Send a Message to Everybody in the Stake or Ward

[ryanspencer]

We'd like to send out a large announcement to everybody in the directory of a ward or a stake on certain occasions. One example would be for stake conference: tell everybody the schedule for stake temple night, stake priesthood meeting, adult meeting, youth meeting, etc.

I know that the calendar can send out emails for one calendar item, and I know that the Send Message feature can message groups of leaders or individuals. We could also do it manually exporting email addresses from MLS, but I'm looking for a feature on the website that will do all this for us automatically.

Any ideas?

[aebrown]

I know that the Send Message feature can message groups of leaders or individuals.

Are you aware that the Send a Message feature can send to the whole ward or even the whole stake? That seems to be exactly what you are looking for.

The trick is that the permissions to send to this large group are very tightly restricted. To send to the whole stake, for example, you must be the stake clerk or a member of the stake presidency. To send to the whole ward, you must be the ward clerk or a member of the bishopric.

[ryanspencer]

That sounds like it fits the bill. High Councilors/Stake Technology Specialists don't have the permissions, I assume?

[aebrown]

That sounds like it fits the bill. High Councilors/Stake Technology Specialists don't have the permissions, I assume?

That's correct. I think there's only 4 people in the stake and 4 in the ward who can do this (I'm not certain about executive secretaries). But assistant clerks, high councilors, etc. cannot do it.

[zaneclark]

I am an assistant ward clerk and I just sent a message to the ward using "Send a Message." I am also an assistant stake clerk and in that calling I am limited to only the stake leaders, not the members. One good thing about all of this, I finally got the stake clerk to let me show him how to send a message to the stake. I have been doing this through LUWS until it was discontinued.

[jdlessley]

I am an assistant ward clerk and I just sent a message to the ward using "Send a Message."

How did you do that? The "Send a Message" feature for an assistant ward clerk only has "leaders" under available groups as choices in Leader and Clerk Resources. There is no option for the entire ward. Didn't you meant you used "Email all Adults" from the Adults group under Ward Organization in the Directory?

[zaneclark]

I used Send a Message in Clerk Resources where I can choose from either Leaders or Members. I am also an assistant stake clerk and both ward and stake web administrator, but don't know if one of callings gives me this permission.

[jdlessley]

I am guessing that your ability to send to members is because of your stake position. I am an assistant ward clerk and can only use the send a message to leadership groups. Membership groups are not available.

[techgy]

I used Send a Message in Clerk Resources where I can choose from either Leaders or Members. I am also an assistant stake clerk and both ward and stake web administrator, but don't know if one of callings gives me this permission.

Very strange. I hold the same positions and the only group that I can send Email to is "Leaders".

[drepouille]

To send to the whole stake, for example, you must be the stake clerk or a member of the stake presidency.

Well that's just great. Don't tell my stake presidency I have that ability. The bishoprics and ward clerks in my stake are already tired of receiving e-mails from me. I remember when I used to try to send e-mail broadcasts from the LUWS. I received several dozen "undeliverable" messages, and a few complaints from members who didn't want to receive e-mail broadcasts on subjects they had no interest in.

My stake presidency believes I have a magic ability to touch every member of the stake. Experience has shown that most bishops do not pass messages from the stake presidency on to the members of their wards, or in many cases to their own counselors, clerks, and ward council.