Stan Christman gives us more than the eye can see

Susan Bush — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:10:18 GMT

In my last blog, I described how the idea for this website was born during a discussion with Mike Beckerman. Now, I have to tell you what happened when Stan Christman heard about the possibilities of our upgraded site and why I think he is a remarkable man.

For the past two years, Stan has been our database programmer. He developed the system that does away with hours of effort and pounds of paper delivery by Area Captains. I once analyzed how many persons it took to get an activity rotation in place and I think it was 43. Today, one person, the on-duty Data Volunteer does the bulk of the work. We still have a few people who prefer hand delivery, but most of us make our selections online and print out the packets ourselves.

One would think that Stan would sit back and let us enjoy the fruits of his work and consider his job done. Not so. The minute Debbie Evilia, Database Chair, told him we might be enhancing the website with a program developed by Wild Apricot, he said, “bring it on!”

The KNN Board approved the upgrade on Feb 4^th. By the next meeting on March 4^th, I was able to report that Stan had accomplished the following:

Integration of website and KNN databases

For those of you still unsure of what a database actually is, think of it as an electronic file cabinet. We now have 2 databases.
1. Wild Apricot maintains the online database that holds the member information, web pages, events and other design elements on their servers. They are located in Toronto, CA.
2. The primary copy of the KNN database is usually located on our Database Chair’s computer, in this case, Debbie’s home on Greenleaf Drive. Stan emails updates to her as necessary from either Overlook Drive or his winter home in Texas.
Coordinating web and desktop databases requires serious programming prestidigitation so that the data entered online can be transmitted to the KNN database and vice versa.

All this means that if you change your interests or email address or add a cell phone number on the website, you only have to do it once. As soon as Debbie clicks the “transfer” button, the edits are sent to her computer - and any changes she's made at the local level fly over the Internet to Toronto.

Go back a few years and think of how long it took to update your file cabinet with documents from a remote location. FexEx made it faster, but hurt the company coffers. Of course, when we’re talking about expense, we are reminded of what we’d have had to pay someone to do this for us! Companies pay thousands of $$$$$ to get what Stan is providing for FREE!

Integration of website and Activity Selection process.

Last year, you were introduced to online signup for activity groups. Larry Rostetter developed the first interface between the selections you make and the KNN database. This worked well, but every change in activity, description, etc., required additional work by Larry, too.

Wild Apricot has given us new options. Stan again spent his leisure (“what leisure?” you say) time in Texas toiling anew for our membership. The result is an amazing behind-the-scenes accomplishment. Just as the backstage work makes theater entertaining, Stan has produced the perfect production for the KNN audience.

And he's still working on

Whatever new idea that we think up.

For example, last weekend he set up a way to put up contact information for those who have signed up for a particular group.

Need a sub for Dining Out or another activity?

All you have to do is go to Membership Directory > Activity Groups, check ‘Dining Out Subs,’ click the Search button and there they are.
Click the member’s email hyperlink and your email is ready to be written.
Concept to completion: Friday night to Sunday afternoon. I think he may have stopped for dinner, and a nap - but maybe not.

Stan never says “Lay off. I’ve done enough for you guys.” He always says “I can do that.” Now you know why we bow low when we address King Data and say, “Thanks, Stan – you really are the man.”

It's all Mike Beckerman's fault!

Susan Bush — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 22:02:27 GMT

Or maybe Gene Berman is responsible. You decide -

Mike & I were chatting at Gene's funeral. He (Mike) said it would be great if our directory could have member pictures in it. My brain is pretty practical, so it immediately went to the problems - cost due to expanded size, problems getting pictures taken, etc.

I do pride myself on listening to new ideas, however, so I didn't say No way, Jose (I mean Miguel). Instead, the fun side of my brain said - maybe we could do that on the website. I've recently had a bit of experience with a new type of self-designed website, so I ran home and put Google to work. And I found Wild Apricot - a Toronto based company that has produced a great user-friendly interactive program that includes web hosting and email capabilities for small groups like ours.

After fooling around - with the program, guys -I leaned on the new board and Larry Rostetter, web designer extraordinare, to come to my house and check it out. Everyone loved it. So we got to work and the result is what you see here.

In addition to a built in blog, we get discussion forums, event calendars and an online membership listing (you have to login to see it because it's restricted to members only).
Everyone is pitching in. Since we can do so much ourselves, Larry has lots more time to go for a second shot at KPOA Volunteer of the Year.
Patty Truax has agreed to change her title from Newsletter Editor to Communications Director and has added web updates to her job description.
Debbie Evilia, database diva, has agreed to be sure the web database is up-to-date, too.
Stan Christman, our perfect programmer, is also hard at work -would you believe that he has already integrated the new online membership directory and activity sign-up with his already fabulous KNN databases? That may not mean much to some of you, but let me tell you, it's a big deal! Thanks, Stan - it's been a pleasure working with you.

This website will be nothing without your participation. We hope you will use it and let us know how we can improve.

Susan Bush, President