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Kari Roppe lives in the Twin Cities area, in a lake cabin destination area in Wisconsin. She grew up in Provo, Utah, moved to Minneapolis as a young adult, and became inactive in the Church for many years. She is an elementary school teacher, the single parent of three children, and was called unexpectedly as a stake Young Women president.
Highlights
6:40 Kari’s experience coming back to the Church after years of inactivity 10:30 Served in Primary, Relief Society, and as gospel doctrine teacher before being called to the ward Young Women presidency 11:30 YW camp testimony meeting with stake presidency attending 13:00 Stake Young Women president calling 14:00 Called even though she was a single, working parent of teenagers 15:15 Choosing her counselors—including her own sister
Leadership principles
- 17:45 Surround yourself with people who know more than you
- 19:30 The Lord calls presidencies, not individuals
- 20:30 Formal meetings didn’t work for her, but they communicated well
- 22:25 Be willing to go offroading a bit
- 23:00 Using Dr. Seuss as a theme for young women
- 26:00 Make sure that you don’t check your sense of humor at the door
- 26:30 Twilight-themed skit at YW camp helped them be more approachable
- 28:35 Always have the needs of those you serve first and foremost
30:00 Her stake president gave them freedom but one directive to always provide three things for the youth:
- Service
- 32:35 Fun
- 33:50 A spiritual experience
36:30 Mourning “my girls” after serving 38:40 We love those we serve and begin to feel the love the Lord has for his children
I loved listening to this and thinking of all the time we spent together serving. You were and still are inspiring!
Wonderful podcast full of so much excitement, love and learning!
Having grown up in Utah County like Kari and now living in Wisconsin, I see what strength develops when the youth are brought together and given the opportunity to serve, have fun and feel the spirit!
Only one thing Kurt, the Twin Cities are in Minnesota. You cross the Mississippi River and you’re in Wisconsin.