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Sunny Morton and her family live east of Cleveland on the shores of Lake Erie near the Canadian border. She was raised in the Chicago area and grew up as the only sister of 5 brothers, which she says prepared her well to work within a ward council setting. When she was 24 she served as a missionary in the California Arcadia Spanish Speaking Mission. After returning home she married and began a family with her husband that includes 3 children ages 8 to 13. She is the primary care giver to her daughter who has Spina Bifida and also helps with her husband who has some health challenges as well. She refers to herself as a busy mid-lifer who also works part time in the genealogy industry. She is a contributing editor and content provider for the Genealogy Gems podcast and blog. A few weeks prior to this interview she was released as her wards Relief Society President where she served for the last 2.5 years. It is evident in this interview that her background and life’s experiences prepared her well to serve the people of that area.
Leadership Principles Discussed Include:
– How she helped prioritize the focus of the Ward Council to family history work through the formation of a family history committee – What she did as the first relief society president of a newly formed ward to create a sense of community and togetherness – How she used social media and Facebook to help sisters connect and what she did when dissenting views crept up on the walls – How she operated as a woman on the ward council and worked with her fellow quorum and auxiliary leaders – Living like a full time missionary as much as you can both in your personal life and in the ways you serve others – Keeping peoples confidence – Letting the Spirit magnify your calling but also teach you the boundaries – Growing the STPs (Same Ten People) to the NTPs (Next Ten People) – How her transition period worked with the recent calling a new relief society president. – How she got out of the way of families, friends and visiting teachers to respond to their stewardships
Links and references mentioned in this episode:
The Genealogy Gems Podcast Instructions on how to create free access to premium genealogical services using your LDS account ancestry.com findmypast.com myheritage.com Use of social media and online resources in church callings LDS Tools Google Docs
I first came across your podcast series the day after I was asked to be the RS President. I was searching all over pintrest to find anything I could get my hands on and I am so thankful I found your site. It wasn’t a coincidence that the first interview I listened to was Pam from Kirtland. You see I am the new president for the Euclid ward. With the challenge of following Sunny and her great example of selfless service to our ward. When she posted on our fb page that she was interviewed I was so excited! I have loved listening to these seasoned sisters and gleaning from their experience and advise as I begin my presidency. Thank you for what you do.
Great interview! We’re in Michigan and have a similar transient ward courtesy of all of the medical schools. Change definitely keeps you on your toes and in need of the spirit to help guide. Thank you for sharing!