(from D-7620, June 2008)
17 Jun 2008
Greetings Mike,
The thanks go to you, my friend, for creating and managing a truly terrific product: DaCdb.
I may have mentioned to you that I will be retiring, after ten years, as Exec Sec for D7620. This becomes effective on 30 June (just in time for the "year-end roll-over"). My successor is Denise Patterson, who has become quite adept with the program already. Come 1 July, however, she will hit the ground running.
We still have a few clubs using "ClubMate" (or whatever RI called it after acquiring it), but, with RI closing out its support for that useless program, that should work to our advantage in getting clubs to adopt DaCdb (in other districts, as well among our clubs.) Don't hesitate to offer my address as a reference, Mike.
Again, Mike, many thanks for all of your assistance, and best wishes to you for growth and expanded use of DaCdb.
Best regards,
Ed Underriner, District Executive Secretary D-7620
http://www.rotary7620.org,
Email: edunderriner(at)comcast(dot)net
(from D-7670, August 2006)
"Hi Mike, the more I use the database (DaCdb), the more I like it! I just ran labels – with great ease!
Thanks for all your work in making it happen."
Margaret Gomley-Chapman, District Executive Secretary D-7670
(from D-7750, June 2006)
"Mike, I designed my first computer system in 1962 and having been doing so or managing the function ever since. DaCdb has to be one of the most thorough systems (and smoothest operating) I have ever seen. When you consider it is still pretty much a teenager, I can only imagine what it will do when full grown."
Steve Sokol, District 7750
(from D-7600, May 2006)
"Deciding to implement the District and Club database (DaCdb) in our district was one of the best decisions that I made during my year as governor. And, it certainly was the best money I spent! And, it will continue to pay dividends from now on, as we more fully embrace the technology it offers in our district."
Bob Preston , District 7600, Governor 2005-2006
(from D-7680, May 2006)
To: Terry Edwards, District Communications Officer (DCO in D-7680)
I will be continuing as secretary and look forward to an even better year. This past year was our first using the District and Club software and there have been a few bumps along the way but overall the software has improved the club's record keeping a million times over. Thanks for encouraging me in the first couple months of using the DaCdb. You were a tremendous help.
Sue Newton, Club Secretary 2005-07 (for Wadesboro R/C with 72 members)
(from D-7610)
"...your system (DaCdb) did in 5 minutes (and better),
what I spent 5 months doing the old way..."
Jerry Evans, District 7610, Governor 2004-05
(from D-7710)
" … and the on-line registration module (RegisterME) for district and club events, alone is worth the cost of the system … "
Glenn Hood , District 7710, Governor 2005-06
(from D-7720)
"I was the District Communications Officer (DCO) last year and this year I am District Governor for 7720. I cannot say enough good things about the District and Club Database (DaCdb) from Simply the Best, Inc. It has made my work so much easier, as I prepared for my year as governor. And we always have new ideas, information, updates, upgrades, etc. It continues to get better. Mike Thacker is very responsive to our requests and continues to provide feedback and teach us."
Brenda Tinkham, District 7720, Governor 2005-06
(from D-7730)
"Simply put the District and Club Database (DaCdb) software from Simply the Best, Inc., is without competition for database management especially in Rotary. Once you are accustom to the basics (which will not take long) you can do about anything. I use D7730's DaCdb software from Simply the Best, Inc., for all the options offered and then for options not usual. I.e.. I have phantom clubs such as Alumni of the Foundation so we can keep track and contact with them. Then use it for populating many key pages of our web site www.rotary7730.org such as Calendar, Meeting places, Committee chairs and more. When there is a change I only make the change once in the database, and it is automatically changed on the district web site. To my knowledge this is the only database that Rotary International allows the information to be sent to them eliminating the need for paper notices. This does not include the Semi-Annual Report (which comes from RI), but makes reconciliation much easier..
Service is of course the most important thing we need as users. PDG Mike is very accessible and not only sincerely cares but wants contact with the field users. He continually improves what is already an outstanding program. You bring him an idea, not a dream but a real workable idea and he will make the change as soon as he can.
Do not overlook the fact that the program (web site) is Username/password protected. With the privacy issues and the misuse of individual data we have a legal and moral responsibility to protect each Rotarian's information. Club and District Database software from Simply the Best, Inc., has various levels of security access based on the level needed. Each Rotarian can manage their own data, the club Secretary and President have a level, Assistant Governors have a level, the Database manage has a level etc. I feel the Club and District Database software from Simply the Best, Inc., is as well protected as can be expected.
I recommend District and Club Database software from Simply the Best, Inc., and if your district is not happy you will be the first I have heard of. Governor Barbara will be happy and proud for this level of data management to be brought in on her watch."
Phil Crawford, District 7730, Governor 2005-2006
(from D-6990)
"I started to work with DaCdb starting June 2005 and got our district (6990) new web and database up and running on July 1st without any major problems. The database is very easy to use and the responsiveness from Simply the Best, Inc. is outstanding.
One thing that is crucially important is that the DaCdb has been designed and tuned with clearly a deep understanding of how Rotary districts operate. There is close integration between clubs’ of the district’s database records so clubs’ data updates (and clubs’ events) are instantly available to the entire district. Data is automatically transferred to RI and synchronization is also performed twice yearly. Attendance reporting is also available. It is very easy to set up committees for all clubs and district, which is a great help. Finally, every member can update his/her own data records and clubs’ presidents/secretaries and their assigned AGs can maintain records for their clubs.
With the use of DaCdb, there is no more excuse for obsolete data for entire Rotary districts, and the burden of keeping the database fresh is on every member, which is “Fair to all concerned.”
I highly recommend its use to keep Rotary district database and thus communication fresh and useful.
You can take a look at how DaCdb in integrated into our 6990 district here: http://www.rotary6990.org"
Lan Nghiem-Phu, DCO/Webmaster District 6990
(from D-6920)
"I concur with Lan's comments and would add that club secretaries can eliminate a lot of paperwork by adding, changing, and deleting members via DaCdb. RI is automatically notified by e-mail. One other feature just added, is a report that can be filled out on-line, then printed and sent to RI, along with a check, by those clubs that collect Foundation funds on a regular basis (this saves a lot of writing, transcribing, etc. for the club secretary, and thus eliminating a lot of errors!)"
PDG Bruce Montgomery, DCO, District 6920