Expectations of counselors in responding to emails

7 May 2020

Paul and Steven,

I’m OK with meeting to discuss expectations. You’re both feeling pressure from me, for which I apologize. I’m trying not to make this difficult or burdensome on either of you. Obviously I’m failing.

If you want to meet, I suggest we meet sooner than our presidency meeting on May 9 so we address it while it’s fresh; and that we not constrain ourselves to a time right before presidency meeting. I know you’re both much busier than I am so why don’t you two talk and pick a couple of days and times that work for you both? Chances are I can meet one or both of them.

Obviously, your desire for expectations means you want to know what I expect of you in regard to emails.

Let me see if I can describe my feelings on the subject so we can discuss in our meeting:

• I want you to know that I’m trying to accommodate your schedules recognizing that you both may not be able to review my many emails until late each night. My expectation is that you review emails throughout the day glancing at the subject lines and that you respond to all emails, that need a reply, at least once within that same day the email was sent to you (presumably late that night). 

• At times I feel an urgency and ask that you (1) respond sooner or (2) at a minimum let me know you saw the urgent email and (3) when I can expect to receive your reply. I will do my best to put “Urgent" in the subject line for those special times.

• Please note, as happened this week, when we “wrestle” over an email and you make suggestions then I rewrite it and send again. When I send the next draft it would help me if you could review those emails sooner than later that night so it doesn’t take 24-48 hours for an email to be approved. I try to mark those as “Final Draft” in the subject line.

Is this a fair request?

You can respond when we meet, but please respond before the meeting if you have any questions about the expectations described above.

I appreciate deeply your willingness to review emails I send and, when you can, respond to them. Your counsel, suggestions and even corrections are invaluable to me. I hope we can continue to handle the fast-paced issues of Church administration in this unique time without being too disruptive to your personal lives and without causing you anxiety.

You are both wonderful counselors and I am very much indebted to you for your loyalty, wisdom and inspired counsel.

Crismon