Callings and duties

Has anyone created forms to give to members when the bishopric gives them a calling. We give them a copy of the information they need in the 2nd manual but most of the time they don't read it. We would like to give them a bulleted list of the duties they will have so it is easier to read.

scott0912 wrote:Has anyone created forms to give to members when the bishopric gives them a calling. We give them a copy of the information they need in the 2nd manual but most of the time they don't read it. We would like to give them a bulleted list of the duties they will have so it is easier to read.

You might be interested in the information on "Serving In The Church" as a basis for your handout. Many of the callings in the church are listed.

scott0912 wrote:Has anyone created forms to give to members when the bishopric gives them a calling. We give them a copy of the information they need in the 2nd manual but most of the time they don't read it. We would like to give them a bulleted list of the duties they will have so it is easier to read.

Our leaders actually sit down with them in an orientation session and go over the section in Book 2 that applies to their calling. A member is also given any other materials at that time that would be helpful to them in fulfilling their calling.

I wouldn't want to do anything that might further discourage a person from magnifying his/her calling -- including avoiding reading the provided materials.

scion wrote:I wouldn't want to do anything that might further discourage a person from magnifying his/her calling -- including avoiding reading the provided materials.

How would reading materials provided about a calling further discourage a person from magnifying their calling? What was the first thing that would discourage a person from magnifying their calling?

I find that going over the guidance and instructions for a calling with a person I have responsibility over or for whom I have responsibility for training has just the opposite affect. I have seen many clerks I have trained show gratitude for this instruction.

lajackson wrote:Our leaders actually sit down with them in an orientation session and go over the section in Book 2 that applies to their calling. A member is also given any other materials at that time that would be helpful to them in fulfilling their calling.

I think this is the very key, a leader must actively lead and help a person along by helping them to grow. The first meeting is so important and also to have follow-up sessions.
Rather than thinking "they are not doing it" he/she must think "I need to help them do it".

jdlessley wrote:How would reading materials provided about a calling further discourage a person from magnifying their calling? What was the first thing that would discourage a person from magnifying their calling?

I find that going over the guidance and instructions for a calling with a person I have responsibility over or for whom I have responsibility for training has just the opposite affect. I have seen many clerks I have trained show gratitude for this instruction.

I think you might have misread scion's statement, which said that "avoiding reading the provided materials" could "further discourage a person from magnifying his/her calling."

I personally believe the point scion was trying to make is that you may not want to create some sort of handout that summarizes the applicable section(s) of Book 2 and inadvertently replace the materials provided by the Church.

My vision is just to make this a quick reference that would contain an overview of their duties. It will also include their meetings that they should attend. In no way do we plan on making this a replacement of Book #2. I just feel it would be nice to give them a handout that describes a basic description of their duties, resources they can use, and meetings they should be attending. Those that are going to "magnify" their callings will run with it and those that aren't we will be able to discuss their duties in their PPI's. Plus it will help the Bishopric in PPI's to go over Book #2 and inquire how things are going.

One additional idea, which I'm sure everyone already is doing, is to have the new individual sit down and go over their new responsibilities with the previous person. During an individual's tenure there are a lot of little tricks and ideas that are discovered...And taking the time to review these is often helpful. However, as you and others have suggested, it's important to go back to the manual for a review when starting a new calling.

This has the important advantage of keeping everyone on the same page and helping to eliminate ones drifting from the basic duties of a responsibility.