[Psml] Merit Mark Comments

[Penneman, Roger B]

I agree on having the capability for members to have some input.  I did not know that some squadrons do this.  In our squadron, we rely on the organizers of events to submit recommendations to the Merit Mark Chair.  As you can imagine, this is far from 100% effective.  Most people don't know how to write a recommendation and there are always people missed.  An individual member knows all the little things they did during the year that might add up to a merit mark.  At the very least, perhaps the members could review the recommendations of the MM chair and Cdr before they are submitted.

It certainly would save the MM chair (or Cdr) some effort if the members submitted their own text, which then only need to be polished up a bit.

And I whole-heartedly agree that just getting a card in the mail is not sufficient recognition.  People like to be recognized in front of their peers.  

Roger Penneman
Fort Worth

-----Original Message-----
From: psml-bounces at usps.org [mailto:psml-bounces at usps.org] On Behalf Of jeff at usps-atlanta.org
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 8:47 AM
To: Penneman, Roger B
Cc: United States Power Squadrons Mailing List
Subject: [Psml] Merit Mark Comments

I've been listening to the various arguments for and against the current Merit Mark system for several years now.  Some of you know that I've expressed strong views against the system in the past, but I've been willing to listen to the pros and cons and modify my opinion if I think a strong case is made.  At this point, I'd like to offer counterpoints to some of the arguments and offer a proposal.

<<clipped>>

Finally a proposal:  Let squadron commanders recommend merit marks and let District Commanders review/approve/disapprove them.  Allow districts to implement the procedures however they want.  In some squadrons/districts, a form is distributed each fall.  The member fills in what they have done, courses/classes taught, meetings hosted, ...  A district may choose to simply send those paper forms to the D/C.  Others may want to use the current 436-character system.  Within the district, if a D/C has some question or doubt about a submission, a simple phone call or e-mail, "Are you sure?" could suffice.  The D/C then simply submits a list of certificate numbers and names to national.  Some D/Cs may choose to form a committee to assist/advise, or they may do it themselves.  Regardless, the D/C has the ultimate responsibility of ensuring the integrity of the process.  Having the D/C or his rep stand at an annual squadron Change of Watch, call forward a squadron's MM recipients, and thank them to a round of applause would mean a lot more than getting a computer-printed form certificate in the mail.

Only my thoughts.  Thanks for taking time to read and think about them.
Jeff