About the Knights
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal service organization founded by Father Michael J. McGivney in 1882 in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Originally established to provide financial aid to Catholic immigrants and their families, the organization has since grown into one of the largest fraternal organizations in the world.
The Knights of Columbus operates on four core principles: charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. Members are committed to serving their communities through various charitable activities, including fundraising for those in need, supporting local churches and schools, and promoting Catholic values.
The organization also provides insurance and financial services to its members and their families, offering life insurance, retirement annuities, and long-term care insurance.
The Knights of Columbus has a strong presence internationally, with members in countries around the world. It continues to be a prominent force in Catholic philanthropy and community service.
New Jersey Knights of Columbus Amateur Radio Club
Who We Are
The New Jersey Knights of Columbus Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (NJKCARC) is an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit charity (Link), registered in the State of New Jersey as a Charitable Organization (#CH4723700) serving the needs of our Church, the Knights of Columbus, and our Community.
Our club is comprised of Knights of Columbus who are also FCC-licensed Amateur Radio Operators. We are amateurs only in the respect that as individuals, we are forbidden by law from receiving any payment or item of pecuniary interest for performing Amateur Radio services.
We have members throughout the State of New Jersey and are dedicated to furthering our charitable goals while highlighting the successes and contributions of the Knights of Columbus.
Since 2019, the Knights of Columbus have donated over $1 billion to charity and have volunteered over 340 million service hours. Amateur Radio Operators have worked hand-in-hand with FEMA, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army performing Health and Welfare communications for decades.
What We Do
Over the past two years, we have operated Special Event Stations for our churches and for Knights of Columbus events. During a Special Event Station, we set up our radios and equipment remotely and attempt to make as many contacts with other Amateur Radio Operators around the world as possible. Our temporary stations are usually outside, in compromised areas and use emergency power.
Utilizing our knowledge gained through setting up and running our Special Event Stations, and the many years of experience we hold as Amateur Radio Operators, we are prepared to help others by using our communication skills.
We are dedicated to helping those affected by natural disasters in areas that have not yet re-established communications infrastructure in the affected areas. We will provide health and welfare communications services to those in the affected areas to friends and relatives outside of those areas. We will assist those in the affected areas obtain their Amateur Radio licenses, allowing them to take ownership of their own communities in the face of any future disasters, and provide amateur radios to the local community center or to a resident in possession of an Amateur Radio license.
We will provide educational services to students and adults, showcasing the capabilities of Amateur Radio, including the possibility of speaking with astronauts on the International Space Station, or bouncing signals off of the moon.
Our Mission
1) The Club is organized and established as a non-profit charitable, educational, and scientific organization of members to: promote the hobby of Amateur Radio in all of its forms and modes; to establish, train, educate, and evaluate a local Amateur Radio network to provide electronic communications in the event of local disasters or other emergencies; recruit, train, and continually educate persons interested in becoming licensed amateur radio operators; facilitate the participation of its members in local, regional, national, and international amateur radio activities; the purpose of such participation is to improve the operating proficiency of its members and to ensure readiness to provide emergency communications.
2) To promote the Knights of Columbus through Amateur Radio, and by helping local councils obtain new members through Amateur Radio.
3) To provide service to bishops, priests, parishes, dioceses, and Knights of Columbus, the New Jersey State Council of the Knights of Columbus, and its subordinate entities by assisting those listed in celebrating their own special events by initiating and participating in Amateur Radio Special Event Stations (SESs) celebrating milestone anniversaries; assisting RACES, SKYWARN, SATERN, ARES and/or other entities, directly or indirectly related to Disaster Relief when necessary or when called upon to assist; disseminate information about the charitable activities performed by the Knights of Columbus, all whenever possible to do so.
Our Goals
Our goals are intended to assist others, whether under the umbrella of Disaster Relief or that of education.
1) To provide health and welfare communications for those affected by natural disasters, where landline or cellular communications infrastructure has not yet been reestablished in the affected area, by traveling to the affected areas in a vehicle outfitted with Amateur Radio communications equipment.
2) To provide training to those in the affected area, from within our communications vehicle, using the equipment provided to us through donations. We want the ability to donate an amateur radio for future use to a Amateur Radio Operator trained by us, in preparation for another potential disaster in that area. Doing so will allow residents to take ownership of their own emergency communications, should the need arise.
3) To provide education in a classroom on wheels to students, adults and to those at community events. Partner with schools by demonstrating how Amateur Radio can incorporate Physics, Algebra, Engineering and many other S.T.E.M.-related subjects are used in Amateur Radio. Provide the opportunity to make contact with Amateur Radio Operators around the corner, around the world, speak with astronauts upon the International Space Station or speak with another Amateur Radio Operator using a communications signal that has been bounced off of the moon.
4) To expand our program throughout the United States.