Not going to push for a response.
Just dont let this happen for the love of cheese.
Mainly as I dont want to see all their draft crud that gets cancelled before submission etc etc
That’s what we’ve done, but if you could allocate a certain number to a group of units that would be cool?
Although this can be a double edged sword… I know a few people who seem to demand nil returns for absolutely everything. Thus, ironically, creating work for me/my staff for something we’re not evening taking part in.
I would be worried that this might further facilitate the demand for unnecessary nil returns thus I would hope that such a feature could be protected by some sort of policy decision.
I’ll explain…
From my perspective as wing event organiser it might be useful to know if/why a unit is choosing not to advertise my event. Nobody eligible/already committed to something else/can’t provide required staff/&c…
Though, with my Sqn hat on now if I offer the opportunity to my cadets by pushing it to cadet portal that fact is already recorded - which as far as I’m concerned should be sufficient evidence that I’ve done my bit.
If my cadets choose not to take the opportunity for whatever reason that’s their call and I don’t want to have to fuss about providing nil returns as justification when the answer is simply “They couldn’t care less about Wing Cross Country [or other event as may be]…” The mere fact that I’ve advertised it and no one has signed up should be self explanatory.
I favour a “fire and forget” type of approach (or at least, “fire and keep on a back burner”) to cadet portal in a bid to reduce my already ridiculous workload.
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ACTO 71 is the Cyber stuff.
Not sure if it’s actually specified as an instructor qualification but you have to attend a course and be authorised in order to deliver the qualification.
I’d second this suggestion, even if DP needs to be encouraged to document it in an ACTO.
The best we have for proof of qualification is currently a list on sharepoint and I do not feel this is adequate.
TBF, I’m not actually that happy that the radio qualifications on SMS necessarily prove to me (and others) what my authorised levels are, but that is a separate fight.
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Hi James, couple of points I’ve noticed.
Firstly, it seems that the event director (eg a WSO) can manage bids for all units applying, hence can approve those we’ve rejected (for whatever reason) - is this intentional? It goes against my previous understanding of the aim of letting Sqn commanders manage their cadets.
Secondly, when managing bids, the “generic select/bid/withdraw/reject” function changes the status of those who’ve already withdrawn, hence I get cadets coming to me complaining they’ve been selected for an event they withdrew from - this seems like a bug to me?
On the plus side, I’m really liking the system, and overall it seems great. Just wanted to query those points
Surely nobody should be selecting a cadet who has been set as either Rejected or Withdrawn.
In fact, those entries just add clutter to the view and I’d like an option not to show them in the list.
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Yeah that sounds like use error on behalf of the selecting person to me.
I’d agree - the issue is that the “quick select” function that applies the same to everybody includes those who’ve withdrawn.
Em…
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If, purely hypothetically, a higher formation creates an event that isn’t on Cadet Portal, is there any reason not to create a Sqn cadet portal entry so the Cadets can see and choose the event? Then copy the successful applicants’ details to forward on.
Covered in detail in a few places, but yes.
Clash with another event or no suitable cadets being the most obviously justifiable reasons that come to mind.
Although your phrasing confuses me - if another unit or person creates an event on SMS and invites you, you don’t create a new event at Sqn - you push it straight to Portal. If a cadet then signs up, the event creator can see that without you needing to copy and forward anything…
I think the question is subtly referring to HQAC organised events which don’t use CP
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I have created an SMS application for a wing event, purely to manage the bids, and ensure everyone had the latest info and consent forms.
I cancelled it as soon as it outlived it’s usefulness.
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OK, kinda get it.
But surely eventually there was an event created with plenty of time for sign up, so was it worth the effort over just giving out the basic details and then letting them sign up on Cadet Portal when the event was available?
Edit: genuine question for future reference.
Yes if only everyone fro. WING upwards used CP.
That would be almost like that was the purpose!
We have used it for a flying detail, doesn’t require an SMS but was useful to get names. Once it’s happened I’ll cancel the event.
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Why cancel it? Just complete the event and then it will appear in the staff and cadet’s event attendance lists
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There will of course be an event created in SMS in due course but the sign up deadlines are ahead of that. Also cadets might have the option of a couple of completely unrelated events at the same time,
I’d like them to see all the options. The idea of creating a ‘shadow’ event and cancelling or marking as complete should work.
We have been told that flying and gliding must have an SMS application, so that the cadets details are available in case of an incident.
You’d think that that was the case, wouldn’t you… 
The event was advertised at very short notice via email, with returns via email. There was no SMS event (that I saw, anyway), so I created my own to ensure that the cadets would get a few days extra notice, and so that I could see who was free. The SMS activity popped up a few days later, and I cancelled my app shortly after that.