Entering Events on lds.org Calendar

The calendar on lds.org provides wards a tool for sharing calendar information with members while also scheduling resources, such as rooms within a meetinghouse.  Members can view the calendar on lds.org or with the LDS Tools app (for iOS or Android).  With some extra configuration, the calendar can also be viewed in Google Calendar, Outlook, the Calendar app in iOS, or any other application that supports the iCalendar format.

Before the lds.org calendar can be of use to members, leaders need to ensure that their scheduled events are available on the calendar.  You might give your cub scouts a flyer on pack meeting, but those papers don't always make it into the hands of parents back home.  Entering the event in the online calendar gives parents and other leaders a place to refer to if any questions arise about what, when, where, who, and how to dress.


How to enter an event on the lds.org calendar:

1. Log into your lds.org account.
   
   
   
   From the drop-down menu, select Calendar.
2. The calendar will load.
   
   
   
   To create a new event, click on the plus sign in the top right.
3. The new event form will appear.
   
   
   
   
   1. In the Calendar drop-down, select the appropriate calendar for the event.
   2. In the Event box, enter a title for the event.
   3. In the Description box, enter details of the event.  Don't just say, "Pack Meeting."  Parents looking at the calendar may want to know what's happening at a youth activity so they convince their children to attend.  How should people dress?  Warm winter coats for winter caroling or Sunday dress for a devotional?  Where is the activity?  If it's at someone's home, include the address.  Who should attend?  At the Blue & Gold Banquet, are siblings invited or just scouts and their parents?  Be sure to mention any incentives, like refreshments.
4. In the Location drop-down, select the building where the event will take place.
   
   
   
   You can schedule the entire building, or select individual rooms.  Use the Setup and Cleanup drop-downs to reserve time before and after the official event start and end times.
   
   If the event does not take place in one of the buildings or rooms listed, select Other Location.
   
   
   
   In the Fill in the Location Below box, enter the location information.
5. When you try to save the event, you may see a warning about scheduling conflicts.
   
   
   
   To see details, click Show Conflicts.
   
   
   
   An expanded section will show the title of the conflicting appointment, resources scheduled, and contact information for the event editor and building scheduler.
   
   Sometimes the conflict may be for the very event you are trying to add to the calendar.
   
   
   
   A building scheduler may have reserved rooms for you by entering an event on a calendar you don't have permission to edit.  If this happens, return to the Location drop-down and select Other Location.  (Only do this for conflicts that aren't really conflicts.  If you have any concerns about whether you can use the building, contact the building scheduler.)
6. The lds.org calendar can create repeating events.
   
   
   
   Check the This Event Repeats box and the Repeats section will appear in the third column.  Individual events in a repeating series should be customized with specific information.  On the calendar, click on the event on the day you want to modify.
   
   
   
   From the pop-up, click Edit Event Details & Location.  An event edit form will appear.
   
   
   
   Add details in the Description box, then click Update Event.  Options for editing repeating events will appear.
   
   
   
   You can select to modify only this event, the entire series, or all following events.  Similar steps can be taken to delete an individual event, without affecting the rest of the series.
7. The lds.org calendar can send notifications to members who have provided their e-mail address.  Note that members can control what calendars they subscribe to and whether or not they receive the e-mail notifications.
   
   
   
   Check the Send An Email About This Event box.  If you select Later, you can specify the number of minutes, hours, or days before the event that the reminder should be sent.  Recipients will receive an e-mail similar to the following: