MEDIA ADVISORY
Arizona Knights Hold First Virtual State Convention The Annual Convention of the Arizona State Council was Conducted Telephonically With 170 Delegates Attending
TUCSON: State Deputy Mario Vassallo released the following statement regarding the Knights of Columbus State Convention:

“Yesterday afternoon we held the 113th Arizona Knights of Columbus State Convention, which was also the 1st ever Arizona Virtual State Convention. We were greatly honored and privileged to have Supreme Secretary Michael O'Connor as our Supreme Representative. I am greatly humbled that the 170 delegates attending the meeting re- elected me as State Deputy for a second term. I am also greatly pleased that all State Officers were re-elected for a second term. Together we will continue to dedicate our time, energy, and effort to grow our Order, help our Bishops in our three dioceses, our Pastors at our various parishes and the needy and poor around our great state of Arizona.”
The convention was conducted through a telephonic service chosen by the Supreme Office of the Knights of Columbus in New Haven, Connecticut. So that every jurisdiction across the country, and in in every country in which the Knights are present, could hold their required annual convention, each jurisdiction was allocated a 90-minute slot. Arizona was assigned 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. MST, May 16, 2020. So that all required business could be concluded in the time allotted, an abbreviated agenda was adopted. Additionally, all reports that were normally presented verbally, were delivered in digital format to the delegates in advance of the meeting.
To ensure that the meeting ran smoothly, and the electronic tools were used effectively, special instructions were issued by the Supreme Council to each jurisdiction to govern the conduct of the meeting. These instructions ensured that the delegates were properly credentialed and identified by the credential committee, would be allowed to be recognized to speak and address the convention, that a quorum could be maintained, and that voting could take place through secret electronic balloting.
Among the business conducted during the meeting was the nomination and election of State Officers. A slate of the current State Officers was unanimously nominated and elected unopposed. They are: Mario Vassallo, State Deputy; Luigi Baratta, State Secretary; Tom Kato, State Treasurer; Kevin McCarthy, State Advocate; and Larry Powers, State Warden. Worthy Supreme Director Sean Halpain continues to serve as Immediate Past State Deputy. The assembled delegates also nominated and elected representatives and alternates to the Supreme Council convention to be held in August. They also considered and passed 15 resolutions that will be sent to the Supreme Council for consideration. A new budget for the coming fraternal year beginning July 1, 2020 was passed. Finally, two members were elected to the board of Knights of Columbus Charity, Inc, the non-profit organization affiliated with the Arizona State Council.
In his report to the membership, State Deputy Vassallo stated, “I am truly proud of our accomplishments this fraternal year, and you should be too. I am also immensely proud of this year’s state team and how they delivered quality programs. They are solid and true Knights!”
State Chaplain Gary Regula, Pastor of St. Jerome Parish in Phoenix, Arizona, said in his remarks, “Today we held the state convention online for the first time. It, like so many things in our lives has had to be changed to keep people safe during this continuing pandemic. It was an honor to hear words of inspiration and guidance from many of the speakers and to be reminded that we, Knights, are continuing to lead in service. There is not a challenge too big that will stand in our way as we conclude this past year and look forward to the new fraternal year to come. We go forward because Christ is our hope and our guide and we seek with our lives to share his love and compassion with others and the convention was a way to bring us together to remind us of our call as Knights.”
The Knights of Columbus is the world’s foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. Established in 1882 to bring financial aid and assistance to sick, disabled, and needy members, it has grown to an organization with 1.9 million members around the world that offers fellowship through charitable activities, relief assistance and good works. With its Fortune 1000 insurance company, along with its annuities and investment programs, the Knights of Columbus has helped thousands of families obtain economic security and stability.
Our charitable activities support and embrace a virtually boundless variety of projects. From international charitable partnerships like Special Olympics, the Global Wheelchair Mission and Habitat for Humanity, to our own Food for Families and Coats for Kids projects, the Knights have endless opportunities to put their faith into action. And in 2018, the Knights set an all-time record with $185,700,000 in charitable donations and more than 76 million hours of service. For more information, visit www.kofc-az.org.
Contact: John Garcia, Public Relations Director, at (602) 525-4424
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