Officers

The Grand Knight is the top ranking officer of the Council. He oversees all 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. His jewel is an Anchor which is suspended from a purple ribbon. The Anchor is indicative of Admiral Christopher Columbus and has also been a variant form of the Cross for centuries. The Grand Knight's ceremonial officer robe is royal purple. He wears a white cincture with silver fringe and a purple mantle with white roll collar. 

The Deputy Grand Knight is second ranking officer of the Council and is elected by the members of the Council. He shall preside in the absence or inability of the Grand Knight. His jewel is the Compass, also known as the Compass of Virtue, suspended from a purple ribbon, with the four main points representing Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. The 32 points around the outside of the compass represent the virtues which a man can possess. The compass is an important tool in navigation. The Deputy Grand Knight's ceremonial officer robe is royal purple. He wears a white cincture with silver fringe.

The Chaplain is priest selected annually by the Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight and Board of Trustees in accordance with any rules established by the bishop of the diocese in which the council is located.  The Chaplain provides spiritual guidance to the Council. His emblem is the Cross, worn on a black ribbon. The robe, too, is black with black trimming and yoke with white projecting collar. The cincture is black with silver fringe.

The Chancellor is the third highest ranking officer and is elected by the Council. The Chancellor shall assist the Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight in the performance of their duties and shall take charge during the incapacity or extended absence of both. He shall exercise a special interest in new members and members who are sick or in distress. His jewel is the Skull and Crossed Bones on the Isabella Cross, suspended from a black over white ribbon. The Crossed Bones remind us of our immortality. The Chancellor's ceremonial robe is black robe trimmed with white. He wears a white cincture with silver fringe and black mantle with white roll collar.

The Recorder keeps the minutes of the meeting and the historical records for the Council. He is elected by the Council members. In the absence of the Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, and Chancellor the Recorder will run the meeting. Also, he is responsible for the correspondence of the Council as directed by the Grand Knight. The Recorder's jewel is Crossed Quill Pens suspended from a white over yellow ribbon. The Quill pens are symbolic of his record keeping functions of the Scribe. The Recorder's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed in white. 

The Warden assures that all members at meetings possess the current membership card and is elected by the members of the council. He is custodian of all Council property except funds and is in charge of properly setting up the Council Chamber. He directs the activities of the Inside and Outside Guards. His jewel consists of Axe bound by Fasces and is suspended from a red over black ribbon. Guards or protectors of Roman Magistrates generally carried the Axe and Fasces as a sign of Authority. The Warden's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with scarlet. He wears a scarlet cincture with silver fringe.

The Treasurer is responsible for the funds of the Council as is elected by the members of the Council. His duties include such functions as maintaining bank accounts and issuing checks based on receipts turned in by the Financial Secretary. His jewel is Crossed Keys, which represents responsibility for the safe keeping of the funds, suspended from a blue ribbon. The Treasurer's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with black. He wears a white cincture with silver fringe. 

The Lecturer is responsible for the entertainment at the Knights of Columbus meetings and functions. He is selected by the Grand Knight on an annual basis. His jewel consists of the Scroll over the Lyre suspended from a white over blue ribbon. The Scroll and Lyre represent Literature and Music. The Lecturer's ceremonial officer robe is black, trimmed with national blue. He wears a blue cincture with silver fringe.

The Advocate is the Chief Legal Officer for the Council as is elected by the members of the Council. His jewel consists of a Scroll and Sword suspended from a yellow ribbon. The Scroll represents the legal literature and law and the Sword represents his authority to enforce those Laws. The Advocate's robe is black with golden yellow trim and yellow cincture with silver fringe.

The Board of Trustees are elected by the council. During council elections, only the three-year trustee is voted on, with the others moving on to become two and one-year trustees, respectively. Trustees oversee the financial transactions of the Council, review all bills and financial reports and audit the Council's financial records semi-annually. Their jewel is the Crossed Key and Sword, which represents their financial authority, is suspended from a green ribbon. Trustees wear black robes trimmed in green.

The Inside and Outside Guards are elected by the council.   Inside and Outside Guards each have the same symbol for their jewel. They are in charge of security at the meetings and are to assist the Warden as needed. The jewel for the Guards consists of an Crossed Axes and Key, representing their authority as sentries at the door, is suspended from a white ribbon. The Guard's ceremonial officer robe is gray with a yoke, trimmed with back. He wears a black cincture with silver fringe.