Mason Powers 

Mason finds his association with the Knights of Columbus and his position as Membership Director something of a paradox--after all, he really doesn’t seem to fit the portrait of the “typical” Knight.  Mason is somewhat younger than most current Council members (He is currently 27 and proudly notes that he shares a birthday with Pope John Paul II--May 18) and he is one of a handful of brothers of the Council who are single.  It was at the invitation of Dan Barrington that he became involved in the Knights, as he was looking for a means of taking on more responsibility and doing something more in terms of community service.  Prior to his becoming associated with the Knights, Mason was aware of them and their commitment to community service by his observation of the Knights in action in his native Platteville.

 

While there might be some uncommon elements between him and many other Council members, Mason notes the common ties as well: the desire to help people, and an interest in doing things together.  In the time that he has been a part of the Knights, he has participated in numerous Council activities, including Younkers Warehouse Sale food stands, Tootsie Roll campaigns, Free Throw Competition, Knowledge Contest and the State Bowling Tournament, serving as chairman of that last event once.  He notes one of the Bowling trips as his most vivid and memorable experiences in the Knights, since it was an overnight trip during which he got to know some of the other Council members better: “Bowling was fun, but it was really great to be with people for a couple of days; seeing their enthusiasm.  Everyone got along really well.”   His outgoing style and enthusiasm for the Knights make him an ideal candidate for Membership Director, and he has been serving the Council in that capacity for just over a year now.

 

In the Knights, he especially appreciates activities which are geared toward raising funds for worthy causes, such as food stands or Tootsie Roll drives.  What impresses him is the ability of men to come together and work as a team for a worthwhile reason.  He also enjoys participating in activities which enable him to meet men of other Councils, something that made the Bowling trips especially memorable.  While his is a familiar face at Council meetings, Mason also likes the “extra-curricular” activities, which enable him to associate with men of the Council who for one or another reason don’t make it to meetings all that often.  In all of that, he has found that he can help himself to grow by helping others, taking advantage of the opportunity  “to change someone’s life in a positive way.  In helping others, you help yourself at the same time.”

 

Mason has been in the Green Bay area for about three years now, and is employed as Account Manager at WPS Insurance, a job that he finds keeps him on the road a lot.   He has one brother and one sister, and he proudly states that his sister won a silver medal in swimming at the recent Special Olympics.  He is also involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters and takes pleasure in sharing some of the experiences he has had with his “little brother.” He also participates in some activities of the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce.  For relaxation, he enjoys roller-blading and camping trips to Door County.  He listens to all sorts of music but has a special love of classical, and he is able to play the violin.  It’s an active life for someone who believes that one should “Enjoy life as much as possible--within reason.”  Though he thinks he doesn’t share some common traits with many members of the Council, his presence and his enthusiasm has certainly been a gift and his presence has enriched many.

 

August 1995