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Support Help for The "Data Gatherer"

What is the "Data Gatherer"? This is a function most useful on the iPad for reviewing the congregation records early in the week. Use the iPad to enter all your information needed and it will 'crunch' the data as you enter. Calculators are no longer necessary as the program does this for you.

Step One - Load your iPad

At the beginning of the week it is important to copy your database from the computer to the iPad so that the iPad will have the latest data available. This can be done by connecting the iPad to the computer through iTunes and then clicking on your iPad under "Devices." Click on "Apps" at the top and scroll to the bottom of this page. There you will find "Filemaker Go" under "Apps" (if installed on your iPad) and "File Sharing." Highlight the Filemaker Go app with your cursor and then you can "Add" your database to your iPad. your Remember, the iPad and computer technically do not synchronize as iCloud would. You must copy the data back and forth from iPad to computer and vice-versa to keep the latest data at all times. But after entering the data on the iPad, you are ready to begin your week and work!

Begin Reviewing the Records

After many reviews of how the records are reviewed by traveling brothers, it seems that the Data Gatherer is set up to accomplish the task of collecting records in the most logical manner. Here is basically how it works, but you certainly can adjust your method and order of collecting data:

  • Collecting Publisher statistics - by getting the number of publishers reporting each month. Remember, this does not include pioneers. You will need six numbers separated by a space for the program to collect accurate data. (If you only have 5 months of data, say for a new congregation, average manually what the missing month(s) should be and enter this for proper calculation. Repeat this method for all numbers, for publisher, 6 months of data in each field and for meetings, 6 months of averages. By doing this in this manner, your circuit figures will calculate correctly.
  • The Counter -is designed for use on the iPad especially. Simply 'tap' the proper button to tabulate the number of publishers, auxiliary pioneers, irregular and inactive ones that have been found in going over the records for the congregation. If you enter a number incorrectly, click the minus to remove a count.
  • Territories - works similarly to the Counter, by helping you to get a running count of the territories in the congregation as well as the number that have not been worked in the past year.
  • Checklist - is now user modifiable to help you in compiling a universal checklist that you can refer to to be sure that you have covered the bases for the reviewing of the records. Add whatever things you would like to be sure you have checked on for the week.

Other Features

Notes on the Week's Visit - will allow you to take some notes on things that might need attention during the week after reviewing the records or in your conversation with the elder who meets with you. These are specific FOR THE WEEK YOU ARE SERVING and will be remembered by the program. You can add as many things as you like here and then come back later on to see what things still need attention.

Permanent Notes - work a little different that the notes on the week. These notes will show every visit. They are what we call a global field and that means that it shows on every week's record for THIS congregation. This is helpful if you want to make note of something to consider with the brothers on the next visit. What are some trends? Do you notice many arriving late for meetings? Make a note and watch how things go on the next visit. These might be things not always reported to the branch office, but are being watched or of concern.

At any point you can leave the Data Gatherer and go back to the Congregation Visit Form. Always remember to leave the Congregation Visit form and go back to the Main form after entering your data and then copying the data back to your computer. This will ensure all data has been safely transferred back into the database for later use.

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