Ward activities: which ones work

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Tex

Knowing you, I wonder if there wasn't a little more bombast to the story. Are you sure you didn't call the counselor a miserable little pimple?

Nonetheless, there's no excuse for them not to eventually give you the money. Making a member eat $700 (or $500 or whatever) on a scouting trip is highway robbery.

In person, he's mild mannered and not bombastic. He's simply his own person.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Requiem

Easy to deduct from this thread that there is inconsistency across wards in terms of spending budget dollars for activities. While a member of a Universtiy of Utah student stake, we consistently had well planned, expensive activities paid for by the ward and stake budgets. For example, we had summer BBQ's catered by Hires, country dances at Park City, overnigt outings, theatrical productions, etc. Bottom line is we were constantly urged to spend money

we've never had anything remotely close to this.

we rent a small building next to a local lake (city bldg) for our christmas party and that takes somewhere from 5-10% of the yearly ward budget.

That is the one activity that goes beyond just a potluck in the gym. In this case it's a potluck in a rented building.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Requiem

Easy to deduct from this thread that there is inconsistency across wards in terms of spending budget dollars for activities. While a member of a Universtiy of Utah student stake, we consistently had well planned, expensive activities paid for by the ward and stake budgets. For example, we had summer BBQ's catered by Hires, country dances at Park City, overnigt outings, theatrical productions, etc. Bottom line is we were constantly urged to spend money

Student stakes and singles wards are awash in "excess" money. A few years ago church HQ allocated an additional $25/head in ward budgets for 18-30 YSAs. This lead to big increases for singles units.

[MikeWaters]

I'm judging by my ward budget that the normal allotment is close to $25 dollars per person per year.

That is why my tithing as a resident was more than the entire ward budget. I was seriously depressed when I found that out.

[FMCoug]

Originally Posted by BYU71

I just don't know if your conclusions are correct. I come from long lines of pioneer stock. Large extended families. I am thinking of siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, children and on and on. There are numerous what you would call down to earth people. Heck, even the ones I consider very religious have some in that category who are very down to earth.

As a matter of fact the more I think about it the more I think your conclusion is bogus.

I'm not trying to make a generalization. Just my personal experience. I have no idea if I would be friends with you or your family members or not.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by FMCoug

I'm not trying to make a generalization. Just my personal experience. I have no idea if I would be friends with you or your family members or not.

I'm not rich enough to be your friend. That's okay, I'll take your cast offs.

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

I'm judging by my ward budget that the normal allotment is close to $25 dollars per person per year.

That is why my tithing as a resident was more than the entire ward budget. I was seriously depressed when I found that out.

My last year at the U, our ward spent over $17K in the budget category (dated the financial clerk - coerced confessions are a good thing). Turned out to be $52 per capita based on avg. membership of 324.

[jay santos]

Originally Posted by Requiem

My last year at the U, our ward spent over $17K in the budget category (dated the financial clerk - coerced confessions are a good thing). Turned out to be $52 per capita based on avg. membership of 324.

Wow. Thank you but I can think of ways to spend my money better than expensive activities catering to spoiled young adults. Especially if they just go inactive anyway.

I'm in the mullah side of this debate on activities and $. I'd rather pinch pennies on activities and send the money where it's needed.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Requiem

My last year at the U, our ward spent over $17K in the budget category (dated the financial clerk - coerced confessions are a good thing). Turned out to be $52 per capita based on avg. membership of 324.

$17k does seem on the high side to me, but yeah, singles wards get into much higher territory than traditional units.

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by jay santos

Wow. Thank you but I can think of ways to spend my money better than expensive activities catering to spoiled young adults. Especially if they just go inactive anyway.

I'm in the mullah side of this debate on activities and $. I'd rather pinch pennies on activities and send the money where it's needed.

Understood - although one could argue there was a return on the investment - over 300 temple marriages within the Stake during that year. The activities merely get everyone together in a social setting. It relieves the men of the terrible specter of setting up a date.