Stake Technology Role Change - Unintended Consequences

[johnshaw]

Someone in our stake (one of the dozen or so Stake Technology Specialists in our stake) received this from our FM:

Hi Brother XXXXXXX,

My records indicate that you are the Stake Technology Specialist for the Syracuse West Stake. I need to order a new computer for the Eagle Estates Ward. I am instructed to have the computers delivered to you since you will be the one to set up the new computer. I also need you to clear off the old computer and return it for disposal. I will be sending you more information on how to return the computers for disposal.

Right now, I need you to send me the address that you want the computers shipped to and a contact phone number. I will order the computers as soon as I receive this information from you. Please note that computers are on backorder due to the chip shortage and it could be months before you receive the computers. The projected shipping date are showing for October. Please let me know when you receive the computer and I will send instructions and a shipping label for you to return the old ones for disposal.

Thank you for your help. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Now, I'm the only one of those brethren that used to be the Stake Assistant Clerk - Technology - So, this FM administrative Assistant just randomly chose one of the 12 or so listed to send this message. Is this an unintended consequence of the change. FM's need to be better informed, or maybe need to keep a list of 'which' of the STS to talk to, or should they be directly engaging the Stake Clerk from now on who can forward to the appropriate person. This FM didn't even pick the longest running STS... IF you look I'm more than 4 years serving longer than any of the other dozen or so called ALL ON THE SAME DAY. All indicators of which person to contact but should this be so hard for FM Assistants?

What are other stakes doing?

[sbradshaw]

Do you have that many stake-level technology specialists because there didn't used to be a ward-level technology specialist position – or are they all actually helping with technology at the stake level? I imagine the problem will be lessened somewhat as the ward-level technology specialist calling starts being used.

[drepouille]

We have four technology specialists in my stake, but I think only two of us actually operate at the stake level. The other two are actually ward technology specialists, called before the ward-level calling was created as a standard calling. It is confusing, because I have been called by high councilors who need a technology specialist at the stake center, but I can't help them there, since I have no access to the stake center or its equipment.

[Mikerowaved]

What are other stakes doing?

Greetings John!

Before the church changed the callings around, we had 2 Assistant Technology Specialists called from each ward. After the change, the church made them all STS's, so our stake looked like yours with a whole gaggle of STS's in CDOL.

After getting the OK from my stake president, I called our stake clerk and we went through and deleted (released?) all the former ATS's, however, the new calling of Ward Technology Specialist could only be made at the ward level, so I contacted each ward clerk with the name(s) of those that should be put in as WTS's and explained a little about the church's shuffling of technology callings.

As far as FM goes, they may have just used CDOL and picked an STS at random. Yes, looking at seniority might have been a better method.

[johnshaw]

What are other stakes doing?

Greetings John!

Before the church changed the callings around, we had 2 Assistant Technology Specialists called from each ward. After the change, the church made them all STS's, so our stake looked like yours with a whole gaggle of STS's in CDOL.

After getting the OK from my stake president, I called our stake clerk and we went through and deleted (released?) all the former ATS's, however, the new calling of Ward Technology Specialist could only be made at the ward level, so I contacted each ward clerk with the name(s) of those that should be put in as WTS's and explained a little about the church's shuffling of technology callings.

As far as FM goes, they may have just used CDOL and picked an STS at random. Yes, looking at seniority might have been a better method.

That would seem like the right way to go about it. I only wonder why my initial and my second suggestions that this happen have not gone anywhere. OH how much I miss being the Stake Clerk that had the actual ears of the SP to get things done.