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The_Tick · 07-30-2007, 08:35 PM

Mike brought this up in another thread and I thought it an interesting topic.

I am the Y.M. President in our ward. Have been for 3 years now.

They put in a Y.W. President about 18 months ago. She and I didn't get along. At all.

She made Hitler look easy going.

She is a 3rd grade teacher and militant.

She told the Y.W.

-No talking
-No bathroom trips
-Doodling detracts from the spirit.
-You girls act worse than a class of 3rd graders.

On and on and on.

It has killed the momentum of the Y.W. in the ward. My daughter actually said that she "hated" this leader. First time I had ever heard her mention that phrase about a person. Ever.

I brought it up with the Bishop one day in my monthly PPI. He mentioned that he had heard similar rumblings from the other Y.W. and their parents in the ward.

He did something that I have never had happen before...(I have been in Y.M. for 12 years now. First time having monthly PPI's with the Bish though.)

Bishop: President The_Tick...if you were in my shoes, what would you do differently?

Me: Hmmm...Only 1 person in the Y.W. presidency has kids. She is the only one that the girls like, and she is the only one the girls think "gets it".

The other 2 have no experience with "youth". They have no kids, they have no kids teenage age. They are trying to make these girls fit into a mold of what they leaders think a Y.W. should be, without taking into account the Y.W. as individuals.

Some type of change needs to be made, or we are going to lose alot of girls.

Bishop: Thanks for the advice.

Fast forward to 2 months later....

New Y.W. Presidency. President was replaced, a couns. was replaced. Couns. that the girls "enjoyed" stayed.

There has been a remarkable change in the demeanor of all of the Y.W. at church. My daughter and her friends all look forward to 3rd hour again and to mutual.

Did what I say have an affect on the Bishop? Maybe. But I was in a position to say something and felt that it was appropriate to do so.

I did follow this up by saying that he should release me as Y.M. President because I have no sons.

He declined.

Flystripper · 07-30-2007, 08:38 PM

90% of inspiration is information. Leaders need our candor.

Tex · 07-30-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Tick

Did what I say have an affect on the Bishop? Maybe. But I was in a position to say something and felt that it was appropriate to do so.

I agree. Honest counsel from the ward leadership is invaluable to a bishop.

All-American · 07-30-2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flystripper

90% of inspiration is information. Leaders need our candor.

That is profound. I should put that on a wall somewhere.

Welcome, by the way.

Archaea · 07-30-2007, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by All-American

That is profound. I should put that on a wall somewhere.

Welcome, by the way.

Our candor, but not our rancor.

All-American · 07-30-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archaea

Our candor, but not our rancor.

You have a rancor?

07-30-2007, 08:35 PM	#1
The_Tick Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 626	Advising Church Leaders... Mike brought this up in another thread and I thought it an interesting topic. I am the Y.M. President in our ward. Have been for 3 years now. They put in a Y.W. President about 18 months ago. She and I didn't get along. At all. She made Hitler look easy going. She is a 3rd grade teacher and militant. She told the Y.W. -No talking -No bathroom trips -Doodling detracts from the spirit. -You girls act worse than a class of 3rd graders. On and on and on. It has killed the momentum of the Y.W. in the ward. My daughter actually said that she "hated" this leader. First time I had ever heard her mention that phrase about a person. Ever. I brought it up with the Bishop one day in my monthly PPI. He mentioned that he had heard similar rumblings from the other Y.W. and their parents in the ward. He did something that I have never had happen before...(I have been in Y.M. for 12 years now. First time having monthly PPI's with the Bish though.) Bishop: President The_Tick...if you were in my shoes, what would you do differently? Me: Hmmm...Only 1 person in the Y.W. presidency has kids. She is the only one that the girls like, and she is the only one the girls think "gets it". The other 2 have no experience with "youth". They have no kids, they have no kids teenage age. They are trying to make these girls fit into a mold of what they leaders think a Y.W. should be, without taking into account the Y.W. as individuals. Some type of change needs to be made, or we are going to lose alot of girls. Bishop: Thanks for the advice. Fast forward to 2 months later.... New Y.W. Presidency. President was replaced, a couns. was replaced. Couns. that the girls "enjoyed" stayed. There has been a remarkable change in the demeanor of all of the Y.W. at church. My daughter and her friends all look forward to 3rd hour again and to mutual. Did what I say have an affect on the Bishop? Maybe. But I was in a position to say something and felt that it was appropriate to do so. I did follow this up by saying that he should release me as Y.M. President because I have no sons. He declined. __________________ Spooooooon

07-30-2007, 08:38 PM	#2
Flystripper Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Valencia CA Posts: 1,384	My MP always said to me 90% of inspiration is information. Leaders need our candor.