For those of you who couldn’t attend the June meeting, here’s a summary of what’s going on at Council #81:

1. Elections.

Elections were held on June 11th.  For the upcoming fraternal year, here are the Officers:

Grand Knight:                                    Mike Tremblay
Deputy Grand Knight:                       Neil Cronin
Financial Secretary:                          Mike Wells
Treasurer:                                          John Dedecko
Recorder:                                           Dale Dolesh
Chancellor:                                        Andy Tivnan
Warden:                                             Mike Cahill
Inside Guard:                                    Paul Cote
Outside Guard:                                 Rich Pulice
Advocate:                                          Rob Pierce
Chaplain:                                          Fr. Gregory Mercurio
Lecturer:                                           Vacant
Trustee 1 yr:                                     Mike Fallon
Trustee 2 yr:                                     Rich Kearns
Trustee 3 yr:                                     Rafael Johnson

2.    Leadership Conference.

The State Council will conduct a Leadership Conference for new officers on Saturday, June 22^nd at the Doubletree in Leominster starting with coffee and donuts at 7:30 a.m., Registration at 8:00 a.m. and a full program from 9:00 to 4:00. All new officers are encouraged to attend. Email grandknight@kofcmarlboro.org if you can attend.

3.    Upcoming Programs and Events.

An ad hoc committee was formed a few months back with Rich Pulice, Andy Tivnan and Steve Strella. They are formulating ideas for regular events and programs to coincide with our Faith in Action objectives. Some ideas are: a Blue Mass for police, firefighters and emergency responders; a regular social/dinner meeting at a pub with wives and potential newcomers; coffee and donuts after Mass; Free Throw Competition; an Oktoberfest or Polish or Irish dinner night; a Night at the Races event; a father-son Red Sox game; etc. If you have any ideas, please share them with grandknight@kofcmarlboro.org and we’ll float them around. If you can help out organizing an event, please let us know.

4.    Festa Junina.

Our Brazilian friends are having their annual June Festival at Ward Park this Saturday, June 15th. We’ve been asked to supply some manpower before the event helping set up, and staffing a booth. If you can help out, there is a sign-up sheet here: http://kofcmarlboro.org/events-calendar/sign-up-here/?sheet_id=35 You can volunteer for the 3:30 to 6:30 shift, or the 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. shift.

5.    Get your Raffle Tickets!

Raffle tickets for the 2018 Kia Optima are still available online at www.kofcmarlboro.org. The proceeds go to the I.C. Church Fire Restoration Fund.

6. Member Movements

Mike Gibson

We are losing Mike Gibson as our District Deputy as he’s been appointed State Program Chairman. This is a huge responsibility, but we are certain he’s up to it. We will miss Mike’s presence as our District Deputy, but we still get to keep him as a council member. We thank Mike for his two years of service as our Deputy which undoubtedly helped strengthen and grow Council #81.

Rich Pulice

Rich Pulice has been appointed State Program Chairman for Special Olympics.   This is an important job and we are proud to see Rich step up to the challenge. Special Olympics helps developmentally disabled people enhance their lives with the joy of sport, and empowers disabled athletes to shatter stereotypes and exceed their personal bests on the playing field and in life. Their program goal and ours align completely in supporting the quality of every human life. The State Council has proudly supported their efforts through the “People With Intellectual Disabilities Campaign,” i.e. the Tootsie Roll Drive. Since Marlboro is home to the Massachusetts state headquarters of Special Olympics, Council #81 has been pleased partner with them also. We wish Rich great success in this venture, and of course, we expect to be informed and more involved than ever in Special Olympics events.

Rafael Johnson

We thank our immediate past Grand Knight Rafael for his three years of valuable service. A lot happened on his watch, including our 125^th anniversary gala, and we are grateful for his dedication making it all happen. His years of service should be visible for many years to come from the strengthening of our organization he motivated. Like Mike Gibson, however, we aren’t letting him go anywhere, he will stay on as a Trustee.   We also wish him our sincere sympathies on the loss of his father and mother in the past two months.

John Dedecko

Our faithful treasurer survived hip surgery and is recuperating well. We expect to see him back in action soon.

7.    Upcoming Meetings.

Since we are off for the summer according to our bylaws, the next Business meeting will not be until September 10^th.

In the meantime, we will hold an officer’s meeting on August 13^th. Place and time TBA.

8. Final Word.

I am looking forward to working with our officers and serving as your Grand Knight. I do not have an agenda to do anything differently, but I would like to focus on strengthening our organization by: (a) implementing some regular, stable programs or events where we can be visible and become known for from year to year supporting our Faith in Action initiatives; and (2) recruiting some younger members and reaching out into the Brazilian and Spanish communities to help unify and strengthen our parishes.

Have a safe and happy summer with your families!

 Vivat Jesus,

Mike Tremblay
Grand Knight Elect