[Psml] Gene Duley's Missing 2005 Merit Mark

[Jjjstew at aol.com]

I don't usually post items on the psml, but since I'm  the "bad  guy" here 
(the area monitor for D/13) I thought I'd add my bit.  But  first, some 
comments about what's been posted.  

"...something for the P/C/Cs to do."  All  P/C/Cs are not area monitors and 
all area monitors are not P/C/Cs.
 
"What is wrong with 83 hours in a contiguous  period,...."  Nothing, if we 
know what was done in those  hours and how it benefited the squadron.  (See 
below.)
 
"...doesn't the area monitors come under the district  commander?"  The 
area monitors work for and report to the  Chief Commander.  They serve as a 
"filter" reviewing the merit mark  recommendations.  Only the Chief Commander 
awards a merit mark and is free  to "overrule" an area monitors deletion or 
approval (and does).  The  area monitors also may serve as a "scapegoat" for 
a commander who, for internal  "political" reasons submits an unworthy 
recommendation knowing the area  monitor will reject it.  "I recommended you for 
a merit mark but the area  monitor deleted it."
 
"Are there any written guidelines available for those  recommending merit 
marks?"  Yes, Chapter 16 of the OM and a  packet of information sent to every 
commander each year spelling out the merit  mark process and giving 
examples of how to write recommendations.  Does  this packet get read or passed on 
to the merit mark chairman or put in the "do  later" file and forgotten?  To 
use and old saw, "When all else fails read  the instructions."
 
"The example given was for work done in multiple  districts."  There is a 
recommended procedure where a member  does work for more than one entity.  
The the work done in the "non-member"  place should be sent to the home 
squadron for inclusion with the squadron's  recommendation.  An alternative method 
it to submit a recommendation  directly using the "Other Squadron" 
category.  This is used by many  Southern squadrons who have "snow birds" working 
for them.  Obviously New  Orleans didn't submit a recommendation on its own 
nor pass information to  Redondo Beach.
 
But, let's get to Gene's merit mark, or lack thereof.  On Oct. 3 he  posted 
"A few years ago, a member of my Squadron was recommended for a Merit  Mark 
and the request was declined.  Additional information was  forwarded-...."  
Note he didn't say he was the affected member.   I sent him a direct e-mail 
offering to check my records and see what the  situation was in 2005.  I 
received no reply.
 
On Oct. 10 he posed the following (in part).  "During the year, I  recorded 
103 hours with D 15 and 83 hours with D 13.  ....  My D 13  Squadron Merit 
Mark person did not ask me for information.  She just put  down what she 
remembered.  The Area Monitor rejected it basically because  'he was in the D 
13 area less than six months, therefore was not there long  enough to earn a 
Merit Mark'.  I assume that the D 15 Merit Mark person did  not transmit the 
work I did in D 15 to the D 13 person."
 
Being a "pack rat" has some advantages - I have the original submission and 
 the "Reason" for deletion sent to the commander. If a commander  wishes, 
he or she may resubmit the recommendation through the area monitor  or appeal 
the area monitor's decision directly to the Chief Commander.
 
This is the recommendation, and remember, the area monitor can only go by  
what is written.
 
"Gene lives most of the time in New Orleans and also belongs to New  
Orleans PS, but comes to California several times a year, attend squadron  
meetings, change of watch, 2 district conferences, squadron bbqs, district  
cruises.  He is the squadron's photographer.  Will take on any type of  help needed 
when in town."
 
No mention of hours, nor specifics, such as attending the events in any  
capacity other than as a member of the squadron, adding to the attendance  
count.  The "reason" for the deletion was stated as follows: 
 
 "Attending meetings and functions is a privilege of  membership.  Since he 
lives in New Orleans, how much does he do for Redondo  Beach?  How many 
photographs did he take?  What was done with the  photos?  More detailed 
information is needed."
 
No more information was provided.  Had any details been provided, the  
merit mark would probably been awarded.  Gene says  "I have  snail-mailed copies 
of my 2005 activities to the Merit Mark persons in both D 13  and D 15."  
Hopefully that information will also be passed on to the  area monitors.
 
Finally, just to give you readers some insight as to the work of an area  
monitor, in 2005 I received, as area monitor, 1440 recommendations for active 
 members from 37 squadrons and 2 districts of which I deleted 122.  There  
were 54 resubmissions and 27 supplemental recommendations resulting in 1399  
merit marks awarded in those districts.  Then there were the 91 family  
members recommended, 18 deleted with 7 resubmissions resulting in 80 family  
member merit marks.  Not a bad year.
 
Thanks for reading this far.  
 
Respectfully,
 
P/C/C James T. Stewart, SN
Area Monitor for Districts 13 and  22

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