Scott E. Hulse, PhD, State Treasurer
April 2025
My Brother Knights,
The start of the 2025 – 2026 fraternal year is rapidly approaching. Council Officer elections, Annual Reports of Council Activities and election of Council Delegates to the Washington State Council Annual Meeting and Convention are a few activities that Councils need to be aware of, complete and participate in, as we prepare for the upcoming fraternal year. In particular, this year’s Annual Meeting will focus on changes to the way that our State Council conducts business. |
All members are encouraged to review the proposed resolutions that have been posted on the Washington State Council website for consideration during the Annual Meeting. In particular, members should review a proposed major revision of the Washington State Council Bylaws that stipulates how the Washington State Council will be organized to conduct business in the future. Members should also review the strategic plan for future growth and administration of the Washington State Council. In particular, the strategic plan focuses on the proposed revision of the Bylaws, which focus on the structure of the Washington State Council. Policies, procedures and programmatic issues will be governed administratively.
The structure of the Washington State Council does not change much over time and so description of the structure should be relatively constant over time, but subject to change through the resolution and amendment process when necessary. Policies, procedures, financial activities and programmatic issues change with increasing frequency as new technologies facilitate more efficient communication and new programs requiring administrative procedural changes are introduced. There is a need for flexibility in the conduct of and the timing for transparent administrative changes to the way that the Washington State Council conducts business.
A process of standing rules and rules of order that can be changed administratively by the State Officer Board is proposed in the revised Bylaws. These rule changes are not subject to the resolution process, which requires a meeting of the Washington State Council. In addition, the proposed Bylaws stipulate that a published and balanced annual budget for the upcoming fraternal year that describes necessary expenditures and a contingency allocation for limited, unanticipated expenses must be published for review by members prior to the Annual Meeting. The annual budget must be accepted by a majority vote of Delegates attending the Annual Meeting. Delegates attending the Annual Meeting should be prepared to provide their Council’s recommendations and present any concerns relating to both the strategic plan and proposed State budget since both will impact future development and growth of the Knights of Columbus membership within Washington State.
It is incumbent on all subordinate Councils within Washington State to assure that their per capita payments to both the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council and the Washington State Council are current and that their Council’s insurance payments are paid. Delegates for Councils that fail to pay the per capita obligations will not be given the privilege of the floor or permitted to vote on resolutions or on any other matters during the Annual Meeting.
I look forward to meeting newly appointed Delegates and greeting old friends during the 2025 Washington State Council Annual Meeting and Convention. Thank you to all members for your participation during what has been a successful 2024 – 2025 fraternal year.
Vivat Jesus
Scott E Hulse
State Treasurer