Tracking hybrid sacrament mtg attendance

[thebundok]

Our broadcast is done using the Livestream service. We have many members who either have incorrect emails in their member profile, don't have emails or don't use email (age). We also have a Facebook page for the ward. Each week, I (Ward Everything Clerk) post a link to the Facebook page reminding everyone of the upcoming broadcast and reminding everyone to report to me their attendance numbers by family. I also send out emails to any/all who do have emails using the "send a message" function in LCR. If the church had an easy method for sending out mass texts (without coming from my number) I would probably use that too. We also have a slide that precedes the broadcast reminding everyone to report to me. During/after the meeting I typically get a flood of messages to my SMS, my Facebook post, by email or by Facebook messenger with the numbers by family. Bishop, or one of his counselors, will send me the total actual attendance from church if I'm not able to attend (regulations in our country limit participation to strict guidelines). I tally them up on a spreadsheet to keep track of possible duplicates (multiple people from the family reporting) and non-reports (so that we can have the ministering couples follow up) and then report the numbers in LCR.

Despite the message previously mentioned regarding quarterly reports, our stake has asked that we continue to track attendance on a weekly basis. It sounds like a lot, but I've gotten it down to a simple process which only takes me maybe 30 minutes to complete at the end of the day.

[drepouille]

I add a test message to the bottom of my video stream, which asks everyone online to report their numbers in the chat window of the virtual meeting. I also walk around the chapel and use a tap counter on my phone to count heads.

As usual, our area authority has asked us to count "visitors" for our Christmas program, both in the chapel and online. I have always found that to be a challenge. How can I tell a visiting non-member from a visiting family member? I don't expect any non-members to join our virtual meeting, but if they did, how would I know whether they are members or not?

I understand the reason for the tasking, but I don't understand the process to be used. It assumes we will chat with every unfamiliar face and name. As a clerk, I don't do that.

[lajackson]

How can I tell a visiting non-member from a visiting family member? I don't expect any non-members to join our virtual meeting, but if they did, how would I know whether they are members or not?

I would not think it mattered whether a visitor was a member or not. If they showed up at the chapel, they would still be counted for sacrament meeting. I would expect that the same rule would apply for virtual visitors, based on the fact that sacrament meeting attendance has always been anyone present, member or not.

[russellhltn]

I would not think it mattered whether a visitor was a member or not. If they showed up at the chapel, they would still be counted for sacrament meeting. I would expect that the same rule would apply for virtual visitors, based on the fact that sacrament meeting attendance has always been anyone present, member or not.

That's true for standard church policy. But apparently the Area Authority has made a request. Probably to get an idea of how some missionary efforts are working out.

Either one does the best they can or they push back to the Area Authority.

[drepouille]

We received the following:

The Area Presidency would like to know how many friends and acquaintances, (just the number) were in attendance, or virtually participated in the “Come and See Sunday” sacrament meeting.

[russellhltn]

We received the following:

The Area Presidency would like to know how many friends and acquaintances, (just the number) were in attendance, or virtually participated in the “Come and See Sunday” sacrament meeting.

Since it's just for one Sunday, I'd suggest comparing that Sunday against the prior Sundays. Anyone new who isn't clearly a member would be part of the count.

[waynecooke]

In our 'in person' meetings, we vary from 50 to over 70 from one Sunday to the next. Also, one could ask the missionaries if they have any investigators attending that week. Fortunately we don't have to worry about that.

[daryl.allen]

We came up with a ballpark estimate that every log-in to the virtual stream represents 2 people. We're currently holding sacrament meeting in person and then simulcasting via YouTube Live. I track the attendance where each peak concurrent viewer counts as 1, and then I track it with each peak concurrent view counting as 2. I have a spreadsheet monitoring the week to week trends compared to a rolling 4 week average for both views. You can see it and copy it here if you'd like:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... sp=sharing