Member Tools app’s Messages feature

Is the Messages feature of the Member Tools app functional? The app’s About page (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/hel ... g=eng&_r=1) says that this feature is for “View[ing] messages with important updates or actions needed,” but I have never seen any content there. Is there some setting that I need to toggle to see messages there? What messages should be appearing there? (I would love it if the Official Communications appeared there, rather than having to log in online to read them.) The only functionality I see on the Messages page is a button for clearing notifications, but since there have never been any notifications to clear, that button is extraneous.

The messages in Member Tools are for important information about updates to the app as well as actions you need to take in regard to the app.

I'm a stake emergency communication specialist thinking about how we can improve communication after a disaster.

Sometimes wards/stakes must evacuate an area due to a disaster (wildfires, hurricane, etc.). In such instances it is very difficult for bishops/stake presidents to quickly know if their members are okay or who might need help.

A simple "check in" button in the "member tools app" (that leaders could send a push notification to all members to "check in" using the app) would be wonderful--perhaps three response options to keep it simple: (1) we have evacuated, (2) we are okay, (3) we need help.

Trying to use ministering phone calling trees would often be very ineffective timewise in disaster evacuation situations (such as wildfires, hurricanes, etc) for several reasons that I can think of for many wards ( Sometimes the data network will work when the phone network will not, not all ministers magnify their responsibilities, etc.). Neighborhood rapid response plans are great if everyone is staying put. But if there is an evacuation order in place the neighborhood rapid assessment plans do not work.

However, a simple "check in" feature on the member tools app that produces a summary report and/or ability to quickly see on the directory tool a notation or color coding of which households have checked in or not and their status (we have evacuated, we are okay, we need help) would be a huge help around the world. It could also be used for other disasters besides hurricanes or wildfires such as earthquakes, large scale power outages, flooding, massive blizzards, chemical spills, etc.)

I'll leave it to others to determine which group of callings (stake presidency/high council/secretaries/clerks, ward bishopric/ward council/secretaries/clerks, stake/ward emergency communication specialists or preparedness specialists, etc) with the idea of backup redundancy being a good thing should have access to activate a push request for members to check in.

Any recommendations on who I should reach out to with this recommendation for the member tools app would be great. I'm happy to discuss the idea in more detail. You can reach me at my work email (jared@usu.edu) or at my personal email found in my member profile.

Suggestions for app updates or added features by users can be done by using the in-app Send Feedback feature in the Help menu.

Not trying to rain on the parade, but we need to keep the limitations in mind.

If a check in button were added to the app, someone failing to check in doesn't necessarily mean someone is not safe - it could be simply they have no cell service or their battery is dead. Cell service can be an early casualty in many disaster situations.

Also it would only provide information for those who have the app installed and use the button. I don't think there is any way for ward or stake leadership to know which members have the app installed and which do not so I don't see this eliminating other methods (i.e. ministering or emergency contact trees). But it could augment those and reduce the workload if members use it.

davesudweeks wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:19 pm limitations in mind

Limitations noted - however, if the leadership knows certain members are OK, they can focus their efforts on looking for those who haven't reported in. In the middle of a disaster, that's valuable information.

My thoughts - have it as a hidden feature in the app. When CHQ triggers it, it will ask the member and report back. The advantage is that it would be invisible until needed, reducing support issues. The downside of that is the app would need to keep "phoning home" to see if the trigger was activated.

russellhltn wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:37 pm

davesudweeks wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:19 pm limitations in mind

Limitations noted - however, if the leadership knows certain members are OK, they can focus their efforts on looking for those who haven't reported in. In the middle of a disaster, that's valuable information.

My thoughts - have it as a hidden feature in the app. When CHQ triggers it, it will ask the member and report back. The advantage is that it would be invisible until needed, reducing support issues. The downside of that is the app would need to keep "phoning home" to see if the trigger was activated.

I don't disagree with the use case or concept. And allowing leadership to focus on those who do not self-report was part of my answer (though I did not explicitly state those words). I just think we should remember that a solution like this might help in some areas but will not solve the emergency communications problems. I certainly think it's a good idea to provide feedback in the app for consideration.

dr.jmh wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:17 amAny recommendations on who I should reach out to with this recommendation for the member tools app would be great. I'm happy to discuss the idea in more detail. You can reach me at my work email (jared@usu.edu) or at my personal email found in my member profile.

The other suggestion often mentioned for these types of situations, is to send your feedback up the chain-of-command related to your calling. So Bishops would talk to Stake Presidents, Seminary Teachers might talk to their S&I Coordinators, and a stake emergency communication specialist hopefully has some kind of coordinating council or area contact who could also receive this information. The idea for this approach is that (at least hopefully), getting an idea in front of a keyholder with interest in supporting local members, might have better results than just submitting it into the general feedback bucket.

russellhltn wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:37 pm The downside of that is the app would need to keep "phoning home" to see if the trigger was activated.

CHQ can push notifications to the app so it's a pretty small (if any) downside. That is already being used in the automatic sync part of tools.