Ward Building Representative

I have to get used to not saying PFR I guess.
Section 8.2.7 of HB1 talks about the ward building representative. It uses the pronoun "he." Does that mean that the ward building representative has to be a brother and can't be a sister?

It is a bit of a grey area, but we called a sister to this position about 20 months ago!

hansg wrote:I have to get used to not saying PFR I guess.
Section 8.2.7 of HB1 talks about the ward building representative. It uses the pronoun "he." Does that mean that the ward building representative has to be a brother and can't be a sister?

That section indicates the bishop may call another 'member'. It does not say 'priesthood holder' so I would assume that a sister may be called. Without an explicit statement otherwise, I would not assume a policy based on the pronoun used.

hansg wrote:I have to get used to not saying PFR I guess.

Just to clarify, the Physical Facilities Representative calling still exists, and is described in HB1, 8.2.4. That is a stake assignment filled by a high councilor and so is certainly a man.

A Ward Building Representative is of course a ward assignment. I'd agree that it could be a woman, since it is simply filled by "a member". In our stake, it is always a member of the bishopric, but as the handbook makes clear, that is not a requirement.

Just a quick question: there is any advice about the need for a ward building representative being a member of the church? In case a bishop would like assign the task to a trustfully person which is not a member, would it be possible? thank you

MARIANILO wrote:Just a quick question: there is any advice about the need for a ward building representative being a member of the church? In case a bishop would like assign the task to a trustfully person which is not a member, would it be possible? thank you

The only guidance I know if is in the General Handbook, 30.1.1:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... le_number3

People who are not members of the Church may be called to some positions, such as organist and music director. However, they should not be called to teaching or administrative positions or as Primary music leaders. The allowance to call nonmembers to some positions does not apply to those whose membership has been withdrawn, who may not have any callings.

The question would be whether a ward building representative is considered "administrative."

Handbook 35.2.7

Ward Building Representative
Each ward should have a ward building representative. The bishop may appoint a member of the bishopric to serve in this position, or the bishopric may call another member to do so.

I guess it depends on how you interpret "member". Does that require them to be a member, or if it indicates there's no age or priesthood requirement.

I thought there was a restriction about not giving keys to non-members. But I'm unable to find that in current documents.

russellhltn wrote:I guess it depends on how you interpret "member". Does that require them to be a member, or if it indicates there's no age or priesthood requirement.

The General Handbook section about music callings (19.2) also uses the word "member" throughout, even though those callings are mentioned in 30.1.1 as being examples of callings that non-members could fill. So, I wouldn't interpret member too strictly there.

Since the recent consolidation of FM groups, ward building representatives have been asked to order and manage meetinghouse cleaning supplies using a Staples account provided by the FM group. I just wonder if the FM group would be willing to give those login credentials to a non-member.

The other issue, I'd think the ward building representative would need to have access to FIR to report issues with FM. But access is controlled by calling. And I don't know of any way to grant a non-member access to any on-line tools.

If called, they'll discover their hands are tied.

If the non-member is called, I'd recommend calling a second building representative, who could be put into the Leader and Clerk Resources calling and serve as an assistant.

Our ward/stake has no idea about this change. Can someone direct me to this new policy? I want to show our FM group we need their login so our ward doesn't suddenly get our budget wiped out. Our building is out of supplies and I am told we need to order them. It's a big change with VERY little information, on what we are to do.

KeithWilson wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 9:52 pm Our ward/stake has no idea about this change. Can someone direct me to this new policy? I want to show our FM group we need their login so our ward doesn't suddenly get our budget wiped out. Our building is out of supplies and I am told we need to order them. It's a big change with VERY little information, on what we are to do.

When the change happened, communication was sent out to stake and ward leadership (at least it was in our stake) to help everyone get set up. I recommend you reach out to your FM group and request assistance getting set up to order building supplies. When the responsibility was transferred to me some time ago, our FM group was very helpful in providing instructions on the process (including a recommended building supplies list).

I take inventory of the supplies in the custodial closet each month and then simply order anything that is below the recommended threshold. I use a spreadsheet I set up that automatically builds my order list after I put the quantities on it from the inventory. It is very easy and the FM group covers the cost.

This change was pre-pandemic. I want to say about 4 years ago.

I think you still log in using a ward account, but the bill is sent to FM.

I agree contacting FM would be a good start in getting up to speed. I haven't found any links describing the system.

I received my Staples account from the FM group in June 2019. I thought it was a personal account, but now I see that the account is specific to our facility number in the FM's account. The FM group created a list of authorized items. When I submit an order, the FM group reviews and approves the order, and then pays for it.

Hello. I was recently called to this position. Last year we were in charge of snow removal, so that is all I was supposed to correlate. Now our ward's Bishop is the "agent" Bishop, so I think we are in charge of ordering supplies. Is there anything else that falls within my purview? Should I be getting the login to Staples instead of my clerk? He was chasing it down, because he thought he had to do it.

When I was ward clerk, the bishop asked me to handle the FM Staples account because I was already using the ward Staples account. He felt it was just easier for me to do it than to train the WBR to do it.

Coordinate with your stake FM rep, or Stake Presidency member. Ours is ordering supplies for the whole stake now. (Either Stake Presidency Member or High Counselor over FM duties). Note, don't order supplies for the building from your ward account, it won't be reimbursed from the FM group. Order those with the FM supplied login that charges the FM group.

tregwilder wrote: Sat Feb 05, 2022 10:21 pm Hello. I was recently called to this position. Last year we were in charge of snow removal, so that is all I was supposed to correlate. Now our ward's Bishop is the "agent" Bishop, so I think we are in charge of ordering supplies. Is there anything else that falls within my purview? Should I be getting the login to Staples instead of my clerk? He was chasing it down, because he thought he had to do it.

When I picked up this assignment as EQP, I reached out to our FM group and they set everything up. They also provided a recommended list of supplies and quantities for our building. You need to order through their process to avoid the supplies being charged to your unit. We have 3 units in our building and I put our inventory sheet in another post if you want to use it.
https://tech.churchofjesuschrist.org/fo ... hp?t=40213

tregwilder wrote: Sat Feb 05, 2022 10:21 pm Hello. I was recently called to this position. Last year we were in charge of snow removal, so that is all I was supposed to correlate. Now our ward's Bishop is the "agent" Bishop, so I think we are in charge of ordering supplies. Is there anything else that falls within my purview? Should I be getting the login to Staples instead of my clerk? He was chasing it down, because he thought he had to do it.

Depending on how your ward has decided to organize things, you might also have some responsibility with the meetinghouse resource center.

See General Handbook chapter 35, and 13.7.2.

It’s now 11-2023 & I am a member/Sister called to WBR.
After reading all the above - I agree that contacting the Regional office is most helpful in getting bearings- especially related to ‘Agent Ward/Bishop’ duties & responsibilities & how they are supposed to work together. Noticed one bump in the road - the person from Agent ward assigned to order supplies needs to be able to receive them AND deliver them to the building. IMO - it would be helpful to have help to deliver the orders and help stock to keep things tidy & easy to inventory at month-end. Bear each other’s burdens…

I have ordered supplies before ,but this time is tells me our credit card has expired. I have always just ordered the supplies and they have been delivered. Has staples changed the way they process the account?