Ward Technology Specialist - How to begin?

Hi there!

I served before for seven years as an Stake Technology Specialist. Now I was called a Ward Technology Specialist. I could see LCR, CDOL and LDS Online Store systems don't give me access to the same features STSs has in Stake level. So, any of you could say to me what exactly a "WTS" shoud do without an STS?

I have no idea what to do in this new calling...

Thank you so much for your ideas! ^_^

I don't believe Ward Technology Specialist is a standard calling (I could not find it on the access table). If true, you will not have any special access for your calling beyond what a regular member has. I have never heard of a WTS so you might want to consult with your ward leaders or whomever had the calling before you as to what they would like this position to accomplish.

See this article in MH Tech about the correct calling name https://www.lds.org/help/support/faq-as ... s?lang=eng

Biggles wrote:See this article in MH Tech about the correct calling name https://www.lds.org/help/support/faq-as ... s?lang=eng

This is a good article about the stake calling. However, the OP mentioned he was given a ward calling. If I were to hazard a guess, I would think the bishopric want someone who is tech savvy enough, especially in the church tools as a former STS should be, to assist ward members in using them. But that is speculation on my part.

davesudweeks wrote:

Biggles wrote:See this article in MH Tech about the correct calling name https://www.lds.org/help/support/faq-as ... s?lang=eng

This is a good article about the stake calling. However, the OP mentioned he was given a ward calling. If I were to hazard a guess, I would think the bishopric want someone who is tech savvy enough, especially in the church tools as a former STS should be, to assist ward members in using them. But that is speculation on my part.

I think that's the desire of my Bishop, because I too can't find any information about this calling. But things changed so much from the time I was an STS (2007-2014) unto now, so I can't imagine how I could be of good expertise or be useful.

davesudweeks wrote:This is a good article about the stake calling. However, the OP mentioned he was given a ward calling.

The calling at a ward level would be a custom calling. As the article said, there is a standard stake calling of Assistant Technology Specialist, it can be given to an adult or a youth (age 12 or up), and the person may be assigned to a specific ward or meetinghouse.

We have one called for each meetinghouse whose main function is to handle satellite and other streaming broadcasts for the building. They can certainly help with other functions, as well, such as helping teachers interface with Material Center TVs and other devices, and some of our more savvy assistants also help with satellite and other network issues.

And although they can be given the standard calling, it is worth noting that they have no access to anything special online other than the help pages. Even the Assistant Stake Clerk--Technology had access to LCR removed some time ago. That is why they do not show up on the Access Table.

For example, I can tell the stake presidency where to go looking for stake conference information, but I cannot actually access it myself. They were intrigued when I asked them to go and get the stake conference dates this year. And they were quite surprised when they discovered that they would be in different months this year than they have been in the past. It is a connected world--almost.

davesudweeks wrote:This is a good article about the stake calling. However, the OP mentioned he was given a ward calling.

I think the first move is to inform the ward leadership that "electronic keys" to the calling are all based on being assigned to a standard position. Since there's no such thing as a "Ward STS", ask the ward leadership to apply to the stake to become an "Assistant STS" assigned to the ward.

Either that, or carve out specific responsibilities that can be assigned. Perhaps as "assistant ward clerk" (which again requires stake approval).

MorettiDP wrote: But things changed so much from the time I was an STS (2007-2014) unto now, so I can't imagine how I could be of good expertise or be useful.

Actually, I think you could be very useful. If your ward is anything like mine, there are a number of folks who do not understand how to use the technology (LDSTools, Gospel Library, LDS.org, FamilySearch, Maps, Calendar, etc) but are willing to learn. Having someone comfortable to assist them from a basic level could be very helpful. You don't need special access to do that - just show them how to use the tools you and every other member can use. In this role, I would expect the most important skills you can have are patience and kindness...

There also used to be a standard ward calling "Ward Website Administrator" (maybe someone could verify that it still exists) that has basic administrative access to a couple of online tools, like the LDS.org Calendar.

Thank you for all your suggestions and informations, guys!

sbradshaw wrote:There also used to be a standard ward calling "Ward Website Administrator" (maybe someone could verify that it still exists) that has basic administrative access to a couple of online tools, like the LDS.org Calendar.

"Website Administrator" is a standard ward calling. "Stake Website Administrator" is a standard stake calling. I have administrative Calendar access with the stake calling to all of the stake calendars.

I suspect the ward-level calling would give administrative access to all of the ward calendars.

lajackson wrote:I suspect the ward-level calling would give administrative access to all of the ward calendars.

It used to grant additional access to some of the other tools. For example, I seem to remember it allowed some settings in the directory (privacy rights?). However, later changes took away some of those rights, so I'm not sure what they have now.

Likewise, they used to have admin access to Newsletter and Lesson Schedules, but those tools were retired.

russellhltn wrote:I seem to remember it allowed some settings in the directory (privacy rights?).

Website Administrators had almost complete administrative control over the classic (old) Local Unit Web Site. At the old site, they had a lot of influence over the directory and how it displayed information. No longer.

russellhltn wrote:I'm not sure what they have now.

Calendar. I think that is all. As you mentioned, Newsletter and Lesson Schedules were retired, although I do not remember if I had access to them because I was a website administrator.