CO handovers

by cantleave 7 Replies latest jw friends

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  cantleave

  I have just been reading the thread about CO DO get togethers and it led me to think of a question that I have had for years.

  Every three years the CO rotate and a Circuite will get a new guy to hound the Elders. My question is, What level of handover info does the new incumbent get from the leaving CO? I now they get the Congregation reports but is their any exchange of Personal information regarding Elders personalities / weaknesses, are potential trouble makers identified etc.? I would imagine the only people who could answer that would be ex-CO's, but if anyone else has knowledge of the handover system I would be interested?
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  DaCheech

  I like to know.

  these CO handovers are more WT control methods
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  xelder

  I filled in to help the CO change in our circuit once. Due to circumstances, the CO had to leave the circuit about 3 months early. I kept the circuit files and would help with the weekly transitions as substitute CO's came each week. The circuit file has a file for each congregation. The contents are mostly utility stuff (who was appointed as servants last few visits-etc) However, if a CO feels that a matter in a congregation may possibly be an issue again, the written letters associated are kept so that the future CO can see them and not start at square one all the time. The more prominent a brother was who became a problem and 'fell from approval', the more likely a letter 'since this man had been given great trust and is probably very capable, but we need to be cautious of him now for some time'. There is definitely a verbal exchange of the lowdown at the changing of the guard. Also, Assembly overseers and PO.s (coordinators now) are sought out for opinions and status, and I was always surprized at how much the comments of these 'heavy' brothers would be relied on.

  Usually, the outgoing CO schedules the first few months of the new CO's route since he will be new to the area. The former CO usually assigns the assembly speaking parts for the first upcoming circuit assembly since he knows the brothers who are better speakers and or the 'best' examples.

  District speaking assignments are made a different way since congregations possibly attend different District Conventions each year. A varying group of 3-4 brothers meet with the CO around January and decide who in the circuit would be qualified for various types of parts on a District Convention. The recommendations are forwarded to the branch, who then make assigments and send those to the speakers by direct mail. Even though they try to rotate some of the elders who attend this annual meeting, its still a good ol boys club. At this meeting, recommendations are also made for brothers who would be qualified to serve on appeal committees and the special committees.

  I hope this helps with what you wanted to know
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  cantleave

  Thanks xelder that was exactly what I wanted to know, My reason for for asking is that I turned down down a CA part before stepping down and the outgoing CO was more than surprised and I am sure he very unsure of my motives. He knew me well and we condidered each other as friends. I was just wondering if I would be on some sort of "watch" list. It sounds like I may well be. My next CO visit is in January, by that time I am expecting to be a very rare attender, but still reprting some FS (trying to avoid the "he's fallen off radar lets see him beofre the visit" category), the info you have just revealed will help me to get the balance right to avoid an interrogation.
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  xelder

  Ahh, I see. Its all about the Label, they want to know what you are. It's OK if your cancer is terminal-they lable that excuse as OK. If your family needs you for a bit, that is usually accepted too. THEY WANT TO KNOW THE EXCUSE - then they lable you and are comfortable (unless the lable is weak, or apostate)

  Fortunately, my family has always been fairly low profile socially. I was very busy, but kept personal issues to our family. Some are much more social and this can become a hinderance with a fade.

  Vague is good, I have some personal family matters. or My circustances need a change in my attention at the moment, I hope you understand dear brother. I sure love the friends in the congregation - and so on
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  xelder

  Had to run to the mail - I'm back now

  Actually, quite a few brothers turn down parts, and the CO gets exasperated because its just more work for him. Lots of times, thats why you see the same speakers every assembly. Not everyone is willing.

  The worst is the Saturday afternoon symposium of a 2 day assembly. That part is under special attention for the DO to tweak locally as he sees fit. Therefore, he wants the same speakers at the A,B,C parts of the circuit so there are less rehearsals. So the parts (which usually have interviews, skits, and other participants) require preperation, rehearse to CO, rehearse to DO, and 3 weekends to give the parts. So there goes 2 months of any extra time you had. I quit giving those.

  The baptism talk is the favorite to give for most elders. No participants, therefore usually no rehearsals, 30 minutes to be marvelous.
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  AllTimeJeff

  My question is, What level of handover info does the new incumbent get from the leaving CO? I now they get the Congregation reports but is their any exchange of Personal information regarding Elders personalities / weaknesses, are potential trouble makers identified etc.? I would imagine the only people who could answer that would be ex-CO's, but if anyone else has knowledge of the handover system I would be interested?

  Just to affirm, yes, there are absolutely reviews of potential good and bad congregations, good and bad elders, pioneers, etc.

  On ocassion, when a bad CO leaves, the Service Dept and DO will fill in some additional details concerning what went wrong, and what the new CO is expected to do.
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  OnTheWayOut

  ATJ, these C.O.'s are appointed by holy spirit and are more vital to Jehovah than the lower managers (elders). There can't possibly be bad C.O.'s. Each is always exactly what the circuit needed for some reason. Maybe you saw below average speakers, but they straightened some vital aspect of the circuit out. Just ask the pioneer members that had lunch with the C.O.. They'll tell you.

  I didn't know the ins and outs of a "handover" but the new C.O. tended to know some of the main concerns/problems.