Dave Tlachac 

Note: Though not a member of Council 10243, Dave had much to do with the formation of the Council and is known to many through his insurance work.  He is personally responsible for a number of men who are currently members.  It seems appropriate to direct the spotlight in his direction...

 

Dave's role in the founding of Council 10243 was enormous.  Along with Ron Frosch, Dave saw a dream come true as our Council formed itself in the Fall of 1989.  It had been a long time coming--about ten years, according to Dave, before things really began to take shape.  Yet, after a few bulletin notices and a full page insert, the ball really began rolling and enough men committed themselves to be a part of a local Council that a Charter was granted in January of 1990.

 

That was hardly the beginning of Dave's involvement in the Knights of Columbus.  He remembers initially becoming a part of the Knights on the invitation of Bob Massart when they were students at St. Norbert College.  "I did all three degrees in one day at Neenah.  That was really quite an experience."  After being involved with a Council at St. Norbert, Dave found himself in Neenah and associated with Council 5514 there.  Inactive for a time after college, Dave ended up in Green Bay about fourteen years ago and got involved with Council 4505.  It was at that time that he began as the insurance representative for the Knights.  Council 4505 was the geographical East Side of Green Bay at the time.

 

In addition to being one of the founders of 10243, Dave was instrumental in finding a parish home for Council 4505.  That Council, which had begun around 1957, became established at St. Philip parish in Green Bay at about the same time that Council 10243 was being formed at St. Bernard.

 

Dave's influence has been considerable.  He credits his position as an insurance rep with his being able to introduce some 200 men to the Knights of Columbus, often talking to sons of members on his calls.  What's the secret of such success?  "You have to believe in the KC's.  You have the chance to see men and their families on a meaningful journey through their involvement with the Knights."  He takes great pleasure in seeing the results of KC involvement in the lives of so many: "It's great to see them develop--guys who were nervous about getting up in front of a group ended up as District Deputies.  It's great to know that the Knights played a part in that."

 

If there's any danger he feels the KC's must beware of, it is becoming more of a social club than a service organization.  He credits Council 10243 in being a very active Council and observes that service must continue to be at the heart of all that the Knights are involved in.  Dave's own service to the fraternity has certainly been substantial.

 

Dave and his wife, Suzanne, are members of St. Bernard Parish.

 

November 1992