Why Your Ward Should Be Using the Ward History Tool | A How I Lead Interview with Beth Zeleny

Beth Zeleny has pretty much done whatever church callings needed to
be done: teaching in Primary, Young Women, Relief Society, early
morning Seminary, Gospel Doctrine, and Gospel Principles; serving
in Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women ward and stake
presidencies; serving as a temple ordinance worker, Relief Society
compassionate service leader, and provident living specialist. Just
when she thought she had done everything, she was called to be ward
history specialist. Beth has a bachelor's degree in Education and a
master's and PhD in Geography. She taught middle school math and
science before grad school, then taught geography courses in
university for a few years before switching to a career in
intelligence. She retired seven years ago but enjoys research,
analysis, and writing so much that she would like to go back to
work and do it some more. Links Ward History:
unithistory.churchofjesuschrist.org There is already a discussion
started about this podcast. Share your thoughts. Read the
transcript of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader
Library Highlights This discussion centers around the innovative
unit history website, which simplifies the process of recording and
sharing ward histories. Beth shares how the introduction of the
unit history site transformed her experience as ward history
specialist, making ward history engaging and accessible for all
ward members. Beth elaborates on how the website allows leaders to
document experiences and activities throughout the year. This
fosters a sense of community and connection, as members can share
personal stories that reflect their faith journeys. Beth emphasizes
the importance of capturing these narratives, highlighting various
stories from her ward that showcase the diverse experiences of its
members, from missionary efforts to personal testimonies. Kurt and
Beth discuss strategies for encouraging ward engagement with the
history site, including proactive outreach to members. Beth shares
her methods for collecting stories, such as approaching individuals
after sacrament meetings and inviting them to contribute their
experiences. 02:09 - Introduction to Beth Zeleny 02:43 - Beth's
Background and Calling 04:01 - The Church's New Ward History Tool
05:18 - How the Unit History Website Works 09:39 - Accessing the
Unit History Site 11:00 - Member Contributions to Ward History
12:45 - Navigating the Unit History Site 16:36 - Gathering Stories
from Ward Members 20:58 - Importance of Personal Stories 23:27 -
The Value of Recording Ward History 26:00 - Engagement and
Participation in Ward History 30:45 - Encouraging Story Submissions
35:13 - The Impact of Sharing First Experiences 37:17 - Conclusion
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