What Keeps us from effective Service

The next post contains the information from the handout used at our September 2015 training, this one contains the information I had on the screen, most of it can be found at lds.org  

Stake Auxiliary Training 2015

Video What Matters Most        

What’s Keeping US from what matters most in OUR CALLINGS as members of Relief Society Presidencies?

TIME SUPPORT ORGANIZATION KNOWLEDGE

Lack of Energy – We are not Superwomen sometimes doing what it takes to survive is what we can do for the day.  “Focus on what we do get done”.

Lack of Time – There just isn’t enough of it.

Lack of Support – How to help others see that every calling (even especially Visiting Teaching is needed).

Lack of Productivity – Those endless meetings where nothing seems to be accomplished.

Procrastination – “Just Don’t Do It.”   Working with your presidency to be organized, aware of what needs to be done and efficient will help us accomplish what matters most.

Lack of Knowledge – What exactly am I supposed to be doing in this calling?

Not knowing or losing focus on what matters most.  When a Presidency needs to constantly deal with the organizational aspects of Relief Society, getting callings filled, encouraging sisters to fulfill their callings, communicating with other ward organizations it is difficult to focus on the purpose of Relief Society

Relief Society helps prepare women for the

blessings of eternal life as they:

·         Increase faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement

·         Strengthen families and homes through

ordinances and covenants

·         Work in unity to help those in need

TIME & SUPPORT

Take care of yourself, eat, sleep pray, set aside time for your family first, then for your calling.  Delegate!

John Taylor, the third President of the Church, reported: “Some years ago, in Nauvoo, a gentleman in my hearing, a member of the Legislature, asked Joseph Smith how it was that he was enabled to govern so many people, and to preserve such perfect order; remarking at the same time that it was impossible for them to do it anywhere else. Mr. Smith remarked that it was very easy to do that. ‘How?’ responded the gentleman; ‘to us it is very difficult.’ Mr. Smith replied, ‘I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves.’”3

KNOWLEDGE & ORGANIZATION

Handbook 2    

                 

Section 9.2.2 – Relief Society President

·         She serves as a member of the ward council.

·         She meets regularly with the bishop to report on and discuss Relief Society and welfare matters.

·         At the bishop’s request, she visits homes of members to evaluate welfare needs and suggest ways to respond to them (see 9.6.1). In the absence of the Relief Society president, the bishop may assign a counselor in the Relief Society presidency to respond to an urgent need.

·         She submits recommendations to the bishopric for sisters to be called to serve as leaders and teachers and to fulfill other callings in the Relief Society. In making these recommendations, she follows the guidelines in 19.1.1 and 19.1.2.

·         She coordinates ward Relief Society welfare efforts during emergencies.

·         She teaches other Relief Society leaders and teachers their duties, using this handbook as a resource.

·         She oversees the records, reports, budget, and finances of the ward Relief Society. The Relief Society secretary helps with this responsibility.

Relief Society Presidency – President and Counselors

9.2.2 They organize and oversee visiting teaching.

9.6 They oversee compassionate service in the ward (see chapter 6).

5.5 They oversee efforts to improve gospel learning and teaching in the Relief Society.

9.4.1 They plan and conduct Relief Society meetings.

9.3.2 They hold Relief Society presidency meetings.

9.2.2 As needed, they visit Relief Society sisters.

9.10.2 The Relief Society presidency teaches sisters to be well groomed and modest in their attire.

9.7.1 The Relief Society presidency works with the Young Women presidency … to help young women successfully make the transition to Relief Society.

9.7.2 The Relief Society presidency has a responsibility to look after young single adult sisters (see 16.3.3 and16.3.4).

How does the Relief Society presidency help with the work of salvation?

5 Each priesthood or auxiliary leader assists in furthering the work of salvation in his or her organization.

What meetings does the Relief Society presidency attend?

9.2.2 The Relief Society president meets regularly with the bishop to report on and discuss Relief Society and welfare matters.

9.3.1 The Relief Society president serves as a member of the ward council (see chapter 4).

As needed, the bishop may invite the Relief Society president to attend some ward priesthood executive committee meetings to discuss confidential welfare matters and to coordinate home teaching and visiting teaching assignments.

9.3.2 The Relief Society presidency holds a presidency meeting regularly.

9.3.3 Stake Relief Society leadership meeting is generally held once a year. … Ward Relief Society presidencies and secretaries attend.

9.4.1 Sunday Relief Society Meetings
Relief Society leaders use this meeting to teach the doctrines of the gospel and help sisters become actively engaged in the work of Relief Society.

1^st Sunday – Should be taught by a member of the RS Presidency – President and Counselors

2^nd and 3^rd Sunday – taught by a member of the RS Presidency or a teacher may be called, taught on the same schedule as EQ and HP and from the Manual

4^th Sunday - taught by a member of the RS Presidency or a teacher may be called from the most recent General Conf. chosen by Stake President or Bishop

9.4.2 Additional Relief Society Meetings
The Relief Society president oversees all Relief Society meeting. … At least one member of the Relief Society presidency should be in attendance at every meeting.

Relief Society Secretary

What are the responsibilities of the secretary? 

9.2.3 She consults with the Relief Society president to prepare agendas for presidency meetings. She attends these meetings, takes notes, and keeps track of assignments.

·         Each month, she compiles a visiting teaching report.

·         She ensures that the Relief Society presidency is aware of young women who will be entering Relief Society.

·         She assists the Relief Society presidency in preparing an annual budget.

Organization – Meetings

·        Be prepared, have an agenda, make sure everyone knows what is on it, and what they need to bring to or prepare for the meeting.

·        Stick to a schedule – Start and end on time (or early)

·        Stay on Topic

·        Don’t hold unnecessary meetings

·        Finish meetings with a clear statement of the next steps and who is going to take them.

9.6.1Family-Needs Visits

The bishop normally assigns the Relief Society president to visit members who need welfare assistance so she can evaluate their needs and suggest ways to respond to them. If there is not a woman in a home she visits, she takes one of her counselors, the Relief Society secretary, or the compassionate service coordinator with her.

To prepare for a family-needs visit, the Relief Society president considers information the bishop provides about the family and seeks guidance from the Lord.

The Relief Society president evaluates the family’s resources and prepares an itemized list of the family’s basic food and clothing needs. She gives this list to the bishop. She also may prepare a Bishop’s Order for Commodities form for the bishop to review and approve. She provides this service with sensitivity and understanding, helping those who receive assistance to maintain their self-respect and dignity.

The Relief Society president reports to the bishop on the general condition of the family. She reports any needs in the areas of food (for normal needs but not for food storage), clothing, home management, health, and social and emotional well-being. She also may share her assessment of family members’ work capabilities and the opportunities family members have for work.

The bishop helps the family develop a self-reliance plan. He also counsels with the Relief Society president regarding additional opportunities to help the family. In some cases, the most valuable assistance may include (1) helping a sister manage income and resources and (2) teaching homemaking skills such as cleaning, sewing, organizing, planning menus, preserving food, and promoting good health.

The Relief Society president and anyone who assists her keep strictly confidential any information they obtain during the visit or from the bishop.