net_runner wrote:Today our Stake had their Ward boundaries changed. We went from 6 wards to 5. All of our wards were renamed as well. We will still be using the same unit numbers (minus one). Is there anything special that I will need to do with MLS? Will the records automatically move to the new wards? Will the names automatically update? HELP!
The records do not automatically move, but there are MLS features that make it easy to move them. For each ward that is moving members out, the clerk goes into the Membership screen of MLS. There under Moves you will see Boundary Realignment.
This allows you to bulk select families that are moving out of the ward into a particular new ward. You specify the ward and stake unit numbers and names, check off all the families moving to that ward, and then save the changes. Then repeat for each other ward that members of your ward are moving to. Each ward that is moving members out will need to repeat this process. The stake should be able to provide to each ward lists of all the families affected and what their new wards are through the Boundary Realignment process that the stake has obviously already followed.
It may be a bit tricky to pick the right name for the destination wards, since they are all changing at the same time. I'm guessing the unit number is the most important thing, but I would use the old names, since my experience is that name changes take a bit longer to process than membership record moves.
For the discontinued ward, follow the
Checklist for discontinuing a ward to make sure you handle various details.
For renamed units, you also need to change the name in MLS (under System Options, Unit). Also, I would check with CHQ to make sure the name changes are done officially. I forget the actual department name, but if you call the main number, they can direct you to the right place. Our stake recently renamed a ward, and the name didn't get communicated properly and so nothing happened until we pushed the right buttons at CHQ. The department that handles name changes will make the changes that will affect the CDOL, LUWS, and various other systems. It takes a few days for those systems to be updated.
This sounds like a lot of work for all the clerks. Good luck, and please don't hesitate to post followup questions.