I called the Sydney, Australia Bethel today and the guy was reasonable to talk to. The address he provided was
PO Box 280
Ingleburn, NSW 1890
He advised that I would need to include POI, such as a drivers licence.
When I initially called, a Sister answered and asked who I would like to talk to. I said it was in relation to obtaining personal documents. She asked if it was computer related??? I started to explain what I was after but she was really quick to say she'd just put me through to the Service Department. It seemed like she was a little nervous that I would be telling her too much and her position didn't allow that.
Anyway, there were some interesting things that were discussed.
The guy from the Service Department advised that they have retained the same 'retention policy' but on inquiring he said the retention policy was confidential.
I mentioned about the information that was discovered through the Royal Commission so I said, since the information 'discovered' at the RC was in relation to discipline then that would still be held. He would not confirm.
He said that if I was entitled to the information under FOI or privacy laws then I would receive it although their legal department would have to determine that. I said I hoped their wasn't going to be a situation of whether the Branch thought they were above the law by applying their own consideration of 'entitlement' under their theocratic warfare policies. He wouldn't deny this and again referred to the legal department as making the determinations.
Having mentioned the RC I was very surprised with the information he did tell me. He said they were still in discussions in relation to this matter and there may still be some policy changes. He confirmed that it had not been finalized. I reckon these guys at the Branch must be having a real hard time trying to be reasonable and sensible but probably being stonewalled by HQ. He used the words that it was ongoing, being reviewed and that there could be changes.
He mentioned that I could check out their current policy on JW org. I asked him for the links as I couldn't find anything about the Australian RC on there. He said it was a Worldwide Policy that was accessible on their site as they don't publish in regards to individual countries. I mentioned that was disappointing and strange since they report so much about individual countries, Russia being just one example.
It's about time I requested my information and with privacy laws constantly changing I would like to obtain whatever they have before or if they are ever destroyed.
Thanks for the reminder Stuckinarut.
Listener
JoinedPosts by Listener
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Our own "Russia" style letter writing campaign to request our private data!?!? Please share
by stuckinarut2 inwe all know of the tactic employed by the society to flood the russian govt with the mass letter writing campaign.
no doubt, one of their aims was to send a clear message of the governing body's views to the russian authorities.. what can't we all do the same to the governing body?.
with the advent of ever tightening data privacy laws occurring in many countries around the world, we now have a valid and legitimate reason to write the society!
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Accounts report at Circuit Assemblies to go away
by LevelThePlayingField ini was at the regional convention and asked an elder why is that at the assemblies their is an accounts report but not at the conventions?
he said, well actually they got a letter and in it said that in a little while they will do away with the accounts report stating how much the assembly costs for the weekend and just go to donation basis like at the conventions.. my first thought was, "they will donate even less now.".
anybody else hear about such a thing?.
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Listener
Maybe they are planning on putting more pressure for JWs to donate regularly, as much as they can, rather than in a ad hoc manner.
They mentioned this scripture in their finance meeting which was recently leaked -
1 Corinthians 16:1,2Now concerning the collection that is for the holy ones, just as I gave orders to the congregations of Ga·la′ti·a, do that way also yourselves. 2 Every first day of the week let each of YOU at his own house set something aside in store as he may be prospering, so that when I arrive collections will not take place then
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The idea that a smurf doll got up and walked out of a KH is beyond belief simply for the fact that we weren't allowed toys in the KH. -
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Yes Joe, this was done by a Youtuber called Apostates anonymous aka smurf girl. She claims to have started the whole rumour. She also says that she was used by the GB to Chanel through automatic writing when she was young.
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Australians deadlest animals just for our American friends
by MightyV8 in.
australians deadlest animals.
https://youtu.be/mrrao_vg_k4.
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Shepherdless - In WA there are some little worm-like ones (I can't recall their name) that are less than a foot, and even they can potentially kill.
I think they are called Dugites. We had something like that enter our house a few years ago. We live in WA but had never seen anything like it. With three children it was a real worry. We weren't sure if it was poisonous or not. Hubby managed to find it and kill it which wasn't easy. We could have called in a snake handler or whatever they're called but blokes in Australia tend to be raised to learn to deal with problems like this. -
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Australians deadlest animals just for our American friends
by MightyV8 in.
australians deadlest animals.
https://youtu.be/mrrao_vg_k4.
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Here's some good advice from one website
- Generally, the “prettier” the snake looks, the more likely it is to be poisonous. Snakes tend to hunt at night (so don’t go out at night), but also like lying in the sun (so don’t go out during the day)
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JW stopped me in the street.....
by Phizzy inhe pulled up in his car beside me and asked for directions, then he recognized me, we used to be in the same congo.. the usual pleasantries, i gave him directions, and then "when are you going to come back then" he asks.. "never" i say, "well, it has all changed" he says, " it's not like it used to be" i detect a tone of regret.. "but you know there is nowhere else to go" he boldly proclaims.. "yes there is !
" say i, "there is somewhere where you can find truth, and truth is supported by facts and evidence ".
he had to drive off then as he was blocking a narrow street, i did not get time to say " go to jw facts.com", i will tell him next time..
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From what I've heard, they have the words for the song played on their screens. Apparently, it's to encourage them to sing more heartily.
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I've graduated at last
by fulltimestudent inafter a bit of a kerfuffle over a procedural matter, my university has awarded me a degree.
(the procedural problem was caused by my independent selection of what i wanted to study).
award : bachelor of arts.
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Thanks FTS
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Gifts for Father's Day?
by mentalclarity inanyone have any suggestions for gifts for father's day?
it happens to coincide with my boyfriend's birthday so i want it to be special but i'm kind of running out of ideas.
budget- up tp $150.
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Socks :)
I find it hard to buy presents because a lot of presents are not really wanted.
Maybe a case/tool box/chest/organiser for some of his bits and bobs.
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JW stopped me in the street.....
by Phizzy inhe pulled up in his car beside me and asked for directions, then he recognized me, we used to be in the same congo.. the usual pleasantries, i gave him directions, and then "when are you going to come back then" he asks.. "never" i say, "well, it has all changed" he says, " it's not like it used to be" i detect a tone of regret.. "but you know there is nowhere else to go" he boldly proclaims.. "yes there is !
" say i, "there is somewhere where you can find truth, and truth is supported by facts and evidence ".
he had to drive off then as he was blocking a narrow street, i did not get time to say " go to jw facts.com", i will tell him next time..
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Listener
It makes you wonder what the average JW feels when they attend the meetings these days. Long gone are the days when one meeting was held in a persons home as a very small group. Now the meetings are taken up with a lot of pre-recorded videos presented by people they don't personally know, or even worse, by shadow figures or cartoons.
Not even the songs are sung without looking at a screen. It's become more impersonal. Soon, if not already, they'll have all their personal details logged on a computer system.