Auckland, New Zealand | September 19, 2011
It was one of the largest Mormon Helping Hands projects in New Zealand. Approximately 770 Latter-day Saints joined 300 non-LDS volunteers in August to prepare Auckland to host the Rugby World Cup this September. Volunteers painted curbs and public restrooms, planted trees and removed litter from the streets of seven neighborhoods.
The service effort resulted from a meeting between the Pacific Area President, Elder James J. Hamula, and Mayor Len Brown of Auckland, New Zealand. In addition to briefing the mayor, Elder Hamula asked in the spirit of Ammon and King Lamoni: “What more can we do?”
As it did with Ammon , this approach opened up an opportunity, not only for service, but to strengthen a relationship with a government leader. By offering service, a discussion with a government leader may lead to community and social issues that sincerely concern him. As the Church adds value to the government leader’s positive efforts, a stronger relationship of trust will develop.
In the case of Auckland’s mayor, he discussed his desire to spruce up Auckland in preparation for the World Cup. Elder Hamula volunteered members of the Church in the area and it was decided they would ultimately spearhead the initiative.
The next task was to mobilize as many public affairs councils around Auckland as possible. The project would eventually involve participation from six stakes and the public affairs councils at the area, national, multi-stake, and stake levels.
There was one problem, however. Soon after the meeting in which the decision for the Church to support the project was made, Mayor Brown left the country for three weeks. The national public affairs council could get no response from his or the city council’s office on the details of the projects.
Finally, towards the end of July, the details were communicated. With the first impending project to occur on July 30, there were only a few days before the first event. Organizing these events would seem nearly impossible with this timeline, but the public affairs councils had met and planned for the events regardless of the lack of details.
“While we waited for the Auckland City Council to get back to us, we set up resources with each stake so that they would be ready to act when further details were forthcoming,” said Jared Viljoen, Auckland multi-stake director.
According to the new details, the Church’s role in the events had also changed. They were now to only mobilize volunteers instead of managing the entire initiative. Regardless, the public affairs council pragmatically disseminated the new information and helped provide volunteers for each project.
Besides being an impressive volunteer effort, the communication between these councils during its quick organization was a feat unto itself.
“You’ve got to be in contact with everybody,” said New Zealand’s national director of public affairs, Anthony Williams.
Each public affairs council knew their responsibility in the effort. The area council worked initially with the mayor in deciding to support the project. The national council provided planning, assistance and guidance. The multi-stake council was the point of contact for all the stakes and the hub of information for all the projects. The stake councils provided representatives as liaison to the city council and organized the attendance at the events. All along, Elder Michael A. Roberts, an Area Seventy, acted as priesthood advisor in providing oversight and guidance.
“It takes coordination and communication to make sure that we are actually getting the job done,” said Richard Hunter, director of public affairs in the Pacific Area. “Sometimes one council thinks the next level is doing the job, but you have to be very clear to avoid duplication.”
In the end, the service projects impressed local residents and businesses as they saw Church members willing to serve alongside them in their communities. In one instance, a local Italian restaurant owner provided free pasta and pizza to the volunteers.
“Having various local community leaders come in contact with members of the Church, and seeing us act on our promise to show up, will hopefully help initiate further Church/city council partnerships,” said Viljoen. “One community representative has established a wonderful relationship with a local LDS bishop through our past initiatives, and this project served to strengthen that relationship even further. She has come to see the Church as a willing partner in her community.”
This and other public affairs initiatives illustrate the importance of coordination and the work of councils at all levels. Everyone called to public affairs has their part to play, and every small effort contributes a piece to the large whole.
“Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.”
– D&C 64:33
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