Supreme Council
Bergen
Chapter
Page last updated on:
10 Jan 2010
Herb's Thoughts - A Message from our State Deputy
My brothers at all levels of
involvement – As you read this, I will have
completed by first six months as State Deputy.
This has been as they say, a
“Very daunting” period. Although being
in the chairs for 7 years, it is without a doubt a real learning experience.
I am very fortunate to have a great team assisting me. These men almost know before I do what is coming up and what issues have to be contended with.
My key players, Don Cleary,
Bob Hatler, and Fred Shaver, are the most supportive and dedicated Knights that
I have ever served with.
Along with a great team of
state officers, I am blessed and truly fortunate and most appreciative.
I am glad that we do not have
to pay these men for the time they give to our order and to you the members!
By now you have received the
new directory. This was completed by our
own Dave Torebka who also put in many hours getting the data together. I want to also thank Patti McKnight of Otis
Graphics for the effort she and her staff gave to this task and other printing
jobs.
To those who provided their
data promptly, you have my thanks. For those
who were a bit delinquent – let’s do better next year.
The support and encouragement
I have received from many Knights and councils not only in Bergen, but
throughout the state have been outstanding.
The hospitality that has
been shown to my wife and me as we travel to various events has been truly
amazing.
As we look forward to the year
of 2010, we have to pay attention to our recruitment efforts and focus in on retention.
Membership has been and will
be our primary objective. Without new
blood in our ranks, the tasks before us will be difficult to achieve. The more workers in the field, the easier the
work.
Let’s not be too quick to
drop members. Members who may be having
a tough time considering the current economic situation we find ourselves
in. Before sending the dreading 1845 out,
find out why this particular member is delinquent and see if he needs assistance.
If you check the statistics
listed you will note that Newark brings in a great number of new members. However, we also drop a very large
percentage. More effort has to be made to
stop this.
You may not be aware of the fact
that the Newark Archdiocese has been at the bottom of the recruiting
ladder. Frankly, I am tired of this and
we must continue to recruit and to work strenuously on the ministry of
retention.
Every event your council
conducts, every youth activity, every church activity should be done with the
idea of attracting new members.
On behalf of my wife, Ann,
and my family I want to wish each of you a Blessed Christmas and a Happy and
Healthy new Year.
Vivat Jesus,
Herb