Geo Code Usage

danpass · Post by **danpass** » Fri May 27, 2011 5:25 pm

RussellHltn wrote:While it sounds like it would work, it also seems like a system that would fall into disuse quickly unless there was active interest in boundary re-alignment.

In our stake, we only care about what is in this field when a boundary realignment is being considered. When this need arises, we verify and update geo codes for affected segments of the stake as needed. There is no reason for us to care if or how the wards use this field at the ward level.

Post by **lajackson** » Sun May 29, 2011 6:32 am

RussellHltn wrote:What happens if a new record moves into the stake (Geo Code is blank), but before the stake enters a code on their end, the ward clerk enters a code on his end? Can the stake tell that it's a ward-entered code and not a stake code? If they can't, then item #1 still applies.

Our stake uses a set of Geo Codes that is easily recognizable by the stake clerks. About once a month (or more often during moving season), one of the stake clerks opens the Geo Code window in MLS, sorts on the Geo Codes, and updates any that do not fall into the parameters the stake prefers.

The wards know how the stake geo codes. Some wards update their stake field accordingly, others do not. And, unless the stake is actively involved in a re-alignment activity, it does not matter to the stake. We prefer to keep them up on a regular basis so that, should there be a need, they will be more readily available.

barnold · Post by **barnold** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 7:52 pm

Question on Geo Code usage. To use the Geo Codes for Ward boundary adjustments, as our Stake Clerk do we have the wards enter the Geo Codes we assign in the Stake Geo Code field or the Ward Geo Code Field? If the answer is Stake Geo Field, does it flow to our Stake MLS with send receive? Looking for help not having done this before and yes we are starting over or from scratch however you say it to get it uniform.
Thanks,
Bruce Arnold
Driggs Idaho Stake Clerk

davesudweeks · Post by **davesudweeks** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 9:31 pm

If you want to guarantee it is done correctly and in a timely manner, the Stake will likely have to do it. However, my suggestion is try to get the Wards to do as much as you can. A few years ago, our Stake did a big push for the wards to update the GEO Codes in MLS. You might have a few Ward Clerks who don't mind taking care of their piece quickly, thus reducing the burden of doing the entire Stake.

I don't know how our stake is doing overall, but I can tell you that our ward is currently at 100% compliant to our Stake-assigned Geo-Codes and since that first push we have rarely had anyone unassigned for more than a few weeks. The first thing our Clerks do when a new member moves in is check their address formatting, update their Geo Code, and add the family to their appropriate Emergency Preparedness Group. The only time we have a snag is when someone is moved into the ward with a P.O. box or no address.

Post by **jdlessley** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 9:47 pm

@barnold, if you read the posts and the other linked to posts of this thread your questions are answered.

barnold · Post by **barnold** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 9:50 pm

I really didn't get my answer to my question. Do the Wards enter the code in Ward Geo Code field or Stake Geo Code field in their MLS so the Stake can use it for Ward Boundary adjustments?

Post by **jdlessley** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 10:00 pm

The ward geo code does not propogate to the stake. The stake geo code does but only if the stake does not already have a code provided in stake MLS.

barnold · Post by **barnold** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 10:52 pm

Please look at this post below, which says if the ward entered a Ward Geocode but not a Stake Geocode, the Ward Geocode wil flow to the Stake MLS as the Stake Geocode.
Sorry to be so thickheaded, but I am confused by this post and your most recent reply to me.

Join DateMar 2008

[INDENT]

Originally Posted by mkmurray

I don't know what happens when I populate the Stake Geocode field. It stays populated in our local instance of MLS and never gets changed by anyone from the Stake install of MLS...

I figured this out once. There are actually three geocodes. The Ward Geocode, the Stake Geocode recorded in the ward MLS, and the Stake Geocode recorded in the stake MLS.

The ward can enter a Ward Geocode and/or a Stake Geocode. They are independent. A ward could enter two different codes, one to use at the ward and the other as a stake code. The ward enters one or the other of these two codes and they never change unless the ward changes them.

At the stake, there are several different possibilities. The stake can see the Ward Geocode but cannot change it. The stake can also manage the Stake Geocode (in the stake MLS). This is where the fun begins.

The stake can enter a Stake Geocode in the stake MLS. If this is done, the Stake Geocode does not change unless the stake changes it again.

If the stake does not enter a Stake Geocode in the stake MLS, the ward can send either their Ward Geocode or their Stake Geocode (the stake code they entered in the ward MLS).

If the ward entered a Ward Geocode but not a Stake Geocode, the Ward Geocode will flow to the stake MLS as the Stake Geocode.

If the ward entered a Stake Geocode in the ward MLS, the Stake Geocode will flow to the Stake MLS and become the Stake Geocode in the stake MLS.

Once the stake receives a code from the ward or enters a Stake Geocode in the stake MLS, the stake code stays and does not change, no matter what the ward does. Only the stake can change it.

Finally, the Stake Geocode in the stake MLS never flows to the ward MLS.

And that's about all I know about geocodes. [/INDENT]

Post by **jdlessley** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 12:10 am

barnold wrote:Please look at this post below, which says if the ward entered a Ward Geocode but not a Stake Geocode, the Ward Geocode wil flow to the Stake MLS as the Stake Geocode.

That is correct. My post was not as detailed and did not cover all the possible combinations. Note the conditions under which the ward MLS geocodes will flow to stake MLS. Also note that once the stake has geocodes, whether entered manually in stake MLS or received previously from the ward, no further geocode changes will be received.

The flow of geocodes from ward MLS to stake MLS requires the geocodes in stake MLS to be empty or blank and the ward must do a File > Send Membership Data to Stake. If there are geocodes in stake MLS and the stake would prefer to use the ward Stake Geocode, or Ward Geocode if the ward Stake Geocode is empty, the stake would have to delete the geocodes and the ward do another File > Send Membership Data to Stake.

davesudweeks · Post by **davesudweeks** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:25 am

I'm glad this post continued. We have had numerous moves within our ward and we have dutifully updated the Geocodes as members moved to a new Geocode location. I never even thought that the structure of MLS would prevent those updates from correcting the Stake Data - so thanks for letting me know I have been wasting my time all these years

Actually, I know it isn't a waste because new members moving into the stake are being updated and we use the same Geocodes as the root of our Ward Emergency Preparadness groups. However, I may just update the Ward Geocode going forward and ignore the Stake Geocode column.