After being disfellowshipped or disassociated, has anyone ever gone back and asked the local elders to destroy the meeting notes from the judicial hearing? As a former elder, I know that meeting notes aren’t necessarily kept private and I don’t particularly care that they are accessible to someone who is determined to see them. Just wondering if anyone else has been bothered by this and taken action.
Judicial hearing notes
by roybatty 5 Replies latest jw friends
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Amazing
Hi Roy: I have never done so, but the only file on me would be whatever they drummed up to allege that I DA'd myself. I doubt that the Elders would do so. But, If I made the point with the Society and threatened legal action, they might force the local Elders to comply. The Society has a 5 year file holding limit, but if the local State statute is less, then they would destroy these in the lesser time frame. It has been 6 years since I was DA'd, so I presume they are supposed to destroy file note except for the S-77 card showing the date and basic reason for DA. The reason I suggest that the local Elders would need to be forced is because I know that the Secretary loves to keep notes forever, and rread them again in his spare time.
When I was an Elder and Secretary, I kept the files at home (this was before the policy change moving the files back to the Kingdom Hall.) During that time I destroyed files in accordance with the rules whether I was asked to or not. But during all that time, I was never approached by any JW about the JC files. I think this is mainly due to the average JW not realizing that the Elders keep such notes and records. - Amazing
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Bendrr
I would be real suprised if I found out that files are destroyed in compliance with the 5-year directive.
I'm sure we're all well aware that what is written and what is actually done are many times two different things at the judicial level.
And just what is in those files? Well in my case, I'd be willing to bet that it goes back a ways and contains plenty of notes some of which even I may not be aware of. For instance, all the little "intimidation" meetings I was in as a teenager would have records in that "sealed" file. All were bogus charges but meetings were held. The file would contain the actual charge, and probably information never presented at the meeting. Then of course is the granddaddy of them all, that final JC meeting. I cringe to think of the notes on that one. Since it was for "immorality" they probably wrote it up to sound like a story in Hustler magazine.
They keep these files on nearly all of us. Maybe some of you experienced ones will disagree but it is my suspicion that that file keeps growing even after df/da just so they can have a little ammo if you want to try for reinstatement.
I'm still quietly working on acquiring my file but so far haven't found a way to get it. I would suggest that more people here start trying to get their files away from the elders.
mike911 is the number you call AFTER the shots are fired.
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buffalosrfree
Bendrr, I bet that they keep those notes, especially on adultery and other immoral practices to whet their appetites *sexual that is*, and go over them again and again, One would think that reading notes such as these would be in itself a form of pornography. I wonder if they keep a supply of baby oil in the secretarys filing cabinet with the notes on adultery, masturbation (female), etc.???? They probably do this just to keep their grip on things at the hall. Buff
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Amazing
Hi Buffalo: The reason Elders will keep such file notes varies, but most of the time it happens for two reasons: First, and most likely is that when an Elder assumes the Secretary position, he is not trained by the previous Secretary, who in turn was likely not trained on procedure. So, he gets the files, looks at them a little bit, and decides to leave everthing alone until he can get around to it someday. Second, in some cases the Elders feel compelled to keep certain files and notes, especially where there is concern over suspected apostasy.
IN my own case, when I was Secretary, the files were handed to me in a shear mess. Notes nots sealed and falling out of cheap, overstuffed letter-sized envelops. Various file instructions and records poorly organized, etc.
I had to reconstruct everything. That is when I discovered the Society's letter on how to organize and maintain the files, and included the 5 year limit on maintainence. Even the Circuit Overseers don't understand (or care) how the files are maintained. The records they give most attention to are the Publisher Record Cards with Field Service time and placements. They will look some at the accounts, mmostly to make sure they are audited. They never peer into the JC files.
When I finished sorting the JC files, I found notes going back about 30 years. I bound together all file notes that were older than 5 years and them burned per the Society instruction. One Elder requested keeing file notes on one person because of "potential" new action. His request was honored. So, in this case the notes were finally destroyed, but it took 30 years before some Elder (in this case, me) to carry out the instructions. - Amazing
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roybatty
Thanks for the feedback Amazing. I remember when I was a “newbie” elder and was being assigned to my first judicial one of the other elders told me that I should “look through the files” this way I’d know what to expect. So stupid me, I did. So there I am in the elder’s room reading what brother so and so did and what sister so and so did. Wow. Lots of juicy stuff. Fast forward to the CO’s visit and guess what I happen to mention? My little research through the JC notes. Then the CO goes off on me. Big time! (And rightfully so). Not wanting to be a snitch I do not mention that one of the more experienced elders suggested that I do what I did.
Anyway, not that my JC case has anything interesting (apostasy) but it just irks me a little that they have this “record” on me. I wonder if I should call the Society direct and ask to have them destroyed or should I call the local PO. Or should I just forget about the whole thing.
Kind of a side note. It’s funny to see the JW’s that I read about in the JC notes. I’ll “bump” into them around town and the cold, heartless stare they have is almost inhuman. I start giggling to myself, if they only knew what I know about them.