Paddy Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 (edited) The LDS Church is a bronze sponsor of the World Congress of Families here in Sydney this coming May. Living out here on the other side of the world we are not as exposed to these type of things (church involvement in large civic events) as perhaps the US church is and I was wondering if this happens often over there or in other countries...? The church would of paid about $10K for this sponsorshipThe only thing recently that the Church sponsored was a Joseph Smith Symposium a few years ago but that was still run by the church not a partnership with another group.Anyway just curious to know of your experiences with the church sponsoring...ThanksPaddy Edited November 27, 2012 by Paddy
canard78 Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 Hi Paddy, I'm from the UK originally (currently living in Asia), so not your intended reply. But until our friends in the states wake up, it's not something I've heard happen in Europe. Most local/regional offices will have a marketing & PR budget. For example in UK they run a series of TV ads promting the nativity video each year (delivered free by your friendly local missionaries). I'm also seeing a lot of facebook sponsored ads in my news feed encouraging me to visit their mormon.org facebook page. I'm guessing that's because I have friends who have already 'liked' the page and they're using the 'advertise to the friends of your fans' option. This is probably a SLC funded global campaign. So after the long answer, my short one would be: countries get the own publicity budget which I think they have some autonomy over. This may be how the Australia team have chosen to use their budget.
CV75 Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 Most local/regional offices will have a marketing & PR budget.And not only that, wards and stakes have an annual budget to fund contributions to worthy causes such as food banks, emergency response and relief organizations, etc.
canard78 Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 And not only that, wards and stakes have an annual budget to fund contributions to worthy causes such as food banks, emergency response and relief organizations, etc.Are you sure at ward level? I'd not heard of that (I've served on or near Bishoprics/Branch presidencies for the last 10 years). I think I remember budgets like that discussed when I was on the stake high-council, but not as much as the $10k in the OP.
Okrahomer Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 https://www.lds.org/church/news/traditional-family-championed-at-world-congress?lang=eng"The World Congress of Families has as its purpose to “stand up for the position of the traditional family, in a time of eroding family life and declining appreciation for families in general.”"Concurrent with the sessions of the congress, Elder Frerich Görts, former undersecretary of the German federal government and currently the Church’s representative to the European Union institutions, attended the International Parliamentary Forum. The forum gathered the foremost activists and leaders of civic, educational, and research organizations defending the natural family and life as fundamental principles, together with government representatives."Since this group meets regularly at locations around the world, my guess is that the Church's support is "general" rather than "local." I believe Scott Lloyd (the author of the linked article) is a frequent participant on this board and could probably provide a more accurate and detailed answer.
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