Building cleaning: Responsibilities of lead organization

Each month it is our ward’s responsibility to clean the building, a different organization takes the lead on weekly cleaning assignments:

1st weekend	Elders quorum
2nd weekend	Relief Society
3rd weekend	Aaronic Priesthood quorums
4th weekend	Young Women
5th weekend (when applicable)	Primary

⚠️ Remember: Any ward member is welcome to participate in any cleaning session, regardless of the lead organization.

These are the responsibilities the lead organization should fulfill the weekend of its assignment.

Before the first of the month

Select building cleaning day and time: The organization should decide the day and time for its cleaning session. Generally these will take place Friday evening or Saturday morning, but the time is flexible. For example, if the Young Women will have an activity at the church building Thursday evening at 6.00pm, they may schedule their building cleaning to immediately follow from 7.00 to 8.30pm. Because ward members have a variety of work schedules, we want to provide opportunities to volunteer on various days and at various times.

Select a team leader: The organization should choose one of its members to serve as a team leader for its cleaning session. The team leader could be a counselor in the organization presidency or any other organization member, but it should not be the organization president. This does not have to be a permanent assignment and can change each month our ward is responsible for cleaning the building. The team leader’s name, phone number, and email address will appear on the signup forms. The team leader will take the lead on your organization’s responsibilities and be a point person for volunteers.

Before the cleaning session

Sign up volunteers: Ensure there are enough volunteers to help with building cleaning on your organization’s chosen day and time. Remember that any ward member can volunteer for any cleaning session; for example, even if the elders quorum is leading the cleaning, a member of the Relief Society, Young Men, or Young Women can still volunteer during that time, and vice versa. The ward will help by circulating sign-up sheets during second-hour meetings.

Send reminders: Remind volunteers via phone, text, email, or other means of their cleaning assignment a day or two in advance. Remember: they have already said that they are willing to help out; many people just need a reminder — and the assurance that other people will be there and that it will start on time.

At the cleaning session

Open the building: Make sure the building and custodial closet are open on time: start when you say you will start and do not be late — respect the sacrifice ward members are making to participate in building cleaning. You should also ensure that volunteers have access to the supplies they need. Most presidencies should have building and custodial closet keys; if you do not, contact the bishopric to have building keys assigned.

Oversee cleaning efforts: At the cleaning session, organize volunteers and give cleaning assignments so all the necessary areas of the building get cleaned. Ensure that the cleaning is completed and done well.

Provide refreshments (optional): Organizations are welcome to provide light refreshments to those who participate. Refreshments should be paid for out of organization budgets. Even though cleaning the building is a chore, we can do our best to make it enjoyable and a social occasion for ward members to serve together.