Fourth Degree

4th Degree

Roland Ransom

Roland C. Ransom, II
Master Eastern District

Ronald Shymanski

Ronald Shymanski
Master Western District

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

Early history, because of the lack of documentation of the Fourth Degree in Wisconsin and at the Supreme level is most difficult to obtain. My research comes from various sources including "Faith and Fraternalism" and "A History of the Fourth Degree" by Christopher Kauffman, "50 Golden Years of the Knights of Columbus, 1902-1952" in Wisconsin and various hooks, pamphlets and periodicals located at the State Office in Madison. I'm sure there will be a few errors and I’m hoping that our readers can present documented proof to correct them. Soon after the foundation of the Order in 1892, many requests were made that other degrees be added to the three provided for the Order's rituals. It was not until 1899 however, that the Supreme Board adopted a resolution appointing a committee to report on this matter It was decided by this committee to add a new, but optional degree. One, to "inculcate a love of country and impress the duties of citizenship, and its motto or principle of patriotism-patriotism enlightened and informed by religion". Among those responsible for the founding of the Fourth Degree were; Charles A. Webber. Brooklyn, Chairman and a member of the Supreme Board, Edward L Hearst then Supreme Knight and later European representative of the Order during and after World War I; Daniel Colwell, then National Secretary and one of the founders of the Order; Right Reverend Joseph II. Conroe, then Vicar General; State Deputy P. L. McArdle of Illinois; John P. Delaney; Hon. John W. Mogan; William H. Bennett; Hon. William S. McNary and William P. Cashman. Vicar General Conroy, Chairman Webber and Justice Delaney collaborated in the writing of the inspiring ceremonial and ritual of the Fourth Degree which today remains the same in form, content and structure prepared by them. In 1910 as the Fourth Degree began to grow and expand across the United States and Canada the assemblies were assigned into Provinces named after explorers. There were six original provinces. In alphabetical order: Cabot Province, Boston; Calvert Province. New York: Champlain Province, Ottawa; De Soto Province, New Orleans; La Sale Province, Seattle and Marquette Province, Milwaukee. Since then fourteen more provinces have been established. Because in the early years of its formation, Assemblies consisted of scattered and segregated units each governed by its own by-laws and a few generals rules laid down by the Board of Directors. It was found advisable to give national organization to the new degree. A listing of all the Supreme Masters who have served: 1920-1940 John H. Reddin – CO 1941-1945 Timothy P. Galvin 1945-1965 William J. Mulligan 1966-1967 Virgil C. Dechant – KS 1967-1970 Frank C. McGillin 1970-1983 Daniel McCormak 1983-1987 Alfred N. Nicolas – TX 1987-1991 Hilary F. Schmittzehe – MO 1991-1996 Darrell W. Beck – IL 1996-2000 Charles H. Foos – IL 2000-2005 Nestor V. Barber – CA 2005- Joseph P. Schultz The very first Exemplification in Wisconsin was held in Milwaukee on Sunday, April 14, 1907 at the Plankington Hotel with 350 Candidates. August Rebhan was the Master. We must remember that at that time there were few if any telephones and all correspondence had to be by mail. There obviously were not the highways as we know them today so most of the candidates traveled by train. This Degree had candidates from all of the surrounding States such as Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Michigan and Nebraska. Wisconsin also had only one Master until 1958 when the State was divided into the Eastern District comprising the Milwaukee Archdiocese and the Green Bay Diocese with 21 Assemblies and the Western District encompassed the LaCrosse, Madison and Superior Dioceses with 30 Assemblies.

The Former Masters of Wisconsin:
1907- 1913	August Rebhan - Milwaukee
1913-1915	Hon. Michael J. Sheridan- Milwaukee
1915-1918	Richard J. Hennessey-Milwaukee
1918-1922	Charles O'Hara- Milwaukee
1922-1924	John F. Riley - Milwaukee
1924-1938	John A. Kuypers - Green Bay
1938-1942	Fred A. Armen
1942-1952	John E. McGillevray - Milwaukee
Eastern District		City	Friar
1952-1960	Clem J. Schlaefer	Green Bay
1960-1966	Stanley Rypell	Milwaukee
1966-1972	Fred Pastori	Racine
1972-1988	James A. McCann	Milwaukee	Msgr. Francis Beres
1988-1992	George E. Kaczmarek	Milwaukee	Rev. Herbert Schubert
1992-1996	Clifford A. Jansen	Kimberly	Rev. Richard Klingeisen
1996-2000	John Hanlon	Tigerton	Rev. Herbert Schubert
2000-2004	Erwin Jankowiak	Milwaukee	Rev. Albert Lis, OFM
2004-2008	Edward Vander Bloomen Jr.	Manitowoc	Rev. Albert Lis, OFM
2008-2012	Carl Duch	Oconomowoc	Rev. Albert Lis, OFM
Western District		City	Friar
1952-1960	Dr. Eugene Kremhs	Merrill
1972-1978	Hon. James H. Levi	Stevens Point
1978-1980	Lawrence Gherty	New Richmond
1930-1984	John Koch	Prairie du Sac
1984-1988	Edward Quillin	La Crosse	Bishop Frederick Frecking
1988-1992	Austin Baxter	Cuba City	Rev. Eugene Graham
1992-1996	Jerry Kasper	Columbus	Rev. William Hower
1996-2000	Harold Stohlmeyer	Lancaster	Rev. Thomas Segerson Rev. John Norder
2000-2004	Anthony Felber	Tomah	Rev. Arnold Reuter Rev. Joseph Hirsch
2004-2008	Charles Wiederholt	Cuba City	Rev. Joseph Hirsch
2008-2012	Jacob Grzywacz	Mosinee	Rev. Joseph Hirsch

Vice Supreme Masters of Wisconsin
August Rebhan - 1913-1917
Hon. James H. Levi - 1979-1983
George Kaczmarek - 1995-1999
Harold Stohlmeyer - 2011 -

MARQUETTE PROVINCE

Supreme Master
Dennis J Stoddard
Knights of Columbus
One Columbus Plaza
New Haven, CT 06510-3326
(203) 752-4437
Vice Supreme Master
Harold Stohlmeyer PSD, WI
(Mary Pat)
539 Schreiner Park Road
Lancaster, WI 53813-1069
(608) 723-2611
mpstohl@tds.net
EASTERN DISTRICT
Executive Committee
WESTERN DISTRICT
Executive Committee
Master-Eastern District
Roland C. Ransom, II (Judy)
1131 Rainbow Court
Mukwonago, WI 53149
(262) 363-4097
ransomusmc@aol.com
Master-Western District
Ronald J. Shymanski (Kathleen)
2951 15th Street South
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
(715) 423-0939
3grandsons@solarus.net
District Friar
Rev. William Hower
1807 Orchard Lane
Oshkosh, WI 54902
(608) 295-5041
padreliam@aol.com
District Friar
Rev. Allen Wierzba

District Marshall
Michael G. Jordan (Dianna)
5770 Church Road
Omro, WI 54963-9339
(920) 858-7709
Michael.jordan@luvata.com
District Marshall
Jacob J. Grzywacz (Donna)
1354 County Road X
Mosinee, WI 54455
(715) 547-9461
djwacks@mtc.net
District Secretary
Edward Vander Bloomen, Jr. (Noreen)
2211 Dewey Street
Manitowoc, WI 54220-6340
(920) 683-8996 Home
(920) 901-5429 Cell
skeeter@lsol.net
District Secretary
George Walter (Mary Jo)
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
Membership/Registration
Anthony Felber (Nancy)
1017 Mary Kay Avenue
Tomah, WI 54660
(608) 372-4886
Degree Equipment Manager
Charles Andrychowicz (Barbara)
N74 W23231 S Ridgeview Cirlce
Sussex, WI 53089
(262) 246-4232
candrychowicz@wi.rr.com
Exemplification Facilitator
Daniel M. Frommelt (Nekole)
580 East Mineral Street
Platteville, WI 53818
(608) 348-8536

Assemblies

Below you'll find a PDF document detailing the Assemblies. It includes the location, Diocese, district, and Charter Dates. Assembly Information