Leadership and Technology


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I am interested in how some of y'all use technology in your callings. I was in the previous EQ Presidency and was called again to serve in the "new" EQ Presidency, and we relied heavily on Google products to keep, share, and track information. In the current transition, the ease of use of these products is making it almost seamless due to majority of our information already being saved and shared to two of the three in the new Presidency.

 

Do you have a similar story, use anything different, have an idea you would like to try? 

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Just now, hadl said:

I am interested in how some of y'all use technology in your callings. I was in the previous EQ Presidency and was called again to serve in the "new" EQ Presidency, and we relied heavily on Google products to keep, share, and track information. In the current transition, the ease of use of these products is making it almost seamless due to majority of our information already being saved and shared to two of the three in the new Presidency.

 

Do you have a similar story, use anything different, have an idea you would like to try? 

You asked about "technology."  But your examples seem to be focused on social media and similar tools (google).

We're really not supposed to use those in groups.  If each individual wants to use such tools for their own use, that's fine.  But for some reason, the Church Handbook says to avoid that as the "official" means of coordinating efforts.

I use other types of technology for my calling.  But it wouldn't apply to your calling or to this question.

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1 minute ago, Carborendum said:

You asked about "technology."  But your examples seem to be focused on social media and similar tools (google).

We're really not supposed to use those in groups.  If each individual wants to use such tools for their own use, that's fine.  But for some reason, the Church Handbook says to avoid that as the "official" means of coordinating efforts.

I use other types of technology for my calling.  But it wouldn't apply to your calling or to this question.

Did I say we were using them in a official capacity? I was simply using an example of something we do for ourselves in a Presidency.

My example is not social media, in fact a google doc is more akin to a word document that can be used by those given access. Also...by definition, that is considered "technology" or maybe I should reword it for you?

Actually, if you use technology in your calling...that is exactly what I was asking. 

 

My point in this post was to add some positive conversation on this forum. However, I see the negativity just oozes in this corner of the web.

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I routinely use my clerk access to send broadcast emails to various groups for the Bishop.  Reminding of activities, folks we should fast for, etc.

It's common place on any given Sunday, to have half our quorum reading the lesson on our phones.

Used with HomeTeaching/Ministering: Text, email, facebook.

There's a "Sisters of XX Ward" Facebook group for my ward, full of requests for babysitting or product advice, or offers of free stuff people are giving away.  (Most of the offers of free stuff are replied to within an hour, by a ward brother, who is on the page because it's a great place to find free stuff.)

I'm also the ward media specialist, and in charge of setting up the AV when we're broadcasting something in the chapel.  I get to show up an hour early and verify the audio works like this.

Finally, it's not really a calling, but hey, "Every member a missionary", right?  Someone set up a virtual Temple Square, and will broadcast virtual General Conference from a virtual Conference center in SecondLife.  So, you know, people can watch General Conference as their avatars.

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image.png.ab1ae26b0782d2f08a9a9f3606dfc36b.png

Edited by NeuroTypical
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Oh - and a few years back when there was a forest fire in my ward, someone from the stake called me and "Activated the emergency communication network".  We sat there and thought about what that actually meant, and decided it probably meant that the stake had my cell phone number and could reach me if they had info to spread or gather.

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Just this morning I had a technology-use idea...  We have some sisters in our ward who cannot physically attend RS.  But I believe they could virtually attend RS.  My idea is to stream RS - complete with chatting so that remote sisters can ask questions / make comments.

The biggest technology hurdle is that the wireless will not work for this (too many concurrent users).  So the question is whether I can convince the technology folk to let me wire into the network or find some other way to get the required internet access.  If I can get that, I can handle the rest and find a sister in the ward to man the chat window to relay questions / comments.

The other hurdle will be that the idea is too new / different and people will balk at the mere mention.  But I'm going to research my options first.

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8 minutes ago, anatess2 said:

Do you know that my ward building in Florida has the exact same password to the church wifi as the ward building in Texas and Colorado and... tat-tada... the Philippines?

I knew it was everywhere in the US.  Nice to know it's also global - convenient.

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Guest MormonGator

It's funny you bring this up. I gave a speech on technology yesterday for my EQ. @zil graciously helped me with the speech, so thanks #4! 

My ward is a difficult ward for the technologically saavy. Out of the 30 men in the quorum yesterday, only three were under 65. Not an insult, statement of fact. And yes,  older people can know more about technology than I ever will.  @Carborendum proves this. Dude is so old.

During my speech all I got was comments on the evils of technology. No one said anything positive, even after I showed them the FB pages of various apostles. So I'm not surprised that there can be confusion about technology from ward leadership.

Edited by MormonGator
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2 hours ago, hadl said:

Did I say we were using them in a official capacity? I was simply using an example of something we do for ourselves in a Presidency.

My example is not social media, in fact a google doc is more akin to a word document that can be used by those given access. Also...by definition, that is considered "technology" or maybe I should reword it for you?

Actually, if you use technology in your calling...that is exactly what I was asking. 

 

My point in this post was to add some positive conversation on this forum. However, I see the negativity just oozes in this corner of the web.

How on earth did you get any negativity out of what I posted?  I answered your question.  I wasn't criticizing.  I was trying to get definitions of terms for the purposes of discussion.  But if you don't want t discuss with common terms, I guess I'll leave you alone.

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2 hours ago, hadl said:

My point in this post was to add some positive conversation on this forum. However, I see the negativity just oozes in this corner of the web.

He was asking for more information, not taking you to task. Take a deep breath, step away for a few minutes, and try again. No one's being negative.

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1 hour ago, Vort said:

He was asking for more information, not taking you to task. Take a deep breath, step away for a few minutes, and try again. No one's being negative.

I disagree, he never once asked a question. In fact he only stated his opinion, and when presenting the fact he does use tech...failed to list it, which was the whole point of this post. 

I agree that words more often in forums, texts, and letters can be misconstrued...but his post added no substance. In fact seemed confrontational, hence the negativity. 

Thanks for playing though.

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1 hour ago, Carborendum said:

How on earth did you get any negativity out of what I posted?  I answered your question.  I wasn't criticizing.  I was trying to get definitions of terms for the purposes of discussion.  But if you don't want t discuss with common terms, I guess I'll leave you alone.

You never asked a question, only stated facts/words/items that did not directly contribute to the point of the post. It is like when someone in a team/group is just stealing oxygen...that is negativity. 

However, I would love to hear how you have used technology to help you in your callings/Priesthood. 

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4 hours ago, NeuroTypical said:

I routinely use my clerk access to send broadcast emails to various groups for the Bishop.  Reminding of activities, folks we should fast for, etc.

It's common place on any given Sunday, to have half our quorum reading the lesson on our phones.

Used with HomeTeaching/Ministering: Text, email, facebook.

There's a "Sisters of XX Ward" Facebook group for my ward, full of requests for babysitting or product advice, or offers of free stuff people are giving away.  (Most of the offers of free stuff are replied to within an hour, by a ward brother, who is on the page because it's a great place to find free stuff.)

I'm also the ward media specialist, and in charge of setting up the AV when we're broadcasting something in the chapel.  I get to show up an hour early and verify the audio works like this.

Finally, it's not really a calling, but hey, "Every member a missionary", right?  Someone set up a virtual Temple Square, and will broadcast virtual General Conference from a virtual Conference center in SecondLife.  So, you know, people can watch General Conference as their avatars.

image.png.fe85398e1241d667feff0dfcfabf6b5e.png

image.png.ab1ae26b0782d2f08a9a9f3606dfc36b.png

Very cool! It is an awesome time we live in. I remember hearing Pres. Oaks talk about how the Brethren wanted them to use their iPads/iPhones/social media a lot more in a Stake Conference. That statement told me I needed to be more open minded about the technology around us, I had been a heavy believer in hard copy items before that.

I used to be very anti-snapchat, however seeing how the church has been using it I now see the benefits of it. I really enjoy using Snapchat with my wife, it is a cute and funny way to communicate easily when we are apart.

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4 hours ago, zil said:

Just this morning I had a technology-use idea...  We have some sisters in our ward who cannot physically attend RS.  But I believe they could virtually attend RS.  My idea is to stream RS - complete with chatting so that remote sisters can ask questions / make comments.

The biggest technology hurdle is that the wireless will not work for this (too many concurrent users).  So the question is whether I can convince the technology folk to let me wire into the network or find some other way to get the required internet access.  If I can get that, I can handle the rest and find a sister in the ward to man the chat window to relay questions / comments.

The other hurdle will be that the idea is too new / different and people will balk at the mere mention.  But I'm going to research my options first.

I think that is a great/cool idea. I am definitely interested in how you all may implement something in the future.

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3 hours ago, MormonGator said:

It's funny you bring this up. I have a speech on technology yesterday for my EQ. @zil graciously helped me with the speech, so thanks #4! 

My ward is a difficult ward for the technologically saavy. Out of the 30 men in the quorum yesterday, only three were under 65. Not an insult, statement of fact. And yes,  older people can know more about technology than I ever will.  @Carborendum proves this. Dude is so old.

During my speech all I got was comments on the evils of technology. No one said anything positive, even after I showed them the FB pages of various apostles. So I'm not surprised that there can be confusion about technology from ward leadership.

Our leadership is using it, our missionaries are using it, and our youth are experts in it. 

We live in a marvelous time where saints from around the world can come together and share ideas/experiences. This was my initial intent with the post...share ideas with one another. I think we could learn how to better communicate, lead, inspire, serve, etc. by sharing these experiences.

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Guest MormonGator
1 minute ago, hadl said:

Our leadership is using it, our missionaries are using it, and our youth are experts in it. 

We live in a marvelous time where saints from around the world can come together and share ideas/experiences. This was my initial intent with the post...share ideas with one another. I think we could learn how to better communicate, lead, inspire, serve, etc. by sharing these experiences.

Yup, agree totally. I joined the church via Facebook, so I'm living proof that social media can enhance our church and each other. 

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3 minutes ago, MormonGator said:

Yup, agree totally. I joined the church via Facebook, so I'm living proof that social media can enhance our church and each other. 

My wife started investigating the church while we were dating. She was a college student living alone in an apt, and I was deployed overseas for 8 months. During this time she took it upon herself to investigate the church without my knowledge...she wanted to find out herself. When I got home this use of technology lead to physical missionaries, baptism, marriage/sealing, children, and the list goes on. 

The limit is our own imaginations. 

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Guest MormonGator
1 minute ago, hadl said:

My wife started investigating the church while we were dating. She was a college student living alone in an apt, and I was deployed overseas for 8 months. During this time she took it upon herself to investigate the church without my knowledge...she wanted to find out herself. When I got home this use of technology lead to physical missionaries, baptism, marriage/sealing, children, and the list goes on. 

The limit is our own imaginations. 

Yup. 
 

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I've been vaguely pondering a particular use of technology over the last few weeks. I've been thinking through a 12 months curriculum for Elders Quorum, although it could also be used for Relief Society. As a way of trialling and refining the curriculum I've been thinking about about a standard lesson plan being followed by multiple quorums in several locations, and then establishing - I'm not even sure of the correct term, maybe a wiki? - where people from all over can post their comments/critiques/suggestions/feedback about the lesson online, and then the lesson plan could be further improved based on all the online comments. I gave the skeleton of the curriculum to the newly called Elders Quorum President two weeks ago. Based on our initial conversation, the plan doesn't seem to match the direction he wants to go in, but when he gets back from his upcoming trip overseas, I'll have a more detailed discussion with him. But getting back to the main point, I think a website whereby people who are all having the same lessons could have the opportunity to provide feedback on that lesson about how it could be made better, or what talks or resourcs there are that could be used to enhance the lesson would be a great idea. 

ps

If my Elders Quorum President ends up liking my idea and wants me to develop it further, I'm thinking about asking some forum members for assistance. 

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8 hours ago, askandanswer said:

what is it? another one of those foul'n tin pen thingys? 

Sailor.  Nothing foul in one of those.  No tin.  Gold, rhodium, acrylic, probably other types of plastic, rubber around the piston, probably some steel.

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