genman wrote: I wonder, though, if even the existence of the ward executive secretary calling should be revisited. With modern technology, appointment scheduling and meeting agenda preparation and even record keeping are becoming so easy that the Ward Clerk really could handle it all now, if he had the right skill set and if he was fully engaged as he should be. The ward executive secretary is kind of a 5th wheel anyway, literally.
I've been a stake clerk for 11 years (this time around). I'd never say that the executive secretary was a 5th wheel, or that the Stake Clerk could handle everything, regardless of anything. I spend considerable time every day performing the duties of my calling. I certainly appreciate the fact that we have a good Executive Secretary. During the era when I was first called to be a stake clerk, the Stake Executive Secretary position was created. At first, not many people understood its purpose. I think it's pretty clear now. I think it was divine inspiration to create the position. I also think it's pointless to consider who is "higher" in position than the other. I would never consider myself to be "higher" than the executive secretary and I wouldn't consider him to be "higher" than I am.
Rick Winterton
Stake Clerk