Application for Mount Hood YSA Branch

19 October 2015

Elder David L. Stapleton

Area Seventy, Oregon Portland Area Coordinating Council

1203 S. Tranquility Pr

Kennewick, WA 99338

Dear Elder Stapleton,

Please find attached the Branch Organization Application for a Young Single Adult (YSA) branch to be created in the Mount Hood Oregon Stake. We propose it be named the Mount Hood YSA Branch.

In the fall of 2013, soon after the Washington Vancouver Mission was created, the Mount Hood YSA Ward was moved from Troutdale, OR (now located in the Vancouver Mission) to the Portland Stake and re-named the Springwater YSA Ward.

The Mount Hood Oregon Stake remained in the Oregon Portland Mission. Unfortunately, it meant the closest YSA unit for our stake was the Alder Creek YSA Ward, located in Gladstone, OR (Milwaukie Stake), a distant drive that has become an obstacle for many YSA in our stake.

As a consequence, there has been a noticeable reduction in activity among the YSA, both in Church attendance and participation in the nearby Gresham Institute, which is now located in the Washington Vancouver Mission.

Therefore, this recommendation hopefully will: (1) re-establish a presence for YSA in our stake to gather with other YSA for weekly Church services; (2) organize the active YSA to help rescue the many less-active young people in our stake; and (3) create a bond among the YSA that will result in greater participation in Institute and other activities.

All members of the Stake Priesthood Executive Committee and Bishops in our stake have given their approval of this recommendation. Also, the Bishop of the Alder Creek YSA Ward, despite the potential impact this could have on his ward leadership, has expressed approval. We appreciate the Church’s consideration of this application and welcome any questions or concerns.

The Mount Hood Oregon Stake Presidency