Bellmore Council #3689 Leaders

Chaplain.jpg

Chaplain Michael Ngoka, CM

Our Chaplain guides us regarding spiritual matters and our faith:

  • Opens and closes council meetings in prayer

  • Spiritual advisor for the brother Knights and their families

  • Educates council members about their faith. Offers spiritual reflection.

Our Chaplain, Father Michael Ngoka, was born in Ihiteowerri, Orlu in southeastern Nigeria. Educated locally, he entered the seminary and was ordained a Vincentian Father on July 27, 1997. After a two year assignment as associate pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Ankpa, Nigeria, his community sent him to Saint John’s University in Queens for graduate studies. He returned home with a Masters Degree in Theology and served as the Director of the Vincentian Formation House as well as Professor of Theology in the regional seminary. In 2004 he became the provincial of the Vincentian Fathers in Nigeria and served for nine years. He became the Pastor of St. Kizito Parish in 2013, serving for five years. In August of 2018 his superiors sent him to our diocese for a sabbatical and the opportunity to experience pastoral ministry in the United States. Assigned to Saint Barnabas Parish, he has quickly placed himself in the midst of our parish with his positive and joyful persona. He joined Bellmore Council in October of 2018, became our chaplain and just a year later became a Fourth Degree Knight.

Chancelor.jpg

Chancellor Gary Pepitone

The Chancellor:

  • Assists the Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight in their duties and presides over meetings in their absence

  • Collaborates with the grand knight and council leaders on council membership goals for the year

  • Manages the Recruitment and Retention Committee chairmen as they implement the council’s membership activities

  • Performs other duties as the Grand Knight or council may impose.

GK.jpg

Grand Knight Vincent Palazzolo

The Grand Knight (GK) has many duties:

  • Responsible for welfare of Council

  • Oversees all council activities

  • Appoints committees

  • Presides over meetings

  • Aware of council’s financial status

  • Countersigns checks and vouchers

  • Conducts semi-annual audits

  • Conducts monthly officer’s meetings

  • Represents council at all appropriate activities

  • Performs other duties as the council and order requires

Warden.jpg

Warden Phil Savours

The Warden:

  • Is present at all meetings of his council

  • Sets up council chambers for meetings and degrees

  • Responsible for maintaining order during meetings, degrees and council activities

  • Responsible for all council property Oversees guards in their duties

  • Performs other duties as the Grand Knight or council may impose

DGK.jpg

Deputy Grand Knight Tim Staines

The Deputy Grand Knight (DGK):

  • Presides in absence of the Grand Knight

  • Assists Grand Knight with all council business

  • Collaborates with the Grand Knight in selection of committees and setting the council program calendar

  • Manages each service program director and chairman as they implement the council’s programs and activities

  • Conducts program report at council meetings

  • Performs other duties as the council or Order may require

Financial Secretary

The financial secretary is appointed by the Supreme Knight. He collects money, in the form of dues, from members. Responsible for initiating retention measures for delinquent members. Ensures that the council membership records are up to date. Current Financial Secretary John Ruggerio.

Recorder

The recorder is responsible for keeping and maintaining a true and permanent record of all actions of the council and maintains all correspondence of the council. Current Recorder Kenneth Geiger.

Treasurer

The Treasurer is charged with handling council funds. He receives money from financial secretary and deposits it in the proper council accounts and pays all council expenses. Current Treasurer Thomas Borst.

Lecturer

The Lecturer is appointed by the grand knight and is responsible for providing suitable educational and entertaining programs under the “Good of the Order” section of council meetings. Current Lecturer Joseph DeFino, Sr.

Advocate

The Advocate acts as parliamentarian for the council with a working knowledge of Robert’s Rules of Order, Charter, Constitution & Laws, council by-laws, and Method of Conducting Council Meetings. Current Advocate Austin Cannon, Jr., PGK.

Inside/Outside Guards

The Inside and Outside Guards attend the doors of the council chamber, checking for current membership cards and allowing entrance to meetings of the council. Current Inside Guard Philip Savours and Current Outside Guard Thomas Haltigan.

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees consists of the grand knight and three other elected members of the council. They supervise all financial business of the council and conduct the semiannual audits. Current Trustees: Thomas Ancona, PGK; John Ferrante; and Kenneth Yager, PGK.