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 4th. By the next meeting on March 4th, I was able to report that Stan had accomplished the following:
Integration of website and KNN databases
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”