NW Scheduler/Publisher - Updates, Support, and Suggestions

[rockieboi]

When I try to schedule the Local Public Talks on NWS Mobile, only elders show up, no MS.  Does anyone encounter the same issue?

[On the huh]

Is there a way to use NW Scheduler to alert publishers that a volunteer is needed for a midweek meeting part?

[BigMAC]

5 hours ago, On the huh said:

Is there a way to use NW Scheduler to alert publishers that a volunteer is needed for a midweek meeting part?

No unfortunately, I have not seen such function. It would be a great feature so feel free to send it to them as feature request.

[Indapipe]

On 2/2/2026 at 5:27 AM, On the huh said:

Is there a way to use NW Scheduler to alert publishers that a volunteer is needed for a midweek meeting part?

You can send a bulk email to everyone in the congregation.

[Gilbert Osei Agyedu]

Does anyone know how to use the NW Scheduler to list publishers conducting Bible Studies in a particular month?

 

[markahart]

After the secretary sends in the reports, in NWP the publisher's records are located under Me/Publishers/Groups. Select the which group the publisher is in, select the publisher you want and then select Publisher Reports.

Edited February 4 by markahart

[molnarj]

8 hours ago, Gilbert Osei Agyedu said:

Does anyone know how to use the NW Scheduler to list publishers conducting Bible Studies in a particular month?

 

With a little adjustment you can do the following:

Go to Congregation > Congregation Field Service Report (S1) > Click on any type of Publisher to see who conducts Biblestudies. You can copy the records to Excel, or whatever, and add the other Publisher types. Then create a filter to see the Publishers with Biblestudies only. 

[Tonis]

Hello everyone,

we recently discussed disaster preparedness in our congregation and started wondering whether — and how — NW Scheduler can be used effectively to support this.

 

We’re looking for practical ideas such as how to:

 

• organize emergency or response teams
• maintain structured contact lists
• store or link checklists and procedures
• schedule regular reviews or drills
• document equipment or available resources
• quickly generate overviews for emergency situations

 

 

Are there built-in features you’re using for this, or creative workflows with existing functions? Or do you rely on additional tools alongside NW Scheduler?

 

I’d really appreciate hearing how others are approaching this. Thanks in advance for your suggestions and experience.

[foghorn]

1 hour ago, Tonis said:

organize emergency or response teams

This does not use NW Scheduler. But it is a powerful tool for collecting information AFTER a major event. This link [https://tally.so/r/wzlYL1] opens a customized form that group overseers can use to collect and submit data in a consistent format.  This data can be used to provide required info the the CO after a disaster, as well as allow first responders and LDC volunteers to begin stabilization work. As each form is submitted, it is placed in a spreadsheet on the server. It would then be downloaded as needed.

[drd217]

Foghorn, that is a really interesting way to handle it. You said the info was uploaded to a server. Can you clarify that a little more? Thanks

[foghorn]

2 hours ago, drd217 said:

Can you clarify that a little more?

   Sure. The form is created by a free version of Tally Form Generator (very similar to Google forms, only much more intelligent). After you create/modify the form, they create a matching spreadsheet for it on their server. Each submission creates a row in the spreadsheet; you then download the spreadsheet to your system. 

   In our use case, each group overseer has this link as a contact on his phone (makes it easy to find in emergency). As he visits a family he collects the specified information, takes a couple pictures, and submits it. Thus multiple brothers are collecting information and submitting it simultaneously in real time. This should allow us to contact most families within a 24-hr period after a disaster. The spreadsheet grows as the brothers work; this allows us to make incremental reports to CO every couple hours. We would probably just submit our overall spreadsheet to him. In our case, there are 3 congs in our KH, so the form also accommodates that.

    There is a very real possibility that internet service may be limited in the first day or two after a major disaster. Just before a disaster, we will provide a paper version of the form to the elders.

   For what its worth, this survey form is based on extensive field work experience in real-time disasters in SW GA over last 8 years. The information collected provides what is needed for reports to the CO and for first-response stabilization by LDC teams (prior to arrival of the DRC operation). Focus is on personal hygiene and injury, roof tarps, elec power, tree removal, etc.

[Gilbert Osei Agyedu]

11 hours ago, molnarj said:

 

With a little adjustment you can do the following:

Go to Congregation > Congregation Field Service Report (S1) > Click on any type of Publisher to see who conducts Biblestudies. You can copy the records to Excel, or whatever, and add the other Publisher types. Then create a filter to see the Publishers with Biblestudies only. 

Hey, thanks a lot. Your suggestion worked perfectly 👌.

[drd217]

Foghorn, do you have any issues with privacy laws with that information?

[Pastore72]

Hello dear brothers, how are you? I hope you're doing well. I'm testing the NWM mobile app these days. I'd like to suggest to support staff that we implement territory maps. It's currently not available, and it would be very useful for providing territories to brothers even without a computer. I also saw a servant who had access to local needs, even though he wasn't enabled on NWS. What do you think of the territory map?
Best regards from Italy

[AndyCase]

Hi Brothers.

Our overseer for duties has made some changes to the schedule today. Before he could send the updates out to NWP, NWS unexpectedly closed. 

Now he has gone back in to NWS, the updates aren't there to be sent anymore. 

One of the schedule changes was for himself, and he has not received a notification on his phone. So assume that none of the brothers affected have had a notification either. 

 

Is there a way of checking what's happened? And pushing those notifications again?

[foghorn]

6 hours ago, AndyCase said:

So assume that none of the brothers affected have had a notification either. 

That is probably the right assumption. If he did not SEND nor close normally, the changes were probably lost. So all the data files would be just as they were before he started.

[Marky]

This has happened to one of our newer brothers twice.  I think about a month ago they shortened the time allowed for inactivity. Our brother said he did not see one of the popup warnings with the countdown timer but it just shut down unexpectedly. I don't know for sure if that is the case or if he was just away from his computer and didn't see it in time.  Either way, he lost everything and we could not find a way to resurrect it.  I encouraged him that in the future he should try to be prepared to know what he intends to enter, get the data entered and then Send the App Data as soo as he can.

[Tortuga]

Our congregation has several events coming up that need volunteers, such as the CA Cleaning assignment, lunch for the SCE, work day at the AH. Has anyone used NWP to notify the congregation when volunteers are needed?

 

I'm thinking about creating a Congregation Events for each event and include "Volunteers Needed" in the title and include the captains information in the Event description. Such as "Circuit Assembly Cleaning Assignment-Volunteers Needed" as the title, then put the captains name and number in the description.

 

Do you think that would work?

Have you found a better way to do it?

[Indapipe]

16 hours ago, Tortuga said:

Our congregation has several events coming up that need volunteers, such as the CA Cleaning assignment, lunch for the SCE, work day at the AH. Has anyone used NWP to notify the congregation when volunteers are needed?

 

I'm thinking about creating a Congregation Events for each event and include "Volunteers Needed" in the title and include the captains information in the Event description. Such as "Circuit Assembly Cleaning Assignment-Volunteers Needed" as the title, then put the captains name and number in the description.

 

Do you think that would work?

Have you found a better way to do it?

That's actually a very creative way to use that feature. I hadn't thought of that type of use, but seems like a neat idea. My fear in our congregation is that half the friends using NWP aren't aware or don't take the initiative to click the events listed on the home page in order to see the additional details and info. Even though we dedicated a local needs part to teach the congregation about the main features of the app and how best to take advantage of them. 🤪 But at least it would be an effective way to use the app to reach the other half of the congregation, in our case anyway. 😁 

[Gilbert Osei Agyedu]

 

Tried this yesterday afternoon for volunteers needed for cleaning during our upcoming CA with the CO.  Got some responses.

[NJasper]

On 2/5/2026 at 3:25 AM, foghorn said:

   Sure. The form is created by a free version of Tally Form Generator (very similar to Google forms, only much more intelligent). After you create/modify the form, they create a matching spreadsheet for it on their server. Each submission creates a row in the spreadsheet; you then download the spreadsheet to your system. 

   In our use case, each group overseer has this link as a contact on his phone (makes it easy to find in emergency). As he visits a family he collects the specified information, takes a couple pictures, and submits it. Thus multiple brothers are collecting information and submitting it simultaneously in real time. This should allow us to contact most families within a 24-hr period after a disaster. The spreadsheet grows as the brothers work; this allows us to make incremental reports to CO every couple hours. We would probably just submit our overall spreadsheet to him. In our case, there are 3 congs in our KH, so the form also accommodates that.

    There is a very real possibility that internet service may be limited in the first day or two after a major disaster. Just before a disaster, we will provide a paper version of the form to the elders.

   For what its worth, this survey form is based on extensive field work experience in real-time disasters in SW GA over last 8 years. The information collected provides what is needed for reports to the CO and for first-response stabilization by LDC teams (prior to arrival of the DRC operation). Focus is on personal hygiene and injury, roof tarps, elec power, tree removal, etc.

Hello. My name is Jonathan and I live in the Netherlands (Utrecht area). I was born in the truth.

I'm building a Congregation Management System for JW, similar to NWS. 
I want to integrate disaster preparedness and disaster events, as the system works on all (mobile) devices. So, you don't necessarily need an internet connection. I'm building the system so you can also work offline and take photos. With an internet connection, the data is collected in real time. 

Can you give me some more information? I'm particularly interested in what the reporting for the CO looks like. 
Do you do this electronically with sheets or on paper? I've added my domain entity for VisitReport. 
Will you please check if this is complete? Do you need any more properties? Let me know.

 

 

public sealed class VisitReport
    : AggregateRoot<VisitReportID, VisitReport>
{
    private VisitReport() { }

    // ------------------------------------------------------------
    // Factory
    // ------------------------------------------------------------

    public static VisitReport CreateNew()
    {
        var entity = new VisitReport();
        entity.InitializeNew();
        entity.Photos = new List<Photo>();
        entity.Status = VisitStatus.Draft;
        return entity;
    }

    public static VisitReport Reconstitute(VisitReportID id)
    {
        var entity = new VisitReport();
        entity.InitializeReconstituted(id);
        entity.Photos ??= new List<Photo>();
        return entity;
    }

    // =========================================================
    // Foreign keys
    // =========================================================

    public DisasterEventID DisasterEventID
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    public FamilyID FamilyID
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    public PersonID VisitedByPersonID
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    // =========================================================
    // Resident info
    // =========================================================

    public string ResidentLastName
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    public string ResidentFirstName
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    public string StreetAddress
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    public int? ResidentsCount
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    // =========================================================
    // Organization
    // =========================================================

    public string CongregationName
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    public string FieldServiceGroup
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    // =========================================================
    // Contact
    // =========================================================

    public ContactMethod ContactMethod
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    // =========================================================
    // Family & home
    // =========================================================

    public FamilyCondition FamilyCondition
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    public HomeType HomeType
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    public HouseCondition HouseCondition
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    public PropertyIssue PropertyIssue
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    public RoofIssue RoofIssue
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    public PowerIssue PowerIssue
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    // =========================================================
    // Notes & media
    // =========================================================

    public string Notes
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    public List<Photo> Photos
    {
        get; private set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    // =========================================================
    // Submission & audit
    // =========================================================

    public string SubmittedByName
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    public DateTime VisitDateTime
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    public DateTime CreatedAt
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    public DateTime UpdatedAt
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    public VisitStatus Status
    {
        get; set => Assign(ref field, value);
    }

    // =========================================================
    // Domain behavior
    // =========================================================

    public void Submit(string submittedByName, DateTime submittedAt)
    {
        SubmittedByName = submittedByName;
        UpdatedAt = submittedAt;
        Status = VisitStatus.Submitted;
    }

    public void MarkReviewed(DateTime reviewedAt)
    {
        UpdatedAt = reviewedAt;
        Status = VisitStatus.Reviewed;
    }

    public void AddPhotos(IEnumerable<Photo> photos)
    {
        if (photos == null)
            return;

        foreach (var photo in photos)
            AddPhoto(photo);
    }

    public void AddPhoto(Photo photo)
    {
        if (photo == null) return;

        var list = new List<Photo>(Photos);
        list.Add(photo);
        Photos = list;
    }

    public void RemovePhoto(Photo photo)
    {
        if (photo == null) return;

        var list = new List<Photo>(Photos);
        list.Remove(photo);
        Photos = list;
    }

    // ------------------------------------------------------------
    // Aggregate behavior
    // ------------------------------------------------------------

    public override VisitReport Clone()
    {
        var clone = CreateNew();
        this.CopyEditableFields(clone);

        clone.Photos =
            Photos?
                .Select(p => p.Clone())
                .ToList()
            ?? [];

        clone.AcceptChanges();
        return clone;
    }

    public override void ApplyFrom(VisitReport source)
    {
        source.CopyEditableFields(this);

        Photos =
            source.Photos?
                .Select(p => p.Clone())
                .ToList()
            ?? [];
    }

    // =========================================================
    // Helpers
    // =========================================================

    public override string ToString() =>
        $"{ResidentLastName}, {ResidentFirstName} – {VisitDateTime:d}";
}

[foghorn]

10 hours ago, NJasper said:

I'm particularly interested in what the reporting for the CO looks like.

Greetings, Bro. Nathan. 

RE: Disaster Response Information. I think the first thing to acknowledge is that you need a high degree of flexibility. The Society has not expressed any detailed format for reporting. However, here is the information that the elders are asked to acquire as soon as possible after a disaster.

1. Are any displaced, missing, injured, or deceased?
2. Do any need medical care, food, water, shelter, clothing, or other basic items?
3. Are any homes damaged or destroyed? Are there power or utility outages?

Experience shows that in a first-responder situation, the info collected by the elders could be incomplete and subject to interpretation. Some congregations might provide a detailed spreadsheet to the CO, while others might just give him a summary document. Probably each CO will have his own preferences and level of technical ability. I believe the branch has a standard form that the CO and DRC teams must use - I regret I do not have a copy of it. 

 

Also keep in mind that some level of stabilization work might begin shortly after the disaster, and they need more detailed info than what is provided to the CO (example: which houses need a roof tarp?). In our area, that will typically start with an LDC team for the first few days. They will work on roof tarps, debris cleanup, tree removal, personal supplies, power restoration and shepherding. Some of the info collected by the first responders will be needed by the LDC team in assessing needs and setting priorities. Another factor - in an area with multiple nearby congregations, you may end up getting reports from publishers in more than one congregation.

 

My solution to all this is to start with the Tally form, which is very flexible and easily modified. I will then download the resulting spreadsheet and read it into a Blazor app which will then generate reports and graphs, some for CO, others for LDC stabilization teams. This will also allow manual data entry, in case there is no internet/cell service available.

[NJasper]

1 hour ago, foghorn said:

Greetings, Bro. Nathan. 

RE: Disaster Response Information. I think the first thing to acknowledge is that you need a high degree of flexibility. The Society has not expressed any detailed format for reporting. However, here is the information that the elders are asked to acquire as soon as possible after a disaster.

1. Are any displaced, missing, injured, or deceased?
2. Do any need medical care, food, water, shelter, clothing, or other basic items?
3. Are any homes damaged or destroyed? Are there power or utility outages?

Experience shows that in a first-responder situation, the info collected by the elders could be incomplete and subject to interpretation. Some congregations might provide a detailed spreadsheet to the CO, while others might just give him a summary document. Probably each CO will have his own preferences and level of technical ability. I believe the branch has a standard form that the CO and DRC teams must use - I regret I do not have a copy of it. 

 

Also keep in mind that some level of stabilization work might begin shortly after the disaster, and they need more detailed info than what is provided to the CO (example: which houses need a roof tarp?). In our area, that will typically start with an LDC team for the first few days. They will work on roof tarps, debris cleanup, tree removal, personal supplies, power restoration and shepherding. Some of the info collected by the first responders will be needed by the LDC team in assessing needs and setting priorities. Another factor - in an area with multiple nearby congregations, you may end up getting reports from publishers in more than one congregation.

 

My solution to all this is to start with the Tally form, which is very flexible and easily modified. I will then download the resulting spreadsheet and read it into a Blazor app which will then generate reports and graphs, some for CO, others for LDC stabilization teams. This will also allow manual data entry, in case there is no internet/cell service available.

I understand the reasoning behind using Tally for flexibility and rapid deployment, and I agree that it offers practical advantages under normal circumstances.

However, my primary concern remains internet dependency during the first critical hours after a disaster.

A Tally form requires an active internet connection to load and submit responses. A standard Blazor Server application likewise depends on continuous connectivity to function. In both cases, if internet or cellular service is unavailable in the affected area, real-time digital data collection would not be possible. The only workable fallback would then be paper-based collection, followed by later transcription once connectivity is restored.

This is precisely why I believe the disaster response functionality would ideally be integrated directly into the Congregation Management System I am building.

That system is designed to function fully offline and does not depend on internet availability. This would allow:

• Immediate digital data entry in the field

• Storage of reports locally

• Continued operation even during prolonged outages

• Synchronization or export once connectivity becomes available

In a disaster scenario, reliability is more important than flexibility alone. An offline-capable system removes the uncertainty of network availability and eliminates the need for double entry from paper to digital.

For that reason, I see strong value in incorporating this functionality into an offline-first system rather than relying on externally hosted form services.

[NJasper]

On 2/4/2026 at 11:33 PM, Tonis said:

Hello everyone,

we recently discussed disaster preparedness in our congregation and started wondering whether — and how — NW Scheduler can be used effectively to support this.

 

We’re looking for practical ideas such as how to:

 

• organize emergency or response teams
• maintain structured contact lists
• store or link checklists and procedures
• schedule regular reviews or drills
• document equipment or available resources
• quickly generate overviews for emergency situations

 

 

Are there built-in features you’re using for this, or creative workflows with existing functions? Or do you rely on additional tools alongside NW Scheduler?

 

I’d really appreciate hearing how others are approaching this. Thanks in advance for your suggestions and experience.

I've taken the liberty of incorporating your disaster recovery suggestions into the app I'm building. After all, we're all brothers, aren't we? Since the domain model might be a bit too technical, I've created a few screens instead. Could you please let me know what information you need?

[foghorn]

Wow! You have invested a lot of work into that app already. Looks really nice. And yes, of course, we can borrow ideas from our brothers! isn't that what we're for??😉

 

Your earlier comments about lack of internet capability in early days after a disaster are definitely on target. In one recent disaster here, only one cell tower remained operational for the whole town. My understanding is that you want your app to collect needed disaster info off-line and upload it later. That would definitely be awesome if you could do it.

 

In an actual disaster, a brother might be assigned to visit 6-8 homes on day #1. He would collect info, take a few photos at each home and move to the next. So, trying to think how to do this... would your app have a DB table for this purpose, with a row for each home? Then a couple pages to walk him through the data entry? That would have many advantages and eliminate a couple bottlenecks and potential error sources.