A Young Women presidency meeting agenda typically includes opening prayer and scripture, review of past assignments, planning upcoming activities and lessons, discussion of individual youth needs, and coordination with auxiliary leaders. This article provides a comprehensive guide to structuring an effective YW presidency meeting, including a template, best practices, and answers to common questions.
Purpose and Importance of the YW Presidency Meeting
The Young Women presidency meeting is a vital part of ministering to the youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is a time for the presidency to counsel together, seek inspiration, and coordinate the work of the Young Women program. The meeting is not just about logistics; it is a spiritual endeavor where leaders prayerfully consider the needs of each young woman and plan how to help them grow in their faith and discipleship.
Effective meetings ensure that all activities, lessons, and personal ministering efforts are aligned with the goals of the Church and the specific needs of the unit. A well-structured agenda keeps the meeting focused, respects everyone’s time, and allows the Spirit to guide the discussions. Without a clear agenda, meetings can become disorganized, repetitive, or overly focused on administrative details, missing the opportunity for meaningful spiritual counsel.
Key Components of an Effective Agenda
While every presidency may adapt its agenda to local needs, several core elements should be included in every meeting. These components ensure that the meeting is balanced, covering both spiritual and practical matters.
- Opening: Begin with a prayer and a brief spiritual thought or scripture reading. This sets the tone and invites the Spirit into the meeting.
- Review of Previous Minutes: Quickly review action items from the last meeting to ensure follow-through and accountability.
- Individual Youth Needs: Discuss the well-being of each young woman, including her spiritual progress, challenges, and any specific needs. This is the heart of the presidency’s ministering work.
- Activity Planning: Plan upcoming activities, including the purpose, logistics, and who is responsible for what. Ensure activities are youth-led and align with the goals of the program.
- Lesson Coordination: Coordinate with teachers and advisors on upcoming lessons, ensuring they meet the needs of the class and align with the approved curriculum.
- Calendar and Communication: Review the ward calendar, coordinate with other auxiliaries (e.g., bishopric, Relief Society, priesthood quorums), and plan communication to youth and parents.
- Training and Resources: Discuss any new resources, training opportunities, or handbook guidance that the presidency should be aware of.
- Closing: Summarize action items, assign responsibilities, and close with a prayer.
How to Structure the Meeting Flow
The flow of the meeting should move from spiritual to practical, and from broad to specific. A typical 60-minute meeting might be structured as follows:
- Opening Prayer and Spiritual Thought (5 minutes): A short scripture or quote that invites the Spirit.
- Counsel on Individual Youth (15 minutes): Discuss each young woman by name, focusing on her needs and how the presidency can support her. This is not a time for gossip but for genuine concern and planning.
- Activity and Lesson Planning (20 minutes): Review the upcoming month’s calendar. For each activity, confirm the purpose, the youth leader responsible, and the advisor support needed.
- Coordination and Announcements (10 minutes): Discuss any cross-auxiliary coordination, bishopric input, or upcoming stake events.
- Action Items and Closing (10 minutes): Clearly assign who will do what by when, and close with a prayer.
This structure is flexible. Some weeks may need more time on individual needs, while others may focus on a major upcoming activity. The key is to have a plan and let the Spirit guide adjustments.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Presidency meetings often face recurring challenges. Recognizing these and having practical solutions can make meetings more effective.
- Lack of Focus: Discussion wanders into unrelated topics. Solution: Use the agenda to gently redirect, and assign a timekeeper.
- Dominating Voices: One person talks too much, while others stay silent. Solution: Invite each member to share in turn, and specifically ask quieter members for their input.
- Overemphasis on Activities: The meeting becomes a party-planning session, ignoring spiritual needs. Solution: Always start with individual youth needs, and for each activity, ask, “How will this help these young women come closer to Christ?”
- No Follow-Through: Action items are forgotten after the meeting. Solution: Record action items in a shared document or group chat, and review them at the start of the next meeting.
- Meeting Too Long: The meeting runs over time, causing frustration. Solution: Set a strict time limit for each agenda item, and be willing to table less urgent items.
Template for a YW Presidency Meeting Agenda
Below is a blank template you can copy and adapt for your own meetings. It includes all the essential sections and space for notes.
| Agenda Item | Discussion / Notes | Action / Owner / Due |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Prayer & Spiritual Thought | ||
| Review of Previous Action Items | ||
| Individual Youth Needs (name each young woman) | ||
| Upcoming Activities (date, purpose, leader) | ||
| Lesson Coordination (teacher, topic, needs) | ||
| Calendar & Coordination (ward, stake, auxiliaries) | ||
| Training / Resources (handbook, new materials) | ||
| Action Items Summary | ||
| Closing Prayer |
Sample (fictional): For a meeting on March 5, 2025, the “Individual Youth Needs” row might read: “Emily – struggling with friend issues; assign advisor to reach out. Sarah – preparing for seminary graduation; plan a recognition. Jessica – inactive; bishopric to visit.”
Adapting the Agenda for Different Situations
Not every meeting needs the same agenda. The presidency should adapt the template based on the season, the needs of the youth, and the direction of the bishopric.
- New Presidency: Spend more time on training, understanding callings, and getting to know the youth. The agenda might include a review of the Young Women purpose and the responsibilities of each presidency member.
- Before a Big Activity: Focus on logistics, permissions, transportation, and safety. The individual youth needs section can be shortened, but not eliminated.
- After a Stake Conference or Training: Dedicate time to discuss what was learned and how to apply it locally.
- Monthly Planning Meeting: Some presidencies hold a longer monthly meeting to plan the entire month, then have shorter weekly check-ins. The agenda for the monthly meeting would be more comprehensive, including reviewing the month’s calendar in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should the YW presidency meet?
Most presidencies meet weekly, often before or after church, or on a weeknight. The bishopric may also meet with the presidency monthly. The key is consistency; a short weekly meeting (30-45 minutes) is often more effective than a long monthly one.
Who should attend the YW presidency meeting?
The presidency (president and counselors) and the secretary should attend. Advisors and class presidents may be invited for specific agenda items, such as planning a youth-led activity. The bishopric member assigned to Young Women may also attend, especially for coordination.
How do we keep the meeting youth-led?
Involve the youth in planning activities and lessons. Invite class presidents to share their ideas and give them assignments. The presidency’s role is to guide, mentor, and provide resources, not to do everything themselves. Ask questions like, “What ideas do you have?” and “How can we support you?”
What if we have no agenda items?
There is always something to discuss. Use the time to review the list of young women and their needs, pray for each one, and plan personal ministering. You can also review upcoming lessons or read a talk together. If there is truly nothing, consider ending the meeting early.
How do we handle sensitive information about a young woman?
Information shared in the presidency meeting is confidential. Do not discuss it outside the meeting except with the bishopric or as needed for ministering. Avoid gossip and focus on how to help the young woman. If there is a serious concern (e.g., safety), involve the bishop immediately.
Can we use technology for the agenda and minutes?
Yes. Many presidencies use shared documents (like Google Docs or a group chat) to keep the agenda and notes in real-time. This helps with accountability and allows absent members to catch up. Always ensure that sensitive information is shared securely.