[Psml] Contents of PSML Digest, Vol 7, Issue 4 (Electronic Submission of Merit Marks)

[Norm Pennington]

There is a simple solution to the problem outlined in this thread.

The Commander or his/her agent (Merit Mark Chair) submits the Merit Mark
recommendation electronically as currently designed.  The submission goes to
a queue using a password.  If the Commander makes the submission using the
master password, no further action is needed as far as authentication and
approval by the squadron.  If the agent makes the submission using the
updater password, then an e-mail is triggered to the Commander, for the
Commander to logon to the Squadron Queue using the master password to review
and approve the submission.  If the Commander rejects the submission, then
the agent is notified via e-mail that corrections/modifications are in
order.  The agent would be free to modify the submission until it is
approved by the Commander at which time it would become frozen.
Supplemental would be handled in the same fashion.  Once the submission is
approved the Area Monitor takes over and completes their task.

This approach will allow for Commanders to review and approve merit mark
submissions, either within DB2000, or in a web-based application.  No
additional passwords will be needed, and no transferring of files within the
squadron or district will be necessary.  Obviously a web-based application
will be needed if it already hasn't been developed.  Safe, Secure and will
support Commanders and Area Monitors regardless if they are AOL or Macintosh
users.

Assumption:  Both the Agent and Commander have up-to-date e-mail addresses
within their squadron DB2000 and that information is included within the
submission to the squadron queue.  


P/D/C Norm Pennington, AP 
Squadron Educational Officer, 
Peralta Sail and Power Squadron, 
nwpenn at sbcglobal.net