8.14.2011

Survey says:

I'm excited about my new calling as chairman of the RS activities. I guess that's the new name for enrichment committee. I dont know if this is church-wide or just my ward but when I got called, the Bishop said my job is to 1) make sure every woman has a friend 2) give every woman a chance to serve 3) teach the gospel. That's so right up my alley; especially right now. Being a home renter has meant that we move every year. I think it takes a good 2 years to really get roots in a ward so that has been missing for us. We've been in this ward since May and if I didn't have a built-in friend in my step-sister, I wouldn't have a friend in this ward. Sad, right? My kids dont have friends in this ward/neighborhood either and that was so HUGE for us in choosing where to live. So I think it's only appropriate that the thing that I have been complaining about to the Lord, has now become my responsibility not only for myself but for all the women in this ward. The RS Pres said, "I feel like we're disconnected and I'd just love to see us more.... connected." :) I can do that! I'm a social worker, for crying out loud! Social workers broker, teach, enable, advocate, mediate and connect people to resources. I basically have a masters degree in connecting people!

So my question to you women, whether you are LDS or not, is what is it that you NEED and WANT from other women? Do you want a lunch group that meets once a month to try various restaurants? Do you want a play group for non-school age kids? Do you want various classes taught by someone with a little expertise in (for example) gardening, cooking, FHE preparation, organization, yoga, etc? Do you want a walking partner?

What is working in your RS and what isn't? Do tell.

15 comments:

Amanda said...

I love ideas that are simple, just ways to get to know the ladies. Things that I have really enjoyed in the past are: out to lunch bunch, playgroup (rotate houses), and book club. I miss getting together with RS more often. We don't have time on Sunday (especially with a primary calling) to even get to know other sisters. I don't need a lesson or a lecture...just a gathering. I love things that are routine in the schedule that I can plan on and look forward to...

Summer said...

first off- you really will do well in that calling. yay!

In my experience I have found doing activities where people can find friends is a great way to get bonds started. So first off you will have to do a variety of fun things that will get people out. then do individual based things that are geared twoards interests. I personally would love park days to mingle with other moms that have kids in the same stage as me. If I was a readerI would enjoy a book club, but since I'm not a casual lunch group, or movie night would be more my speed.

What I really like though are activites where you get to talk to lots of people you wouldnt normally gravitate to. Especially things that force you out of your element a bit.

Hope that made sense! Cant wait to hear all the fun stuff you plan! You will be amazing Jilly!!! :)

~Summer

Auburn said...

So great for you! You'll be great at this calling!

Cooler weather is coming (hopefully) and a ward park day is always high on my list. I love girls lunches, those scheduled on school half-days when babysitters are available are great. I also love learning new things from people like you mentioned. I'm not super talented so learning from others who are is great!

Brooke said...

Honestly, depending on what is going on in my life, I have been a part of all of those types of activities. For me now, I want practical things I can do to raise my family, since thats where I am. And I do want to make a few friends, too.
And I want to feel the spirit, so I can go home a happy mom. Leave better than I came.
In our ward they passed around a paper asking people what they wanted. You may have already done that, but I think it will give you a good place to start with the needs of your ward sisters.
Good luck Jill! You'll be great!

Meagan said...

I had that calling in my last ward. For like 3 months... My new ward, though, has a lunch group that meets at someone's house once a week. There's a sign up sheet that goes out every Sunday. And whomever can come, does. I think it's awesome. I've never been before because it's during the week, but I'm excited to start going now. They also had a swimming group over the summer. Again, I couldn't go, but it sounded like a lot of fun. Just at someone's house once a week. I'll let you know other ideas that they have as the seasons change and stuff. I would love a workout group like once or twice a week. Even just at the church doing a video. It would give me a reason to mingle with people in my ward, and make me work out at least that many times a week.

Leah said...

Like the other ladies have said, my old ward did these things too. Every once in a while we met at Bahama Bucks at like 8:30 for a chat. You will do great! I will keep brainstorming and see what else I come up with

Linz said...

Our ward does "Ladies who Lunch." It's done once a month and sort of as a potluck or a sister or two who get together to put it on. I love it because I can't always do the evening activities and it is a chance to really chat and get to know the ladies!

LaurenOpie said...

You will be so awesome at this calling!

I love my ward right now. As soon as I moved in someone got my email address and sent me an invite to a private blog. Anytime anyone is doing something they post it on the blog. Bunch of people going to zoo? On the blog. Girls night out to the movies? On the blog. Lunch pot luck? On the blog. It's been great because literally everyone is included whether they have kids or not.

There is also a book club that meets monthly. A bunco group that meets monthly. A crafting group that meets monthly. And then RS does quarterly enrichment type things. One is strictly social and is a picnic, and you are asked to wear a hat and a name tag. Then there are no awkward games, just yummy food, and you are encouraged to go sit next someone you haven't talked to before.

Wolfingtons said...

Congrats on your calling it was one of my favorites. Our committee found that you need to have a variety of activities held at different times to reach all the sisters.

The best "connecting" activities for us were ones were the sisters had time to sit and visit, it wasn't a 100% structured activity or class. When we held our big monthly activity (which might be done quarterly now) we always served a meal which allowed the sisters to get to know one another. We assigned everything out to involve as many as the sisters as possible. That's the key to get the sisters who might not be coming there because they have a role in the night.

We've done cooking classes in someones home like make a mix, freezer jam, breads, etc.

Give me a call and I can give you more ideas if you want.

Anonymous said...

I love how customized RS can be. Last year we had a Grandma Group to share ideas; a book club once, recipe tasting and sharing, to name a few. Right now my attendance is spotty because of my calling, so I need to have a calendar of RS events so I don't miss if I can help it. Don't you love to eat something at every RS gathering? :) Most importantly, there has to be someone like you making sure people don't fall through the cracks. You'll be great!!!

Emily Gordon said...

So great for you Jill...don't you love the the Lord gives us a challenge to help us through a challenge...haha. My 2 cents is this....it is different for everyone. You won't please everyone. My needs are different now then they were when I had little kids. You will hit and miss. Just don't take any of it personally. You will provide avenues...some will travel...some won't. The most important thing is an invitation.

stephanie said...

i like my running group, which is not necessarily rs sponsored, but totally could be. and our playgroup. i like things that force me to meet people. i don't think i would show up for a class or lecture, but something casual is right up my alley.

good luck! you'll be fantastic!

Jaime S. said...

I want a play group and a women only hang out night that can be a restaurant, free show, someone's house, etc.

lisa said...

I enjoy a play group once a week. I also love book club! And I love lunch groups either rotate houses or meet at a restraunt! If it was me I would pass around a sheet asking these questions to the women in your ward. Because they will have specific needs. Then you know exactly what they want! You will be wonderful! Excited for you!

Emily Gordon said...

Oops...I just realized that I was Emily when I posted my comment...she has not had little kids yet....hope you figured that out...my bad! haha