2021 Recording Attendance Guidelines

[chriswoodut]

So when we look at the EQ attendance roll, an Elder who attends CHURCH every Sunday will only have 2 checks by his name each month, whereas for the Sunday School roll, his name would also have every other Sunday checked, since those were the only Sundays when he COULD attend those respective meetings. Is that how it should be?

The roll system is shared so both the EQ and SS will see each other's entry and could technically change them. If you're looking at your own name for example, you will see which "weeks" you attended and not really which "classes". It is "week" based and not "class" based because the system really doesn't know which weeks are EQ and which are SS. Go and experiment with it and you will see what we mean.

[russellhltn]

The roll system is shared so both the EQ and SS will see each other's entry and could technically change them.

Instead of thinking of it as EQ roll or SS roll, think of it as "second hour roll". EQ/RS/SS is all "second hour".

[sbradshaw]

Sorry if this has been answered already. It has to do with class attendance recordkeeping in a modified Sunday meeting schedule. Due to Covid, our ward only holds Elders Quorum meetings (combined with Relief Society meetings) every other week, with Sunday School occurring on the off weeks.

If I'm understanding this correctly, this is the normal Sunday meeting schedule. Before 2019, there were three meetings on Sundays: sacrament meeting first hour, Sunday School second hour, and EQ/RS/YW/YM third hour. Starting in January 2019, the meeting block was changed to two hours, so sacrament meeting and only one class is held each week. Sunday School should be held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays, and Relief Society and Elders Quorum should be held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. Therefore, when you record class and quorum attendance, each week only has a single checkbox – because only one class is held each week.

[nrajeff]

Russell wrote:

Instead of thinking of it as EQ roll or SS roll, think of it as "second hour roll". EQ/RS/SS is all "second hour".

I will try to think of that way. I am used to the old way of taking roll, where, each class had its list of class members, and you would check the box for any member who was present in that specific class on that day.

Sam wrote:

If I'm understanding this correctly, this is the normal Sunday meeting schedule. Before 2019, there were three meetings on Sundays: sacrament meeting first hour, Sunday School second hour, and EQ/RS/YW/YM third hour. Starting in January 2019, the meeting block was changed to two hours, so sacrament meeting and only one class is held each week. Sunday School should be held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays, and Relief Society and Elders Quorum should be held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays.

Yes, you are correct, I had forgotten that this is the pattern for most of the Church. The deviation from that here is that my ward has been doing some "beta"-type experimenting with hybrid schedules that are both in-person and on Zoom. We have the EQ and RS meet together on the 2nd and 4th, and therefore on the 1st and 3rd Sundays, it's basically the same crowd who is there for Gospel Doctrine class as well.

Therefore, when you record class and quorum attendance, each week only has a single checkbox – because only one class is held each week.

Yes. I think a lot of my problem was that I can still call up the individual attendance roll for the EQ. It only lists EQ members, so I thought I should only mark the Elders as present on that roll on Sundays when we are actually holding EQ meetings. On the other Sundays, I assumed the SS secretary would be noting those Elders as attending SS. That way, the SS presidency would know who is (and isn't) attending SS, and the same for the EQ presidency, which I am a counselor (and also secretary) in.

It just seemed weird to be counting people as having attended EQ when they'd actually attended Sunday School. But I now "see the light," thanks to the explanations y'all have given.

One thought: If the SS secretary and I will basically be doing redundant roll-taking half of each month, maybe I can take a break from roll-taking, and enjoy the Sunday School lessons on those Sundays, since he will be putting the Elders' names into the "2nd Hour Roll" for me.

[sbradshaw]

I think a lot of my problem was that I can still call up the individual attendance roll for the EQ. It only lists EQ members, so I thought I should only mark the Elders as present on that roll on Sundays when we are actually holding EQ meetings.

I agree, the fact that it only lists elders quorum members, but also shows Sunday School weeks, was confusing to me as well, especially the first couple of times.

[nrajeff]

Glad I wasn't the only confused one. Thanks for helping me feel less embarrassed.

[BrianEdwards]

One benefit of this "shared roll" experience, is that for example an EQ President could easily see the weekly 2nd hour attendance for his quorum members. If there's a member who isn't attending EQ class but is always attending SS class, it might indicate an issue (does he not like the EQ President? ). A bit more seriously, for Adult leaders who are concerned about certain youth, it's helpful to quickly see how frequently they attend second hour classes, regardless of whether it's SS/YW/YM, instead of having to check separate rolls.

But yes, from the perspective you shared, it definitely is a bit wonky in some aspects.

[nrajeff]

Good point, Brian. Thanks.

[chad.black]

Hi there.
I am having an issue with young men's leaders and Sunday school leadership not being able to access reports and class attendance either on the church website or the LDS tools app. The SS presidency was able to access it until about two weeks ago. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Chad

[lajackson]

I am having an issue with young men's leaders and Sunday school leadership not being able to access reports and class attendance

The Sunday School presidency should have access. The presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood is the bishopric, and they also should have access.