Callings in Primary

In our Ward it has been a practice for teachers to the primary to be called as "Primary Workers". This allows the Primary President the flexibility of moving members of the Primary organization around randomly. As Membership Clerk it is my job to keep the organization current. When (example) releasing someone from a class and making another "primary worker" the teacher of that class, I loose the date sustained, etc. Moving that person then to the nursery might cause another loss of the sustain date. I realize I could print hard copies but I don't think that is the direction technology is moving. I could maintain two records, one when called to be a primary worker and another for when they were assigned to the current position. How is the correct way for this to be done?

dkoyle wrote:In our Ward it has been a practice for teachers to the primary to be called as "Primary Workers". This allows the Primary President the flexibility of moving members of the Primary organization around randomly. As Membership Clerk it is my job to keep the organization current. When (example) releasing someone from a class and making another "primary worker" the teacher of that class, I loose the date sustained, etc. Moving that person then to the nursery might cause another loss of the sustain date. I realize I could print hard copies but I don't think that is the direction technology is moving. I could maintain two records, one when called to be a primary worker and another for when they were assigned to the current position. How is the correct way for this to be done?

There is a standard position called "Primary Teacher" (without any class in the position title--this used to be "Primary Worker" but it was updated). You can use this calling and then assign each teacher to a specific class in MLS. You can then adjust the class without changing the sustained date.

I'd recommend re-examining this process. The purpose of sustaining a person to a calling includes that the ward knows what they will be doing and can support them in that responsibility. Imagine if all ward callings were "ward worker" – how could you truly sustain someone? Primary teacher is set up as a calling that isn't specific to a class, because no matter what class they teach, their responsibilities are much the same. But moving someone from the Primary to the Nursery sounds to me like something the ward should have an opportunity to sustain; and, when the person is set apart, they can receive a more specific blessing for their calling.

How do I give a calling to two people, for instance Primary Activities has two people called. I cannot see how to add another person to that position.

gwenscott1 wrote:How do I give a calling to two people, for instance Primary Activities has two people called. I cannot see how to add another person to that position.

Where are you trying to add callings? Callings cannot be added in the Member Tools app. They can only be added in Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR).

There are two methods to add a person to a calling. The first is to add the calling in LCR > Organizations. Select Primary and then use the filters in the Organizations drop-down list box or the links in the blue box of listed organizations (sub-organizations of Primary). There will be either the Primary Activities - Boys or the Primary Activities - Girls. Select the appropriate one. On the line after the last Primary Activities Leader listed and to the right of the page is a link, "+ Add Another Calling". Click that link and then select the appropriate calling from the "Select a calling . . ." drop-down list box.

The second method is by adding the calling in the member record. In LCR select Membership from the menu and select Member List. Find the member name by either typing in the name in the search box or by scrolling down the list of member names. Select the member name and click the View Member Profile button. Select the Callings/Classes tab in the member record. In the Member Callings section select the "+ Add calling" link to the right side of the section. Select Primary > Primary Activities - Boys or Primary > Primary Activities - Girls as appropriate from the "Select an organization . . ." drop-down list box. Then select the appropriate calling from the "Select a calling . . ." drop-down list box.

Organization leaders can add callings in LCR for their own organization. They do not have the option to add a calling using the membership record method. The calling should only be added after the calling has been approved by the bishop and the calling sustained in accordance with the procedures in General Handbook, 30.

If on a Sunday we are short on teachers, whether in primary or Sunday school can we simply assign a person or two to take the lesson and teach a class? Or must they be called and set apart to teach?

They don't need to be called and set apart if they are just filling in as substitute for a week or two. By the time you would call, sustain, and set apart, the need will have passed. In our ward, we just treat it as an assignment, not a calling.

We usually try to have "pool" of potential substitutes, and we have them take the youth protection training.

Thank you.