The following is specific counsel for running effective councils given during the worldwide leadership training meeting in November 2010.
Spend minimal time during meetings on calendaring, activity planning, and other administrative business.
•Focus on matters that will strengthen individuals and families.
•Invite full expression from all council members, who then unite behind the bishop's decision.
•Unify organizational efforts to respond to individual, family, and organizational needs.
•Meet regularly, more often than in the past, but typically no longer than 60 to 90 minutes.
•Protect confidentiality.
A second worldwide leadership training meeting will be held on February 12, 2011, to focus on the responsibilities of stake presidents and bishops, the work of quorums and auxiliaries, and the special challenges of units that lack sufficient members and leaders to carry out the full programs of the Church.
"The primary effort of the ward council is the work of salvation in the ward."
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Photograph by Christina Smith
The terms ward, bishop, and bishopric also apply to branch, branch president, and branch presidency. The terms stake, stake president, and stake presidency also apply to district, district president, and district presidency.