 98…and still going strong!
By DGK Bryan B. Bandong
Call it luck…call
it destiny! For the second straight year I’ve
attended the KofC California State Convention as an
alternate delegate, in both cases as a substitute to GK
Ron Silva. This year, we’ll excuse Bro. Ron and his
wife, Nancy, who went on an Alaskan cruise trip as a
wedding anniversary present from their children. Tough
life, Ron! Bro. Greg Jones, our able financial secretary,
was our other Council delegate. It was his first
attendance to the convention, and I believe he was
treated to some memorable experiences.
So there we were on
that steamy 3-day weekend of May 19-21, 2000 for the 98th
state convention, at the heart of downtown Sacramento,
rubbing elbows and exchanging laughs with fellow knights
from just about every corner of our state. Some 520
delegates came to renew their commitments and re-invigorate
themselves for the next Columbian Year (CY). The knights
do know how to have some fun too! There was a bowling
tournament, a golf challenge, a night with the Best of
Broadway dancers and, of course, the Convention banquet
where outgoing state officials shine with their
accomplishments and remind the incoming elected officials
that the charitable acts of our organization are far from
over. I, too, had a sense of accomplishment along with
all the other knights in our state. Yet in spite of all
the good notes that the various councils brought to the
convention, most councils face the same challenges in the
future: membership recruitment and retention, active
participation from the majority of the membership, the
decline in interest in vocation and inescapable
adjustments that a rapidly changing society and
demographics will bring. State Deputy-elect Joseph Schulz
summed up our course of action for the future with his
state motto of “Be Not Afraid”, backed by
having the Holy Family as the patron for the new CY.
The summer heat of the
Sacramento Valley was equally matched by the heated
discussions going on inside the stately War Memorial
Auditorium during the delegates’ business sessions.
The delegates unanimously passed a resolution adopting
“Pro Life” as the rallying cry for the new CY.
Some proposed to add the death penalty along with
abortion and euthanasia as issues covered by the Pro Life
policy. The knights in attendance were undecided on this
issue and passed to have this tabled for future
discussions. There was a call from State Chaplain Rev.
Taheney for an aggressive campaigning that kept the
delegates mum for an extended moment! Another issue of
contention was the display of the U.S. flag in the
church, which divided the assembly into two equally
justified stands. In the end it was decided that the
decision would have to be arrived at in consultation with
the parish pastor. As the Internet becomes increasingly
popular as a media for information dissemination, the
State Council is proposing a standard formatting or
content for council websites to guard against the abuse
of this form. Delegates wee advised to bring this issue
to their respective Councils for further discussions. The
state treasurer reported on a very good year as far as
budget is concerned, and the state officials have
resolved to reduce the state per capita tax from $11.45
down to $11.20 per knight.
Of course, what’s
the State Convention without the awards recognizing the
councils that excelled in church, youth, family, council,
and community programs. One council raised as much as $32,000.00
for the Tootsie Roll Drive. The Parade of grand knights
rasied $66,000.00 for the 365 Club, for which funds are
used to help needy brother knights. Our Council gave $500.00
to this cause. There was great enthusiasm among the
Councils whom received awards. I know our Council has not
brought home an award in the recent past, partly because
we’ve decided to remain as unsung heroes and
anonymous volunteers! Something for the next sets of
officers to think about!
Next year’s state
convention will be in San Diego. I’m not sure if I’ll
be a part of this one, but if called upon by our Council
I won’t have second thoughts going to the convention.
It always inspires me to continue our work of charity.
(Bryan’s column
is continued under “Other Notes” …Ed)
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