Physical Facilities Representative—New Church Calling

Every mission and stake president is aware of his responsibility for the physical facilities under his jurisdiction. Not only is there consideration of building site acquisitions, but also of construction and day-to-day maintenance and operation of existing buildings.

To help fill this responsibility, the Church is now implementing a priesthood-oriented program throughout the United States and Canada whereby a physical facilities representative will be called in each stake and mission.

In the stakes, this representative will be a high councilor or an alternate high councilor. In the missions he is to be a local priesthood bearer, but not a proselyting missionary.

In a letter to stake and mission presidents, the First Presidency pointed out that the role of the physical facilities representative is a prime Church assignment.

Each representative will work not only with local priesthood leaders but also will have contact with the Church’s Department of Physical Facilities which consists of the Real Estate, Building, and Operations and Maintenance Divisions.

A job description prepared by the department states that the priesthood holder chosen as the mission or stake physical facilities representative should be chosen for his knowledge of building construction and maintenance procedures. He must be able to supervise specialists in these fields, including custodians whom he will have to train.

“He will represent the stake president or the mission president as a technical adviser in matters pertaining to real estate, construction, repair, and maintenance in Church-owned buildings and grounds,” explained Carvel Davis, director of the Operations and Maintenance Division. “He also will coordinate these activities with the bishops or branch presidents.

“We don’t suggest that one man try to do everything by himself. In fact, we recommend that assistants be called to work with him wherever necessary. For instance, if I were a stake physical facilities representative, I’d have a team of people knowledgeable in specific areas. I might have assistants who are plumbers, electricians, roofers, and custodial and general maintenance experts. Assistants could be called to provide the necessary expertise when real estate is to be purchased or a building constructed. They could be released as assistants at the completion of the project.

“The whole purpose of this program is to align this area with the priesthood. Up to now there have been people serving in these capacities, but they have not been a part of the priesthood line of authority throughout their stakes or missions.”

Currently, information on the program in the form of a new Handbook for Physical Facilities and a filmstrip giving an overview of the representative’s responsibilities and the role he will play in the stake or mission is being distributed to all mission and stake presidents in the United States and Canada. Distribution throughout other areas of the Church will follow.