Who can set apart a Ward Clerk?

Book 1 of the CHI, current edition, states that a Ward Clerk is set apart by a member of the Stake Presidency.

One of the counsellors in our Stake Presidency - recently called - has inherited a CHI which has a handwritten note in the margin stating that an official letter dated 23 May 2009 stated that Ward Clerks may now be set apart by a member of the High Council if assigned by a member of the Stake Presidency.

We haven't been able to verify this anywhere - can anyone confirm? Better yet, is there a way of viewing the letter itself?

Thanks in advance.

hooson wrote: Better yet, is there a way of viewing the letter itself?

Thanks in advance.

Look at the Official Communications Library. See here for more info on how to log in.

hooson wrote:One of the counsellors in our Stake Presidency - recently called - has inherited a CHI which has a handwritten note in the margin stating that an official letter dated 23 May 2009 stated that Ward Clerks may now be set apart by a member of the High Council if assigned by a member of the Stake Presidency.

I don't want to get into a discussion of the particular policy. But I would note that I don't think that handwritten note gets the policy quite right -- and that the letter is dated 23 May 2007 (not 2009). Your stake president can access the OCL as Ryan noted, and get the correct details.

I know in my stake ward clerks change so often that the presidency has instructed the bishopric to set the ward clerk apart. I cannot provide a policy reference for that, however.

crislapi wrote:I know in my stake ward clerks change so often that the presidency has instructed the bishopric to set the ward clerk apart. I cannot provide a policy reference for that, however.

hmmm… not sure about that one!?

I won't go into specifics, but the policy letter in question relates to Assistant Ward Clerks, NOT Ward Clerks.

dannykos wrote:hmmm… not sure about that one!?

Perhaps a clarification. Names for all clerks are cleared through the stake. As for who sets them apart, the Stake President has delegated that to the bishopric. If that is incorrect, however, someone please provide a reference I can share with the stake presidency to correct this.

crislapi wrote:Perhaps a clarification. Names for all clerks are cleared through the stake. As for who sets them apart, the Stake President has delegated that to the bishopric. If that is incorrect, however, someone please provide a reference I can share with the stake presidency to correct this.

You may wish to refer them to page 53 of the CHI. Although the letter makes a minor update to the Handbook, it does not change the fact that the stake calls and sets apart a ward clerk or assistant ward clerk.

If the stake president feels a need to delegate this function to the bishopric, he may wish to visit with his Area Authority first.

I Smell Smoke coming out of your Stake Presidents office.

Eric Werny wrote:I Smell Smoke coming out of your Stake Presidents office.

Doubt it. Section 89. [grin]

Seriously, if the stake president asked me to do something, and I did not think I had the authority to do it, I would ask him and tell him my concerns. Then, if he still wanted me to do it, I would.

But, I would do all of my asking and counseling in private.

It's generally a member of the Stake Presidency, but may be delegated to a High Councilor. I think I was serving on the HC when that letter came out, as I do remember seeing it. It's pretty hard to get your hands on a copy if you're not in a leadership position, though.

geeksmith wrote:It's generally a member of the Stake Presidency, but may be delegated to a High Councilor. I think I was serving on the HC when that letter came out, as I do remember seeing it. It's pretty hard to get your hands on a copy if you're not in a leadership position, though.

As mentioned earlier in this thread, there is no provision for delegating the setting apart of a ward clerk to a high councilor; the letter speaks only of assistant ward clerks. Those who actually need to know can certainly put their hands on the letter.

Actually the Stake President usually or member of Presidency (There is a Matrix in HI #1) is one who sets apart a Ward Clerk

Assistant clerks can be by a member of presidency or high council member or designated

hooson wrote:Book 1 of the CHI, current edition, states that a Ward Clerk is set apart by a member of the Stake Presidency.

One of the counsellors in our Stake Presidency - recently called - has inherited a CHI which has a handwritten note in the margin stating that an official letter dated 23 May 2009 stated that Ward Clerks may now be set apart by a member of the High Council if assigned by a member of the Stake Presidency.

We haven't been able to verify this anywhere - can anyone confirm? Better yet, is there a way of viewing the letter itself?

Thanks in advance.

If my stake president asked me to do something I thought was incorrect, I'd check the handbook - and politely refer him to the page which contradicts his instructions.

nothing wrong with correcting incorrectness, as long as it's done correctly

dannykos wrote:.....nothing wrong with correcting incorrectness, as long as it's done correctly

"As the Spirit Directs......."

GD

dannykos wrote:..and politely refer him to the page which contradicts his instructions.

nothing wrong with correcting incorrectness, as long as it's done correctly

If you are brave enough......:rolleyes:

jstoddard wrote:Actually the Stake President usually or member of Presidency (There is a Matrix in HI #1) is one who sets apart a Ward Clerk

Assistant clerks can be by a member of presidency or high council member or designated

The letter is actually dated May 23, 2007 and references assistant clerks, and ask that it be written in the CHB #1. NOT Ward clerks, who need to be set apart by a member of the Stake Presidency.

charly3358 wrote:If you are brave enough......:rolleyes:

While I was serving as stake clerk a few years ago, the instruction I received directly from a visiting member of the Seventy is that clerks should become "experts on the General Handbook of Instructions" and provide policy guidance to their stake presidents and bishops when needed. He went on to instruct us that to the greatest extent possible, the clerks and assistant clerks should take care of all administrative duties so that the stake president and bishops can concentrate their time and energy to the ministering duties.

charly3358 wrote:If you are brave enough......:rolleyes:

As a called Ward or Stake Clerk, you shouldn't need to be brave enough. The leadership should be humble enough to be counseled correctly. If you don't want me to provide that kind of guidance and counsel, release me now, otherwise listen to what I have to say. Then, watch me support you with all my heart, might, mind, and strength whatever is decided, even if I think it's wrong.

I always tell my clerks, as long as it's in private, you should feel like you can say anything to your Bishop by way of advice, observation, counsel, policy, etc... but when a decision is made, you're the biggest advocate!