Dues Payment Explanation
Purpose
1) Commitment: You are making a continuous financial and personal commitment to your council and its goals.
2) Long-term planning: Your council will be able to project what its financial resources will be in the future, making it possible to plan long-term actions and charities.
3) Independence from outside pressure: Your council will not have to constantly chase for donations from many sources and be at the mercy of those sources.
4) Accountability: Your council is accountable to you and the council members, but not to the donors.
Consequences
1) Your council have to pay a Per Capita (dues) fee per member each year to the Supreme Council.
2) Also, your council have to pay a Per Capita (dues) fee per member each year to the State Council.
3) Your council pays for 1st to 3rd Degree Exemplification cost per member.
4) If you do not pay your dues, the following will occur:
A. Your council will lose its bonding from Supreme Council
B. Your council will be suspended by Supreme and/or State Council
C. Your council will not be able to support council members in making their Exemplifications
D. Your council will lose their liability insurance when providing events or charitable activities.
E. Your council funds that were raised for charities would have to be used to be pay the Supreme and State per capita instead of the intended charities.
F. You will lose the benefits (e.g. financial, social, and spiritual) that comes from being a member of the Knights of Columbus. If you are unaware of these benefits, please speak with the Field Agent (financial), Brother Knights (social), and Chaplain (spiritual) for more details.
Procedures
1) Dues notice are sent out to you in January of each year.
2) Dues are due before January 1st of each year, so you will be in “good standing” with the Knights of Columbus.
3) You will receive a new membership card with the upcoming January 1st of the following year expiration date on it.
A. If you do not have this new card due to not paying your dues, you will not be able to attend council meetings and exemplifications throughout the Order, worldwide.
Inability to Pay Dues
If you are unable to pay your dues, here are some things that the Council may do for you with certain approval:
1) You will need to speak with the Financial Secretary if there can be a payment arrangement.
2) You will need to speak with the Retention Committee if they can waive your dues for the one fraternal year.
A. This can only occur if the Retention Committee determines if you are in serious financial distress or medical illness.
B. Or, The Retention Committee may ask you to be more involve in Council meetings and activities.
C. This is all done case by case and you may not be eligible for these methods if the Retention Committee determine so.
3) If you have proof of disability (e.g. from doctor, VA Hospital, SSDI, and etc.), you may be waived from paying dues (See Financial Secretary for this [Form #1831]).
Unwilling to Pay Dues
If you choose not to pay dues at all for a variety of reasons (e.g. no longer want to be a member), you will need to do the following.
1) Inform the Financial Secretary you want to withdraw from the Knights of Columbus.
2) Write a letter to Supreme Council that you want to withdraw from the order. The letter should have your statement of withdrawal, with your membership number, council number, and signature.
A. Mail letter to Supreme: Knights of Columbus Headquarters
Attn: Membership Records
1 Columbus Plaza
New Haven, CT 06510
B. Mail a copy letter to your council.
3) We respect your decision to withdrawal from the Order, but you will be miss by the Council. You are always welcome to come back, and the Knights will be happy to receive you again.
