Court Structure Overview
High Court
Overview
The High Court consists of three officers, a high spiritual director, and twelve trustees who are elected at the National Convention held every four years. Delegates elected by state jurisdiction conventions vote for the national officers.
Purpose
The High Court is responsible for the Order’s administration and its Constitution and Bylaws. The Constitution and Bylaws are adjusted periodically to keep pace with changing reporting and legal requirements. The delegates also approve any changes to the Constitution and Bylaws at the National Convention.
Organization
High Court office terms begin on October 1, following the National Convention election. All officers hold office until successors are duly elected and qualified.
- High Court officers
- High Spiritual Director
- High Chief Ranger/President
- Vice High Chief Ranger/Vice President
- High Secretary-Treasurer
- 12 Trustees
State Courts
Overview
State courts operate with the High Court’s consent and direction. Any state having at least 301 adult members in good standing living within its boarders is entitled to organize a state court.
A state with fewer than 301 adult members may be annexed, by the High Court’s direction, to a neighboring state court. When the annexed state reaches the required membership, it may then organize into a separate state court and assume the name-adopted at its organizational convention.
Purpose
A state court's purpose is to assist the high court in governing local courts, organizing new local courts, and extending the Order's work within its jurisdiction. The state court is responsible for examining and approving local court bylaws and amendments to assume compliance with the Order's Constitution and Bylaws.
Organization
Each state court holds regular meetings as provided by its bylaws. The state court may only be used to defray the court’s necessary expenses, its convention, and for other activities designated to promote the Order’s best interest. State court revenues may not be used for investment accumulation.
State Court officers
- Spiritual Director
- Chief Ranger
- Vice Chief Ranger
- Secretary (or combined Secretary-Treasurer)
- Treasurer (or combined Secretary-Treasurer)
- Trustees
State Court Bylaws and the number of members within that court’s jurisdiction determine the number of state court trustees. States with fewer than five thousand regular adult members may have up to seven trustees. States with more than five thousand regular adult members may have up to nine trustees.
The spiritual director is entitled to a voice, but no vote at the state court meeting unless he is an Order member.
Each state court appoints a jurisdiction member in good standing who is qualified to work as the state youth director. The state youth director is entitled to a voice and vote at the state court meetings.
Local Courts
Overview
Local courts operate under a charter granted by the High Court. The charter entitles a court to all the powers and privileges of a local court.
Purpose
Local courts typically consist of adult members regularly meeting to conduct local court business. Local court members elect officers and participate in the court’s activities.
Organization
Local court slates consist of both elected and appointed officers.
Elected local court officers
- Chief Ranger
- Past Chief Ranger
- Vice Chief Ranger
- Recording Secretary
- Treasurer
- Trustees (3)
The past chief ranger is the last chief ranger who served at least one full term in that office.
Elected officers appoint the financial secretary, subject to the High Court’s approval and confirmation. The High Court may allow one person to hold both financial secretary and recording secretary or treasurer and recording secretary. However, the same person may not concurrently hold financial secretary and treasurer offices.
Appointed local court officers
- Spiritual Director
- Financial Secretary
- Youth Director
- Conductors
- Sentinels
- Program Director
The spiritual director is either the pastor or another priest appointed by the pastor with the approval of the local Ordinary at the parish the Court is organized or transferred to.
The Chief Ranger-elect makes all other appointments.
Term of Office
The office term for elected and appointed officers, except trustees, is one year dating from the first regular meeting in January. The term of office for trustees is three years, with only one trustee elected each year. The term of office for representatives and alternates to state or nation conventions is four years.
Eligibility of Officers
Eligibility to hold office in an established local court is limited to regular members in good standing at least one full year previous to election.
Anyone deposed from any office of Order is not considered a member in good standing.
Eligibility to hold office in a newly-instituted court is limited to charter members. Members who have transferred to a new court are not considered charter members.
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Updated: 2/2008
CATHOLIC ORDER OF FORESTERS - A Fraternal Benefit Life Insurance Society
Since 1883
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The Fraternal Court System
Catholic Order of Foresters is a fraternal benefit society governed by a court system. This means the home office operates under a form of organization comprised of chartered state and local courts.
State and local courts are made up of COF members who perform fraternal and charitable activities in a particular geographic area. COF provides an established system of benefit payments to members and their dependents.*
Although largely self-governing, COF's state and local courts are subject to the Constitution and Bylaws of the parent society, Catholic Order of Foresters.
