[Ldsoss] Scout Tracking

[Stacey]

Steven H. McCown wrote:
> Actually, the only parents who are that "out of the loop" are those who
> either choose to be or don't concern themselves enough to ask.  A little
> "how's my son doing?" to the Scoutmaster would give a better picture.  Most
> Scout Masters are excited to talk with parents.  Posting minor children's
> information to the internet and trying to secure it with software that isn't
> secure won't really cure that.

Yes, ideally, if the parents were on top of things then the 
scoutmaster's job would be easy.  In the scout handbook there is a place 
for recording and tracking everything and the "ideal parent" would make 
sure that is up to date.  There would be no need for scout tracking 
software and this discussion.   Ideal parents wouldn't be asking "how's 
my son doing?" because they would know.  They actually know better than 
the scoutmaster and other YM leaders.  However, out of the 30+ YM we 
have I would say there are only about 5 that have ideal parents.   With 
the less than ideal parents we have to be more proactive, however.

> As for the $40/year and writing a new software package, that's great, I
> support it.  My only complaint is with posting minor children's information
> (as discussed on this list) to the web.  Legally, the church will have to
> provide an opt-out mechanism (in several countries besides the US).  
>   
There are ways to deal with this...

(1) Minimize the amount of personal information.   While it would be 
nice to have pictures and other personal information about each scout it 
is not necessary.  In fact, the name of the scout doesn't even need to 
be recorded.  Simply just assign them a number.

(2) Let them opt-out.  If a parent doesn't want their son's information 
on-line then, by all means, let them opt-out.  Let them track their 
son's progress.  Like I mentioned above some parents do better than we do. 

(3) Have security minded folks like yourself do a complete security 
audit of the code.   If there is a security problem then find it and let 
the developers know. 

> People keep mentioning parental involvement and parental tracking.  Here's a
> thought, it might be valuable for tithing payers to monitor their charitable
> donations and compare their records to the church's.  If only FIS was online
> accessible (with appropriate security to only monitor ones own donations),
> then we could all go online with a great tool to assist in financial
> planning.  This would ease a busy person's burdens and make it so they never
> had to go ask the ward clerk for a printout.  
>
> Why is that unreasonable (to all but the most devoted techies)?  Because
> it's money.  Whenever money is involved, people get real sensitive.  Why
> don't people share the same concern about children?
>   

Like many other people I track my bank account on-line.  I pay my bills 
on-line.  I track my stock portfolio and make stock trades on-line.  
Millions of people do this.   The school puts my kids' grades on-line 
along with all the other students in our school district.   I actually 
like to be able to look at my kids grades any time of the day or night.  
This keeps me in the "loop" about how my kids are doing in school.   I 
applaud the school district for doing this.  If I had to call all seven 
of my kids' teachers every couple of weeks to find out how they are 
doing in each of their classes then this would be a full-time job in itself.

I am more concerned about the paper that goes into my garbage than what 
people can find out about me on-line.   I invested in a very good paper 
shredder and use it constantly.   I once picked up some papers than had 
blown out of my neighbors trash can into my yard.  To my surprise it was 
his bank statement.  I am more concerned about the financial clerk that 
enters my donations into FIS.   Once I had our financial clerk in a 
former ward mention to someone else in the ward (and not the bishop) the 
amount of a donation that I had made.   I started paying my tithing 
directly to the church office rather than to my ward.  Of course, the 
main reason I do this now is the fact I use stock (and other "gifts in 
kind') to pay my tithing. 

In short, I have almost three degrees in computer engineering (I dropped 
out of my PhD program before I finished my dissertation to start a very 
successful internet company) and view myself as a very devoted techie.  
I don't find the idea of dealing with money on-line unreasonable.   I 
don't find the idea of my kids' grades being posted on-line 
unreasonable.  If the Church decided to put my donation information 
on-line to make my tax preparation easier then I would use that service 
as well.  I find on-line services very useful as a responsible parent to 
do my job and to have more time with my family.  


IMHO,

-stacey.