Return Missionary Still Shows Up Under Ward Mission Fund

I have a long time returned home missionary that still shows up under the Ward Missionary Fund. This person is no longer a member of our ward and is long since married. She still shows up as a missionary so some of my members continue to contribute in her name on the online donation system.

How do I remove her as a missionary and account to be donated to?

You need to transfer all the funds in the category to the top level Ward Missionary Fund so that the sub-category is zero. Then you have to make sure it stays 0 for a month or two and then it will automatically be removed.

eblood66 wrote:You need to transfer all the funds in the category to the top level Ward Missionary Fund so that the sub-category is zero. Then you have to make sure it stays 0 for a month or two and then it will automatically be removed.

If the above isn’t possible, because members still continue to donate, I would suggest contacting GSC and explain the situation. They should be able to suppress the former missionary’s name.

How do I handle a negative balance in a missionary's account after returning home?

Let your bishop know. He can work with the missionary and/or family about meeting the funding obligation. Technically the ward is responsible for funding the missionary. With that in mind, the bishop may ask you to transfer funds from the Ward Missionary Fund into that sub-account to bring the balance to zero. But don't take any actions to transfer funds until the bishop instructs you to do so.

Biggles wrote:

eblood66 wrote:You need to transfer all the funds in the category to the top level Ward Missionary Fund so that the sub-category is zero. Then you have to make sure it stays 0 for a month or two and then it will automatically be removed.

If the above isn’t possible, because members still continue to donate, I would suggest contacting GSC and explain the situation. They should be able to suppress the former missionary’s name.

If there aren't very many still donating, the bishop or branch president could counsel with them individually and ask them to donate to another missionary whose account needs the funds or to the ward fund in general to be used wherever they are needed.

I have a similar problem, but it's not a negative balance, but a positive one. So can the money be returned somehow? I thought once donated it cannot be returned. So I now have these as "Action Items" with no explanation of what action to take.

If I'm reading correctly, handbook 24.3.4.1 says that funds donated in advance cannot be refunded to the donor.

The donation cannot be returned. The most common use of excess funds is for another missionary in the ward who is serving or will soon be serving.

As previously mentioned the donations can’t be returned. The best course of action to zero out the positive balance would be to transfer the money into the main Ward Missionary fund, as this fund can be used to assist any missionary in the ward!

The handling of excess missionary funds is covered by General Handbook 34.4.3.

It can be used for other missionaries, sent to the stake for use in other wards, or sent the Church Headquarters. It can't be used for missionary activities.