Minutes of the 3196 Assembly Meeting, November 9, 2023
The Holy Mass was presided by Father Morice at 6:30 PM [St. Marys] prior to the Meeting.
The Assembly was called to order at 7:20 PM by the Faithful Navigator Hess.
Roll was not taken orally; Faithful Scribe Leidy made note of officers present/absent as follows:
Faithful Friar: Fr. Leo A Faithful Comptroller: F. Deidiker P Faithful Trustee: R. Hofstetter A
Faithful Navigator: Ed Hess P Faithful Scribe: J. Leidy P Faithful Trustee: G. Lewis A
Faithful Admiral: R. Olewenski P Faithful Purser: D. Culton A Faithful Trustee: D. Poirier P
Faithful Captain: J. McClanahan A Faithful Inner Sent.: D. Lewis P
Faithful Pilot: B. Nichols P Faithful Outer Sent.: K. Robertson A
Opening prayer and ceremony were omitted by consensus of those present.
Report of the Faithful Friar was omitted [absent].
FN Hess asked if those present all received the Minutes of the previous meeting [September 14,
2023] by email; all acknowledged receiving. FN Hess asked whether there are any changes to the
Minutes as recorded. No motion for changes were offered. Motion to accept the Minutes of the
previous meeting was made by FA Olewenski; motion was seconded & accepted by those
present.
FN Hess proposed the following items of discussion for the meeting:
1) The Honor Guard at the recent Bishop’s blessing of the St. Mark renovation on All Saints
Day.
2) Wreaths Across America
3) Religious Appreciation Dinner
4) January 3196 Meeting
FComptroller Deidiker reported that the Assembly still has 52 members. Dues billing statements
will be sent out next month.
[Purser absent]. No bills presented
No applications for membership reported.
Unfinished Business:
FS Leidy brought up the lingering question of where/how to use our charitable donations from
the previous year’s Wreaths Across America to support Veterans causes/Military Seminarians.
Also, any further discussion on Honor Guard regalia subsidy for those reluctant to spend $450 on
the new uniform.
Report of Trustees: None
New Business
Discussion Item 1. FN Hess began discussion with #3196 Honor Guard at St. Mark in Houston
on All Saints Day. Four members participated in full regalia w/swords. FN stated his belief that
these are the only 4 Sir Knights with regalia. This was the consensus of those present. Cost for
the basic regalia [minus service baldrick & sword, plain white dress shirt, white gloves] is $450.
FS Leidy offered that Mick Gilliam had the regalia & FS Leidy approached Larry Simon to
possibly contact Donna Gilliam to see if she might donate the regalia to Larry. FA Olewenski
asked why there was no “salute” by the Honor Guard [HG] during consecration. FN stated the
Bishop didn’t want [HG] to do this & FS Leidy added that the current Drill Manual appears to
specifically prohibit any distraction to this part of the Mass. FN Hess believed we performed
well as [HG] & others present made complementary comments.
FP Nichols wanted to know when we might have a 4th Degree Exemplification closer to our area.
FS Leidy responded that there are currently only 2 exemplifications on the books for early next
year – one in Aurora the other in Cape Girardeau. FA Olewenski said that #12650 potentially has
7 members that are eligible.
FN Hess inquired how to go about encouraging others to purchase the regalia/or be willing to
participate in the Honor Guard at all. FA Olewenski acknowledged that Councils would have to
get buy-in from 4th Degree members to participate and also acknowledged that age of members
may be a limitation. FN Hess recommended we table further discussion until we get more
members to show up at an actual 4th Degree meeting.
Discussion Item 2. Wreaths Across America. FN Hess asked FT Poirer to give a recap of the
program. FT Poirer reminded those present that this is the only fund raiser the Assembly has and
that we perhaps should put a bit more effort into it. FT Poirer said he had great success at the two
parishes he solicited last weekend, but wasn’t getting the same response from other Councils.
Also, a some point the Assembly needs to decide if we want to do Wreaths next year. So far only
5 purchases had been made on line. FS Leidy indicated that #7442 did use verbal & bulletin
announcements but yet the response was minimal. Perhaps there is some fatigue on numerous
donation solicitations at this time of year. Many reported that Parishioners did take a Wreaths
donation form, but perhaps didn’t follow through. [Side note: The Howell Co. newspaper had a
solicitation notice for the same Wreaths, but sponsored by a different agency for wreaths to be
placed on graves for the Veterans Cemetery in Mountain View]. As a reminder, contributions
can still be made on line using the #3196 URL until November 20 and the Assembly will still get
the credit of $5/wreath.
Another possible use of the monies returned to the Assembly could by subsidizing 4th Degree
regalia. $500 was returned to the Assembly last year.
Discussion Item 3. Religious Appreciation Dinner. FN Hess asked if FS Leidy ran this event last
year – FS Leidy indicated ‘yes’. FN Hess said we need to get on the Bishop’s calendar. There
was some discussion on dates to target this event. FN Hess inquired if we want to pursue this
again; FA Olewenski indicated that it is typically an annual event. FN Hess asked whether FS
Leidy would like to lead the planning again – response was ‘no thank you’. FC Diediker asked if
we should check with the caterer Stacey, who we used in the past. FN Hess indicated ‘yes’ – and
that we should get on the Bishop’s calendar. Cost for the religious attendees was covered by the
other attendee’s meal price. FN Hess said he will check with the Bishop’s secretary; look for
dates in Feb or March. If a West Plains caterer is used, maybe hold the event in West Plains.
Discussion Item 4. January 2024 meeting. FN Hess stated this is typically Winter pot-luck dinner
held at the Budweiser Distributors in Pomona – Jan 11th. Happy hour at 5:00, dinner at 6:00,
short meeting at 7:00. We should start a discussion on a slate of officers – finalize at March
meeting for voting at May meeting & installation in July. FN Hess said he wants to start early to
identify someone to take the Faithful Navigator job. FC Diediker asked what meat would all like
to be served – pulled pork was suggested. FC Diediker said we need to get a better count on
attendance for the January meeting – very few showed up for the last social. FP Nichols
suggested we just end meals at meetings; FN Hess said he would agree for the regular meetings.
Several lamented that these socials used to draw a room full of people, now for whatever reason
fewer show up. There seemed to be a consensus to discontinue meals at regular meetings –
maybe limit to coffee/cake. FN Hess stated he would ‘put out feelers’ or request RSVP for
Winter social. Recommendation made not to leave it up to the Council if they wanted to provide
dinner – propensity to cause hard feelings for those who don’t want to provide meal. Those
present voted unanimously to end meals at regular 4th Degree meetings.
Other New Business:
FS Leidy reported that the Assembly Minutes Book is nearly full – we need a new one. FN Hess
will look into purchasing a new one from the Knights store. FA Olewenski asked what
Supreme’s guidance is on maintaining written Minutes vs. electronic/computer file. FN Hess
commented that we would still need to keep a record of notes in a binder.
Regarding 4th Degree Civic Award - FN Hess lamented on the slow response from Supreme on
this and several other submittals. FT Poirier brought up we need just one more event before May
30th to qualify for our next Civic Award. FA Olewenski said he set up a static display for
“Missing Man” dinner formation with explanation – perhaps we can get credit for this activity?
Also we should consider running a flag retirement ceremony again.
FS Leidy proposed further discussion on what to do with our donated Wreath funds. Two
possibilities: 1) Support a Military Seminarian [Dan Poirier’s suggestion], or 2) sponsor a
veteran to participate in the ‘Warriors to Lourdes’ program [mentioned in the #12650 meeting
previous week]. The KofC Office of Charitable Giving [Supreme] would need a check made out
to the donated amount with a memo by-line specifying the intended purpose. FT Porier explained
how the Military Seminarian program works & how they sponsored seminarians in his former
Assembly. FT Porier favored the Seminarian sponsorship over the Warrior to Lourdes program
because we would have greater interaction with the sponsored individual. FN Hess asked for a
motion on how to use donated funds. FP Nichols made a motion to sponsor a Military
Seminarian; FS Leidy seconded motion – motion carried. FT Porier said he would write to the
Archdiocese for Military Services to get a candidate assigned. FA Olewenski also suggested we
find out what levels of support are available/timeframe to offer the support. Once we find out
who we are sponsoring, we will decide on level of support [table for now].
Report of the 3rd Degree/Council Activities was omitted.
For the Good of the Order
Jack McClanahan – currently has a virus. Lee Roy Lasiter; Ed Carda
Alternate Closing Ceremony: FN led Assembly in the Our Father; Pledge of Allegiance was
conducted by Assembly Officers.
Closing Ode was omitted.
Attested to by:
Joseph P. Leidy, Scribe
Minutes of the 3196 Assembly Meeting, May 9, 2024
The Faithful Navigator [FN] led attendees in a flag retirement ceremony at 6:30 PM on the
grounds of Sacred Heart Parish in Willow Springs prior to the Meeting. Check out the Assembly
blog at https://assembly3196mo.blogspot.com
The Assembly was called to order at 6:54 PM by the Faithful Navigator Hess.
Roll of officers was called; Faithful Scribe Leidy made note of officers present/absent as follows:
Faithful Friar: Fr. Leo A Faithful Comptroller: F. Deidiker P Faithful Trustee: R. Hofstetter A
Faithful Navigator: Ed Hess P Faithful Scribe: J. Leidy P Faithful Trustee: G. Lewis A
Faithful Admiral: R. Olewenski A Faithful Purser: D. Culton A Faithful Trustee: D. Poirier P
Faithful Captain: vacant Faithful Inner Sent.: D. Lewis P
Faithful Pilot: B. Nichols P Faithful Outer Sent.: K. Robertson A
Opening prayer and ceremony were conducted by FN Hess.
Report of the Faithful Friar was omitted [Fr. Leo returned to India on April 1st due to expired
visa].
FN Hess asked the Faithful Scribe [FS] Leidy if Minutes from the previous meeting were
available. FS Leidy recalled that the last regular Assembly meeting was in November [2023] and
that the minutes were emailed to members for review. No corrections or commentary on the
previous Minutes were made.
FN Hess asked for any bills or communications to the Assembly.
- No bills were submitted
- FN Hess announced a 4th Degree Exemplification would be offered on June 6th in
Springfield using video conference, but those wishing to participate must be
physically in Springfield. FN Hess offered the application Form 4 to councils wanting
to send members. Faithful Comptroller [FC] Deidiker said the program will run from
6 – 9PM on Thursday, June 6. Discussion: charge is $50.
No other communications were offered.
FC Report: FC Deidiker reported that the Assembly still has 52 members. Second notice for
dues sent out with a few additional responses. 5 members have not paid; 3 of those owe $40. [2]
delinquent members warrant additional investigation – Fred Dechow [9170] and Jake
Howdeshell [7442]. FS Leidy said he will check on Jake Howdeshell. FC Deidiker shared a State
Convention factoid that the KofC is responsible for the addition of the phrase “under God” added
to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1956, and that there is no comma in the portion One Nation Under
God.
Faithful Purser [FP] Report: FN Hess asked FC Deidiker if he knew what the current
Assembly balance was in the absence of the FP. FC Deidiker did not have those figures. FN Hess
said he would check with the FP and email stats to the membership.
Unfinished Business
FN Hess proposed next order of business was to approve a Slate of Officers for the next
Fraternal Year [2024-2025]. FN Hess ran down the current roster of officers, followed by
nomination/discussion of possible replacements:
Position Current Holder Proposed 2024-2025
Faithful Navigator Ed Hess Dan Poirier
Faithful Comptroller Floyd Deidiker Floyd Deidiker
Faithful Friar Fr. Leo Still looking
Faithful Captain Vacant [J. McClanahan, RIP] Ed Hess
Faithful Admiral Russ Olewenski Russ Olewenski
Faithful Purser Danny Culton Jeff Wienhoff
Faithful Pilot Bill Nichols Bill Nichols
Faithful Scribe Joe Leidy Joe Leidy
Inner Sentinel Dennis Lewis Dennis Lewis
Outer Sentinel Kile Robertson Steve Driscoll
1 Year Trustee Larry Simon Mike Chaney
2 Year Trustee Gerry Lewis Larry Simon
3 Year Trustee Dan Poirier Gerry Lewis
We may have to encourage current 3rd Degree Pastors to become 4th Degree to replace Fr. Leo.
Motion to accept Slate of Officers for the 2024-2025 Fraternal Year was made by the FC
Deidiker and seconded by the FS Leidy. Motion passed unanimously.
FN has reserved the Budweiser Distributors in Pomona for the July meeting & Officer
installation. This is also the Family social meeting. FN Hess checked with FC Deidiker about
updating the roster in Supreme’s Members Online application.
Dan Poirier asked about the Civic Award the Assembly applied for. FN Hess said we did
receive the award; FS Leidy said our Assembly was one of only 5 in the State to receive the
award. Dan Poirier recapped the requirements for the award: There are 4 patriotic activities
needed; our Assembly has traditionally done the Wreaths Across America in the Fall, participate
in the Wreath-laying at the Veterans cemetery at Ft. Leonard Wood, conducting a flag retirement
ceremony; other activities can include participation by members in the Memorial Day events at
Veterans cemeteries and recovering wreaths after the holidays from the veterans cemeteries, or
attend a veteran’s funeral, have a military chaplain preside at a Mass for the Assembly, or
sponsor a ‘red Mass’ for military/first responders in the community. Dan further stated we may
be eligible for ‘Star’ Assembly if we have sufficient new members – we had 4 added earlier this
year. June 30 is the deadline to submit forms.
Military Seminarian sponsorship update:
FN Hess reminded members that in the Nov 2023 meeting the Assembly voted to use the
Wreaths Across America proceeds to sponsor a seminarian for the Archdiocese for the Military
Services. We still need to establish a contact with the Archdiocese. FN Hess proposed that we
round up our earning from roughly $450 to $500 so that we can apply to Supreme through the
RSVP program for the $100 bonus. Dan related that the website for the Archdiocese shows
pictures of all current seminarians. FN Hess solicited a motion to round up our donation to a
military seminarian. FP Nichols made a motion; Steve Driscoll seconded the motion. Dan Poirier
motioned to amend the donation to $600. No second was made. The original proposal to round
up to $500 was voted on and passed. FN Hess and Dan will continue to work on securing a
seminarian to sponsor.
Report of Trustees: None
New Business
FC Deidiker made a motion that the Assembly donate $250 to the Homeless Veterans through
Catholic Charities as this was a charity we have traditionally supported in years past. FP Nichols
made a second. Dan Poirier raised a concern about what funds were in our account to cover our
donations. FN Hess and FC Deidiker made assurances that with recently collected dues we can
cover these expenses. Motion to donate $250 to the Homeless Veterans was voted on and passed.
FC Deidiker proposed we make a $50 donation to each of the 4 Pregnancy Resource Centers
[PRC] within the Assembly jurisdiction, as has been typical in years past. Bill Nichols motioned
we make a policy to donate same every year to these PRCs. FC Deidiker made a second. Dan
still had some concerns about funds in the Assembly account. No other discussion; motion
passed.
Dan Poirier made a motion to hold all Assembly regular future business meetings at Willow
Springs for the sake of minimizing travel from distant councils. We should still retain St. Mary’s
in West Plains as our charter; nothing in the by-laws indicates restriction of meeting location. FP
Nichols made a second to make regular business meetings at Willow Springs. FS Leidy did not
see a problem with using Sacred Heart for these 2nd Thursday meetings – i.e., there would not be
conflicts with other Parish meetings. Further discussion opened the option to hold non-regular
business meetings [those that invite family/have meals] at alternate locations, including the
meeting schedule for July 2024 to be held at Budweiser Distributors in Pomona. Motion passed.
Discussion continued on where to hold the 2 “alternate” business meetings [meetings with a
social component]. Dan suggested a Spring BBQ perhaps on a Saturday encourage greater
Family participation and participation by prospective 4th Degree members. Also maybe consider
charging for the meal [except guests] for catering. Discussion continued about where to have the
BBQ – perhaps at a local park that has grills. FC Deidiker said he has a large grill [if needed].
Dan also said we could perhaps move the other family meeting to November because of better
weather and likelihood of more attendees. Possibly still hold at Pomona. Other concerns for
November – Thanksgiving holiday and deer season. Also, Sacred Heart has a Saturday evening
Mass. Alternately, meeting could be held on a Sunday afternoon. Further discussion tabled until
next regular business meeting.
Religious Appreciation Dinner. Dan Poirier recommended that we start looking for dates on the
Bishop’s calendar beginning in September before his calendar starts to fill up. We need to line up
someone to send out invitations. FN Hess stated that scheduling did slip his attention this past
year. Dan added that there is no requirement to hold the dinner in the Spring – other times of the
year should be considered.
Report of the 3rd Degree Councils
9892
They will hold a Mexican-themed dinner on May 25th. They Council added 4 new members to
the 4th Degree this year.
7442
Had a very successful Lenten Fish Fry season & will make donations to local PRCs. Also
successfully submitted ASAP bonus paperwork to Supreme that netted an additional $200 to the
West Plains PRC. Also voted to send $250 to the Mountain Grove PRC since they do not have a
sponsoring Knights Council.
Council got back into the Free Throw Contest, but had only limited participation.
Knights will assist in the Corpus Christi procession with carrying the canopy.
Anticipate holding a Council picnic in honor of July 4th
9170
Sponsored a Free Throw Contest, but winning participants did not go forward for District
competition.
Knights assisted in the Parish St. Patrick’s Day dinner/celebration. Attendance was down from
previous year – perhaps weather was too nice & families were involved in other outdoor
activities. Irish stew and Irish breads were featured [and a live band].
12650
No members from Houston Council were present. FC Deidiker asked if anyone knew why no
one from 12650 came to the meeting as they usually have several members show.
Good of the Order
Pray for Vocations/Seminarians. The Diocese is now down to one remaining Seminarian.
However, Fr. Joseph [Vocations Director] says there are 5 young men who may enter the
program in the Fall. Dan Poirier says the Military seminarian situation is bleak too. Some of our
Catholics service members may not see a priest for months.
Bill Nichols added we need to pray for peace, especially in the Middle East & Ukraine. Also for
young people in College who have lost their way – demonstration that support terrorists. Also the
Boy Scout organization that is now open to both genders.
Closing Ceremony: FN led Assembly in the traditional closing ceremony.
Closing Prayer: Led by FN Hess.
Closing Ode: National Anthem was sung by all.
Attested to by:
Joseph P. Leidy, Scribe
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