Monday, May 6, 2013

March 25, 2013

Mona said that I would be doing Orientation today and allowed me to watch the necessary videos on the computer in the Storehouse's office.

There were several videos on Welfare Operations and here is what I learned from them. I wrote down quite a bit of information and I figured sharing it would help people understand some of what I just learned because some of this information can help people become more Christ-like in whatever they do.

*The Divine Mission of Bishop's Storehouses
              -Doctrine and Covenants 51:13.

*Blessings of Storehouse Service
              -People want to be loved and cared for and I am in a position to serve individuals that are hurting.

 *Quotes From Church Leaders
              -Doctrine and Covenants 83:6.
All of the quotes were wonderful, but I wasn't able to copy them down quickly enough; I did, however, read quotes about Welfare Operations from Joseph Smith Jr., Brigham Young, Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, and H. David Burton, all of which were very insightful.

*Storehouses and Welfare Assistance
*Summary of Key Principles: this involved a True or False quiz of the previous information.
           -We should be filled with love and compassion.
           -We are angels; we serve the people.

*Responsibilities of Storehouse Managers.
*Manager Responsibilities.
**Operations Guide: Serving In A Bishop's Storehouse.
**New Manager Training: Sequence of Training
--Key Measures measure the success of a storehouse
**Another Knowledge check quiz. :)

*Stake and Area Leaders.
-Agent Stake Operating Committee.
---Storehouse operates under direction of agent stake that is assigned by the Area Presidency of the Seventy. An agent stake is composed of:
         -Agent Stake President.
         -Stake Bishop's Welfare Council Chairman.
         -Stake Relief Society President.
         -Storehouse managers and any other specialists as needed.

*Primary Responsibilities of Committees.
--Ensuring that storehouse provides quality service to patrons.
--Co-ordinate volunteer and missionary labor. (volunteers also rock!)
--Help maintain facilities.
--Representing storehouse in co-ordinating council meetings.

*Field Managers (Area Welfare Manager) I am not one, but this information is very cool.
**Responsibilities:
---train storehouse managers.
---provide guidance on inventory management, finances, safety, management/upkeep, policies and procedures, and conducting the annual operational safety reviews.

True and False quiz: sources of direction and support.

*Serving Storehouse Patrons
**Uplifting Each Patron
---"Those who come hunger to be loved." Elder Glen L. Rudd.

*Principles of Outstanding Service
1) Greeting Patrons Warmly: No task in the storehouse is more important than serving patrons and making them feel cared for.

2)Avoiding Judgement and Questioning. (Who would want to suffer judgment and questioning? People may not think such things are a big deal, but judgment and questioning can cut away at a person's hopes): As storehouse workers strive to have charity for all their patrons, the tendency to judge will fade away. Helpful attitudes are also essential to successful service.

3)Understanding and Meeting Needs: Carefully listen to what patrons say and observe their body language to see if there's any more to their needs than they show. Also, listen to each patron and to fellow missionaries with understanding. Ask patrons about their needs only if appropriate, but do make them feel welcome.

4)Creating Memorable Moments: Serve, offer encouragement, provide referrals to other services if appropriate, and do extra little acts of kindness to make them truly feel loved and valued.

 Multiple-Choice Exercise: The Best Way to Help A Patron.
-request feedback from patrons, agent stake operations committee, bishops and wards, Relief Society Presidents, and members of co-ordinating council. (if ever appropriate.).

*Seeking and Responding to Feedback
--Accessibility Issues: How good are the hours? How accessible is information?
--Quality Service: How welcome do people feel? How could things be improved?
--Work and Service Assignments: How uplifted do volunteers feel? How meaningful and rewarding are work assignments? (FYI: Doing anything good can be rewarding if you have a good attitude about it.)

**Self Evaluation & Additional Testimonials.

*Working With Other Missionaries and Volunteers.
-Sources of Help.
--Church Service Missionaries.
--Volunteers.
--Recipients of Assistance (Who can volunteer time.)
--Service groups.

*Recruiting Missionaries and Volunteers.
--service.      --procedure.

 *Providing Uplifting Experiences.
-Not being critical, but being uplifting.
-Invite patrons to help serve if they desire and are able to offer such time.

**Example: Providing Direction and Support.
--Be appreciative and encouraging; praise, encourage, build those who are helping out.

**Example: Selecting Assignments.
--Give people a chance to interact with others.

**Example: Creating A Spiritual Environment.
--Meetings don't have to be all business.
--Take time to edify, socialize, and share positive experiences.
--Create opportunities to have and to share spiritually uplifting experiences.

*Summary of Guidelines.
*Additional Testimonials.

Anyway, after I was done going through all the videos, I reported back to Mona and she gave me a DVD called 'In the Service of Your God: Learning and Applying Welfare Principles' to watch and allowed me to watch it in one of the boardrooms that was away from everything so I could really listen and learn. I was grateful for that, as I really wanted to know what the Spirit could teach me.

Segment: Pure Religion.
-Too many souls suffer quietly.
-Christ loved and served men of all calibres.
-Members are building on a tradition of compassionate service.
-The aim of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is to help people help themselves.
-It went over the roles or bishops and Relief Society.
-We can all give help, hope, and strength.

Segment: Ye Have Done It Unto Me. (Matthew 25:40)
"If we are true disciples of the Lord, we must reach out to those in distress..." Gordon B. Hinckley.
-The Church tries to partner with already established agencies around the world in order to maximize their effectiveness in providing service when and where it is needed.

Segment: On The Road to Jericho.
-Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
-We should care for others as the Savior wants us to.
-Commit to foster reliance and relieve suffering.

Segment: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10).
-Parable of the Good Samaritan.
-Thou shalt love; go and show mercy.

Segment: Elijah and the Widow of Zarepath (1 Kings, Chapter 17).
-Faith in every footstep.
-Fear not; go and do in faith.
-The Lord blesses the faithful and those who act in faith.
-Love and compassion produces blessings.

Segment: Love Thy Neighbor.
-Have mercy and compassion.
-Bring a smile to another's face.
-Willing hearts and helpful hands can change the world one person at a time.

Segment: Applying Welfare Principles In Their Lives.
-We have welfare responsibilities: work, self-reliance and provident living, and giving.
-Moses 4:23 - Work is a blessing.
-The aim of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is to help the people help themselves.

*Work: it is valuable; work with faith is a cardinal point of doctrine; involve children.

*Self-Reliance and Provident Living: helps foster self-reliance; the Lord's real storehouse is homes and hearts.

*Giving - Law of the Fast: provides assistance to needy and there are physical benefits to fasting; it also increases humility and spirituality.
***Fast Offering: very important in helping the needy.

**Extend ourselves in compassionate service to those in need.
**Welfare principles are eternal.

Well, that was my orientation and I hope by sharing it here, learning and growth can take place.

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