We currently have a small group of very dedicated employees at Church headquarters who support local leaders and clerks with the various responsibilities of their callings. This small group is, however, limited in the hours that they can provide support. We have looked for various ways to deliver training and support to local units and we have discovered a great user community of clerks and others who are helping to fill the gap of providing support to local units. We recently launched a Clerk and Technology Support Web site (http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2bd87088a04de010VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRD locale=0) and a discussion forum (http://tech.lds.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=42) at LDS Tech. We provide training lessons on LDS.org under the “Serving in the Church—Melchizedek Priesthood (http://www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,4643-1,00.html)” tab. These new technologies are helping bridge the support gap. We have many moderators who are not paid employees, but who have excellent knowledge of local unit roles and technology. These moderators have helped answer questions or correct policies on our discussion forum. We are able to give tips and tricks or searchable articles at the Clerk and Technology Support Web site (http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2bd87088a04de010VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRD locale=0). Most clerks or leaders in the United States or Canada usually have questions or problems on Sundays. We do not have support staff available on Sundays, but the technologies provided by the discussion forum (http://tech.lds.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=42), the Clerk and Technology Support Web site (http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2bd87088a04de010VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRD locale=0), and other offerings have made it easier for clerks or leaders get answers to questions if they have access to the Internet from the local unit or from home. We have seen a big increase in the use of these technologies and hope to see its continued growth through a great user community that enables its growth. Jamie Childs is the Manager of Local Unit Support and Member Services for the LDS Church.
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