YW leader can't see Personal Progress Summary

[payne8]

Short answer - Custom callings have no rights of access to anything online!

This is the second time I have had a 'custom' callings access issue in the last month.

Honest question:

What about delegation? We give 'custom' callings to people in order to help the people in the 'standard' callings delegate, and to help the people in the custom callings grow. I know it is our responsibility to make sure (Handbook 1 quote indicating proper handing of information removed - RH) (Handbook 1 13.8) But what do we do when someone's calling requires them to have access to that information in order to fulfill that calling? Are we just setting them up to fail by giving them that calling? Do I counsel the bishop to not give callings of this nature? (I don't think it is my place to do this).

Right now the only solution I have found that keeps the person's actual calling in the system is to have someone in the YW presidency generate the report and either email or hand deliver the report to the individual. I can identify at least three issues with this. First, it creates a dependence on the presidency to generate the report (doesn't enable the individual to accomplish their calling). Second, the report may not be up to date by the time it is delivered. Third (and most important), it requires the parties involved to use an outside and uncontrolled channel in order to provide the information.

As a software developer working on an enterprise 'Users, Access, and Security' team, I know custom access is a non-trivial and very difficult thing to support. Both the UX and the technical implementation need to be top notch in order for access control to work. But in the end when it does work it will empower individuals and strengthen the security of the entire church record system.

If I am in the wrong in any way I am happy to be corrected. I would like some direction to the questions above. Thanks!

[russellhltn]

What about delegation?

Some things can be delegated, some cannot. You might want to carefully read Handbook 1 as to when it's permitted. Since this thread is about YW, reading Handbook 2: 10.3.2, I'm not seeing where responsibilities can be delegated. Generally, when delegation is allowed, the Handbook will specify the qualifications of the person it can be delegated to.

There's two ways to give feedback: You can escalate the issue though your leadership, through the stake president to the area authority. The alternative is to use the feedback link in LCR. Just keep in mind that these kinds of decisions are not the decision of the developers or some administrator, but is reviewed by the Brethren.

But what do we do when someone's calling requires them to have access to that information in order to fulfill that calling? Are we just setting them up to fail by giving them that calling?

Currently, it would appear so. Like it or not, you're stuck with the system you have.

Do I counsel the bishop to not give callings of this nature? (I don't think it is my place to do this).

You didn't say what your calling is, but it would be your place to advise the bishop the facts surrounding custom callings and the issues that creates. It will help him understand the issues surrounding these callings.

[payne8]

Thanks for addressing my questions. I think that is enough for me to move forward.

[rabbott0511]

I was listed as an advisor in every class so that I had access to everyone even though I was called as the Personal Progress coordinator.

[davesudweeks]

I was listed as an advisor in every class so that I had access to everyone even though I was called as the Personal Progress coordinator.

This is what we recently did in our ward (assistant advisor), under the Bishop's direction, after I informed him that the custom calling would not grant access to the Personal Progress information.

[jenny_smith]

For the record, Personal Progress advisers have been discouraged for over ten years. The new handbook makes it clear that the secretary, presidency, and advisers are responsible for personal progress.

[russellhltn]

I don't know as "Personal Progress advisers" has ever been an official calling. Handbook 2: 10.3.3 "Ward Young Women Secretary" says: "She uses the Young Women Personal Progress Tracking Sheet for Leaders to record the progress of individual young women as they participate in Personal Progress and other activities and as they fulfill leadership callings."

Others assist in the actual program, but it looks like tracking is the responsibility of the Secretary.

[keith73]

Are there plans for the church to add personal progress as a standard calling so we will not have to manipulate advisor callings to allow these faithful to serve?

[russellhltn]

As a community, the church would not tell us their intentions prior to any announcement.

The real question is if this is a responsibility that the YW Presidency can delegate? Simply because some units have created a non-standard calling and found a work-around doesn't make it proper. I'd suggest reviewing Handbook 2: 10.3.2. The calling is unlikely to appear until the Handbook is changed in some way to at least hint at such a calling.

[davesudweeks]

For the record, Personal Progress advisers have been discouraged for over ten years. The new handbook makes it clear that the secretary, presidency, and advisers are responsible for personal progress.

I don't know the mind of the bishop or YW president - I'm just the lowly clerk and was not included in the discussions. However in our case, I believe the calling was more for the sister who was called than it was for the YW in their personal progress tracking. We have been counseled that everyone needs an assignment and I believe the YW President and Bishop felt this was the proper assignment for this sister at this time. We had not had this custom calling before this and I suspect it will only be a temporary thing.