Managing Volunteers with Multiple Text Lists

For the past seven years, Ajax Trueblood has served as an Elders Quorum Service Coordinator in two different wards in Utah—and he calls it the best calling in the Church. Through that experience, he’s learned that consistent, inspired service doesn’t just bless those being helped—it transforms the hearts and unity of those who serve.

Links

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Elders Quorum Service Coordinator
Movers & Shakers Squad
Soup Patrol in Elders Quorum
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

Highlights

Ajax shares his experience magnifying the often-overlooked calling of the elders quorum service coordinator. He talks about shifting the culture of an elders quorum to be proactively service-oriented, fostering spiritual growth, and extending Christlike care to members and the community beyond the traditional tasks of moving furniture. Ajax emphasizes that selfless service is a central, scriptural tenet of the gospel that should guide the quorum’s efforts.

Key Insights
Service is Core Discipleship: The service coordinator role, while briefly mentioned in the Church handbook (8.5.3), is viewed by Ajax as foundational to the gospel, emphasizing the principles of bearing one another’s burdens and charity.

The “Movers and Shakers Squad” (M&S): Ajax organizes volunteers into the M&S list, which is mobilized quickly via text messaging for physical labor, focusing on positive responses only to keep communication clean. Physical projects are handled by small, efficient teams with a designated on-site team leader to improve safety and effectiveness.

The Power of “Soup Patrol”: This initiative is a non-physical service designed to provide emotional connection and support. It involves quickly delivering small tokens, such as homemade soup, bread, or cookies, to those who are sick or struggling, emphasizing presence and care over the physical item.

Coordination Over Execution: A key principle is that the coordinator’s primary focus should be on coordination—getting the right people the opportunity to serve—rather than defaulting to execution and doing all the work themselves. This builds linkages and involves more people.

Beyond Ward Boundaries: The quorum’s service extends beyond active members and ward boundaries to help anyone in the community, including those needing yard work, cleanup, or help moving, using these opportunities as a bridge for fellowship and missionary work.

Synergy with Ministering: Service efforts must support the ministering program. Ajax proactively contacts assigned ministering brothers to give them the opportunity to be involved first, ensuring the service coordinator system reinforces the core assignment rather than displacing it.

Leadership Applications
Recruit Based on Willingness: Leaders should identify and recruit members who are genuinely willing and able to serve, creating a volunteer-driven service system rather than assigning reluctant members to tasks.

Offer Diverse Service Opportunities: By implementing low-physical-demand options like the “Soup Patrol,” leaders can engage members (like the elderly or young fathers) who may be maxed out or resistant to physically demanding assignments like moving, providing a place for everyone to serve.

Be Proactive, Not Passive: Service coordinators should adopt a proactive approach, constantly keeping their “feelers out” by asking members for needs and looking for opportunities rather than waiting for formal requests to come down through the bishopric or ward council.

04:00 – Introduction to the Elders Quorum Service Coordinator Role

06:00 – The Service Coordinator Calling is Foundational to the Gospel

07:10 – Handbook Reference and Magnifying the Calling

08:05 – Organizing Service in a Rapidly Growing Ward (Vineyard)

08:50 – The Key to Success: Asking for Volunteers

11:00 – Service in an Older Ward (St. George) and Moving Beyond Moves

11:50 – The Spirit of Service and Emotional Connection

13:00 – Organizing Moves with the “Movers and Shakers Squad” (M&S)

14:00 – Operating Principle: Small Groups and Designated Team Leaders

15:50 – Using Text Messages and Coordinating the Three M&S Lists

20:15 – Distinguishing Service from Ward Maintenance

21:20 – Serving Outside the Ward Boundaries and Active Members

23:50 – Non-Moving Service Opportunities: Yard Work and Cleanup

26:00 – Service as a Bridge for Ministering and Missionary Work

26:45 – The Concept of “Soup Patrol”

28:35 – Integrating Service with Ministering Brothers and Sisters

30:40 – The Gospel is Not a Program; Focus on the Heart

32:25 – Delivering Soup: Surprise Visits vs. Calling Ahead

33:50 – Rotating Service to Involve More Quorum Members

37:50 – Building a Culture of Service Beyond the Coordinator

40:50 – The Need for Communication and Cooperation with Relief Society

43:50 – Proactively Seeking Out the Poor and Needy

47:15 – Focus on Coordination Over Execution

48:35 – Using Service Opportunities for Spiritual Development

50:40 – The M&S Lists: Recruiting Volunteers, Not Assigned Callings

52:10 – Avoiding Competition with Ministering Assignments

56:05 – How the Role Fosters Better Discipleship

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