This is what I have in my files. Love and blessings,
Stacey
revised 5/99
Ann Amadori
Hi sisters,
I hope I am not beating a dead horse. Several weeks ago I posted a
request for ideas to transition young women to Relief Society successfully.
I received many many great suggestions and offered to share what I had gleaned.
I sent out the unabridged version privately to 40-50 members of the
list.
Now I am posting the finished handout for everyone. We had a joint
Stake RS-YW Leadership meeting this morning to discuss transition.
The ideas in the handout were well received. They come, not only
from you, but also from the new handbook, a talk Sister Smoot gave at the
open house last fall, a double sided sheet of paper on this spring's
workshop on transition- from the Relief Society General Board office in Salt
Lake, and the notes one of you sisters kindly shared to the list from
recent training with RS General board members.
I have been concerned about this subject for 20 years, ever since as a
ward RS president, I watched girls graduate from high school, finish in
Young Women and go into limbo until they either left the church or got married
to an active member. I raised 2 daughters and was so blessed
to be able to ship them off to BYU where they were active in their student
wards. Most do not have this opportunity so we need to be doing more on the
ward and stake level to help girls feel about Relief Society the same as
they felt as 12 year olds entering the Young Women program.
We need to be so careful in the things we say about Relief Society and
RS leaders to set a positive tone for the girls (and other sisters by the
way!) This is the Lord's organization for women for goodness sake!
I'll get off my soapbox now.
Here is the handout FWIW:
Fredericksburg Virginia Stake
IDEAS FOR HELPING YOUNG WOMEN MAKE THE TRANSITION TO RELIEF SOCIETY
"Relief Society can be a blessing for young adult sisters. Within
a loving sisterhood they can enlarge their understanding of gospel
principles, build firm testimonies, and give Christlike service." (Church
Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, p. 206)
"Young women ordinarily move into the Relief Society when they reach
their 18th birthday. However, because of special circumstances, such
as individual maturity, desire to continue with peer group associates,
school graduation, and college attendance, a young woman may move into Relief
society early or remain in Young Women longer. Such exceptions should
occur after the young woman consults with her parents and the bishop and
receives their approval.
"Young Women and Relief Society presidencies work together to make
the transition into Relief Society successful." (Church Handbook of
Instructions, Book 2, p. 214)
EARLY PREPARATION
1. All sisters should be positive and supportive of Relief Society,
setting a good example. They must be aware that their attitude toward
Relief Society leaders and the work of Relief Society has a great impact
on young women, as well as other sisters.
2. Young Women and Relief Society leaders should build positive relationships
with each other, all working together to prepare young women for their
transition into Relief Society. Brainstorm with Relief Society
leaders, ward single adult representative, and Young Women leaders for
other transition ideas. Work together and calendar events together
all year. PLAN AHEAD!!
3.Have one mother-daughter (all ages) homemaking night during each
year. Start early, even Primary age, so girls become familiar and comfortable
with Relief Society and Relief Society Sisters. Sister Smoot suggests
we start "when they are infants" to prepare girls for Relief Society.
DURING YOUNG WOMEN YEARS
4. Continue inviting young women to occasional homemaking meetings and
other appropriate activities. Learn what their interests are and incorporate
them in to your planning.
5.Coordinate with Young Women leaders to offer some homemaking classes
that will help young women pass off Personal Progress requirements,
including Laurel Projects.
6. Encourage sisters to get to know them, learn their names, talk to
them, sit by them, love them, show them they are cared for.
7. Invite young women to participate in compassionate service or community
service with Relief Society sisters.
8. Be sure there are lessons taught in Young Women about Relief Society,
preparing the young women and encouraging them to be excited about
Relief Society. Help them develop testimonies of Relief Society before they
become part of Relief Society.
9. Don't assume that when a young sister goes away to college, she will
then learn about Relief Society. Some fall through the cracks.
10. Work with the Young Women presidency to make graduating from Young
Women a womanhood experience, a crossing over, a preparation for their life
as a sister in Relief Society.
IN THE YEAR BEFORE GRADUATION
11. A young adult specialist could be assigned to help young women make
the transition to RS.
12. The Relief Society Secretary works with Young Women leaders and
mothers, identifying Laurels for the Relief Society presidency, becoming
acquainted with their talents, interests, abilities, accomplishments.
13. When planning for the new year, examine the Sunday lesson schedules
for Relief Society and Laurels and when the topics can be integrated,
invite the Laurels to attend a Sunday lesson in Relief Society.
Laurels could be invited to attend Sunday Relief Society 4 times a year.
14. Continue inviting Laurels to Homemaking, and other appropriate
activities or socials, keeping their interests in mind.
15. A ward Relief Society luncheon or dinner for graduating Laurels
could be planned by the ward Relief Society presidency and Young Women
leaders. A special presentation on Relief Society could be made
by the Relief Society and Young Women Presidencies. Explain the
Purpose and Objectives of Relief Society (see General Handbook of Instructions,
Book 2, p. 193). Give the Young Women the opportunity to ask
questions about Relief Society, perhaps submitting them ahead of time.
16. The Laurel class could teach a Relief Society lesson on Sunday or
at Homemaking.
17. Assign Visiting Teachers in the month before graduation and plan
for the transitioning young women to be Visiting Teachers, teaching them
the responsibilities of Visiting Teachers (see General Handbook of Instructions,
Book 2, p.203) and pairing them with an experienced 'trainer'.
AT TRANSITION TIME
18. Remember where these young women are coming from. In Young Women
they were peer leaders. Now they are the newbies. Some may feel
inadequate at first. Remember, each young woman's needs are different.
19. Suggest to your Bishop that he call 18 year old Young Women to a "lifetime
of service in Relief Society".
20. Be aware of where the mother of an 18 year old young woman is serving
during the transition time. If the opportunity is there, make sure
the mother can accompany her daughter to Relief Society. Some girls
won't need this, some will.
21. Prepare a 'welcome packet' containing a Relief Society manual,
Pursuit of Excellence booklet, Introduction to Relief Society pamphlet, list
of the Relief Society objectives, scripture marking pencil, pencil,
notepad, or other appropriate items. Have each new sister fill
out a survey to see what she is interested in learning and what she
could share.
22. When she attends Relief Society for the first time, the graduating Laurel
could be spotlighted in Relief Society. With previous notification,
she could tell about herself or if she is shy a member of the Relief
Society presidency or her mother could tell about her. At the close
of the meeting, the Relief Society president could stand at the door
with the new Relief Society sister to be introduced personally to each
older sister.
23. An individual interview or home visit could be made by the Relief Society
president alone or with the ward single adult representative. Introduce her
to Pursuit of Excellence program. Give recognition as she achieves
her goals.
24. Train teachers to keep these young sisters in mind as they prepare
their lessons, including items relating directly to them with an understanding
of their needs and concerns in life.
25. Involve these young sisters! A. Assign them as Visiting Teachers,
preferably with older, conscientious sisters who are instructed
in their responsibilities to train the young sisters in Visiting Teaching.
B. They could teach a miniclass. Draw on their talents or give them
a subject and a book. They can learn then teach. Your Homemaking
leader or another sister could work with them. C. They can be on a
committee; entertainment, decorations or food, etc for a social. D.
Ask them to participate in compassionate service. E. Assist/ mentor them
whenever they are called on to serve. Use their moms or another
sister.
26. Give each young woman a responsibility, a friend, and nurture her
with the good word of God. (Sound familiar??)
27. See the new Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, pp. 206, 214
and Book 1, pp. 109-112 for further direction. Use your imagination
and let the Spirit be your guide. Please share any successes
you have in this work with your Stake leaders. . "As Latter-day
Saint women, we spend the majority of our lives in Relief Society.
Great preparation needs to be taken for our young to attend. Start when they
are infants. Let them know that some day they, too, will be in
Relief Society, that great and wonderful inspired organization that
will help them grow in charity one with another.
"When we save a sister, we save a family. When we save
a family we save generations." Mary Ellen Smoot, Relief Society Open
House talk entitled 'Tools', Fall, 1998
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