[Psml] Gene Duley's Missing 2005 Merit Mark

[Joan Lowenthal]

Well said.  I do not understand the difficulty with merit marks.  I was merit mark chair for 13 years and if someone that I submitted was rejected and I thought he deserved a merit mark I gathered more info and resubmitted.  Having "outsiders" evaluate the recommendations brings the standards up.  Without area monitors merit marks will in my opinion be worthless.

P/C Joan Lowenthal, AP
Neptune Sail & Power Squadron

----- Original Message -----
From: Jjjstew at aol.com
Sent: Thu, 10/15/2009 1:05pm
To: Joan Lowenthal <joanl at mmc.net>
Cc: United States Power Squadrons Mailing List <psml at usps.org>
Subject: [Psml] Gene Duley's Missing 2005 Merit Mark


 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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