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by LaRayne Miller

Ever been to a planning meeting that starts late, lasts forever, and seems to accomplish nothing? Need we ask? Here are some suggestions on how to hold and attend a great planning session.

Planning the Meeting

• Know your purpose. Have a firm grasp on what you’re planning and why. If you really don’t have anything to talk about, don’t hold the meeting just because it’s scheduled. Give everyone a break.

• Give everyone advance notice. At least a week ahead of time, notify those who are supposed to attend. If a committee member will not be involved in the activity you’re planning, don’t insist that that person attend. But remember that even those without specific involvement can still be a good idea source.

• Carefully choose where to meet. Make sure it’s in a central location and in a place where you won’t be distracted by television, phone calls, music, crowds of people, or little brothers and sisters. Make sure it’s casual enough so that people feel comfortable, but official enough so people don’t forget why they’re there.

• Give out assignments before the meeting. Have everyone generating ideas beforehand. That way, when you meet, you’ll be a few steps ahead.

At the Meeting

• Have an agenda. Make a list of the things that need to be discussed and hand a copy of it to those attending the meeting. They’ll be immediately focused on the issues at hand. And stick to the agenda!

• Start on time! It shows respect for the time of those you’ve called together, and it is a sign that you mean business.

• Begin with a prayer. If it’s a church-related meeting, it’s essential to invite the influence of the Lord.

• If possible, sit in a circle. That way everyone can see each other and hear what is being said. As the leader, sit with people rather than standing over them or in the middle.

• Make sure someone is taking notes. They don’t have to be perfect meeting minutes, but you’ll want a record of the ideas, reports, and assignments.

• Attack points of business by brain-storming. Give a specific amount of time for people to blurt out whatever ideas pop into their heads. It is important that no negative reactions be given. Wild, off-the-wall ideas are fine—you can work from them after the brainstorming session. Make sure you write down the ideas presented.

• Evaluate your ideas. When brainstorming time is up, consider if the ideas fit into the budget, are within your resources, and help you reach your goal. Choose the ideas that best help you.

• Make a game plan. Determine the details of where, what, when, how, and who. Give out assignments with deadlines. Make sure everything has been considered, planned, and volunteered for.

• Delegate. If you’re the leader, don’t take everything on yourself. Everyone involved will be more excited about the project if they have an active part in it.

• Make a quick review. Go over what you’ve planned, and make sure everybody understands their assignments, the goals, and what was talked about.

• After the meeting, follow up. Make some phone calls, but don’t nag—encourage! Ask them if there is anything you can do to help them with their assignments. And let them use their own style. If the job gets done, it doesn’t always matter if it’s done exactly the way you would have chosen.

For Those Who Attend

• Be on time and attentive.

• Come to the meeting prepared with ideas, information, and suggestions.

• Freely offer your ideas.

• Don’t get the discussion off on sidetracks.

• Complete assignments as they are needed.

• Be enthusiastic and supportive.

Scouts in Troop 550, an all-Native American troop sponsored by the Papago Ward of the Mesa-Lehi Stake in Arizona, were excited when they received an invitation to represent Native Americans at the Connecticut International Scout Camporee last summer. To earn the money to go, they sold hamburgers, hot dogs, and fry bread at powwows in their area.

Once back east, they not only fascinated the rest of the Scouts with their Native American dances and foods, but they set a great LDS example by having prayers every night and inviting others to join in, and by participating in the LDS Church services at the camporee. Many people became interested in the Church after watching these Scouts.

Before returning to the West, the boys had the chance to visit Washington, D.C. Among other sights, they saw the Vietnam Memorial, where they traced the name of a former ward member and brought the rubbing back to his mother in Arizona. The trip was an experience they’ll never forget.

“It’s a pleasure to serve her,” say the youth in the Enfield Ward, London England Hyde Park Stake. They’re talking about Sister Caroline Langford, a widow, who loves to have the youth come over for a visit. They trim her hedge, and she rewards them with squash and biscuits (punch and cookies) and the invitation to come ’round again.

The second-year Beehives in the Ridgecrest Ward, South Jordan Utah Stake, tied two child-size quilts which were sent to Kurdish refugees in Iraq. The girls and their families also donated soap, beans, rice, and other necessary supplies. Way to go, girls!

It wasn’t enough for Manila, Philippines, institute students to just learn the word—they wanted to go out and share it. So they put together a musical show, emphasizing the scriptures and education, that was designed to help parents and youth apply gospel principles in their lives.

The students gave up their summer free time to rehearse and perform, but said it was worth it to see the audience reaction—some were touched to tears. The group toured Metro Manila and the nearby provinces with their variety show. “All our efforts have been paid off by the wonderful feelings we’ve had,” said one participant.

Here’s a great way to remember and apply all the inspired counsel you hear during general conference: Do what they do in the River Fifth Ward, Jordan River Utah Stake, and have a Conference Bowl.

They’ve been doing it for four years now, boys versus girls, and it’s one of their favorite Mutual activities. Not only do the youth pay strict attention to conference broadcasts, but they pore over their conference issues of the Ensign so they’ll be prepared for the 50 questions their leaders will ask.

Teams are made up of four boys and four girls, and team members rotate throughout the event. As of last count, the girls were ahead 4–3 conference bowls, but the boys have vowed to even the score after the next conference.

There’s something different about Kory Cecil, Melissa Hinson, and Stephanie Shaw of Davidson County, North Carolina. Everyone in town notices it. Could it be that they’re the only LDS girls in their high school?

They were nominated to be the representatives of the sophomore, junior, and senior classes, respectively, on the homecoming court. When they were presented to the public, the whole town got an earful of the girls’ church activities and positions, on the loud speaker. It prompted at least one friend to tell Melissa she wanted to hear more about the gospel.

Some people might be a little nervous to see 500 teenagers armed with rocks, sticks, and bricks, heading their way, but not Park Manager Jason Cox of Charles Towne Landing, South Carolina. He knew they’d come to help restore the site of the first colonial settlement in the Carolinas.

As part of their South Carolina Youth Conference, the members braved 110-degree heat to lay railroad ties, shovel dirt and rocks for erosion control, plant, rake, clean, and lay 60-pound ballast blocks at a dock area. They also had a tour and dance on the USS Yorktown. They stayed in local members’ homes.

Next time you’re asked to give a talk in church, jump at the chance. You never know what it might prepare you for. Richard Burton, (above), a priest in the Wellington Ward, Shropshire England Stake, was asked to host a countrywide T.V. programme because he “had interesting things to say and said them clearly,” he was told. All those Church talks helped.

Richard and a girl from his school were chosen to visit the home of Irish poet Seamus Hearney and discuss his work. Richard was at ease, even though everything he said and did was being filmed.

Tired of being the only one with your high standards in your peer group? Try doing what the youth on the island of Yap did—they created their own peer group.

Yap is about 532 miles southeast of Guam, has an area of 39.1 square miles, and has a total population of nearly 9,350. The Church is growing rapidly there, and the LDS youth have a reputation for not smoking, drinking, taking drugs, or chewing the betelnut, a druglike substance that stains the teeth and harms the body. The LDS youth are also noted for breaking down the island’s rigid caste system. Everyone at church is treated as a child of God, regardless of family status.

Recently, the youth worked with their leaders and the missionaries to organize a one-day mission activity. They participated in everything from interviews to an MTC experience to proselyting, while dressing like missionaries and following mission rules. As a result, 49 copies of the Book of Mormon were placed on their island. Already some of the people they contacted have been baptized.

If you live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and you drink a lot of milk, you might be reading about a prominent LDS figure, thanks to 15-year-old Roger Laycock.

Roger recently won a writing contest with an essay on his great-grandfather, an agricultural scientist who helped make farming the dry regions of Alberta possible. He was also a stake president in the area. Roger’s essay was chosen by the Legend dairy to be printed on its milk cartons.

Roger is a teacher in the Oakridge Ward, Calgary Alberta Stake.

Emma Haywood knows what it’s like to live in the midst of a war so intense the smoke from the destruction blocks the sun and the impact from explosions shakes the house. She and her family lived in Dhah-ran, Saudi Arabia, during the Gulf War, and are grateful for the help and hope the gospel gave them during the time of crisis.

Emma’s family joined the Church years ago in England, then moved temporarily to Saudi Arabia. While there, they would return to England for holidays and some schooling, and now Emma has returned to England for good.

Would you believe that Amy Burton of Alpine, Utah, has completed more than 20 journals? She’s been writing her memoirs since she was four years old. Not only has she written about nearly every day of her life, but she’s illustrated them as well.

Amy has won a number of art contests, and she also composes music. Her hobby of recording her feelings and activities, she says, has helped her in a myriad of ways. Her mother and her younger brothers and sisters really admire her example.