4th Degree

Edward Vander Bloomen, Jr
Master Eastern District

Charles W. Weiderholt
Master Western District

Fourth Degree Exemplification Dates:

Eastern District:
April 12, 2008

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Western District:
May 17, 2008
Tomah, Wisconsin

About the Fourth Degree

Structure

1. Supreme Board of Directors

• The Supreme power and control over the Fourth Degree, including the making, amending and changing of all laws, rules and regulations concerning the same, is vested in the Board of Directors.
• The Board of Directors appoints the Supreme Master and all Vice Supreme Masters.
• The creation of new Provinces, Districts and Assemblies must be approved by the Board of Directors.

2. Supreme Master

• The Supreme Master exercises administrative authority in the Fourth Degree and supervise all of its officers and assemblies.
• Makes detailed reports with such recommendations as to him seem proper to each meeting of the Board of Directors.
• The Supreme Master appoints a Master for each District.

3. Supreme Assembly

• The Supreme Assembly is composed of the Supreme Knight, Supreme Secretary, Supreme Master and the duly appointed Vice Supreme Masters of the Fourth Degree.
• Meets annually to consider all matters concerning the welfare of the Fourth Degree. The Supreme Master presides at all meetings.
• Recommends to the Supreme Board amendments to the laws and Rules Governing the Fourth Degree.

4. Provinces and Provincial Assembly

• The Order is divided into as many Provinces as the Supreme Board of Directors deems advisable.
• Provincial Assembly is composed of Vice Supreme Master and all the Masters in the Province.
• Provincial Assembly meets whenever the Supreme Master and Board of Directors shall deem it advisable for consideration of Fourth Degree matters.
• Vice Supreme Master presides at all meetings and exercises administrative authority over all the Masters in his Province.

5. Districts and District Assembly

• Subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, each Province is divided by the Supreme Master into as many Districts as, from time, to time, he may deem necessary.
• The District Assembly is composed of the Faithful Navigator of each assembly and one delegate for each 100 members or major fraction thereof
• It meets every two years during April or May in the even numbered years. The Master presides at all meetings.
• It considers matters concerning the Fourth Degree and selects three members to recommend to the Supreme Master for his consideration in appointing a Master for the District.

6. Local Assembly

• Same structure as council except for change in officer's titles.

Relationship of Fourth Degree to Third Degree

1. All Fourth Degree members must be members in good standing in the Third Degree. The suspension or withdrawal of a member in his council shall automatically terminate his membership in the Fourth Degree.

2. The State Deputy is the chief executive officer in his jurisdiction.

• Although he does not exercise administrative authority over the Fourth Degree officers and assemblies, he should nevertheless be concerned with the welfare of the Fourth Degree because its members are members of the Order under his jurisdiction.
• The State Deputy may make recommendations to the Supreme Master and the Board of Directors as to appointments of a Vice Supreme Master and Masters in his jurisdiction as well as the creation of any new districts.
• All Vice Supreme Masters and Masters are instructed to clear all dates for Fourth Degree activities with the State Deputy so as not to conflict with programs of the State Council.
• State Deputy is always kept informed by the Supreme Master as to all programs of the Fourth Degree and he should support and help promote these programs in his jurisdiction.
• State Deputy should, when possible, allow space in his state news bulletin for the publishing of Fourth Degree news. He should encourage local councils to do likewise.
• State Deputy should include list of Fourth Degree Officers and assemblies in his State Directory.
• Vice Supreme Masters and Masters should be recognized when attending State Council meetings and functions and State Deputy and State Officers should be recognized when attending Fourth Degree functions.
• The District Deputy should have sufficient training in order to report, Fourth Degree matters to his councils.

3. Fourth Degree contributes to solidarity of the Order.

• Fourth Degree current suspension rate is only .06% (0.0006).
• You have to be a member in good standing in the Third Degree to retain membership in the Fourth Degree.
• Fourth Degree Assembly should be advised when a member is in danger of suspension and asked to assist in retention efforts.

4. Fourth Degree gives visibility to the Order.

• On the Holy Fathers recent visit to Canada, the TV cameras followed his every step. Everywhere the Holy Father went there was a Fourth Degree Color Corps and Honor Guard clearly visible. As a matter of fact there were many more members of the Third Degree present everywhere, assisting as marshals, ushers and in other capacities, but they were not visible, they were not identified. Yet the whole country knew the Knights of Columbus was there because of the visible Fourth Degree regalia.
• When the Fourth Degree Color Corps appears at ceremonies in our churches and at other functions, everyone knows the Knights of Columbus is present and assisting.

Fourth Degree Programs

1. Assemblies should not participate in programs in competition or in conflict with local councils.

2. Patriotic Programs

• Display and distribution of flag
• Essay contests on patriotic and historical subjects.
• Voter registration and "Get out the Vote" campaign.
• Parades and Civic Ceremonies

3. Membership Recruitment

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FOURTH DEGREE IN WISCONSIN

MARQUETTE PROVINCE

Supreme Master Joseph P. Schultz Knights of Columbus One Columbus Plaza New Haven, CT 06510-3326 203-752-4437	Vice Supreme Master Gregory J. Vander Hagen PSD, MN (Linda) 820 2nd Street SW Hutchinson, MN 55350-2307 (320) 587-6251 glvdh@mchsi.com
EASTERN DISTRICT Executive Committee	WESTERN DISTRICT Executive Committee
Master-Eastern District Edward Vander Bloomen, Jr. (Noreen) 2211 Dewey St. Manitowoc, WI 54220 920-683-8996 920-686-1005 Fax skeeter@lsol.net	Master-Western District Charles Wiederholt (Mary) 415 West Palmer Street Cuba City, WI 54220 608-744-2868 Phone & Fax 352-795-7586 Florida Phone & Fax
District Friar Rev. Albert Lis. OFM St. Anthony's Friary 1711 S. 9th Street Milwaukee, WI 54204-3519 920-606-1425 fralofm@netzero.net	District Friar Rev. Joseph Hirsch 3710 East Avenue South La Crosse, WI 54602-4004 608-343-0627 Cell
District Marshall Marvin A. Coenen (Alice) 327 S. Rogers St. Kimberly. WI 54136-1748 920-731-6541 comaad@yahoo.com	District Marshall John Pace (Marsha) 463 Alona Lane Lancaster, WI 53813 608-723-4463
District Comptroller Carl E. Duch (Pauline) 1001 Keats Circle Oconomowoc. WI 53066-4321 262-567-7345 carlduch@ameritech.net	District Secretary George Walter 1020 Keith Street Eau Claire. WI 54701 715-835-6891
Degree Coordinator Steve Ruder (Bernie) N73 W29811 Christopherson Lane Hartland, WI 53029 262-538-1344 s.ruder@sbcglobal.net	Degree Team Captain Harold Stohlmeyer (Mary Pat) 539 Schreiner Park Road Lancaster, WI 53818 608-723-2611
Degree Equipment Manager Charles Andrychowicz (Barbara) N74 W23231 S Ridgeview Cirlce Sussex, WI 53089 262-246-4232 candrychowicz@wi.rr.com	Exemplification Facilitator/Membership Anthony Felber (Nancy) 1017 Mary Kay Avenue Tomah, WI 54660 608-372-4886

 

Assemblies