Clerk Responsibility in regards to issues with use of funds.

[carljokl]

I understand that the final decision regarding how budgets are allocated and fast offering use is made by the Bishop. However I wondered what responsibilities or appropriate channels of protest a Ward Clerk has over the way in which Church funds are used. Are there circumstances under which a Clerk can object to how funds are being used (beyond Bishopric spending money on themselves inappropriately)?

What should a clerk do when uncomfortable that budget money and/or fast offering is being handled within a ward? What if objections to the Bishop are ignored?

[aebrown]

A ward clerk can certainly counsel with the stake clerk. The stake clerk has responsibility for training ward clerks (see HB 1, 13.3.2). So the stake clerk can help the ward clerk understand the principles behind these expenditures; it's possible that the ward clerk doesn't understand the principles and there is actually no problem. Or it's possible that there is a situation where the bishop needs additional training. In that case, the stake clerk would bring the issue to the attention of the stake president. The stake financial clerk would be another possibility.

If the stake clerk does not give adequate help in this regard, the ward clerk does have the option of contacting the stake president directly. After all, the ward clerk was called by the stake president. I'm always careful about the stake president's time, so this would be the last resort, but it is certainly an option for serious concerns.

[simonawright]

There is always the option of asking the audit committee to provide advice about the appropriate use of funds

[carljokl]

I am getting in touch with the Stake Clerk and will take it from there.

[waynecooke]

Just a short comment. The advice above about talking to the Stake Clerk is, of course, correct. Last month, we got a new Bishop in our Ward. He was released as the Stake Clerk to become our Bishop. Our outgoing Bishop was installed as the new Stake Clerk. He should be aware of the problems the Wards may have. (It was his second time as Bishop, and first time as Stake Clerk)

[carljokl]

The Stake Clerk and Stake President are carefully intervening.