates for Fourth Degree activities with the State Deputy so as not to conflict with programs of the State Council.
• The State Deputy is always kept informed by the Supreme Master as to all programs of the Fourth Degree and he should support and help promote these programs in his jurisdiction.
• The State Deputy should, when possible, allow space in his state news bulletin for the publishing of Fourth Degree news. He should encourage local councils to do likewise.
• The State Deputy should include list of Fourth Degree Officers and assemblies in his State Directory.
• The Vice Supreme Masters and Masters should be recognized when attending State Council meetings and functions and State Deputy and State Officers should be recognized when attending Fourth Degree functions.
• The District Deputy should have sufficient training in order to report, Fourth Degree matters to his councils.
3. Fourth Degree contributes to solidarity of the Order.
• The Fourth Degree current suspension rate is only 0.6%.
• A Fourth Degree Member must also maintain membership in a Third Degree Council.
• The local Fourth Degree Assembly should be advised when a member is in danger of suspension and asked to assist in retention efforts.
4. Fourth Degree gives visibility to the Order.
• During our late Pope John Paul's recent visit to Canada for World Youth Day, the TV cameras followed his every step. Everywhere the Holy Father went there was a Fourth Degree Color Corps and Honor Guard clearly visible. Additionally, there were many more members of the Third Degree present everywhere, assisting as marshals, ushers and in other capacities, but since they were not visible, they were not identified. Yet the whole country knew our Order was present because of the visible Fourth Degree regalia.
• When the Fourth Degree Color Corps appears at ceremonies in our churches and at other functions, the public is aware that the Knights of Columbus is present and assisting.
Fourth Degree Programs
1. Religious and Catholic Church functions2. Patriotic Programs
• Display and distribution of flag
• Essay contests on patriotic and historical subjects.
• Voter registration and "Get out the Vote" campaign.
• Parades and Civic Ceremonies