[Psml] Merit Mark comments

[Paul R. Soucy]

Joan,

As I read over yours and other replies a few times I find what you are 
saying is exactly what is needed concerning the merit mark program. That's 
to keep it at squadron level where the information on who did what and when 
is readily available. Recommendations for a merit mark can be by the Cdr or 
his/her merit mark committee recommendations as your squadron does. Granted 
squadron size has a lot to do with how the program is conducted. Some 
squadrons have hundreds of members, while others have less than a hundred. 
That's where it's necessary to have a merit mark committee assigned by the 
Cdr.

An area monitor bases his approval or disapproval on a description with 436 
characters or less. By the VSC guidelines a member completing 10 or more VSC 
inspections earns a merit mark. So, a simple statement: ''Completed 10 VCS 
insp.'' qualifies for a merit mark. Is this criteria used by all area 
monitors?

Reviewing all the message traffic back and forth on this subject the past 
few days only goes to prove the current merit mark selection process is 
flawed and is in need of a complete overhaul. It's time to bring the final 
approval process to squadron level.

Paul Soucy
SEO Long Bay


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joan Lowenthal" <joanl at mmc.net>
To: "BobGloRoseman" <bobgloroseman at sc.rr.com>; "Paul R. Soucy" 
<psoucy at sc.rr.com>
Cc: "'United States Power Squadrons Mailing List'" <psml at usps.org>
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 5:30 PM
Subject: RE: [Psml] Merit Mark comments


> Yes, I am saying that Cdrs alone cannot be trusted to remember everyone 
> that deserves a merit mark. How can a CDR know everyone that served on a 
> committee or taught a course? I have been merit mark chair since 1997. 
> This is the first year someone else has taken over the job.  I never found 
> it that difficult.  The bridge officers and chairs of committees submitted 
> recommendations to me and I filled it in.  If I needed more of a 
> description of the job done I would ask for more details.  By the way 
> hours are not the most important part of it.  I have made many submissions 
> with just a description of the job done not a made up amount of hrs.
>
> This is not just a job for the CDR.  The CDR approves the recommendations. 
> Usually we read the names of people that have been recommended at a 
> general meeting.  If someone thinks someone is missing then they should 
> notify the merit mark chair.  I also put in recommendations that do not 
> seem adequate to me in case the person did something for District that I 
> am not aware of.
>
> Maybe the merit mark recommendation does not mean much to some, but I 
> think it is important. If we demean that why don't we take away uniforms, 
> name tags, officer flags and the rest.
>
> P/C Joan Lowenthal, AP
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: BobGloRoseman <bobgloroseman at sc.rr.com>
> Sent: Sun, 10/11/2009 11:04am
> To: Joan Lowenthal <joanl at mmc.net> ; Paul R. Soucy <psoucy at sc.rr.com>
> Cc: 'United States Power Squadrons Mailing List' <psml at usps.org>
> Subject: Re: [Psml] Merit Mark comments
>
> Joan & all Cdrs,
>
> 1.  Are you saying Cdrs. can't be trusted?
> 2.  Most Sq. Cdrs. already do M/M.
> 3  Does a Area Monitorknow everything about each member?
> 4.  They look for hours.  One can put in hundreds and still receive (1) 
> M/M.
> 5.  What happens to a new member 2-3 mos. who puts in 6-10 hrs. or any
> amount?  Should they be denied?  That is a incentive, which was brought 
> out
> at D-26 spring conference.  If every member put in time that would be 
> great!
> 6.  CONSIDER THIS:  With deminishing  membership and looking for ways to
> save $ DOLLARS, ELIMINATING A/M would save up to if not more than $25,000 
> a
> year.
>
> Robert L. Roseman, Cdr.