Fast Offering Recipient field - what is it used for?

[nathangg]

Hi,

What is the Fast Offering Recipient field used for? (When we categorize an expense as a "Fast Offerings : _____" type expense, the recipient field appears.)

What if we purchased clothes for a child (who is not head of household), should we put the head of household in the fast offering recipient field? Or would we put the child? (I'm personally leaning towards putting in the head of household since that is the person that met with the bishop and even though we've purchased items for a child, it feels like putting the head of household into the fast offering recipient fits better, at least in my head).

If I knew what the field was used for, then perhaps we could make a better decision on who to put into the fast offering recipient field (at least, make a more informed decision ).

Thank you~
Nathan

[jdlessley]

What is the Fast Offering Recipient field used for? (When we categorize an expense as a "Fast Offerings : _____" type expense, the recipient field appears.)

Entering the FO recipient is a record keeping and auditing tool. The Church and leaders need to know for whom they are making personal expense payments since they are not expenses incurred by, or on behalf of, the Church.

The fast offering recipient is the person on whose behalf the payment was made. Whoever approved (submitted) the payment request will be the one to ask when there is a question. This would be either the bishop, elders quorum president, or relief society president. For the most part the FO recipient would be who is financially responsible for the expense. I have never entered a minor child as the FO recipient, even when they are the only member of the Church in the household. But in every case of a minor child member as the head of household I have asked the bishop who he wanted listed as the FO recipient. In every case his response was the nonmember parent/guardian. I would expect that an minor child would be the FO recipient if they have been emancipated. And this is the reason I have always asked the bishop who the FO recipient is when an apparent minor child is involved.

[russellhltn]

I'm not finding any direction, but I think the purpose is to keep track of the cumulative assistance given to the family. A little here and a little there can add up.

I'm sure if the total goes over some amount, someone higher up will start asking questions.