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Experiences As A Single Adult Rep (31+) - Page 2

Last Sunday, I went to a Regional Single Adult Planning Meeting! Well, how exciting was that? It was very interesting to find that several people are newly called. two stakes have married couples acting as reps! That was a very interesting turn of events, in my opinion. The events for the next year were calendared as much as possible, without having exact dates for other stake activities. It was also decided that our quad-stake firesides would be hosted by one stake only, so that folks would always know where it is each month. One stake was nominated and accepted, so long as the hosting stake would provide for the paper goods and etc. when it is their turn.

My first fireside turns out to be on the same night as the church-wide Christmas devotional, so I'll simply provide a dessert afterwards, if folks want to come out and watch it at the stake center.

I've pointed several people in the direction of the handbook I found that was written by a very smart lady who has been in the singles program for most of her life.

I was very heartened to see the turn out for the meeting, and the enthusiasm of the reps and stake leaders who were there. Awesome!

Rep Adult Single As Experiences

As I was discussing the complete lack of interest in the single adult program with my high councilor a few days ago, I mentioned that I was considering going on a speaking tour of the wards in our stake to generate some understanding and interest in the program. He lit up like a Christmas tree! "I think that's a *great* idea!" he said. "Bishops are always trying to find speakers, and it's a great way to spread the word. I'll notify the bishop in my ward to give you a call...."

I informed my high councillor that I've only spoken in sacrament meeting ONCE before in my adult life! This would be a real challenge for me. "Well," says he, "you're really going to be stretched in this calling, aren't you?"

Oy veh. It was something I was just mulling over. Now I actually have to do it! Sheesh.

Experiences As A Single Adult Rep (31+) Studies Doctrine Mormon

So far, I've spoken in two wards since that fateful day. The information was very well received, and I've had several inquiries about the program from people. However, I still am having a dismal turnout in all events.

Our new Family Home Evening has been VERY slow to get started. The first two had only two people show up, a different two at each one. But we did at least have a good visit and a nice treat for refreshments.

Two weeks ago I spoke at the monthly Bishopric Seminar held in our stake. I presented my information and then begged for help. The two wards who believed that they already had single's reps really don't. I've had a very positive response from the bishops whom I've spoken to in the past couple of weeks. They didn't realize how many singles we have in the stake and how few actually turn out for anything (including church! ).

Our stake president told me afterwards that they are now discussing actually calling one or two 60-ish couples to serve an 18-24 month mission specifically addressing the 31+ singles. They did this a few years ago with the YSA and they now have their own ward!

It's all very encouraging with the leaders, but it's so slow going. Just trying to get the word out can be so exhausting. I spoke to more than a dozen people on Saturday at the Pioneer Day picnic about the FHE on Monday... and still had only 2 people come out. This is the *dis*couraging part. I get so excited thinking we will have a good turnout - I have good refreshments, a nice lesson and activity planned out... and then no one is there.

But I think things are going to turn around now that I have the bishops on my side! Hopefully we can get some ward reps called so that I can have a committee ... help putting up posters and getting the word out. That would be so terrific.

Page 2 Rep Adult Single As Experiences

Reading that last post just makes me want to scream! I get so excited that there will be some help coming... and then nothing happens. Not one bishop or branch president has called a single adult rep in any ward or branch. Pitiful.

In the meantime, I'm all by myself planning, organizing, and coordinating this huge 13-stake event on Saturday.

Most things are coming together well, but some things here at the last minute have to be changed... and I have no idea how we're going to get past it.

I'm, frankly, quite terrified.

Rep Adult Single As Experiences

It's been nearly a year since that last post. The event in question actually turned out quite well, in spite of the little help I had.

I currently have just ONE ward rep, who was called only two months ago, still hasn't been sustained or set apart, and still isn't sure he wants the job! However, with just ONE rep, we've already had a difference in the turn out for our activities. We now have a regular FHE group every Monday, and a nice married couple in the stake has offered their home for the FHE every week. Really, what a big difference it makes to have a little support

Tonight I visited the bishopric seminar again, and I was much better prepared. (I got this idea from a fellow stake rep - thank you, Lois! ) I printed a list of all the stake singles (728, to be exact) divided by ward, which was over 20 pages on landscape orientation. I taped them together into a nearly 20-foot-long banner, then rolled it all up into a scroll.

The bishopric seminar is attended by each ward's bishop and/or counselors, so the room had approximately 30 men present, including the stake presidency and stake clerks. When I got to the head of the table, I threw the scroll out and it unrolled all they way down to the end of the conference table (flip-flip-flip-flip-flip-flip).

"Here are your single adults!"

Very dramatic, and it got their attention. Then I cut each ward's list from the ribbon and gave it to each ward's leadership. I showed them graphs of the different concentrations of men and women by age group, and then by ward according to male and female. We reviewed the church handbook of instructions regarding the singles and what the wards are supposed to be doing to facilitate the singles under their stewardship. I asked them to review the list and make necessary changes for people who have married, moved, or are deceased.

And then I informed them that I would be in touch with them before the end of the month to retrieve the corrected list so that we can send out our first mailing. I asked for help with the cost of postage from each ward, according to their numbers. And I begged them to prayerfully select one of their singles to serve as the ward rep.

In speaking of the single adults at the outset of the "special interest" program, President Harold B. Lee said, "Please, I beg of you, don't let these people down..." (See January 1974 Ensign, conference issue)

I hope and pray that these brethren can find time within their counsels to facilitate their singles. We're counting on them.

Experiences As A Single Adult Rep (31+)

I feel badly that I haven't kept this thread up as I should have. This past week I was released as the Stake Rep for the Single Adults. There is some new program that is being implemented in our temple district with regard to the singles, and I'm very happy to be on the receiving end, rather than the planning and doing end!

I hope and pray that the new program is more successful than the last.