So... Stake Public Affairs

[Ironhold]

As I've noted before, I've worked in the newspaper industry since 2009, and have had my own movie review & op-ed column since 2013. 

For about 15+ years now, our stake public affairs group has been virtually non-functional. I was called to be an assistant stake public affairs person due to my working for a local newspaper, but was never elevated to being the main stake public affairs person no matter how many times the position turned over. Finally I was told that my services were no longer needed, at which point stake largely forgot I even existed, let alone that I worked for a newspaper. 

During this time the stake presidency was actually a *stumbling block* to my efforts, in that one particular stake presidency demanded that I submit to them any op-ed or review I wrote that mentioned the church but would then dawdle on giving me feedback. In one incident, it took them three weeks to finally respond to a single column, leaving me a mere 72 hours to create a replacement; when I told them of the situation they had put me in through their delay, the stake president at the time tried to order me to produce a puff piece about an upcoming Choir event. 

More stake public affair reps have come and gone since, with each one doing very, very little to actually get it done. All the while I'm getting roasted for things not making it into the newspaper I work for despite the fact that I was never given anything to give to the newspaper. Either nobody would think to tell me about an event in enough time, or I would just be told "It's on the ward / stake Facebook page!" when those pages were privated as per official church instruction. 

Well... as of today's stake conference we have yet another stake public affairs representative. I met with him after conference, and he promised to keep in touch as he gets things fixed. 

 

For those of you whose stakes have stake public affairs representatives, how's that been going for you? 

[NeuroTypical]

Raising your hand and sustaining fallible humans can be challenging sometimes.   It helps if you understand that sustaining people in their calling occasionally means not putting up with their bullcrap if that's what they're shoveling.  

I learned this lesson once as an executive secretary in a bishopric meeting.  The stake representative was chewing out the bishop for not having all his ducks in a row regarding some priesthood advancements.  The bishop said something to his clerk, who left the room.  Bishop then took out his copy of the handbook and began reading verbatim the section on ward and stake duties and procedures when it came to such things.  After he had read the section, the clerk had returned with several records, and the bishop proceeded to assign dates to every single thing the ward was supposed to do.  Then he turned to the stake responsibilities and read them off, one at a time, saying things like "the stake has had bro Smith's teacher ordination paperwork since [date].  Have you done step 3 and completed the paperwork?"  "the stake was informed about their need to interview bro Jones for advancement to elder on [date].  Has the stake contacted bro Jones to set up that meeting?"  The questions went on and on.  The stake was found lacking on every single item.   After the bishop was done, he asked "ok.  So, is there anything the stake is waiting for on our end?  If not, I think we can move to the next topic."

I've never seen such a royal butt-whipping as I saw the bishop give our stake rep that day.   There was love in the air, and there was also absolutely no mistake about who had dropped the ball.

I mean, you're not bishop, but if you're filling your calling, you can speak with the same authority.  You can say what you will and will not be doing.  You can point out how other people are not doing their jobs.  And even though it's a skill that's hard to master, you can do such things in love. 

[Traveler]

@Ironhold

It often seems in life that whenever given the task of draining the swamp that all of a sudden, crocodiles, snakes, misquotes, horrible storms and all kinds of undesirable swamp creatures ultimately become the primary focus of anyone attempting to do anything with or in the swamp.

I cannot say what you should have done – only what I would have done.  For any possible reference to the Church of Jesus Christ – I would submit (perhaps via email or text) to the stake presidency, high council and stake auxiliary presidencies (or any related person) anything I intended to be printed in the local paper where I was working – with a 48, 72 or whatever hour deadline for revisions.  If I had nothing and nothing was added within the deadline – I would print that there was nothing provided.  If anyone complained, I would simply say please provide your input on time, next time.  Beyond that I would not complain or worry about anything and continue seeking input and to do my job for my employer.

 

The Traveler

[Carborendum]

12 hours ago, Ironhold said:

For those of you whose stakes have stake public affairs representatives, how's that been going for you? 

I've never heard of such a position on the stake level.  So, that should tell you how it's been going.

[mirkwood]

Yeah, what carb said.

[LDSGator]

17 hours ago, NeuroTypical said:

You can point out how other people are not doing their jobs

Remember it’s all volunteer. It’s not a job. People work 65 hours a week-we in the church should be grateful we can find people willing to work their callings at all. 

Before I was certified I used to volunteer to referee TKD sparring matches. I did so for free. I was absolutely willing to accept criticism, but if anyone tried to give me a “royal butt whipping” I’d take my tie off, leave and go find a beach. 

Edited 2 hours ago by LDSGator