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September Council Meeting: Serving in Our Community

The purpose of the Relief Society organization is to help prepare women for the blessings of eternal life, and one way we can achieve this purpose is by working in unity to help those in need.
  • How is service enhanced when we work with other people?
    • We can reach a lot more people.
    • We can meet new people and find common ground.
    • It allows for natural opportunities for missionary moments.
    • We build relationships with those we serve with.
  • What causes/relief efforts in our community are aligned with the purpose of the Relief Society? What community organizations could we partner with? 
    • Ronald McDonald House (506 Alexander Ave, Durham), SECU House (123 Old Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill): Volunteer to provide a meal, host an activity for kids, help with household chores, etc. This is a very direct way to provide healing and relief to those in need.
    • Urban Ministries: Many different opportunities to serve a meal, sort clothing donations and restock the clothing closet, write encouraging notes, or assemble lunches or other items to distribute to homeless people in our community. Kids can help with some of these projects, so this is a great opportunity for families to serve together.
    • Days for Girls sewing projects: This would be a great opportunity to invite Young Women to be involved in since it serves under-privileged young women. A couple sisters in our stake organize sewing days periodically throughout the year; the next scheduled activity is Saturday, November 3. Contact Sis Wanda Molnar or Sis Holly Earls for details.
    • Book Harvest (or other community centers/organizations that would benefit from a book drive): Donate books or volunteer to sort books (open book sorts are held at Book Harvest on the second Saturday and fourth Tuesday of each month).
    • Local schools
      • Clean school grounds, provide breakfast or dinner for students
      • Register here to volunteer in Durham Public Schools
      • EK Powe Elementary School (913 9th St, Durham) has a couple on-going needs:
        • Facilitate a student club: 8-week commitment (9/26 to 11/14), 1.5 hours each week, clubs meet on Wednesdays at 9:30 AM or 2:00 PM), sign up here.
        • Supervise children at lunch and recess (Wednesdays at 10:50 AM to 1:10 PM): sign up here.
      • Career Fair at Hodge Road Elementary School in Knightdale: Tuesday, October 30, 8:15-10:45 AM. Come teach kids about your exciting career! Sign up here.
  • How should RS service activities be organized in the future, and how often should they happen?
    • Some opportunities could be on-going: Keep a bin available for collecting books, food, etc. Maybe we could have drives for different items in different months.
    • Some people would like projects as often as monthly; sisters could come as often as they would like.
    • We could keep a list of opportunities that individuals or small groups could refer to (This already exists! Check out www.justserve.org for a variety of service opportunities around the community!).
    • We can form a committee to help plan regular activities (Let a member of the RS presidency know if you'd like to be part of such a committee!).
    • Activities and communication should be regular enough that people don't forget.
What other ideas do you have? How would you like to be involved in serving together with your fellow Relief Society sisters? Let us know in the comments below!

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