Structure

The Knights of Columbus has a complex hierarchy of power. They have a Supreme Council which is the governing body of the entire organization. This council elects seven members to the Supreme Board of Directors for three-year terms. The board has twenty-one members and they are responsible for electing the senior operating officials and the Supreme Knight, from its members. “Each state, the District of Columbia, every province in Canada, and many other jurisdictions have State Councils.” (“Knights of Columbus”) These councils are ran by State Deputies. District Deputies are appointed by the Supreme Knight, with recommendation from the State Deputy. These District Deputies oversee a variety of local councils; each being ran by a Grand Knight. The Grand Knight is responsible for his KC Hall and members of the council. “In each hall there are elected council officers with Grand Knight (being the head), the Deputy Grand Knight, Chancellor, Warden, Recorder, Treasurer, Advocate, Guards, and Trustees.” (“Knights of Columbus”) Lastly would be the members which are ranked by four degrees. First degree is the new members who have joined the order. Each degree focuses on a virtue of the four core principles: Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. When reaching the third degree a member is considered a full member. The fourth degree is optional and is the highest degree of this order. “Only about 18% of members reach this degree.” (Curran) Each member of the Knights of Columbus receives an Emblem representing their membership. Fourth degree members have a separate emblem to represent their rank.