How Do I Join?

The Membership Process 

Thanks for your interest in becoming a Knight and in joining our Council. Below is step-by-step guidance on the membership process. If you have a question about the Order, our Council, or anything not covered below, please ask us. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you plan on taking one of the scheduled Degree initiations, you must be in contact with us at least 1 week in advance. While our candidate review process is not difficult, we need time for that review process take place. Some of our Degrees (about 5 per year) have grown so large that we cannot adequately handle or prepare those who contact us in the last few days (or hours!). This is unfair to our Council Membership and candidates.

Assuming you meet the prerequisites* (Male, 18 years and older,  and a practicing Catholic) a summary of the process is as follows:

1. Fill out a Form 100  
2. EMAIL a PDF of the Form 100 with s short BIO to:   fs2473@hotmail.com
3. Pay the dues requested by our Membership personnel
4. Attend a Exemplification ceremony (in-person or virtual, depending)

1.) Acquire and complete an application (Form 100).
You will find application linked OR at the Council Home and the Main Office. The Council Home is the old stone mansion and can be accessed by using either of the side entrances from 5:00 pm -- 10:00 pm. Ask a member or the bartender where to find an application. The Main Office is located in the lower brick building, or “Main Hall”. Enter the front doors and immediately turning right down the short corridor. You may want to call first to ensure that the Office is open

Prior to Step two, "How to fill out the Form 100?" please do and note the following:

• Section 1: Our Council Number is "2473". For Council Location please print "Arlington, VA".
• Section 2: Check only "NEW MEMBER" unless one of the other options applies to you.
• Section 3: Please complete entire section.
• Section 4: Please answer the following:
  • "Are you a practical Catholic in communion with the Holy See?"
  • "Did you apply for membership previously?"
  • "Parish Name" -- IMPORTANT, only include the parish for which you are registered. It's not necessary that your registered parish be one of the four that Arl2473 includes. If you are NOT registered to a parish, please leave the field blank for the time being.
• Section 5. Complete the following:
  • "Proposer's Name". Your Proposer, or "Sponsor" can be any Knight, anywhere, who is currently in good standing (a Knight is in good standing if they have a membership card for the current year). Sponsors are not required to attend your initiation, so a friend or brother overseas can still be your sponsor.
  • Signature

2.) Contact the Membership Committee
As soon as possible, contact us. It is important that we are aware of and communicate with all candidates prior to their initiation. No “Walk-Ins” please. We retain the right to turn walk-ins away until the next opportunity.

DO NOT HOLD on to your application until the night you join! Do not leave it at the Bar.  Create a PDF of your Form 100 and email according to Step 2 above  OR   Deliver your Form 100 to our Main Office and it will be handled by the Membership Chairperson.

You can contact us via email (membership@kofcedw2473.org) or by phone at (703) 346-4387.

The information we need from you for this step is:

• First Name
• Middle Initial
• Last Name
• Parish to which you are Registered (If you are not registered, please indicate)
• Spouses Name (if married)
• # of Children
• Primary Phone
• Secondary Phone (optional)
• Email
• Sponsor/Proposer Name (If you do not have a person be your sponsor, please indicate)

Once you contact us we will enter you into our spreadsheet. You’ll then get notified of upcoming degrees and receive the detailed information you’ll need to be prepared. We can also answer your questions and resolve any potential issues.

3.) Begin paying annual dues: On/Before the night you join, you must pay your annual Council dues and Columbus Club dues for the remaining portion of the calendar year. We willl give you the exact amount when we receive your Form 100. The due are reduced for full-time students and those under 26 years of age. To remain a Knight in "Good Standing", you must continue to pay your Council dues and Columbus Club dues when you receive the new year Dues Notice which is mailed in December.

4.) Attend an Exemplification Ceremony
This is the most interesting part, but there’s not too much we can tell you. You just have to experience it!  Attending this ceremony now involves about 30-45 minutes of your time; and moves a new Candidate through the first three Degrees of being a Knight.

Proof of Catholicity: Completing the Form 100 basically states that you are a practicing Catholic.  We may ask for proof of one of our basic requirements -- being Catholic. This can be a tithing envelope from your registered parish, a letter from a priest, or a copy of your Baptismal certificate. If you have questions about this, please let us know in advance..

5.) Want to transfer into Arl2473 from another Council? You will need the following:

• Your current membership card from the Council that you are a member of as well as a note/e-mail from the Financial Secretary notifying us that you are current with all of your fees/dues with the current council.

• Fill out a Form 100, check the transfer box.
• Submit the note/letter and Form 100 to the Financial Secretary of Arl2473, along with the dues; and then come to a meeting either on the 1st or 3rd Thursday of the month.to be voted in.

The Membership FAQ on our website contains information about the process, including details regarding the Degree (where, what time, dress, etc…). We encourage you to review that.