Calling changes

[jnpetersen]

With the letter that was sent out to Stake and Ward Clerks, there is a change happening where the "Stake Assistant Clerk -- Technology Specialist" calling is being removed as to only have the 3 essential Stake Assistant Clerk callings (i.e. Stake Assistant Clerk, Stake Assistant Clerk -- Finance, and Stake Assistant Clerk -- Membership).

Because of this, they want the Stake Technology Specialist to be moved to Other -> Technology, but this only gives "Assistant Technology Specialist" which isn't given access to FIR like it was before. I'm wondering if this change is made, will this affect the Technology Manager or any other access we may need to support our callings?

[Mikerowaved]

Interesting... Haven't seen the letter yet and I don't see it at letters.churchofjesuschrist.org either. When was this dated?

[chrisgrant]

Our letter said: "In order to limit the number of assistant clerks who have access to sensitive member information, Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR) is being updated to restrict the number of assistant clerks that may be called. Beginning March 2, 2020, each of the positions listed below will allow only one worthy priesthood holder . . ." and then didn't list "Stake Assistant Clerk -- Technology Specialist". I thought this omission was not intended to communicate that the position was being deleted but was intended to communicate that there was no restriction on their number. (Their Access Table entry shows that they have no access to sensitive member information.)

[russellhltn]

I'm not sure, but there may already be a limit on the number of STS. And since the STS doesn't have access to LCR at all, it really doesn't have access to sensitive information.

[scgallafent]

The restriction is only assistant clerk, assistant clerk--finance, and assistant clerk--membership. Technology specialists are not affected.

[jnpetersen]

I know this is an old conversation to bring back up, but in the last 6 months, I've received questions from various Ward Clerks needing help with something in LCR, but with STS's not having access anymore, I have to refer them to either the Stake Clerk (who has no idea) or to church support. I had heard from someone would attend a stake meeting with bishops that they were concerned that I wasn't being helpful, and all the Stake Presidency said is they would look into it... its been like 2 months since then. When you are limited, its still your fault if you can't help?

[russellhltn]

I know this is an old conversation to bring back up, but in the last 6 months, I've received questions from various Ward Clerks needing help with something in LCR, but with STS's not having access anymore, I have to refer them to either the Stake Clerk (who has no idea) or to church support. I had heard from someone would attend a stake meeting with bishops that they were concerned that I wasn't being helpful, and all the Stake Presidency said is they would look into it... its been like 2 months since then. When you are limited, its still your fault if you can't help?

I can't find it now, but it used to be that ward clerks were trained by the stake clerks. While an STS has some duties to help with church apps, I wouldn't expect that to go into every detail of something so specific as LCR.

[BrianEdwards]

I can't find it now, but it used to be that ward clerks were trained by the stake clerks. While an STS has some duties to help with church apps, I wouldn't expect that to go into every detail of something so specific as LCR.

Interestingly, just this week I was looking through the Handbook for that language about stake clerks training ward clerks, and also came up empty (although I had thought it was previously there). There is a good training video for stake clerks located here Supervising Ward Clerks and Assistant Stake Clerks, that discusses the responsibility of the Stake Clerk to ensure all assistant stake clerks, ward clerks, assistant ward clerks, and quorum/auxiliary secretaries are trained. The video clarifies that the Stake Clerk may not necessarily do the actual training if he delegates to another member, but he is responsible for ensuring it is done and following up as needed.

[NOTE] Yes, although the video is a current help resource, it is a bit old. So there's always a potential for a disconnect between what's currently in (or not in) the Handbook, and what may be described in a training video. In this particular case, I think the video does a decent job correlating to current policy, but that's just my perspective.

[russellhltn]

Ha! I think I found it:

33.3.2.2 - Review of Ward Records and Reports
The stake clerk meets with each new ward clerk soon after he is called. He meets with ward clerks as often as needed, but at least twice a year. These meetings are held to ensure that:

• Tithing and other financial records are properly recorded (see 34.1.2 and 34.2.2).
• Membership records are updated promptly and accurately.
• Certificates of blessing, baptism and confirmation, and priesthood ordination are given to ward members.
• The semiannual membership record audit is conducted and all audit exceptions are promptly corrected (see 33.6.19).
• Ward clerks organize and coordinate the collection of stories for the unit history. If ward history specialists are called, they assist. (See 33.7.1.)

So, to answer OP, I'd say it's the stake clerk's job to work with the ward clerk on LCR, not the STS. The STS would work to make sure the ward clerk has a functioning system and network access.

Now, it doesn't say the meetings have to be one-on-one. I remember many years ago, my stake would hold stake-wide leadership meetings and the clerks would break off into their own group for training with the stake clerks. I don't think that's happened in quite awhile. Maybe it has, and I've just been out of the loop.