Rules

Poster must reflect the theme of Keep Christ in Christmas.
Each poster should be the original work (including concept, layout, slogan and any visual images) of a
single person.
Poster should be approximately 11x17 inches in size. If pastels, chalk or charcoal are used, the poster must
be laminated or covered with clear plastic. Posters may be in color or black and white.
Each poster must be submitted with a Knights of Columbus “Keep Christ in Christmas” Poster Contest
entry form.
The name and age of the person entering the poster should be included on the back of the poster.
All entries become the property of the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council. Posters will not be
returned.

Judging

Judging should be done by teams composed of students, Knights, teachers, administrators, Chaplin,
Pastor, etc. In keeping with the theme of giving young people the opportunity to develop their own feeling
towards Christmas and our savior Jesus Christ, young people should be included in all phases of the
judging process.
A 100 point scoring system will be used to determine the winner.
30 Points: Slogan — How clearly is the theme presented?
30 Points: Visuals — How well do the visuals convey the message?
40 Points: Overall impact — How effective was the poster in capturing your attention and
causing you to reflect on the topic?

Program Chairman

• Name:Greg Villard
• Email:gv.24@hotmail.com
• Phone 1:619-442-6416
• Phone 2:619-341-9295

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The Coats for Kids Program is a great program that was started by Supreme in 2009.  The key to this program is that it helps needy children. With so many families with young children continuing to struggle in these challenging economic times, there has never been a better time for Knights of Columbus councils to help by providing warm winter coats to children in their communities through the Order’s Coats for Kids program. These children often go to school during the cold months without coats to wear, coats that do not keep them warm or in some cases coats that don’t fit them. When our councils become part of the Coats for Kids program, it gives us the wonderful opportunity to help these children keep warm.  Since 2009, Knights in the United States and Canada have distributed 167,000 coats including over 90,000 coats distributed by approximately 2,000 local Knights of Columbus councils from the United States and Canada this past Columbian Year of 2013-2014. The winter of CY 2013-2014 saw record cold weather and will be remembered for severe cold weather.  I remember sitting in my kitchen one Monday morning and I looked at the outdoor thermometer in my back yard and it was 35 degrees.  I thought, “This is sunny California.  I left central New York State to get out of the cold weather”.  Also, this this Columbian year the Knights of Columbus experienced record number of councils donating a record number of coats. Last year 1,195 councils and Supreme purchased and donated 51,294 coats to children who were cold and had no coats.  That is 200 more councils than the year before and 10,000 more coats than last year.  Let’s make this year another record year for this wonderful program HOW TO CONDUCT A COATS FOR KIDS PROGRAM Distributing coats to needy children not only fills a vital need in the community, it is also an excellent was to build camaraderie among members and prospects. Seeing the joy that getting a new winter coat brings to a child will help prospects to see the Knights of Columbus as an organization they want to be part of. In the last three years, Knights of Columbus councils have distributed more than 80,000 winter coats to needy children.

• As a chapter identify and target one month for all councils to put on a drive.
• Make Coats for Kids a project for the entire parish community.
• Conduct a Sunday Coat Drive at your parish.
• Set up a sample coat.
• Have Knights stand out in front of church asking for donations to supply coats to those in need.
• Remind them that for every $16.00 donated a coat will be issue to a kid in need.
• For the 2014-2015 winter, coats purchased from the Supreme Council will cost $16.25 plus shipping (note that the Supreme Council will absorb 50% of the shipping costs).
• Assess the, need in the community. Pastors and Catholic school principals can be excellent resources in identifying children who would benefit from this program.
• Purchase the coats using the form on www.kofc.org/coats.
• Schedule a distribution date, time and location. Parish halls, Catholic school gyms or council homes all make good distribution sites.  Invite the entire parish to participate.
• Publicize the distribution among the recipients. Also, advise local media.
• Host a "Thank You" or "Open House" reception for all volunteers who gave of their time and talent. Let all – especially non-members – know how much their efforts are appreciated. Let prospects know that they are welcome and needed in your council...then ask them to join.

Program Chairman

• Name:Tom Davis
• Email:tomd68@gmail.com
• Phone 1:619-255-2572
• Phone 2:619-929-9964

Program Chairman

• Name:Armando Mena
• Email:americanaztec@sbcglobal.net
• Phone 1:760-213-1535

1. CIRCLE DEVELOPMENT.  There are sixty two (62) circles state wide.  We are at seventy (70) per cent of our state goal of ten (10) and the majority are in San Diego and Arrowhead-Desert Chapters with twenty-five (25).  There are potentially thirteen (13) Corps d'Elite circles (Star Councils) and another ten California State Award Level Circles this year.  The circles are at various stages of development and reporting.   This development infrastructure is the responsibility of the State Squires Committee.  This year each circle will receive guidance from the State Committee development activities.  In addition, the goal in new circle development for is 16.
   • July 1: 65 Circles
   • January 1: 75 Circles
   • June 30: 81 Circles
2. MEMBERSHIP.  There will be an incentive program to increase the number of Squires in California.  There will be two membership drives one in August-November and another in February –April.  Prizes will be announced in December and May respectively.  Utilizing  our newsletter (GSN)or our abilities we will send every Squire at least one newsletter via  hard copies.   The goal is to increase membership to over one thousand (1000).
   • July 17: 25
   • January 1: 900
   • June 30: 1000
3. STATE SQUIRES COMMITTEE.  This year the committee has regional assignments based on chapters. These assignments are :
   • The Squires Committee has been set primarily for the next two years.  The assignments are to participate on the Chapter level due to budget constraints.  The current configuration is Assistant Chair 1 has Northern California, Redwood, and San Joaquin.  Assistant Chair 2 has St. Francis, San Jose and Oakland Chapters. Assistant Chair 3 has Junipero Serra, Central and Inyo Kern Chapters.  Currently, the Chairman has the rest of the state.
   • The majority of the State Squires Committee are from North of the Kern County line and the majority of California's population and Squire's Circles are south of it. Recommendation.   It is my recommendation that one more assistant chair or committeeman be appointed.  This would be for Mission High Desert, Southern California and San Gabriel Valley Chapters.  The other would be for the Orange, Arrowhead-Desert Valley and San Diego Chapters.  This would bring the total of committee members to five with a chairman.  Recommendation.  The State committee operates a Face Book page and website and we need to stabilize this communication by the appointment of a Communication or media director.
4. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING.  The Squires and counselors will receive training at their regional meetings and state convention.  The goal of the program development activities is get a majority of Squires Circle mobilized on at least four major activities with KofC programs. The training will be two  tracts:
   • Regional Level
     • Tract One for Counselors.  Enhancement of KofC integration of projects adaptable to Squires such as Food for Families; Year of faith, ID. Special Olympics and reporting requirements.  Special emphasis will be programmed for the KofC and diocesan Child Protection Programs and Squires Advancement Program and counselor recruitment.
     • Tract Two for Squires.  Team building, project planning, presentation, parliamentary procedure and the Squire Advancement Program.  A special emphasis will be on Squire to Knight Program.At each region or archdiocese level (combination of regions)  the Squires will conduct a major youth rally or  major religious ceremony.
   • Chapter Level
     • Tract One for Counselors.  Enhancement of KofC integration of projects adaptable to Squires such as Food for Families; Year of faith, ID. Special Olympics and reporting requirements.  Special emphasis will be programmed for the KofC and diocesan Child Protection Programs and Squires Advancement Program.
     • Tract Two for Squires.  Team building, project planning, presentation, parliamentary procedure and the Squire Advancement Program.
     • Tract Three for Councils.  The organization of circles will be a one day module for councils without circles.
5. FINANCES. The Squires raise about $12,000 and the State Council allocates $5858 for the Squires program.  This handicaps the program.   I intend to raise an additional $7500 for program materials, Squire paraphernalia, membership incentive and communications.  Recommendation.  We need permission and a vehicle to raise corporate donations.
6. MESSAGING, INFRASTRUCTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.  There is no is no central message nor media campaign for the Squire Program.  This message will be developed by May 2014 reviewed and unveiled at the 63^rd California Squire Convention.   It will be reinforced at the regional, chapter and council level.  We will use low cost means of social communication and free media such as cable television, radio and Face Book.  The California Squire Committee will develop its own operational manual for institutional development it will be developed for three different venues-one the KofC, two the diocese catholic school and three youth ministry personnel.  These will be presented at both of California's Archdioceses and selected dioceses through the educational conferences and diocese superintendent level.
7. SQUIRE ROSES.  The Philippines and Virginia Jurisdictions have developed a Squire Rose program for young women.  At one point, California was designated to develop a Squires Rose operation.  One Catholic school in California has a Squire Rose Program in San Pedro.  If a Catholic School receives California State or U.S. federal funds an equal or joint program must be offered for females.  Recommendation.  The committee will be making a recommendation on instituting a Squire Rose Program but in the interim councils and circles to continue to develop Squire Rose Circles when the council or catholic School votes to institute the program.

Program Chairman

• Name:Armando Mena
• Email:americanaztec@sbcglobal.net
• Phone 1:760-213-1535

The Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge is a competition designed for players aged 9 through 14, boys and girls to demonstrate the most basic of soccer skills — the penalty kick. Each player will be allowed 3 practice kicks and 15 or 25 shots at the goal from the penalty line (12 yards from the goal) depending on their competition level at the time.

Soccer Challenge Goal Dimensions 

The goal will be divided into a series of five scoring zones. The upper corners of the goal will be designated as 20 point zones. The lower corners will be designated as 10 point zones and the central region is a five point zone. To construct the five scoring zones attach a piece of rope approximately six and a half to seven feet in length diagonally across the four corners of the goal as shown in the diagram below. Use tent stakes to secure the bottom ropes to the ground.

Scoring

To score this competition each participant will be given 3 practice and 15 or 25 penalty kicks, depending on their competition level at the time. Points will be awarded depending upon the area of the scoring zones through which the ball passes. For example, after the player's 15 or 25 penalty kicks, his/her scores are 5/10/20/5/5/5/5/10/10/5/20/5/10/5/5, his/her total score would be 125. A score of 125 would be marked on the entry form/score sheet. Normal rules of soccer regarding penalty kicks apply for all levels of competition. Penalty kick violations include stepping on or over the line prior to the kick, and any contact made with the ball counts as a kick. Scorers should record shots made and missed according to the instructions on the entry form/score sheet. It is also recommended that multiple scorers be assigned to each goal for scoring accuracy and comparison. All scores should be verified before the next contestant is allowed to shoot. The use of video tape recording is not recommended to resolve questions on scoring totals. Judges and scorers are given final authority in verifying all scores and violations.

Judges/Scorers/Ball Catchers

Judges, scorers, and ball catchers will be selected by the Soccer Challenge Chairman at the council level, by the district deputy at the district level, and by the state deputy at the regional and state levels. The recommended minimum is one judge, two scorers, and a ball catcher at each goal. It is recommended that volunteer parents be utilized in age groups other than the group(s) in which their child (children) competes. The judge will ensure that each participant receives the proper number of shots on goal and will point out any kicking violations (see scoring section). All questions will be resolved by the judges and Soccer Challenge chairman. Scorers should refer to the scoring instructions included on the entry form/score sheet.

Soccer Challenge Competition Levels

Council Level

Each contestant receives three practice kicks followed by 15 consecutive kicks from the 12-yard penalty line. All age groups kick from the same distance. In the event a tie breaker is necessary, it should be conducted as follows: each contestant will have the opportunity to take 3 kicks from a position three yards behind the penalty kick line, if the contestants are still tied then they will continue to take turns of 3 kicks each until a clear winner emerges.

District, Chapter, Regional/State Level

Each contestant receives three practice kicks followed by 25 consecutive kicks from the 12-yard penalty line. In the event a tie breaker is necessary, it should be conducted as follows: each contestant will have the opportunity to take 3 kicks from a position three yards behind the penalty kick line, if the contestants are still tied then they will continue to take turns of 3 kicks each until a clear winner emerges.

The recommended time frame for the Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge is:

Council Level Championship – Early September

The Grand Knight and/or Council Soccer Challenge chairman should notify their council members, parish, schools, religious education classes, and community and soccer organizations of the date, time and location of their Council level competition.

District Level Championship – Early October

The District Deputy is responsible for notifying their councils of the date, time and location of the their District level competition.

Chapter Level Championship – Late October

The Chapter President and/or Chapter Soccer Challenge Chairman should notify each of their Districts and Councils well in advance concerning the dates, times and locations of the Chapter Level competition.

Regional/State Level Championship – Early November - Sunday, November 9, 2014 (Northern, Central and Southern)

Specific date, times and locations for the Regional/State Championships are available from the State Soccer Challenge Chairman, State Program Director, Youth Activities Chairman and all "three" Regional Coordinators for the Northern, Central and Southern regions.

Field/Equipment

Each level of competition should be held on a local soccer field or suitable facility approved by and under the supervision of a participating Knights of Columbus council. Check with your parks and recreation department for availability and usage regulations. Do this as early as possible, because school/recreation teams are also reserving field space.

Age Specifications

Ages 9, 10 and 11 (Boys & Girls Competitions):

Use a regulation-size soccer ball (size #4) and shoot 12 yards from the goal (penalty kick line).

Ages 12, 13 and 14 (Boys & Girls Competitions):

Use a regulation-size soccer ball (size #5) and shoot 12 yards from the goal (penalty kick line).

International Level

International champions are determined on the basis of best scores submitted from the state-level competitions in each age category.

NOTE: In the event that a winner in any level cannot participate in the next level of competition, the second-place winner should represent the area for that age group.

AUTHORITY: The Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge program will be under the authority of the state deputy and state youth director. Any questions about this program not answered in this guide should be directed to the appropriate state officials or to the Supreme Council Department of Fraternal Services, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven, CT 06510-3326; Telephone: (203) 752-4270, Fax: (203) 752-4108.

Program Chairman

• Name:Luigi Zoni
• Email:luigivzoni@gmail.com
• Phone 1:619-303-1773
• Phone 2:619-980-3313

One of the most overlooked Knights of Columbus Programs is the State Scholarship, designed specifically for high school seniors planning to enter College or continuing students currently enrolled in a College or University. It is important to emphasize that this is a Council activity and not run by the state. It depends on all Councils and Brother Knights to actively promote this valuable Program that supports the youth of our State. The Primary Contact for questions from the Scholarship Applicants is the Council Grand Knight and his Council scholarship program chairman.

At the annual State Convention, The California State Council will award eleven scholarships in the following categories:

Academic: Seven $1,000 student scholarships to those entering or resuming college,

Religious: Three $1,000 scholarships (Jerome J. Junk Memorial Scholarship) to those who are, or will be, attending a vocational religious school, and

Squire: One $1,000 scholarship (the Father Joseph Geary Scholarship) to a current or former Columbian Squire entering or resuming college.

In addition to the scholarships awarded by the California State Council, the Past State Deputies Association will award one $750 Scholarship to an eligible applicant from any of the three above categories.

Program Chairman

• Name:Lito Alvarez
• Email:lito.a7@gmail.com
• Phone 1:760-521-3364

Overview
The Knights of Columbus sponsors the Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest to encourage today’s youth to be
more connected to their community and their faith. The goal of this program is to involve young Catholics in
8th through 12th grade (public, private, parochial or home schools) in civic discourse and instill in them
religious and life-affirming values. The essay should be approximately 500-750 words on a specific subject,
changing every other year. Entrants will be judged on grammar, style, and how clearly, they present the theme
– which should showcase creativity, imagination and overall development of the topic. For Catholic Citizenship
Essay Contest resources, visit www.kofc.org/essay.

Program Chairman

• Name:Greg Villard
• Email:GV.24@hotmail.com

A Higher Purpose

Offer an athletic outlet for young people ages 9 to 14 through a fun free throw competition. To sponsor a competition, start by ordering a Free Throw Championship Kit, or volunteer to host and/or support the district, regional and state/province championships.

Overview

Since 1972, councils have sponsored the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship for boys and girls from the ages of 9 to 14 to provide an athletic outlet and encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition. Kids compete within their own gender and age and progress from local level to district, regional and state/province competitions. This program is a great way to introduce the Order to your community and recruit faithful family men of service.

Action Steps
1. Identify a program chairman to oversee all action steps and delegate tasks, as needed.
2. Train volunteers in the Safe Environment protocols (www.kofc.org/safe). Ensure that the event is
properly staffed and safely run. A minimum of two volunteers must be Safe Trained.
3. Contact your grand knight, financial secretary, or program director to order the Free Throw Kit (#FT-KIT),
promotional items, and awards through Supplies Online via Officers Online. District deputies may also
log on to Supplies Online to order medallions for district competitions.
4. Set a date, location and time for the Free Throw Championship. If required by venue, acquire insurance.
5. Contact schools and youth centers to explain and promote the program. Suggest that the schools or
youth centers consider using this activity as part of their physical education classes.
6. Prior to the Free Throw Championship, use the sample News Release (#10646) as a model to create
and distribute a tailored release to local media.
7. Build public interest for the event! Promote the Free Throw Championship in your parish and larger
community through a variety of efforts:
• Prominently display promotional posters (found in the Free Throw Kit (#FT-KIT))
• Bulletin announcements
• Pulpit announcements
• Posting on your council and parish website / social media pages
8. Coordinate with the district and state/province leadership regarding date, time, and location of the next
level of competition. On the day of the event, provide this information to the council-level winners.
9. Preregistration is recommended, before the event. Proof of age is NOT required.
10. Hold the Free Throw Championship! Review the Free Throw Playbook (#1928) for guidelines,
volunteer requirements, and other information.
11. On the day of the event, wear Knights of Columbus-branded apparel and have the council membership
director set up a table with brochures and membership documents (including Prospect Cards #921A).
Do not forget that this event is a recruiting opportunity!
12. Enlist a fellow Knight or community member to photograph the event.
13. Following the Free Throw Championship, update the community on the success of your program by
amending the Free Throw Championship Champions Announcement (#10647) and distributing it to
local media, along with energizing photographs from the event.

14. Send winning Free Throw entry forms/score sheets (#1598) to the next level of competition.
15. To gain credit for your program, complete the associated reporting forms.
• Immediately after your event is finished, complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784)
• At the end of the fraternal year, complete the Columbian Award Application (#SP-7)
Resources
1. #FT-KIT- Free Throw Kit (quantities of resources contained in FT-KIT are in parentheses below)
2. #1928- Playbook (1 per kit)
3. #1598- Entry form/score sheet (75 per kit)
4. #1596- Vertical Poster (5 per kit)
5. #1686- Horizontal Poster (5 per kit)
6. #1597- Participation Certificate (75 per kit)
7. #1809- Champion Certificate (5 per kit)
8. #10646- News Release
9. #10647- Champions Announcement
Program resources can be ordered by your grand knight, financial secretary and/or program director on
Supplies Online via Officers Online.
Link
www.kofc.org/freethrow

Program Chairman

• Name:Roark Galloway
• Email:frgalloway120@gmail.com
• Phone 1:760-440-9808
• Phone 2:760-803-4921