Santa Maria Council 553 Officers

Carl A. Anderson

Supreme Knight

Santa Maria Council Officers 2010-2011

The Grand Knight is the top ranking officer of the Council. He oversees all of the Council's activities and is elected by the members of the Council. Some of his duties include presiding over meetings, countersigning orders and checks, reading vouchers and notices relative to the Fourth Degree.

The Chaplain is the spiritual advisor to the brother knights and families of the council. He has no specific duties with regards to running the council. From time to time, he makes a report at council meetings and gives a brief talk on any religious matters.

The Treasurer is responsible for the safe-keeping and maintaining records of all council funds and accounts. He is responsible for depositing money into the council's accounts and provides a certificate of such monies to the grand knight. He is also responsible for the payment of all expenses.

The Advocate is the legal representative of the council and serves as the council's attorney at trials and investigations of any interest to the council. While he does not need to be a member of the legal profession, he should be familiar with the council by-laws, the Order's Charter, Constitution and Laws, Methods of Conducting a Council Meeting, and Robert's Rules of Order.

The Deputy Grand Knight is second in command in the council. He assists the grand knight in the operation of the council affairs and is responsible for any duties assigned to him by the grand knight. Should the grand knight be absent from a council meeting, the deputy grand knight will preside.

Primarily, the Chancellor assists the Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight in the execution of their duties and takes charge of the council in the absence of the grand knight and deputy grand knight. He is charged with strengthening the members interests in council activities.

The Recorder is similar to a court reporter or a secretary. He is responsible for maintaining a true record of all actions of the council and its correspondence.

The Financial Secretary is appointed by the Supreme Knight upon recommendation of the council. His main area of responsibilities is maintaining all financial and membership records, much like a comptroller of a private company. He collects and receives all monies from all sources, including annual dues from council members. He also handles supply orders for the council officers and members, filing the Report of Officers, and submitting all membership transactions to the Supreme Council.

The Lecturer is appointed by the Grand Knight to provide both educational and entertaining programs to the council. He is responsible for the 'Good of the Order' portion of council meetings. In order to provide members with informative and educational programs, he must be knowledgeable and aware of all council programming.

The Warden is the material control manager for council property and degree paraphernalia, except the property of the financial secretary, treasurer, and recorder. He is also responsible for setting up the council chambers for meetings and ceremonial work. During ceremonial exemplifications, the warden will appoint and supervise guards.

The Inside/Outside Guards have similar responsibilities. They tend to the door admitting visitors and members to the inner door. They help the Warden with checking for membership cards and in preparing the hall for meetings.

The Board of Trustees consists of three members elected by the council and the grand knight, who serves as chairman of the board. They oversee the work of the financial secretary and treasurer, and with the deputy grand knight serve on the council's retention committee. During council elections, only the third year trustee is voted on, with the others moving on to become two-year and one-year trustees, respectively.

The District Deputy is the representative of the Supreme Knight and the State Deputy and is responsible for the supervision, growth and expansion, and general care and well-being of the councils assigned to his district. His responsibilities include ensuring that his councils follow the Order’s laws and rules, promoting effective membership recruitment and retention programs, identifying and developing new council locations, assisting councils to conduct relevant service programs, and monitoring the general financial and social health of the councils in his district. The District Deputy is directly reportable to the State Deputy for all activities within the district and fulfills the very important communication link between the State and Supreme Councils and local councils.

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