moving in records

using the clerk resources on the lds.org, i discovered some members who were not in the MLS. i tried to moved them using the MLS so that we can have the same updates with that of the lds.org clerk resources but i have not gotten any updates in the mls.

ikpotoking wrote:using the clerk resources on the lds.org, i discovered some members who were not in the MLS. i tried to moved them using the MLS so that we can have the same updates with that of the lds.org clerk resources but i have not gotten any updates in the mls.

You need to do a Unit Data Refresh. That should bring MLS in sync with the CHQ databases.

I am the 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric and we DO NOT currently have a clerk. Our meetinghouse is about 35 minutes away and I really do not want to travel just to request records. Can I use the functionality on line at home to request records or is it based on my current calling and what the access table indicates?

Toafa wrote:I am the 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric and we DO NOT currently have a clerk. Our meetinghouse is about 35 minutes away and I really do not want to travel just to request records. Can I use the functionality on line at home to request records or is it based on my current calling and what the access table indicates?

I'm afraid the online Request Records function is not available to bishopric counselors (as indicated in the access table). Only the bishop and clerks have that option.

Mahalo for the quick response. I guess I will be making a trip to the chapel . Aloha

Toafa wrote:Mahalo for the quick response. I guess I will be making a trip to the chapel . Aloha

If you are actually functioning as the clerk at this time, then with approval of the bishop and the stake president, you could be given the calling of Ward Clerk in MLS (in addition to your calling as a bishopric counselor, of course). Then you would have the permission to do the online record moves.

Toafa wrote:I am the 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric and we DO NOT currently have a clerk. Our meetinghouse is about 35 minutes away and I really do not want to travel just to request records.

Unless there is a urgent need, I'd just wait until Sunday.
(Remembering the time when records were processed by mail - it'd take a month to get them in.)

We have a remote access program called TeamViewer that enables authorised members to remotely access the chapel computer. Our Stake initally installed it to do changes on the system remotely. I can log onto the system from home and use MLS exactly the same as if I was in the clerk's office. The only thing is that the computer needs to remain on (we just turn the screen off) for someone to access it. You do also have to be aware if someone else is using the system at the same time either in the office or remotely as it is weird when you see the mouse icon shooting across the screen by itself or something getting typed.

gshepher1967 wrote:We have a remote access program called TeamViewer that enables authorised members to remotely access the chapel computer. Our Stake initally installed it to do changes on the system remotely. I can log onto the system from home and use MLS exactly the same as if I was in the clerk's office.

Please review section 4.9 of the Meetinghouse Technology Policy, which expressly prohibits using remote access technology to access MLS.

gshepher1967 wrote:We have a remote access program called TeamViewer that enables authorised members to remotely access the chapel computer.

You may want to take a look at Church policy in section 4.9 of the Meetinghouse Technology Policy. Remote access of Church computers is only permitted in specific circumstances. The use described, accessing MLS and sensitive information, is specifically mentioned as something for which remote access cannot be used (see 4.9.3).

In addition to the above replies, you might want to watch the June 1st, 2012 LDSTech broadcast. At around the 31:15 mark, we learn that the free product of TeamViewer is strictly for personal computer to personal computer. It requires a paid-for license to use it on a church computer.

eblood66 wrote:

Toafa wrote:I am the 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric and we DO NOT currently have a clerk. Our meetinghouse is about 35 minutes away and I really do not want to travel just to request records. Can I use the functionality on line at home to request records or is it based on my current calling and what the access table indicates?

I'm afraid the online Request Records function is not available to bishopric counselors (as indicated in the access table). Only the bishop and clerks have that option.

Do you understand why counselors are allowed to request records in MLS, but not online? Or, do plans exist to make it available to counselors online?

aawinters wrote:Do you understand why counselors are allowed to request records in MLS, but not online? Or, do plans exist to make it available to counselors online?

Permissions in MLS are for the most part not specific to a calling -- leaders and clerks have whatever permissions the bishop (or stake president) chooses to give them. But the permissions on Leader and Clerk Resources on LDS.org are tied only to the calling(s) a person has -- there is no way for the bishop or stake president to grant permissions (short of giving a person a standard calling).

As for the specific question about why counselors cannot request records, that is in line with the responsibilities outlined in the Church handbooks. The ward clerk (and his assistants) has specific responsibility for records, as does the bishop. But counselors are not designated as having those responsibilities in the handbooks, so they don't have corresponding permissions in LCR.

Thank you, my friend! I thought the handbook mentioned something for counselors, but now that you mention it, I believe you are right.

We had a case in a small unit where the branch president requested that one of his counselors function temporarily as the branch clerk. While there was no formal sustaining or setting apart, the stake approved the request and the counselor was entered into MLS as a branch membership clerk, allowing him to use online LCR from home to handle many membership record functions.

When a clerk became available and was called, the special arrangement was ended after the new clerk was trained by the counselor and the stake.

Good to know. In instances where it's important to request mid-week, and neither the bishop nor the clerk are available, I'll just run to the building to make the change.