Tech Forum

We have a member that would be classified as transient. I.e. they live out of their RV and have no really address. How is this recorded in MLS to properly reflect the fact they have no address?

Welcome to the forum! My first thought is to be sensitive to that member by not entering something embarrassing for their address...what you type in the address line will show on the directory and in other places. I say this because I've seen it happen!

Of course, the address field is so your ward members and leaders can find them and minister to them appropriately, and not necessarily for CHQ, in my opinion. Maybe you just enter the information you do have...Do they have a cell phone or email for their contact information that you can enter?

I don't believe there is any official way to enter "transient". But the address need not be something that is a mailing address.

Something you could consider -setting the privacy setting for his address to "leaders only". Then you only have to worry about reports from MLS. That way, whatever you do enter will be private.

russellhltn wrote:-setting the privacy setting for his address to "leaders only". Then you only have to worry about reports from MLS.

...and the member seeing what you typed if they log in. I wouldn't type "transient," "prison," etc. for an address, even if set to "leaders only"- I might consider "unknown," or "see the bishop," or a working cell number for them in the address field.

Since he's in a RV, I'd consider putting in "Mobile" for the address. It's truthful and I wouldn't think all that shameful.

russellhltn wrote:Since he's in a RV, I'd consider putting in "Mobile" for the address. It's truthful and I wouldn't think all that shameful.

and in ward council those that need to know can be informed further

If they have a family member in the ward, you could put their address. For example:

Address Line 1: ℅ John Doe
Address Line 2: 123 Anywhere Dr.
City: State: Zip: Etc.

Alternatively you could do:
Address Line 1: ℅ Bishop Smith
Address Line 2: 4567 Somewhere St.

these have all been some good suggestions on how to add the address. The problem is that SLC sent us back the record to the last known address, which at one point was that of another member who was a roommate.
The worst part is the person may be spending their evenings down by the beach in another stake's boundaries.

The bottom line seems to be that there is no standard as to what to do. This can't bee any worse then the records that show up with a PO Box and nothing else to go on.

Thanks again all for the ideas.