Tracking Callings for a Ward

Hi,

My bishop has given me (assistant ward clerk) the assignment of finding software that will track callings within the ward. He asked me to find something that showed the hierchal structure of every division in a graphical format (like a family tree). He wanted to be able to load the ward MLS to easily view who had callings and how long each person was in their position.

Is there anything out there that can possibly handle such a request???

Appreciate any input!

Thanks,
Shane Bennee

I don't know any off the top of my head. What you want is "Org Chart" software to get the graphical picture.

I'm not clear on what you meant by "loading MLS". MLS has the fields for who, what and how long. (For that matter so does LUWS.) However, MLS also has a report of who doesn't have a calling.

There is no way to import information into MLS, but there are ways of exporting information out of it.

Edit: A quick Google turned up this page - some templates for OpenOffice. OpenOffice should already be installed on your ward's computer. If not, feel free to download it and put it on.

Some method to track callings by person might also be helpful. Here's why:

Awhile ago my bishop requested an appointment with me. His warmup pitch was that it came to his attention that I had not had a calling in some time, and he now had something for me to do. Stunned, I asked, "Really? Why don't you think I have a calling?" He glanced at his magnetic whiteboard, where my name sat idly at the bottom in the company of unassigned folks. I started laughing, then explained to him that at the time, I was doing the following:
SA Rep
FH consultant
SS teacher
visiting teaching
ward music chairman
directing sacrament meeting music

We laughed together and he admitted that he needed another system.

sbenboy wrote:Hi,
My bishop has given me (assistant ward clerk) the assignment of finding software that will track callings within the ward. He asked me to find something that showed the hierchal structure of every division in a graphical format (like a family tree). He wanted to be able to load the ward MLS to easily view who had callings and how long each person was in their position.

Is there anything out there that can possibly handle such a request???

While not in a graphical family tree style. MLS will print the Ward Org chart in three formats.

1. By organization
2. By Member name (good for finding people with to many callings)
3. By Calling name
4. People with out callings.

Being away from MLS at the moment. I can't remember if number 4 is a separate list or if its included at the bottom of report 2. Report 1 seems pretty close to what your Bishop wants. Has he seen this? Is your ward organization filled out in MLS? Does he want a large family tree style print out to put on a wall? Or just to see things in their groupings?

You may want to check out [thread=452]this thread[/thread]. This person has created a software program to help Bishops with various duties. It may not be exactly what you are looking for but it does have some nice features and at least may give you ideas.

Tom

am i missing something?
one of my callings is to keep the unit web site up to date with all the callings for each org in the unit. which i do.
would this be a help or starting point for someone trying to figure who is doing what?

Some people keep it up to date and some do not. MLS also stores the callings as long as the ward clerk keeps it up to date. And finally most bishops have a huge chart in their office that they try to keep up to date. Since all three have separate ways of updating them it depends who has the latest information. What tom suggested was combining the MLS and the Bishop version into one version with some 3rd party software.

Since there is no way as of now to automate the update of the website you will still have to keep that updated as best you can and hopefully the clerks keep in sync with you with MLS.

One disadvantage of using the website for callings is it doesn't tell you who doesn't have callings.

And unless you have Internet access at Church, you can't reference it at Church.

Yes, that is a disadvantage which is why Tom suggested the other thread about it so that the bishop could just sync up with MLS. Now if MLS could just project a chart onto the wall of the leadership organization and what needs to be filled, that would be a very useful feature.

I wish MLS had a calling history. In addition to the auxillary view with service date, individual history on callings would be valuable history to have.

Dave

I created this Excel spreadsheet to track callings, sustainings, releases, enter into MLS, etc. to keep track of who was supposed to do what for each step.

I fill out the names of those who will be called or released and then enter in the name of the person assigned to do the different tasks (approve, call, release, talk to aux/unit leader, etc.) When the task is completed, I will put the date in the Date box.

If there is no one to release, or the box is not applicable, I type "NONE" in the box, and it will turn grey with white writing. If the information is missing, or needs to be filled in, I put an "X" in the box and it will turn RED until I overwrite it with a date. This red tells me what is not done yet or is missing so that I can follow-up.

Hope this gives some ideas. I would love to have this as a DB-type option where I can sort and create lists based on Unit, Calling type, output a High Council Business report for who needs to be called/released on the next HC visit--and not have to retype it all again.

There are 3 tabs: Stake Callings, Ward-Level Callings, and Mel. Priesthood Ordinations. The document is for a stake clerk/exec sec, but could easily be modified for a ward clerk/executive secretary.

The form looks good! Thanks for sharing it.

Thank you, this is SO helpful.

I recently built a calling planner (https://churchcallingplanner.com) that can help with this kind of thing. Nothing ever gets sent to the server so any information you enter stays on your computer to avoid privacy concerns. It's mainly for helping with the juggling of positions. It's free, supported by voluntary contributions. I'd love to get feedback if it's helpful and easy to use.