In the Company of Stewards
In the Company of Stewards meetings hearken back to how a company of pioneers would circle their wagons for the night and gather together for uplifting and constructive conversation. These virtual meetings provide Latter-day Saint earth stewards across the world with community, knowledge, and inspiration to support them on their journey of caring for Creation.
These meetings are held on Zoom, facilitated by a host, and recorded for publication on the Latter-day Saint Earth Stewardship YouTube channel.
Join us each month on the 3rd Tuesday at 7:00 pm Mountain time. Registration is open for upcoming sessions, please register here.
If you would like to give a presentation for the In the Company of Stewards program, please complete our online form.
Click to Watch Previous Programs
Sustainable EatingEllen White shares how she lives her earth stewardship testimony by eating in a way that's mindful of Creation. |
Lunch Out of LandfillsJoe Richardson shares how he lives his earth stewardship testimony by reducing and repurposing food waste from schools. |
The Rescued Food ProjectDania Ellingson shares how she lives her earth stewardship testimony by reducing food waste. |
Earth Stewardship CallingsKira Smiley and Merikay Smith share how they live their earth stewardship testimony by cultivating earth stewardship in their congregations. |
Community GardeningClint Whipple shares how he lives his earth stewardship testimony through community gardening. |
Train Travels and StewardshipMike Christensen shares how he lives his earth stewardship testimony by traveling on Amtrak. |
Permaculture: Like a Garden of Eden at HomeCassandra Goodmansen shares how she lives her earth stewardship testimony by practicing permaculture. |
The City of God and Its WatershedJohn Jacob shares how he lives his earth stewardship testimony by encouraging development that encourages better stewardship of watersheds. |
Stewardship in Your CommunityMerikay Smith shares how she lives her earth stewardship testimony by explaining the process of setting up a local LDSES group. |
Genealogy, Evolution, and the Tree of LifeJared Meek discusses how genealogy, or the study of family lineages, is an important practice in the LDS faith. Through family history work, individuals feel connected to their ancestors and ultimately to the larger family of God. Phylogenetics is a branch of the biological sciences that studies the evolutionary relationships among different species. Conceptually, genealogical family trees and phylogenetic trees share many similarities since they both map out ancestor-descendant relationships.
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The Simple Complexities of the CreationPhil Brueck will use his experience of growing up in a National Park and managing other parks during his career to talk about his perspective of the creation of the earth through stories and photos. Some of the stories will just be fun tidbits from his life in Zion while others will demonstrate his understanding of how the earth was created and why our earth should brings us joy, understanding, and a eternal desire to be good stewards. Of course since he is tied closely to, and has a personal awe for our National Parks, you will also learn about why we have parks and how they help us fulfill our responsibility to use and manage this earth properly. |
Sustainability
Securing funding to support programs and events!
Donor Relations - 4 hours per month
Are you skilled in developing relationships with philanthropists? Do you have the expertise to help frame our work to potential donors? We are seeking three individuals to help us balance our relationships with existing funders and to guide us toward finding new donors. Monthly hours are estimated based on an average for a year. This would likely be 2 hours per month on a regular basis, with additional hours being utilized during strategic planning and review.
Google Ads Manager - 4 hours per month
Non profit organizations are eligible for up to $10,000 per month in ad spending through Google Ads. We are seeking a Google Ads Manager to help us access this amazing benefit. Because our programs are drawing international attention, we would like to increase visibility in support of local groups. Ongoing monthly commitment is likely a 2 hours commitment, but we realize there will be some time spent up front to create a strategy and set a schedule.
Grant Support - 4 hours per month
We need help with research to find grants that are a match for our programs. We also need help with editing draft proposals. Bonus if you're willing to help write grant applications.
Events - 4 hours per month
We would like to create a small team of three individuals to help us consider and plan events in support of our mission. A signature annual event would provide much needed support for our budget and could bring countless new friends to the table. Monthly time estimates are based on a one year cycle. It is expected that this committee would give 1 hour per month for management and communications and that the rest of the hours would be split up throughout the year when needed.
Giving Tuesday - 2 hours per month
Giving Tuesday is an annual, internationally marketed campaign in December. This campaign has tremendous potential for fundraising and friendraising if managed properly. We are seeking two volunteers to help with this campaign. Eastimated hours are based on a one year cycle and would vary during busier planning and execution months. We do have a history of participating in this event, so this committee would build on that effort.
Membership Benefits - 2 hours per month
We have a free membership program but have recently added tiered levels with paid memberships. We strive to make sure we are providing value to all of our membership levels. The Membership Benefits team will review benefits and make recommendations to the Membership Committee. This team will connect with members and create a feedback loop to ensure a good customer service experience.
Click to connect through our volunteer interest form or feel free to email
Are these roles not for you?
Check out more opportunities by clicking below:
Leadership Programs and Events Outreach
Sustainability Operations
Would you like to connect with a local LDS Earth Stewardship group?
Groups are forming across the United States and in other countries. Connect with a group near you, or contact us to start your own LDSES affiliated group.
Click here to find out about Local Groups
Operations
Building the team and perfecting systems!
Human Resources - 1 hour per month
As LDS Earth Stewardship is greatly expanding its volunteer force and hiring interns, we would like to find someone with a background in human resources to help us take good care of everyone. There will be many months where you will only need to give a few minutes, but we will need some hours devoted to looking over our plan and assuring good systems are in place. People are what make organizations happen and we think the most important thing we can do is to provde an impactful and fun opportunity for our loving volunteers to make a difference.
Accounting - 2 hours per month
To ensure proper accounting practices, LDS Earth Stewardship needs independent oversight. One CPA will serve the Finance Commttee to verify data and a QuickBooks expert will guide staff to make sure the financial system is being optimized for the most thorough record keeping.
Licensure & Insurance Compliance - 1 hour per month
Managing a business requires a myriad of licenses, insurances and compliance efforts. LDSES is seeking a business professional with non profit experience to keep us comfortably within the lines. It is likely that the 1 hour per month average will be utilized once a yeasr for contract review, competitive bid consideration and advice.
Volunteer Management - 4 hours per month
Volunteers make up the hours of two FTE staff members per year. While that number may seem small, this volunteer workforce consists of 160 individual roles that build our foundation. Two people could not manage the variety of professional services needed for our work. With only one staff member, it would be impossible to manage that many relationships. The Volunteer Management team will advise the Executive Director and the board on how to best work with our volunteers and help to nuance the systems to recruit, manage and train volunteers.
Legal Support - 1 hour per month
Every business needs legal advice from a qualified attorney. LDS Earth Stewardship is not complicated enough to require hiring counsel. However, as we change and reach toward our capacity, there will be a growing need for legal advice. This role can function on 1 hour or less each month, or this volunteer could additionally serve on the Board of Directors and have a more formal role.
Click to connect through our volunteer interest form or feel free to email
Are these roles not for you?
Check out more opportunities by clicking below:
Leadership Programs and Events Outreach
Sustainability Operations
Would you like to connect with a local LDS Earth Stewardship group?
Groups are forming across the United States and in other countries. Connect with a group near you, or contact us to start your own LDSES affiliated group.
Click here to find out about Local Groups
Outreach
Can you help us get the word out?
Social Media - 4 hours per month
The Social Media team consists of 3 smaller teams to help manage engagement on LDSES social media platforms for Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Working in pairs, each volunteer is asked to give an hour a week setting up scheduled posts, responding to comments, setting up scheduled events and coordinating with the Outreach Committee and Executive Director.
Newsletter Editor - 4 hours per month
We publish a monthly online newsletter and need someone to set this up each month with fresh information. We are currently utilizing Mailchimp.
Email Marketer - 2 hours per month
We would like to engage more effectively through email marketing and need an experienced Email Marketer to guide us. Strategies will be discussed for engaging interaction, fundraising campaigns and brand awareness. We use Neon CRM to manage our database and will provide access to the system.
YouTube Content Manager - 4 hours per month
LDS Earth Stewardship has begun building a YouTube Channel with playlists. We need a content manager to help us share our YouTube more effectively. Two ongoing virtual programs are adding content as it is processed. We have several pending programs that would be housed on YouTube and we need a strategy for managing content and growing subscribers. The 4 hours per month average in this posting is based on an average for a year of work. Hours will fluctuate monthly based on ongoing projects.
Website Technician - 4 hours per month
The LDS Earth Stewardship website was refreshed a few years ago and is managed through Joomla. There are many nuances that could be added or improved upon with the help of skilled volunteers.
Media Relations - 3 hours per month
Volunteers are needed to help us communicate with media contacts in print, television and radio, and with social media influencers. Monthly hours are estimated high for the first few months to build a strategy and should slow down after a plan is in the management phase.
Click to connect through our volunteer interest form or feel free to email
Are these roles not for you?
Check out more opportunities by clicking below:
Leadership Programs and Events Outreach
Sustainability Operations
Would you like to connect with a local LDS Earth Stewardship group?
Groups are forming across the United States and in other countries. Connect with a group near you, or contact us to start your own LDSES affiliated group.
Click here to find out about Local Groups
Programs and Events
Creating meaningful engagement!
In the Company of Stewards - 2 hours per month
In the Company of Stewards is a monthly program that happens online and draws international participants and speakers. Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM Mountain Time. Discussion hearkens back to how a company of pioneers would circle their wagons for the night and gather together for uplifting and constructive conversation. These meetings provide Latter-day Saint earth stewards across the world with community, knowledge, and inspiration to support them on their journey of caring for Creation. Guest speaker presentations are recorded for publication on the LDSES YouTube channel, but the recording stops when the presenter completes their talk and group discussion begins. Member roles include: Host/scheduler, social media marketer, newsletter marketer, techie and archiver.
Local Group Management - 2 hours per month
LDS Earth Stewardship has begun partnering with members around the world to create local group chapters. Each Local Group requires a signed MOU and agrees to adhere to the policies and practices as expressed through guidelines. Groups are formed for in person and/or virtual activities and may be regional in nature or may be topic based online gatherings open to anyone. There are currently 8 Local Groups: Earth Stewardship East, LDSES Online Book Group, Southern California, Salt Lake Area, New York, Provo, Germany and Uganda. More groups are in the organizational stages worldwide. The purpose of the new Local Group Management team is to work with interested and emerging group leaders as they seek to start or develop their groups. Mentorship and communication skills will be well suited for this oppoprtunity.
Local Groups - Group Leaders - 2 hours per month
Group Leaders are recruited before a group can be established, with a 5 person minimum. Group Leaders will change over time, as the group grows and changes, and all recruitment will be done at the local level or through group discussions if an online group. Group Leaders set the themes of the group based on the interest of their members and determine what kinds of activities or events will be adopted. LDSES has small grants available for Local Groups that have a specific project in mind. Larger grants can be sought for bigger projects and will require coordination between the Group Leaders and LDSES. Group Leaders should be focused on impact, diversity and diplomacy as they carry out activities in their communities.
Resource Library Librarians - 2 hours per month
LDS Earth Stewardship has a robust resource library that is an online comprehensive collection of all the scriptures and quotes from general authorities regarding the creation of the earth and our responsibility over it. This massive library was created in 2018 and needs to be updated to include new references since its completion. Additionally, librarians will find new ways of sharing and presenting the library. Website design suggestions would be welcomed in order to make it a more appealing tool. We also dream of creating an app for the Resource Library that could be at the fingertips of anyone needing these references for a talk, paper, or project for church meetings, institute and FHE lessons. This new opportunity to serve will invite innovation from volunteer librarians.
LDSES Stewardship Projects - 2 hours per month
LDSES would like to foster more stewardship projects and seeks to engage this new volunteer role in securing appropriate projects. Members will consider larger scale projects that require more interactive engagement at a local level. Skills or a background in project management, working with companies and governemntal agencies at all levels will be helpful. Safety minded individuals are invited to the team.
Collaborative Educational Events - 2 hours per month
Help is being sought for this new effort to collaborate with other organizations that work in environmental education and/or gospel teaching. Volunteers should be interested in thinking outside the box to work with people of all faiths and backgrounds. The cause of caring for our resources and the planet as a whole cannot be addressed in an echo chamber. Most people recognize the importance of protecting resources, and yet may approach that care very differently. The goal of this team is to create learning opportunities that coordinate with other groups and focus on how we can agree. The 2 hours per month estimate is not an expectation of a monthly commitment, but rather includes estmated time leading up to and carrying out collaborative events.
Fall Forum Committee - 2 hours per month
Our most well known event, the Fall Forum, is an annual gathering that invites church leaders or notable LDS speakers to address us on a topic of their choice relative to our mission. In 2020, we began recording the event to offer the opportunity for reflection on talks for years to come. Members of this committee will help recruit speakers, plan for outreach before the event and will advise and help with utilizing the material for teaching after the fact. Production experience is helpful but not required. The 2 hours per month estimate is not an expectation of a monthly commitment, but rather includes estmated time leading up to and carrying out the Fall Forum.
Annual Meeting - 1 hour per month
The Annual Meeting is held early each year to update members of LDSES on our goals, vision, accomplishments and to introduce board members and staff. This small committee works to make sure the meeting is accessible, relevant and interesting. Members will discuss and plan for invitations and sharing of the meeting video afterward. Special focus should be made on how to have a two way conversation with members. The 1 hour per month estimate is not an expectation of a monthly commitment, but rather includes estmated time leading up to and carrying out the Annual Meeting.
Leadership Academy, Program Development - 3 hours per month
LDSES has a vision to create a leadership academy to teach the basics through more advanced understandings of how to be better stewards to our environment and resources. The Program Development team will be working on the curriculum and deployment of the program model. Members will not be carrying out the many duties required to complete a program of this complexity. Volunteers will set the vision and goals and will supervise paid interns who will carry out the production. The 3 hours per month estimate is based on expectations of a 9 month production schedule and includes a monthly meeting and work behind the scenes between meetings.
Leadership Academy, Program Management - 3 hours per month
Once the Leadership Academy Program Development team has created a basic structure for the Leadership Academy, this team will be convened to consider program management issues. Implementation, participant relations, activities and communications and measurements will be discussed to assure a good and lasting experience for participants and data supporting program effectiveness. The 3 hours per month estimate is based on several months of ongoing meetings and communications as the program is ready to be launched and reviewed. Monthly time commitments will be lessened after the first program has ended.
Click to connect through our volunteer interest form or feel free to email
Are these roles not for you?
Check out more opportunities by clicking below:
Leadership Programs and Events Outreach
Sustainability Operations
Would you like to connect with a local LDS Earth Stewardship group?
Groups are forming across the United States and in other countries. Connect with a group near you, or contact us to start your own LDSES affiliated group.
Click here to find out about Local Groups
Leadership
Setting the course requires focus and diversity!
Board of Directors - 2 hours per month
The Board of Directors meets virtually every other month, on the 2nd Thursday at 7:30 PM Mountain Time, as our members live across the country. Board members are actively engaged in email communication between meetings in order to carry out business. Becoming a board member requires a commitment of at least a year, but leaves of absence and early resignations are accepted. Board members will discuss programs, messaging, church relations strategy, operations and fund development. Board members are expected to participate in at least one standing LDS Earth Stewardship committee: Executive (officers), Finance / HR, Fundraising, Outreach and/or Membership.
Advisory Board - 3 hours per quarter
The Advisory Board is a new opportunity to serve LDS Earth Stewardship. The Advisory Board will choose an evening to meet virtually each quarter to allow for a diverse pool of candidates from across the country. Similar to the Board of Directors, the Advisory Board is focused on the strategic operation of the organization. Members of this group will have an advanced understanding and sensitivity for working with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Enhanced skills in seeking out and connecting to influencers are helpful. Those who care deeply about our mission and have more influence than time are encouraged to participate.
Church Relations Committee - 1 hour per month
The Church Relations Committee is focused solely on church relations. Members of this group have an advanced understanding and sensitivity for working with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and will utilize those skills to advance the relationship between LDS Earth Stewardship and the Church. Members of this committee will interact with church leaders on behalf of LDS Earth Stewardship and will be expected to work with professional courtesy, respect and discernment. Meetings will happen quarterly or as needed.
Executive Committee - 2 hours per month
The Executive Committee represents officers of the board. Meetings are held virtually the 1st Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM Mountain Time. This committee is responsible for monitoring legal and financial matters between full board meetings and will advise the full board as to any issue arising. Supervision and recruitment of the Executive Director is managed by the Executive Committee. This committee also shepherds the operational elements of the organization. Members of the Executive Committee are chosen from members of the Board of Directors. Roles include: Chair, Vice Chair of Programs and Development, Vice Chair of Outreach, Treasurer and Secretary.
Finance / HR Committee - 2 hours per month
The Finance and Human Resources Committee is responsible for oversight of the organization’s assets. In addition to the physical property and financial transactions, this committee is additionally responsible for human resources. Meetings are held virtually the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM Mountain Time. Background expertise in accounting, budgeting, legal contracts, human resources and non profit management are needed.
Membership Committee - 3 hours per month
The Membership Committee oversees programs and events, ensures a quality experience for members of LDS Earth Stewardship and seeks feedback from members and others to make improvements. Meetings are held virtually the 4th Thursday of each month at 7:00 Mountain Time. Purposes of this committee include: 1) Support broadening and diversifying the global membership of the organization. 2) Increase stewardship participation and action in local groups. 3) Provide quality programs in support of the mission. 4) Foster a meaningful, complimentary, membership experience. 5) Offer membership tiers for more robust engagement. While monthly meetings are only one hour, there are a few hours given per month through email communications and contact with other volunteer leaders.
Outreach Committee - 3 hours per month
The Outreach Committee supports the messaging and graphic design needs of the organization and seeks to connect LDS Earth Stewardship's relevant programs, messages and events to other gospel influencers. Meetings are held virtually on the 2nd Monday of each month at 6:30 PM Mountain Time. Purposes of this committee include: 1) Share the mission and vision. 2) Show the work being done by LDS Earth Stewardship (and the Church). 3) Create appealing messages to recruit and support members and volunteers. 4) Tell the fundraising story to existing and potential financial supporters. 5) Provide the graphic needs of the organization. 6) Build connections with institutions. 7) Collaborate with other LDS Earth Stewardship committees. While the monthly meeting is only an hour, there are email communications and contacts that happen during the month that may take a couple hours.
Fundraising Committee - 2 hours per month
The Fundraising Committee researches, plans, executes and analyzes fund development activities to secure the sustainability of the organization. Meetings are held virtually on the 1st Thursday of each month at 8:30 PM Mountain Time. This committee works on a diversified fund developmen plan. People with skills or contacts related to: donor relations, grant writing, fundraising campaigns, special events, company matching programs, sponsorships, and membership dues are encouraged to consider serving on this committee.
Click to connect through our volunteer interest form or feel free to email
Are these roles not for you?
Check out more opportunities by clicking below:
Leadership Programs and Events Outreach
Sustainability Operations
Would you like to connect with a local LDS Earth Stewardship group?
Groups are forming across the United States and in other countries. Connect with a group near you, or contact us to start your own LDSES affiliated group.
Click here to find out about Local Groups
Volunteer
Can you spare a few hours per month?
We stay impactful, sustainable, and responsible, with the help of our devoted volunteers. With 160 volunteer roles, we can leverage $127,000 in donated labor each year. These positions only take a few hours each month. We are grateful to have such talented people helping us keep our costs down. Whatever your skill set or availability, we have something for you. If you have more time to offer, feel free to sign up for more than one role. We will be thankful for your short or long term commitment.
We have been growing quickly and now have six groups meeting for stewardship and discussion throughout the country. We are also pleased to announce that we have new groups in Germany and Uganda. New programs are being developed in the background and we have signed another amazing speaker for this year's Fall Form.
We are accomplishing this work with only one paid staff member, our Executive Director. If you would like to make a difference by sharing your time with us, we would be happy to welcome you to the team. Learn more by clicking on the links below, and connect with us through our volunteer interest form. or feel free to email .
Click below to read volunteer job descriptions
Leadership Programs and Events Outreach
Sustainability Operations
Would you like to connect with a local LDS Earth Stewardship group?
Groups are forming across the United States and in other countries. Connect with a group near you, or contact us to start your own LDSES affiliated group.
Click here to find out about Local Groups
Sacred Places Initiative
Commemorate 201 Years with 201 Service Projects
As of this month, 201 years ago, Joseph Smith went into a forest near his home in New York to offer a prayer that would result in the opening of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In recounting that prayer, members of the Church refer to that stand of trees where Joseph prayed as the Sacred Grove. Joseph follows a long line of prophets to commune with God in nature—John the Baptist lived and preached in the wilderness, Moses spoke to God on a mountain top, and even Jesus fasted in the desert before facing down Satan’s temptations.
This year, LDS Earth Stewardship has set a goal to host 201 service projects as a way to mark the First Vision in the Sacred Grove.
Before discussing how you can help, let me explain why I plan to organize an event myself.
At critical junctures of my life, I found myself feeling closer to God in nature. I think that this is true for many of us.
One of my favorite scriptures are the words Alma uses to rebuff Korihor: “The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator” (Alma 30:44).
George Washington Carver once said, “I love to think of nature as having unlimited broadcasting stations, through which God speaks to us every day, every hour and every moment of our lives, if we will only tune in and remain so.” What are God’s creations saying to us? I believe they are testifying of God’s love for us, that God made this beautiful Creation as a testament of His love for us.
I have come to believe that one way to show God that we love Him is to care for His Creation. This is something that the great Latter-day Saint ecologist Paul Cox has taught: “Brothers and sisters, if we truly love the Artist, let us not slash His painting.” President David O. McKay taught that if we are to be great, we must reverence Deity and all things associated with Deity. “To the degree that we believe the earth is associated with Deity, we must reverence the earth itself.”
Please consider joining us in this endeavor. During this past year, as we have faced COVID-19 as a society, many of us have been pressed to our limits. As we have, many of us have found some relief in the beauties of the Earth that are all around us. To each of us, these have become recognized as sacred places in their own right. And they are just that. They were created by God under the direction of His Son for our benefit. It is our turn to give back. As we do, in this simple way, we can tell God, “I love you too.”
Find a Group Project Near You
Local LDS Earth Stewardship groups are busy planning projects for the Sacred Places Initiative. Connect with a group near you and you will be invited to their projects as they are announced. If there is no group near you, choose to hold your own project and keep it simple. A Sacred Places project can be done by a single person. However, maybe you would like to consider starting your own local group. It only takes five committed people to start group. We provide support to help our local groups carry out activities in their communities. Find out about local groups, upcoming volunteer projects, and learn about starting your own group by visiting the group page. Click here to get connected.
Hold Your Own Sacred Places Project, Big or Small
You can easily support our goal of reaching 201 projects in honor of the First Vision. Spend time picking up trash, weeding, removing graffiti, planting native plants, the possibilities are endless. Listen to your favorite session from General Conference, enjoy a podcast, or sing along to your music list while having alone time with nature. This could be wonderful for family service. Bring along one of our Family Home Evening lessons to enjoy with lunch on your blanket. Take some RS sisters to help a family in need of yard care. Get a group together and take on a bigger project. We have created a tip sheet to help you plan and carry out your projects, large and small. Make sure you submit a quick project report when you're finished, so your project can be counted. Feel free to do as many projects as you can this summer / fall. Click here for the project tip sheet. Click here to report your project and have it listed on this page.