Remote FS Centers

silvia gerstner mcinnes

We have 4 FS Centers that are anywhere from 2 to 8 hours away from the Stake Center. These 'satellite' centers where closed during the pandemic. As a Stake TFH consultant I have been tasked with getting them back up and open. The directors for these centers are not available to operate the centers (moved or deceased). These centers are very small and located in communities where we only have a small branch. I am looking for feedback from others with similar situations on whether a single Stake TFH - FS Center could/should oversee all of these small centers or if each center should have their own 'director'?

Marilyn Reno Cranford

The General Handbook section 25.3.6 addresses that question. "The stake president assigns one stake temple and family history consultant to oversee efforts in each family history center."

Jaelene Starr

I would think however that there could be an issue if there is one FSC number for all of the satellites, or does each satellite have its own center number? At least in matters of tech support. Perhaps someone could clarify this?

Quint Hurst

All Family Search Centers are Stake Family Search Centers. There are no Ward Family Search Centers.

Mayalad

I too am tasked to manage a stake FS center as a newly called Stake FH Consultant with several wards and branches, near and distant to our Stake Ctr. I would like to enter into this dialog to see how we can accomplish our primary and secondary missions.

Primary - Support Priesthood goals by helping patrons have family discovery experiences at two levels. 1. For members to discover and gather names of ancestors to take to the temple and connect with their families on both sides of the veil. 2. For non-members to discover their ancestors to add to the general family tree in FamilySearch.

Secondary - To coordinate the activities and use of the center as you help Church members and community visitors discover their ancestors.

Regarding a FS Center at the ward and stake level: In our stake, we have a Stake Family Search Center and two additional FamilySearch Centers in two wards. All three are fully licensed FamilySearch Centers and receive computers, computer support and technical services from the church. I don't know the history of how they came to be but they do exist. We don't call them Ward FamilySearch Centers. They are not fully functional as the Stake FamilySearch Center so I am in discussions with our Stake High Council Representative on how to help them get up and fully running. Due to various reasons, there is not a Stake Temple and Family History Consultant assigned at this time at either of the two FS Centers at the wards.

This is just a description of where I am at this time, so you see, I need your help too.

Mayalad

Sounds like an interesting subject. I have also recently been called as the Stake Temple and Family History Consultant - Family Search. As such, I am also tasked to manage the Stake FamilySearch Center. I would like to observe for a while then enter into the discussion. Is this OK?

Michael

silvia gerstner mcinnes

Our 'satellite' centers have their own FSC number. I think for tech support that would be the best way to continue. I don't know how we would keep track of equipment inventory if all these locations are grouped under one number.

If our stake has a single Stake TFH Consultant oversee all the centers we might have an easier time of making sure they are all operating in a similar fashion. My main concern is how I would support them as the Stake TFH consultant - FS when I'm 8 hours away. Finding/calling a Stake TFH Consultant - FS for each center would be ideal, but they operate in locations where the Branches are barely surviving and too many have multiple callings. If a single Stake TFH Consultant - FS can take on some of the administrative tasks then I'm willing to take that on.

MorrillMarlaKim1

Same problems here - our little Branch has a FSC that hasn't been fully functional for a while. We now have five consultants . I have been asked to "lead" but a "Director" is only called at the Stake level. The problem is that in order to access our FamilyHistoryMail, edit WIKI (center hours and contact info), file monthly reports, etc., I have to be listed in CDOL as a director. The Global Service Department could not help me with the email account because I was only listed as a consultant.

MorrillMarlaKim1

https://community.familysearch.org/discussion/comment/513345#Comment_513345

If this is the case, then could each unit (our FamilySearch Center in our Branch has it's own ID#) be led by a Stake Director who is called at the Stake level but from our Branch? Example: I am called as a Temple and Family History Consultant for our Branch but was asked by the Branch President to lead our five consultants. Could this become a Stake calling as a Director? Each unit within the Stake having a Stake Temple and Family History Director?

Dean T. Lindsay

I’m writing this with the hope that this will help to clarify the discussion. This is my understanding of the organization as described in the General Handbook and the FSC Operations Guide:

• Every FamilySearch Center (FSC) has a unique ID number. If you think you have an FSC but do not have a unique ID number, you don’t have an FSC. You have some computers which people use for doing family history in your building. 
  • There is an official form and official procedures to request a FSC if you do not have one. 
• Every FSC must have a stake temple and family history consultant – FamilySearch Center to lead it. (I’ll call this person the FSC Leader.)
  • The FSC Leader must be listed in the CDOL (or latest equivalent) or this person cannot adequately operate the FSC.
  • The FSC Leader can be a brother or sister.
  • FSC Leader (stake temple and family history consultant – FamilySearch Center) is a stake calling, and is assigned to lead a specific FSC by the stake president. The Lord could certainly inspire the stake president to call someone who lives near the FSC as the FSC Leader.
  • FSCs operate under the priesthood keys of the stake president, and not the bishop. 
  • There are no ward or stake FSCs, they are all the same, no matter what building they’re in. Some aren’t even in any meetinghouse, but in a separate building. 
• Every ward or branch has a ward temple and family history leader (WTFH leader)
  • The WTFH leader must hold the Melchizedek priesthood
  • I think I remember that the bishop/branch president consults with the stake presidency on whether a WTFH leader is called or not. If one is not called, then a member of the Elders Quorum presidency carries out this function. 
  • The WTFH leader’s responsibilities are detailed in the General Handbook. He has his own section describing what he does. They include coordinating the WTFH consultants in their efforts helping ward members.
  • The WTFH leader also assigns WTFH consultants to staff a FSC if requested to do so (by the high councilor over TFH, as I recall)
  • The WTFH leader has no responsibility to lead a FSC, nor to train WTFH consultants in their duties at the FSC if they have been so assigned.