This past weekend I had the privilege along with Dennis Preston to represent our council in the Tennessee State 106^th Annual convention held in Cool Springs.  There were 124 voting delegates representing the 80 Councils in our state.  Knoxville’s Bishop Richard Stika was the celebrant at the Memorial Mass and guest speaker at the dinner.  Membership in the Knights in the state of Tennessee is at an all-time high of 10,753 and we rank 13 of the 72 jurisdictions in North America for new members.  Your Council needs one more new member to meet its 2009 goal (before June 30^th).  Thanks to your Councils efforts in kicking off the Wheel Chair Foundation fund raising efforts last July with the James Rogers Show at STA the State was able to purchase and delivered 110 chairs in TN for veterans.  We are well on our way to purchase another 280 chairs for distribution in Mexico later this year.  There were no changes in the State Officers for the upcoming year.

Congratulations to our newly elected Council Officers for the fraternal year 2009-2010, who will take office beginning the first of July.  Our new Grand Knight Dennis Preston and the new officers request your continued support and participation in Council activities.

Thank you for your participation and support in your council’s most recent activities.  Our MR Drive on May 15-16 collected monies for those who are intellectual challenged or with mental needs; our May 28^th meeting with 38 members in attendance, our Silent Auction on May 29^th under the leadership of Bros. McAvoy, Clayton and Riggs was a huge success, and finally the Pancake Breakfast on Sunday May 31^st that supports our seminarians.

Fraternally yours, Jerry Dougherty, GK