A QUORUM WITH BIG PLANS

Calendaring activities is a common function of class/quorum presidencies. One challenge faced, particularly in Covid times, is encouraging members to suggest activities that really fire them up.  One deacons quorum in the stake has recently had success with this. Rather than throw out possible activities while focusing on Covid restrictions, they decided to start with their dream activities.  The Deacons Quorum Presidency had each quorum member first write down answers to the following questions.

1. If you could do anything no matter the cost, no matter the place, what would it be? Answers included: Scuba Diving, Jump Out of a Plane, Surf in Hawaii, Disney Amusement Park, Be a TikTok Star, and Build a Man Shed

2. If you had a budget of $1000 for a quorum activity, what would you do? Answers included: Camp Half-blood Capture the Flag, Build and Design a Grappling and Trident, Massanutten Water Park, Drive a Golf Cart around, Laser Tag, and Parkour Obstacle Course  

3. If you could help anyone, who would it be and why?  Answers included: People with Cancer because they live in fear, People on the Street because no one deserves to be on the street, Family because they are the ones we love the most, Sick Grandparents because they need prayers and help, Grandparents needing help with a move, because it is too big of a job for them, and Missionaries because they need our help

Now these young men knew that many of these activities were not possible as a quorum activity. But they had a great time dreaming and laughing.  And once they were done dreaming, it occurred to them that realistic activities were not too far away. The next week they jumped in, brainstorming ideas with everyone in the quorum.  Most of the ideas they brainstormed felt just as fun and were similar to the dream.  Each of the ideas could be done in a safe way either now or in the hopeful near future. While this approach to activities sounds like it has promise, it is only a part of the equation for this Deacons Quorum.  In the initial meeting they each decided to be each other's wingman.  They discussed what it means to be a "wingman".  To those unfamiliar with what a wingman is, it is a person or group that has each other's back; that helps each other fulfill hopes and dreams.  To a quorum of young men ready for fun and friendship, this Deacons Quorum embraced the commitment to be exactly that to each other - "Wingmen".