YSA Wards/Branches and the Activities Committee

[idjeeper2]

Forgive me for not coming back sooner, but it looks like a spirited discussion.

Unfortunately for me, the question has become somewhat moot as our branch will be undergoing some changes in a few weeks. Many of you probably know what that means having watched the transitions in other geographic areas. Since I don't know who else might be reading this and I really don't have any details, that's all I will say. I have to say this has been about the best nine months of my service in church callings - perhaps the Lord still has a role for me but if not, life goes on and the gospel is still true.

Back to the original topic. After seeing post #3 by rpyne, I turned to the CHI to study more about the YSA Committee. Reading about the role of the committee, I believe that it could be the ideal vehicle for coordinating activities in a YSA unit. It meets as needed to plan service, leadership, gospel learning, fellowshipping, and social activities. Sounds like our activities committee. It includes a member of the bishopric, Elders Quorum counselor, Relief Society counselor, adult advisors (probably not needed in a YSA unit), and the YSA leaders. The role of YSA leader could easily be filled by what we used to call the Activities Committee Chairperson, who could also be responsible for developing annual budget requests. The only real change is that there aren't any Activities Committee Specialists. That could be filled by asking unit members to help on the ad hoc basis suggested by others in this thread.

Again I thank you all for the input. It has been very educational and I'm sure that others who find themselves working with this very special group of members will find some good insight. I'm not going away - I will have some big questions as we transition and I hope that I can continue to contribute in some meaningful way.

[aebrown]

Take a look at section 16.3.4 and 16.3.5. I would think that a YSA branch would qualify as a ward (branch) with a significant number of young single adults. The YSA Committee could be a perfect place for a point of delegation for activities.

After seeing post #3 by rpyne, I turned to the CHI to study more about the YSA Committee. Reading about the role of the committee, I believe that it could be the ideal vehicle for coordinating activities in a YSA unit.

I wonder how section 16.3 applies at all to YSA units. After all, that section is titled "Young Single Adults in Conventional Stakes and Wards" (emphasis added). Sections 16.4 and 16.5 deal with YSA wards and stakes. But those sections don't give any guidance on the organizational structure for activities beyond what is given in Chapter 13.

[idjeeper2]

I wonder how section 16.3 applies at all to YSA units. After all, that section is titled "Young Single Adults in Conventional Stakes and Wards" (emphasis added). Sections 16.4 and 16.5 deal with YSA wards and stakes. But those sections don't give any guidance on the organizational structure for activities beyond what is given in Chapter 13.

Your point is well taken. Perhaps I'm stretching too much here. In Section 16.6.1, the handbook says that YSA Wards should use the regular program of the Church as much as possible - could that include the use of a YSA Committee? I know that the paragraph closes with some specific areas in which the guidelines must be followed, but I don't see that list excluding all other areas.

[fletcher.carpenter]

I am currently the ward clerk in my YSA ward. I think it is better this way. Instead of inventing a made up calling you can just assign members or organizations to plan specific activities.
As an added bonus you set the budget for each specific activity instead of giving the entire committee a budget for the year/quarter.