2020 For the Strength of the Youth (FSY) Conference

Planning Guide

The following guidelines are intended to further assist you with the organization of FSY conferences.

Theme:
The FSY theme for year 2020 is the following:

“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the
things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no
commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them
that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” 1 Nephi 3:7
Overview
For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conferences are optional large-scale activities for youth ages 14–18 that are held
under the direction of the Area Presidency. 13 Year Old who will be turning 14 in the year 2020 may attend the
FSY for year 2020.

An FSY conference is based on the yearly Mutual theme and is a balanced five-day program that includes classes,
devotionals, and activities carefully designed for the youth to achieve specific spiritual and behavioral changes.
The suggested program provides a balance of spiritual, social, physical, intellectual, and service opportunities
designed to deepen conversion, develop appropriate friendships, and draw closer to Christ.

At the conference, youth will:

• Associate with other youth who share their beliefs.
• Learn to receive revelation and answers from the scriptures.
• Be mentored by YSA counselors who teach and encourage them in gospel living.
• Experience a fun and positive environment that helps them feel the joy of the gospel.
• Develop positive new friendships.
• Have increased leadership opportunities due to the intentionally limited number of adult leaders, creating an
atmosphere where YSA counselors are more able to lead out and youth are more willing to share.

Each class, activity, and other event included in an FSY is meant to deepen the participants’ conversion to the
gospel of Jesus Christ. As the youth become more converted, they will be prepared to:
• Enter the temple worthily and make temple covenants.
• Participate in missionary service.
• Be worthy husbands, wives, fathers, and mothers.
• Build the kingdom of God throughout their lives.

Please read the FSY Planning Guide for more details

Budget Allocation
The Budget for each coordinating council FSY will be provided by the Finance Department to the Area Seventy
assigned, Logistics Administrators, and Session Directing Couple. The first budget that will be provided will be for
2019 FSY meetings, trainings, transportation, and food for FSY leaders and staff. The second budget will be
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provided before the end of the year for year 2020 for meetings, trainings, materials, transportation and food
during trainings/meetings.

Instructions for FSY Budget and Disbursements

1. Budget for trainings, meetings, transportation, foods, and materials prior to and during the FSY event will
be allocated to the stake of the Logistical Administrator. The budget will become part of the stake's LUBA
where the FSY expenses will be charged. Area LUF will inform the stake president when allocation is
made as this will become part of his accountability.
2. Logistical Administrator will submit the funding request to the Session Directing Couple who will approve
and forward the request to the LUF Analyst. Area LUF will process the request and send funds to the
Logistical Administrator through M. Lhuiller.

The following are the assigned Area LUF Anlayst per CCM:
Cellphone
Analyst Email Add Number Landline
Mars Abril AbrilMA@ldschurch.org 09178261646 02-635-9136
Marcial Evangelista EvangelistaMO@ldschurch.org 09206710188 02-683-7280

Joel Fabrigas FabrigasLU@ldschurch.org 09209826207 02-635-9140

If the Analyst assigned to you (see below) is unavailable, you may contact Mars Abril or Rey Maasin at 02- 635
9112 or (cell phone) and/or email MaasinRA@churchofjesuschrist.org for your questions or concerns.

CCM Analyst CCM Analyst CCM Analyst

Angeles Joel Cebu Mars Naga Mars
Bacolod Mars Cebu East Mars Olongapo Marcial
Baguio Joel Davao Joel QC Marcial
Butuan Joel Iloilo Marcial QC North Marcial
CDO Marcial Laoag Joel San Pablo Marcial
Cauayan Joel Legazpi Mars Tacloban Mars
Cavite Marcial Manila Mars Urdaneta Joel

3. Logistical Administrator should submit the receipts to the stake president immediately or within
2 weeks from receipt of funds so the stake clerk can report the expenses in MLS timely. He is
responsible for monitoring the FSY budget, funding requests, and actual expenses.
4. Only funds for minor expenses such as meals and transportation during trainings or meetings
should be requested and sent through M. Lhuiller. Payment of major expenses costing more
than Php 10,000 such as t-shirts, sound system, bus rentals, and others during the FSY events
will be through check or electronic fund transfer so that proper withholding tax will be deducted
from the payment. Check three (3) months before the event with LUF Analyst if the
vendor/supplier is accredited by the Church’s Finance office. If it’s not an accredited vendor,
please complete the vendor set up form found in Appendix E.
5. Logistical Administrator will obtain quotation from vendors, completed Vendor Setup and
Change Form, BIR Form 2303, and sample official receipt. He will submit the payment request to

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 the Session Directing Couple who will approve and forward the request to LUF Analyst at least
six (6) weeks or more before the date of payment committed to the vendor.
6. Area LUF will process the payment request and will send the check to the Logistical
Administrator for release to the vendors.
7. Negotiations, contracts, and payments for venues, and caterers will be handled by Purchasing
and LUF Analyst. Logistics Administrators may coordinate with them directly.

OTHER GUIDELINES:

T-shirts and other

Activities materials or services more Venues Caterers Bus Rentals
than Php 10,000
Purchasing,
Facilities Logistical
Evaluation, bidding, Management, Administrator Logistical
selection of vendors and FSY and Administrator, Finance
and venue Logistical Administrator committee Purchasing and Purchasing
Negotiation Logistical Administrator Purchasing Purchasing Purchasing
Logistical Administrator
Payment request and Session Directing Facilities Purchasing
and approval Couple Management and Finance Purchasing and Finance
Release of payment Facilities Logistical
to vendor Logistical Administrator Management Administrator Logistical Administrator

Selection of Venue and Caterer

Venues have been selected for each FSY Coordinating Council. Caterers follow the venue selected. Usually, the
selected venue would cater for the FSY meals.

Transportation
The transport service provider should be properly selected. This would avoid confusion and issues during the FSY
transport services. Appendix ? would provide a list of bus companies that can be used for transporting youth and
leaders for the FSY conference. If the transport service provider is not an accredited vendor of the Church (please
see attached list in Appendix ?). If you find a new vendor that will benefit the Church in terms of cost and quality
of service, you may recommend the vendor to see if it can be accredited. Please note that we need at least two
(2) months to evaluate and set up the vendor in our system. Please send the required documents to Lucrenio
Fabrigas Jr at fabrigaslu@ldschurch.org.

Required documents:
1. Filled Out/Signed - New Vendor Setup form (See Appendix H)
2. BIR 2303 (Certificate of Registration)
3. Sample OR (Official Receipt)
4. LTFRB permit for transport service providers
The process outlined applies to disbursements more than Php 10,000.

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Venue Housing:
No leader should sleep in the same room as the youth and each participant must have their own bed. Please
ensure that male participants do not enter the females’ quarters and vice versa.

Reservation of Venue:
It has been decided by the Area Presidency that the dates and venues will be reserved by the Area Office. Due to
an increased number of FSY in 2020 and in the years to come, there needs to be a coordination of schedules with
assigned Area Seventies to avoid duplicated dates and also allowing the Area Presidency to attend as many FSY
sessions as possible. The area office will reserve the venues with corresponding dates assigned.

Food:
Food menu should be coordinated with the venue management office. Meals and snacks may be coordinated
with the venue management office.

Materials and Sound System:

Materials for FSY such as Planning Guide, Staff Handbook, and Participant’s Handbook should be coordinated
with Constancio Lim via email at LimCB@churchofjesuschrist.org by the Logistics Administrators and copying the
Session Directing Couple and the Area Seventy assigned. Please provide the number of (a) Planning Guide, (b)
Staff Handbook and (c) Participant Handbook you would need.

Other materials such as wristband, staff and participant’s t-shirts, ID badge and lanyards can be ordered through
Church accredited vendors or other vendors as long as official receipts are provided.

Should the logistics administrator choose a different vendor and will benefit the Church in terms of cost and
quality of service, you may recommend the vendor to see if it can be accredited. Please note that we need at
least two (2) months to evaluate and set up the vendor in our system. Please send the required documents to
Lucrenio Fabrigas Jr at fabrigaslu@ldschurch.org. Follow the required documents below:

Required documents:
1. Filled Out/Signed - New Vendor Setup form (See Appendix E)
2. BIR 2303 (Certificate of Registration)
3. Sample OR (Official Receipt)
4. LTFRB permit for transport service providers
The process outlined applies to disbursements more than Php 10,000.

Sound system companies should also be accredited if paying more than P10,000.

Check Processing Time:

The processing time for vendor payment is twelve (12) working days and 2 – 3 mailing days. If you fail to submit
your payment requests on time, payments to vendor/suppliers may also be delayed.

If possible, negotiate with the vendors that the full payment of our bills will be settled 15 days after the
conference. Please also remind them that a 2% tax will be deducted from the gross amount and the vendor will
be given a tax certificate for the tax withheld (BIR Form 2307) on the 15 th day of the following month through
their official vendor’s email address. If no certificate is received, you may request it from LUF Analyst.

Official Receipt (Check Payment)

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Please send the original copy of the Official Receipts of our payments to vendors within a week after the
conference to this address:
LUF Division/ Finance Department
13 Temple Drive Corner White Plains, Greenmeadows
1110 Quezon City.

Avoid Conflict of Interest

This is just a reminder of the letter from the Area Presidency dated Nov 13, 2015 to avoid conflict of interest.

“Church leaders must understand the importance of avoiding conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest arises
when a Church leader or employee is in a position to use his or her assignment for personal financial benefit or to
financially benefit a relative or friend.”

Insurance
Participants are already self-insured by the church. Thus, insurance is no longer needed.

Additional Guidelines
19 YEAR OLDS:
FSY participants turning 19 years old the year the FSY conference will be held in their stake will be allowed to join
provided they never experienced FSY conference before. But they will need to choose FSY or YSA conference.

ALLOW YOUTH WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH TO PARTICIPATE THE FSY CONFERENCE SESSIONS:
It has been discussed that youth who are not members of the church will be allowed to participate at the 2020
FSY sessions and succeeding sessions thereafter provided they meet these 3 qualifications:
a. FSY venues have enough rooms and facilities to accommodate them.
b. They are being taught the gospel of Jesus Christ or attending Church.
c. Siblings of those who are members of the church and living in the same home.

It was also discussed that they will not be paying any fees for them to join. We recommend that we begin in 2020
as 2019 is reserved to accommodate those turning 14 in the year, the attendance of whom will help us to
forecast for 2020 and beyond.

GRADUATION or EXCEPTIONS:
Youth who are planning to attend their school graduations during the FSY Conference dates will not be allowed to
join. Partial days attendance in FSY will also not be allowed to join the FSY.

NO SWIMMING POLICY:
It was discussed that a “No Swimming Policy” will be imposed to all youth conferences/camps. This will allow
them to focus and concentrate and one tragedy will be one too many. Sometimes peer pressure can lead a non-
swimming individual to follow the crowd without honestly saying that he or she cannot swim.

STAKE YSA CONFERENCES:

Stake YSA Conferences can still be held even if the stake already participated in the FSY conference on the same
year. FSY though replaces stake youth conferences.

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Appendix E