Procedure for non-mls computers in clerks office

Discussions around the setup, operation, replacement, and disposal of clerk computers, not to include using MLS
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aebrown
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Re: Procedure for non-mls computers in clerks office

#11

Post by aebrown »

RossEvans wrote:As a practical matter, since there apparently has been no letter through the usual channels notifying priesthood leaders at various levels that there is a new policy, it seems to be known only to interested readers of this forum and those who might happen to browse RKATS. And there seems to have been an internal church email when the policy was rolled out online two weeks ago.
It wasn't an "internal church email." There was an email dated 19 Jan 2014 that was sent to subscribers as determined by the Subscriptions tab of their LDS Account preferences. I'm not sure whether it was the "Meetinghouse Technologies" or "Technology Specialist Callings" subscription. But I think those options are only available to those with certain callings, and since it's an opt-in subscription, there must be plenty of those who are eligible who don't subscribe, and plenty more who are affected by the policy who don't even have the option to subscribe.
RossEvans wrote:Meanwhile, the new document states that a key role of the stake president is that he "understands and enforces" the policy. But without the letter or other notification, he may not even know that the new policy exists.
Excellent point. I'm guessing that an official letter through priesthood channels will come at some point, but the approval process is causing it to be delayed.

Given the lack of an official letter, I could not fault a stake president who took the position that the 2009 policy document (which did arrive with an official letter) is still in force. Clearly, it would be helpful for all concerned to get some official clarification.
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sbradshaw
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Re: Procedure for non-mls computers in clerks office

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Post by sbradshaw »

We have an extra, non-MLS computer in our stake clerk's office, provided by the FM group. It is very useful for preparing programs for stake meetings, updating schedules and agendas, and using the LDS.org tools; or even just Googling the answer to a clerk question or letting someone print their talk from time to time, without displacing someone who's working in MLS.
lajackson
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Re: Procedure for non-mls computers in clerks office

#13

Post by lajackson »

An interesting side note is that a newly constructed meetinghouse with stake offices (they don't build "stake centers" any longer) has two internet ports in the stake clerks office.
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Re: Procedure for non-mls computers in clerks office

#14

Post by russellhltn »

lajackson wrote:An interesting side note is that a newly constructed meetinghouse with stake offices (they don't build "stake centers" any longer) has two internet ports in the stake clerks office.
Probably one for the computer and one for the printer or MFD. Is this in addition to a phone line? Because that's another possible use.
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lajackson
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Re: Procedure for non-mls computers in clerks office

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Post by lajackson »

russellhltn wrote:Probably one for the computer and one for the printer or MFD. Is this in addition to a phone line?
I hadn't thought about a printer. Ours still connects directly to the computer. And yes, these are in addition to the phone line.
RossEvans
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Re: Procedure for non-mls computers in clerks office

#16

Post by RossEvans »

aebrown wrote: Given the lack of an official letter, I could not fault a stake president who took the position that the 2009 policy document (which did arrive with an official letter) is still in force.
I would agree, provided that he remains unaware of the new policy -- which unfortunately is more than possible since we know of no proactive notification being sent to priesthood leaders generally.

However, once leaders are aware of the new policy, they do not need to wait for paper confirmation to make it official. It speaks for itself, and any conflict between the new online policy and the 2009 policy document clearly must be resolved in favor of the new one.

Besides, even the 2009 PDF/paper document began with a notice that its policies and guidelines could be updated online (my emphasis below):
This document summarizes the current policies and guidelines for computers used by clerks for Church record keeping. Please refer to clerk.lds.org for updates and additional details.
And even though RKATS did not exist in 2009, the RKATS online page can be reached today from clerk.lds.org. (Resources -> Melchizedek Priesthood -> Record-Keeping and Technology Support).

When I look at the provisions of the old PDF and the new RKATS documents, I don't find much substantive language in the old version that has not been superseded.
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