Another thing we do here in Japan is limit the time to one hour. People come prepared better when they know it is not going to be a brain-storming session or just each organization announcing activities,
MaryannAugust 23, 2013
THANK YOU!!!!! I love something Elder Packer said when people would ask him, "Wouldn't it be nice if we........"(schedule another meeting or event). Elder Packer quickly replied, "no" because of his concern for family time being once again pared down. I very well recall my experience serving in a Primary Presidency where the President would call me and tell me to plan on 3 hours for our Presidency meeting because we had "so much to discuss." These kinds of expectations are inappropriate and indicate a lack of understanding about where our greatest energies need to be focused.
jennifer ruebenAugust 22, 2013
well trained leadership is the key to great effective council. all your suggestions are helpful . the LDS untrained leadership often needs some time and some mentoring before they reach the level of spiritual councils you suggest. My best ward council experience was with a bishop who was an army officer . He called retired serg. as his executive sec. but these guys had years of training in leadership and committee work. Most of the actual face time was to inspire and unify the council. much of the detail work was handled outside the council time.
Debrah RoundyAugust 22, 2013
I know the big push is for less meetings but sometimes I think we have over-pushed. Meetings are also a social outlet and getting together to plan things can be good. To many hastily prepared or worse yet, just not doing an activity because we should avoid meetings at all cost has a cost. We do not know each other. There is fellowship and joy in meeting together and planning something.
Maybe the trick would be to quit thinking we have to have the bishop at every meeting and wearing him out. Some of us have no meetings and have not for years. I sure miss those special meetings the women used to have for Primary Inservice. We really got to know each other, shared testimonies and friendship as well as learning how to teach better.
JaceAugust 22, 2013
These are some excellent ideas. Unfortunately what I have found after working as executive secretary to two different bishops is that it all depends on leadership. The meetings function the way the bishop wants them to. The rest of us can give suggestions (some have) to improve them but in the end the bishop sets the tone and direction. More often than not the meetings are dull and accomplish little. So things limp along week after week the same. Little changes and I don't expect much to change in the future.
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DaleAugust 23, 2013
Another thing we do here in Japan is limit the time to one hour. People come prepared better when they know it is not going to be a brain-storming session or just each organization announcing activities,
MaryannAugust 23, 2013
THANK YOU!!!!! I love something Elder Packer said when people would ask him, "Wouldn't it be nice if we........"(schedule another meeting or event). Elder Packer quickly replied, "no" because of his concern for family time being once again pared down. I very well recall my experience serving in a Primary Presidency where the President would call me and tell me to plan on 3 hours for our Presidency meeting because we had "so much to discuss." These kinds of expectations are inappropriate and indicate a lack of understanding about where our greatest energies need to be focused.
jennifer ruebenAugust 22, 2013
well trained leadership is the key to great effective council. all your suggestions are helpful . the LDS untrained leadership often needs some time and some mentoring before they reach the level of spiritual councils you suggest. My best ward council experience was with a bishop who was an army officer . He called retired serg. as his executive sec. but these guys had years of training in leadership and committee work. Most of the actual face time was to inspire and unify the council. much of the detail work was handled outside the council time.
Debrah RoundyAugust 22, 2013
I know the big push is for less meetings but sometimes I think we have over-pushed. Meetings are also a social outlet and getting together to plan things can be good. To many hastily prepared or worse yet, just not doing an activity because we should avoid meetings at all cost has a cost. We do not know each other. There is fellowship and joy in meeting together and planning something. Maybe the trick would be to quit thinking we have to have the bishop at every meeting and wearing him out. Some of us have no meetings and have not for years. I sure miss those special meetings the women used to have for Primary Inservice. We really got to know each other, shared testimonies and friendship as well as learning how to teach better.
JaceAugust 22, 2013
These are some excellent ideas. Unfortunately what I have found after working as executive secretary to two different bishops is that it all depends on leadership. The meetings function the way the bishop wants them to. The rest of us can give suggestions (some have) to improve them but in the end the bishop sets the tone and direction. More often than not the meetings are dull and accomplish little. So things limp along week after week the same. Little changes and I don't expect much to change in the future.
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