Tithing Settlement 2010

[dannykos]

Just wondering if the date on which we can commence has been published yet?

[aebrown]

Just wondering if the date on which we can commence has been published yet?

Yes, it's the same as it has been for the last few years: November 15.

You can review the 2009 Notice, and you'll find that the 2010 notice is exactly the same, but with each date advanced exactly one year.

[dannykos]

thanks – just didn't want to assume anything.

i'll start preparing myself for the seemingly endless interviews. I actually love tithing settlement - fantastic chance to meet with each family in the ward, and extend thanks and encouragement.

[mprusse]

I've decided to do tithing settlement different this year and give myself a break for the remainder of the year. Instead of tithing settlement running on numerous days November 15-December 31, I'm doing it all on one day, December 4. We're starting at 6:00 am and ending at 7:45 pm. I'm not planning on any breaks as I figure they'll occur naturally when no one signs up for specific time slots.

I've already got people signed up for the 6:00 am & 6:15 am slots!

I hope someone brings food. Pray for me. I'll need it on that day but look forward to it.

Bishop P.

[childsdj]

I've decided to do tithing settlement different this year and give myself a break for the remainder of the year. Instead of tithing settlement running on numerous days November 15-December 31, I'm doing it all on one day, December 4. We're starting at 6:00 am and ending at 7:45 pm. I'm not planning on any breaks as I figure they'll occur naturally when no one signs up for specific time slots.

I've already got people signed up for the 6:00 am & 6:15 am slots!

I hope someone brings food. Pray for me. I'll need it on that day but look forward to it.

Bishop P.

Good Luck! Sounds like a long day.

[dannykos]

sounds like it might work - although I imagine you'd have to repeat that on another day to take account of all those that can't do the 4th - or don't bother to show up?

[gregwanderson]

I've heard of this all-in-one-day approach before in American Fork, UT. I suppose it will work in an area where the Ward boundaries are within a few city blocks. But where I am I just can't see it working. People are too busy on a Saturday during shopping season and we have a lot of Ward members who either A) believe that they can't have Tithing Settlement before they make their final payment for the year OR B) they don't have their finances in order well enough so it'll have to be a last-minute talk with the Bishop anyway.

Let us know how this works for you.

Personally, I find Tithing Settlement to be an out-dated relic of the days when people used to pay in kind (with chickens and grain) or when the Bishop asked for paperwork to confirm someone's financial status. I struggle to explain why Tithing Settlement is so important (at the risk of getting hammered by the participants in these forums). I'll probably be advised to read the handbook to learn why it IS important but, after 11 years as the assistant clerk in charge of finances, I concluded that this is a prime candidate for elimination in the church's new "reduce and simplify" agenda.

Basically, at least 90% of those in our ward who bother to sign up will be full tithe payers anyway. And if they have to say it again in a temple recommend interview then why is the annual, extra trip to the church building so necessary? Seems like it's only there to give someone at HQ more numbers to crunch.

Don't get me wrong. I appreciate that most Bishops say they enjoy the "face time" with members who otherwise rarely meet the Bishop in a formal setting. But I guess I'm asking why we call it Tithing Settlement if it the real interest in doing it is something else.

[mkmurray]

I've decided to do tithing settlement different this year and give myself a break for the remainder of the year. Instead of tithing settlement running on numerous days November 15-December 31, I'm doing it all on one day, December 4. We're starting at 6:00 am and ending at 7:45 pm. I'm not planning on any breaks as I figure they'll occur naturally when no one signs up for specific time slots.

I've already got people signed up for the 6:00 am & 6:15 am slots!

I hope someone brings food. Pray for me. I'll need it on that day but look forward to it.

Bishop P.

My previous ward did this last year and it proved to be very successful and inspired. It is a small geographic ward though, just 3 football fields by 2 football fields in perimeter. It was the Bishop's inspired idea and it worked well for our needs. I think we got upwards of 60-70% member declarations accomplished. However, it did require a persistent team of clerks and secretaries to individually call and invite members to select time slots.

[zaneclark]

May I once again suggest that tithing settlement is a great time to get photos of individuals and families for the online directory.... I have done this for a couple of years now and have been able to add dozens of photos to the directory...