Young Women Presidency Meeting Agenda: A Complete Guide

A Young Women presidency meeting agenda is a structured plan that guides the presidency through discussing the needs of the young women in their unit, planning activities and lessons, and coordinating efforts with other leaders. Typically, the agenda includes opening items like prayer and a spiritual thought, followed by reports, discussions on individual young women, planning for upcoming events, and closing with assignments and a prayer.

Purpose and Importance of the Agenda

The agenda serves as a roadmap for the presidency meeting, ensuring that time is used wisely and that all important matters are addressed. Without a clear agenda, meetings can become unfocused, leaving little time for the most critical part—discussing the individual needs of each young woman. A well-prepared agenda also helps the presidency fulfill their responsibility to “preside over and strengthen the Young Women organization” by ensuring that every aspect of their stewardship is covered systematically.

Regular presidency meetings are a key part of the work, and the agenda keeps the group aligned with the goals of the organization. It also provides a record of what was discussed and decided, which is helpful for continuity when leadership changes or when someone misses a meeting.

What to Include in the Agenda

A typical agenda for a Young Women presidency meeting includes the following components:

• Opening: Prayer, a brief spiritual thought (often from the scriptures or a recent conference talk), and a review of the previous meeting’s assignments.
• Reports: Updates from each class presidency (Beehive, Mia Maid, Laurels) on the progress and needs of the young women in their classes.
• Individual Young Women: A discussion of each young woman by name, focusing on her personal progress, challenges, and successes. This is a sacred responsibility and should be done with love and confidentiality.
• Upcoming Activities and Lessons: Review of the calendar, finalizing plans for upcoming mutual activities, Sunday lessons, and any special events like camp or youth conference.
• Coordination: Discussing needs with the bishopric member assigned to the Young Women, and coordinating with other auxiliary leaders (e.g., Relief Society, Priesthood) when needed.
• Training and Resources: Sharing a short training on a relevant topic, such as how to conduct personal progress interviews or how to help young women with specific challenges.
• Assignments and Closing: Setting specific tasks with deadlines, and closing with prayer.

How to Prepare an Effective Agenda

The Young Women president typically prepares the agenda, but she may delegate this to her counselors. Here are steps to prepare an effective agenda:

1. Review the previous meeting’s minutes and check on the status of assignments.
2. Gather input from the counselors and the bishopric member about any concerns or items they want to discuss.
3. List the young women and note any specific needs or updates that have come up since the last meeting.
4. Prioritize items by importance and time sensitivity. Place the most critical items early in the agenda.
5. Allocate time for each item, being realistic about how long discussions will take.
6. Send the agenda to participants a few days before the meeting so they can come prepared.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Presidency meetings can face several common challenges. One is spending too much time on logistics and not enough on individual young women. To avoid this, set a timer for each agenda item and stick to it. Another challenge is that some members may dominate the conversation. The president can gently invite others to share their thoughts. Also, it’s easy to forget to follow up on assignments. Keeping a simple checklist in the meeting and reviewing it at the end helps.

Another common issue is when meetings are held irregularly or are cancelled. The handbook advises holding presidency meetings regularly, and the agenda helps make them productive. If the meeting must be cancelled, the president should still communicate with her counselors individually to stay aligned.

Sample Agenda Template

Below is a blank template you can use for your meetings. Fill in the blanks with your unit’s information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should the Young Women presidency meet?

The general handbook suggests holding presidency meetings regularly, often weekly or biweekly, depending on the needs of the unit. Many presidencies meet on Sundays before or after church, or on a weeknight. The key is to meet consistently so that the work stays on track.

Who should attend the presidency meeting?

The Young Women presidency (president and counselors) should attend, along with the bishopric member assigned to the Young Women. The class presidencies may be invited occasionally, especially when planning activities. It’s also appropriate to invite the secretary if there is one.

How long should the meeting last?

Most presidency meetings last between 45 minutes and an hour. If the agenda is well-prepared, this is enough time to cover all items without rushing. If you find you need more time, consider whether some items can be handled via email or in a separate planning meeting.

What if a counselor cannot attend?

If a counselor cannot attend, the president can still hold the meeting and later share notes with her. It’s important to keep the counselor informed and involved. If the absence is prolonged, the bishopric may need to consider a temporary replacement.

How can we keep the meeting focused on individual young women?

Make it a standing agenda item and set a time limit for logistics. Use a list of the young women’s names and go through them one by one. Avoid discussing general topics that don’t relate to a specific young woman. Also, remind everyone of the sacred nature of this responsibility.

Can the agenda be adapted for a virtual meeting?

Yes, the same agenda works for video conferences. Share the screen with the agenda, and use the chat feature for assignments. Ensure everyone can participate by muting/unmuting as needed. Virtual meetings can be just as effective if the agenda is followed.

Alternatives and Best Practices

Some presidencies prefer a more flexible agenda, such as a simple list of topics rather than a formal table. Others use a shared digital document where members can add items before the meeting. The best approach is the one that works for your team. Regardless of format, the agenda should always include time for prayer and spiritual reflection, as this invites the Spirit into the meeting.

Another best practice is to rotate the responsibility of preparing the agenda among the presidency members. This helps everyone feel invested and ensures that different perspectives are included. Also, consider using the agenda as a tool for training: spend a few minutes each meeting discussing a relevant topic from the handbook or a recent conference talk.

Remember, the ultimate purpose of the meeting is to help each young woman feel loved and supported in her journey toward Christ. The agenda is a means to that end, not an end in itself. If you find that a particular item isn’t serving that purpose, don’t hesitate to change it.

Related

• Sample Meeting Agenda Robert’s Rules
• Resident Meeting Agenda: What to Include & How to Run It
• Read Meeting Agenda? How to Use One Effectively