You support the Primary President and own a specific piece of the work she assigns you — a specific age group, the music, activities, teacher support, or another portfolio. Primary has more moving pieces than any other auxiliary. Your piece keeps children from falling through.
Day One
Do These Things First
Meet with the Primary President.↗ text her
Ask: Which age group or area am I assigned to? What's most urgent right now? How often does the presidency meet?
Get the Primary roster by class.
Know the children in your assigned area by name. A child who hears their name from an adult leader feels different about church.
Meet the teachers in your assigned area. Introduce yourself, ask what they need, and establish that you're their point of contact in the presidency.
Know the music situation.
Who is the Primary chorister? The pianist? These callings are essential — if they're vacant or struggling, it affects every Sunday.
Put the annual Primary program on your radar. Even if it's months away, know the timeline. The Primary program is the most complex single event Primary produces.
Your Role
What the Primary Counselor Actually Does
The Primary President assigns you a specific area — often a set of age groups and their teachers, the music program, or the activity planning. Within that area, you're responsible for supporting the teachers, attending their classes occasionally, noticing when something isn't working, and bringing solutions back to the presidency.
You attend presidency meetings, represent Primary at Ward Council when the president can't, and share in the overall oversight of every child ages 3–11 in the ward. Primary's size and complexity mean the president genuinely can't do it alone — your piece of the work matters to real children every Sunday.
Teachers are your most important relationship. The Primary President leads the organization; you sustain the people doing the weekly work. A teacher who feels seen, supported, and not forgotten will show up prepared and engaged. Check in on your teachers — not just when things go wrong, but when things are going well.
Weekly Rhythm
Every Week
Presidency meeting
Attend regularly — Primary presidencies often meet weekly given the volume of coordination. Bring updates on your assigned area. Flag anything that needs the president's attention.
Your assigned classes
Visit occasionally. Know what's happening in the rooms you're responsible for. Is the teacher prepared? Are the children engaged? Is anyone consistently absent?
Primary on Sunday
Be present and visible during Primary. Help manage transitions, support teachers who need backup, and know which children are having a hard day.
Music support
If the chorister or pianist has an issue — illness, conflict — you often need to find coverage. Know who can fill in and have their number ready.
Key Contacts
Who You Work With Regularly
Primary President
↗ text
Your direct leader. Keep her informed; take direction; counsel together.
Primary Secretary
↗ text
Roster, attendance, scheduling. Your go-to for records and logistics.
Primary Chorister
↗ text
Essential for music Sunday — know who this is and how they're doing.
Assigned Teachers
↗ text
The teachers in your area — their names, their classes, their contact info. These are the people you support week to week.
Bishop / Counselor
↗ text
The bishopric counselor assigned to Primary is your connection to ward leadership.
Quick Notes
Operational Notes
Log your meeting schedule, room numbers, key dates, or anything worth handing off when you're released.