For the past 2 1/2 years or so, a new movement has taken place within the leadership structure of the F. To relieve the burden of the overworked CRO's and VS's, there is now a structural system made up of ground roots members (they are not leaders). These people are to meet a few times a year, talk about issues pertaining to their particular "board" and pray and hear from the Lord about any activities and then try to carry them out in the homes. The people who are chosen are not leader types, but volunteers or asked by their VS (visiting shepherd). The Boards are Childcare, Outreach, PR, and Shepherding. Each Board is broken up into different segments to represent say, the different age groups of kids, or in Outreach - new tools, etc.
It's a good idea, but a little late. For too many years Family leaders had too much authority, and too many burdens to carry. Now, the people on the Boards have no authority (except the VS's), but you are expected to join meetings and get-togethers that they decide upon as much as possible. You see, to be on the Board, you need to keep yourself free from system influence and keep your "channel" free and clean to hear from the Lord on all of the decisions you are about to make. So, actually, in the prophecy-learning "letters" it was stated that to hear from the Lord, you must be a clear vessel and of course be one of the Lord's lovers and onboard with all the latest doctrine. This is sort of proof that your prophecies will be on the right track.
Another thing about the Boards is that they are trying to get the SGA bellwhethers on them. They know that the young people are concerned about their own generation, so to put them on the Boards, then they are trapping them and keeping them from thinking on their own or God forbid, leave the holy Family.
Alot of SGA's and YA's start to get bored or start thinking for themselves and the leaders see that they need to "sink their teeth" into a ministry. So, they ask them to join a Board so they can be more active in their area.
The Board structure has it's own set of rules and regulations. They must meet a few times a year, and communicate via email about things happening. They must promote whatever is the lates doctrine and channel it through their particular Board.
The VS's are visiting shepherds and they are the only ones who when they visit your home, can decide if your home is living the full CM standard or not. Board members are not shepherds. The Board GN's stated that they wanted to channel "stronger" personalites so that they could use their ideas and those people don't have to worry about being spiritual or not.
But, to be on a Board, you must be very spiritual and use your gift of prophecy.
I'm glad that it takes the burden off of the CRO's (continental reporting office), but I still think it's trap, especially for the young people.
Another good thing is that the CRO's didn't know what was happening on the grassroots level, but the Boards are supposed to be in tune with what's happening in their areas. The Boards are divided into areas in their perspective countries.