In a survey earlier this year, stake indexing directors from around the world indicated that they have three major challenges or concerns in their calling: (1) counseling with priesthood leaders, (2) recruiting volunteers, and (3) retaining volunteers.
If you’ve ever felt this way:
- You are in good company
- You are successful in your calling
Why should you consider these feelings successful? Because they imply that you are attempting to work with priesthood leaders, as well as recruit and retain volunteers. By choosing to be proactive, you may feel frustration from time to time, but that’s natural when you’re putting forth great effort.
Success can be found in working with priesthood leaders or in recruiting or retaining volunteers, but it is rarely found in all three categories at the same time. For example:
- A stake rallied one thousand volunteers to submit one million names in one month but then had low retention statistics the following month. Was this activity worth it? Of course! Many were invited to experience family history and enjoy the Spirit of Elijah.
- A stake indexing director recruited and trained five volunteers to arbitrate but didn’t recruit any new indexers that month. Was this effort worth it? Absolutely! Five people learned a new skill and are able to contribute in a new way to the Lord’s work.
The definition of success depends on your stake. It depends on your location. It depends on how well indexing supports the goals of stake leaders.
With this broader definition of success in mind, consider your answer to this question:
“What success have you witnessed or experienced in your stake?”
How have you found success in your stake? How have you overcome some of the challenges discussed here? What tips and advice do you have for other stake indexing directors? Please write your comments below, or send an email to fsindexing@familysearch.org. Your answers and experiences can help inspire and uplift stake indexing directors worldwide.
Is there a question that you would like to see featured? Send it along with your response to this issue’s question!
