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Is your teen having a hard time making friends or socializing with other young people?
Is your teen prone to withdraw quickly or often expresses fear about being judged, ridiculed, or criticized?
Or maybe your teenager just seems to worry about anything and everything?
Do you wish you could help your teen feel more comfortable and secure instead of feeling shy, stressed, or anxious?
When there is something bothering teens (or adolescents), they usually don't want to talk about it. And certainly not with their parents. The adolescent years can be a challenging time, for both teens and their parents alike. This is a time when your teenager is still figuring out their emotions, who they are, and what they like. It can be quite a confusing time.
Being a teen wasn't easy for any of us. Virtually no one escapes their teenage years unscathed without some amount of anxiety or inner turmoil. And with the extra pressure and distractions that young people have today, navigating this time of self-discovery can be more confusing and difficult as ever. Increasing social and academic pressures, tougher choices, and greater responsibilities, all while their hormones are raging off the charts. And things like divorce, transitions, bullying, trauma, or self image issues can only make this struggle seem worse. The bottom line is, it's never been easy being a teenager.
As a parent, you can often feel frustrated and exhausted trying to help your child navigate this stage of their life. Many times this dynamic leads to increased fighting and power struggles.
But if your teen is consumed with worry about things he or she can't control to the point that it's intruding on his or her social life, school performance or overall happiness, your teen may be experiencing more than just everyday teenage stress.
A teen may be adjusting to changes in family circumstances due to death, divorce, or separation of parents. Adolescence is a time of transitions, and so emotional issues that may have been seeming to rest quietly in the background can come to the surface. A teen may have experienced trauma of some kind, and there is an unconscious need that the resulting issues be given proper attention and some healing resolution.
It's normal for your teen to feel hypersensitive to surroundings or about how others perceive him or her. A teen may be self-conscious about his or her appearance. It may be hard for your teen to give class presentations or make friends at school. Your teen may get embarrassed easily or think classmates are talking behind his or her back or making fun of him or her.
At Magnolia Family Counseling, we treat teens a lot like how we treat adults. Teens often experience the same feelings as adults, they just sometimes can't always identify what they are feeling, nor can they always recognize why they are feeling what they are feeling.
Teens can have a combination of counseling sessions alone as well as sessions with their parents. It is even possible that the whole family can be part of the process, in cases where it is appropriate.
Counseling for teens can help your child learn to turn down some of the negative self-talk going on in his or her head. With the guidance and support of a skilled counselor, your teen can begin to recognize these irrational thinking patterns, which can dramatically improve his or her personal experiences and relationships.
Parents and teens having troubles may find teen counseling helpful. Finding a teen counselor trained and experienced working specifically with adolescents will frequently provide the best results.
Counseling can often help teens work through their unresolved issues, make better choices, and cope better with their surroundings.
Magnolia Family Counseling has counselors who specialize in providing therapy for children, teenagers and young adults.
We have counselors on staff who young people can relate to and understand. Our therapists are warm, compassionate and non-judgmental. We understand the issues that children, teenagers and young adults are facing today regarding school, family, relationships and overall life in general.
Teen Specialists
Bracely Williams, LMFT, LPC
Allison Proctor, LPC, M.Ed.
Aryane S. Williams, M.A., LPC
Ready to Start?
If your child's well being is not what you would like it to be, consider seeking the help of a therapist by pursuing counseling for your adolescent or teen, and click the Get Started Online button below to make an appointment inquiry with us today at our office in Metairie, so we can get your child back on track.

subset: commoncrawl


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Summer: Sun - Thu: 8am-8pm, Fri: 8am-4pm, Sat: Closed
Previously a privately-owned camp, Crane Lake Camp brings deep history and traditions to create a special community. Since joining the cohort of Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) camps in 1998, Crane Lake has become a second home to many. Children from URJ congregations across the Northeast join together each summer to experience the fun and magic of Jewish camping.
Our caring and committed staff members (many of whom were campers themselves) strive to enrich the campers' experiences by helping them build lasting friendships. These relationships lay the foundation for our summer community, providing encouragement and support. Our intimate camp environment allows campers to embrace the challenge of learning new skills in athletics, aquatics, the arts, and adventure and nature programs. What's more, campers also immerse themselves in a wide range of innovative Jewish educational pursuits and creative spiritual experiences.
From the youngest of our campers to the oldest of our Machon (Counselors-in-Training), every child who spends a summer at Crane Lake Camp returns home a little wiser, a little more self-confident, and a little more connected to the Jewish community. A summer at Crane Lake Camp is more than a summer of fun. A summer at Crane Lake is meant to last a lifetime.


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Cherrie expecting physical battle on Sunday
Dundalk goalkeeper Peter Cherrie is relishing the chance to play his part in delivering a first FAI Cup final appearance for the club in 11 years.
His team take on beaten EA Sports Cup finalists Drogheda United away from home on Sunday and he is expecting another tough contest but is out for glory given how much it would mean to fans.
"We are really, really looking forward to it because these are the kind of big games that you enjoy playing in," said the Scottish star.
"We know what to expect from Drogheda because they have been a tough team for us to play against this season as we saw a few weeks ago at Oriel.
"They are a big, physical team and we certainly know that it won't be an easy game for us."
However, the prospect of what lies in store for The Town with a win at Hunky Dorys Park this Sunday afternoon should spur them on to a big performance, he feels.
Dundalk are bidding to reach their first Blue Riband final since 2002, when they stunned hot favourites Bohemians to bring the trophy northwards.
Cherrie continued: "We know what the chance of playing in a final would mean.
"It would mean so much to everyone and we would take the guts of eight or nine thousand up to the Aviva for such a game and the whole squad are looking forward to that challenge [of trying to get Dundalk there] but we know that it will be a tight, close game.
"But we know what it would mean to this club, for us and the fans to get to that final so we will give it our best to get there and give everyone something to cheer."
The Lilywhites 3-0 dismantling of Derry City last Monday night at home, thanks to Richie Towell's superb hat-trick, ensured that Dundalk will once again be playing European football next season.
This will be their first continental adventure since 2010 when they last graced the Europa League, knocking out Luxembourg's CS Grevenmacher in a 5-4 aggreggate thriller before being eliminated by Bulgarian powerhouse Levski Sofia.
Cherrie, along with Tiarnan Mulvenna and Stephen McDonnell, are the only surviving members of those sides and he admits that the occasions bring back fond memories.
"Those were great games and it was really good being able to go in there and play against these European sides and the trips to Luxembourg and Bulgaria were also really enjoyable so that brings back a lot of goof memories for me personally," he continued.
It was also the former Clyde man who was chosen as the Dundalk representative to partake in an underwear shoot for a calendar at the Aviva last week in aid of Gary O'Neill as he and other League of Ireland stars lined out in their y-fronts to raise money.
The proceeds from the calendar will go towards helping with the medical costs for the Drogheda striker and although he admits it wouldn't be his his cup of tea, he was certainly glad to have played his part.
"What happened was I got a call from James Chambers of Shamrock Rovers and he told me about the plan for this photo shoot and to be honest, it wouldn't be my thing going about in your underwear but if you can't do something like that for Gary then you shouldn't be in the game so it was good to do it," concluded the 'keeper.


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Tobacco Use
Parking Lots Only
The interior campus grounds are tobacco/smoke free. Tobacco product use is prohibited inside the perimeter campus road, including in, near or between campus buildings and all college athletic and receational fields and facilities. Tobacco use is only allowed in the lettered parking lots.
This policy applies to all students, as well as college employees, guests, and visitors. Fines and disciplinary sanctions can be imposed for violating tobacco use regulations.


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Making custom text a cinch
One of the best parts of 3D printing is that everything you make can be a unique, personalized object. But it's not always an easy thing to do, especially compared with how easy it is to download objects.
That's where tools like Write.scad come in. Custom 3D text can be added to your OpenSCAD project with only a few lines of code, and it's much faster and simpler than a similar project I covered last year.
For example, to generate the text "Ponoko!" I just had to reference the write.scad file and type:
write("Ponoko!", t = 20, h = 12, center = true);
Write.scad launched only a few hours ago, so it hasn't been fully tested yet. But the creator HarlanDMii says that he's willing to help with any questions, and that he'll try to add new features.
Download Write.scad here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:16193
Derek Quenneville is a 3D printing evangelist who posts weekly on the Ponoko blog. Follow him on Twitter @techknight.


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Teen Programs
Salem Family Y
Part rec center, part hang out, all FUN! Teens are invited to play pool, surf the web, play interactive games and meet up with friends.
Salem Family Y
During the school year, bus transportation is provided from Andrew Lewis Middle School to the Salem Family Y for children ages 10 - 15 years old. Our Teen Center offers a safe place to socialize, get tutoring help, be active and participate in group activities.
Teen Center Hours: 3:30 - 6:00 pm
$20 per month for Y Members
Contact the Salem Family Y to register your child 540-387-9622.
This club is designed to help develop teens ages 13 to 18 as leaders while fostering a culture of service. With adult advisors, teens have role models and mentors who can have a positive impact on their lives as they grow in their desire and ability to be a positive force in the community. Each participant in Y Teens completes a minimum of fifty hours of volunteer work, both in the YMCA and our community.
Interested in joining? Contact us at 540-344-9622 for more information.


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July 20, 2007
bloggers for postive global change
we would humbly like to thank lichenology and seeded for their nominating us for the bloggers for positive global change meme.
the meme was started by climate four future .
i don't want to speak for all the contributors, but, for myself... i had no idea what would happen when we started this blog. over the last few months as it has started to take on a life of its own i am continually awed by the posts by my fellow contributors. i am equally, if not more awed by the comments, questions, and suggestions left by this community. this space has encouraged me to look for and implement greener solutions in my own life. it has made going greener less scary, less daunting, less dramatic and thus just more part of my everyday routine.
small steps really do make a difference. and smaller steps are easier to take than giant leaps.
i had a minute this morning to follow some of the leads from these memes. it made me realize that i can't possibly choose just 5 blogs to tag. please check out all the blogs we list on the right >>>>>> as well as all the nominees and nominators for this meme. there's a wealth of knowledge and hope out there. thanks everyone!
2 comments:
- luv Abby said...
well done you deserve it... you have such a fantastic blog....
luv Abby
- jessica said...
congrats on the nomination. you do great work here.
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By buying this product you can collect up to 39 loyalty points. Your cart will total 39 loyalty points that can be converted into a voucher of $0.39.
Ramadan's goal is to create an independent Western Islam, anchored not in the traditions of Islamic countries but in the cultural reality of the West.
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In a Western world suddenly acutely interested in Islam, one question has been repeatedly heard above the din: where are the Muslim reformers? With this ambitious volume, Tariq Ramadan firmly establishes himself as one of Europe's leading thinkers and one of Islam's most innovative and important voices.
As the number of Muslims living in the West grows, the question of what it means to be a Western Muslim becomes increasingly important to the futures of both Islam and the West. While the media are focused on radical Islam, Ramadan claims, a silent revolution is sweeping Islamic communities in the West, as Muslims actively seek ways to live in harmony with their faith within a Western context. French, English, German, and American Muslims--women as well as men--are reshaping their religion into one that is faithful to the principles of Islam, dressed in European and American cultures, and definitively rooted in Western societies.
Ramadan's goal is to create an independent Western Islam, anchored not in the traditions of Islamic countries but in the cultural reality of the West. He begins by offering a fresh reading of Islamic sources, interpreting them for a Western context and demonstrating how a new understanding of universal Islamic principles can open the door to integration into Western societies. He then shows how these principles can be put to practical use. Ramadan contends that Muslims can-indeed must-be faithful to their principles while participating fully in the civic life of Western secular societies. Grounded in scholarship and bold in its aims, Western Muslims and the Future of Islam offers a striking vision of a new Muslim Identity, one which rejects once and for all the idea that Islam must be defined in opposition to the West.
"In the spirit of interfaith dialogue, which Ramadan embraces, one might as well describe this book as a splendid practical catechism for Muslims in the West. There is much food for thought in it as well for non-Muslim majorities in the West and Muslim majorities in the Middle East. The book is at its best when it describes and interprets the recent explosion of accusations of witchcraft and other superstitions in the region and links them to the exercise of political power." --Foreign Affairs
Author Information:
Tariq Ramadan was formerly Professor of Philosophy at the College of Geneva and Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. He is the author of numerous books, including To Be a European Muslim. In 2000 he was named one of Time's 100 most important innovators for the 21st century.
|Tariq Ramadan
|Oxford University Press


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There are a lot of gyms to join nowadays in even small to average sized towns. How would you pick an exercise center to join? All things considered, it's really costly, particularly if there is a robust in advance starts charge and/or contract. Pick the best gym for you the first run through around.
Here are the important inquiries to help you pick the best gym to join for you.
What kind of workouts do you do?
There are a wide range of gym nowadays – free weights-centered, machine-centered, cardio-driven, running clubs, full administration, strip-shopping center high-intensity exercise gym, open centers, racket-centers, golf club-centered gym… and so on, you can agree to about an exercise center.
You have to consider what sort of workouts you like doing. In the event that you've never fit in with a gym, do the greatest number of 1 week trials at gym around you as you can see what you utilize and like. Get exploratory about it and make a few notes or diagrams. Are you hoping to play racket sports and/or golf?
What amount would you be able to bear?
Most exercise center participations charge a month to month expense. Some energize a front expense and afterward a month to month charge. Different gyms require that you sign an agreement conferring you to a gym. Try not to acknowledge the terms unless they work for you.
Most exercise centers will let you experiment with the gym for one week. Despite which exercise center you're considering going along with, you need to guarantee it is spotless (once more, the 1 week trial run will help you see cleanliness) and that the client administration is cordial and accommodating. If you are looking for the best gym in Vancouver, then the Virtual Gym Club is the right place you can take assistance from. They will guide you to choose the best gym in your area.


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القمة السنوية للمدفوعات الإلكترونية والخدمات المصرفية عبر الإنترنت
Innovative Demos
Privacy Policy
Hans Henrik Christensen
As the Vice President of Dtec, Hans is leading a team that with him has built the largest and most economically impactful tech eco-system in MENA hosting more than 800+ start-ups from 70 nationalities. The objective of Dtec is to create a sustainable impactful entrepreneurial ecosystem of tech companies that drives innovation in the UAE.
Apart from partnering with international partners like IBM, Microsoft, SAP, du, Volkswagen, Thomson Reuters, Visa, Smart Dubai and many more, Dtec hosts the aviation and travel-tech Intelak incubator run by Emirates Airlines together with GE and Etisalat, the Intel IOT ignition lab and the Dubai Smart City Accelerator powered by Startupbootcamp. DTEC also acts as a start-up investor, currently has an active portfolio of 21 successful well-known start-ups: Yalla Compare, Shortpoint, The Luxury Closet, Wrappup, STEP, 360MEA etc. Hans has decades of business experience, building departments in MNCs and start-ups around the world.
In his several positions as founder and CEO of start-ups, he attracted millions of dollars from both private and venture capital investors. He built up the first Siemens ICN nCubator in 2000, a captive incubator and one of the first incubators in Europe at the time. Its most successful venture (Garderos) was successfully spun-off in 2001 under Hans' leadership attracting VC funds from SAP, Siemens Ventures, and Wellington Partner. Hans held international positions with Macquarie Technology Investments and Deutsche Leasing AG and joined DSOA in 2012.
DTEC has won several awards:
• Arabian Business Startup Awards:
o 2015 Special recognition for entrepreneurial support
o 2017 Best Start-up Program
o 2017 Best Accelerator
• Entrepreneur Agility Award
o 2017 Best Startup Hub
• Islamic Economy
o 2017 Best SME Supporter
• Digital Excellence Awards Ceremony - CDO Conclave
o Digital Accelerator of the Year
Hans serves on the board of 11 start-ups and is a board advisor to RIT and AUE Dubai. He is also an advisor to the following companies: Scouts AG, Zaza, Elo Networks, and CoinDrive. He holds a BA in Ec/Fi from Bentley University and a MBA from Hult Business School.
He is a sought-after speaker on Entrepreneurship, Corporate Innovation, Smart City, Blockchain AI technology, and frequently assists corporations, universities and event organizers as a judge and mentor for business plan competitions.
Hans Henrik Christensen is currently Vice President of Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Centre, a department of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, Entrepreneur, Board member, Investor, Mentor and WBAF High Commissioner.


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Suppose the type of a union is integer, character pointer (a string), or a gnumbers structure. Also, assume the union and its current type are declared in a structure. The declaration is:
enum utype {INTEGER=1, STRING=2, GNUMBERS=3}; struct u_tag { enum utype utype; /* the union's discriminant */ union { int ival; char *pval; struct gnumbers gn; } uval; };
The following code example constructs an XDR procedure to deserialize the discriminated union.
struct xdr_discrim u_tag_arms[4] = { {INTEGER, xdr_int}, {GNUMBERS, xdr_gnumbers} {STRING, xdr_wrapstring}, {__dontcare__, NULL} /* always terminate arms with a NULL xdr_proc */ } bool_t xdr_u_tag(xdrs, utp) XDR *xdrs; struct u_tag *utp; { return(xdr_union(xdrs, &utp->utype, &utp->uval, u_tag_arms, NULL)); }
The routine xdr_gnumbers() was presented previously in XDR Library. The default arm parameter to xdr_union(), the last parameter, is NULL in this example. Therefore, the value of the union's discriminant can legally take on only values listed in the u_tag_arms array. Example A–12 also demonstrates that the elements of the arm's array do not need to be sorted.
The values of the discriminant can be sparse, though in Example A–12 they are not. Make a practice of assigning explicitly integer values to each element of the discriminant's type. This practice both documents the external representation of the discriminant and guarantees that different C compilers emit identical discriminant values.


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The beneficial effects of fountains
Besides their pleasant aspect, interior fountains have extremely beneficial effects on our health.
Just like a summer rain, interior fountains purify the air, absorbing the dust particles, and contribute to creating a thermic confort by increasing the air humidity.
The water flow leads to the formation of negative ions, known for their positive impact on people's health, state of mind and level of energy. The negative ions in the air naturally neutralise the positive ions, produced by electronic equipment, while contributing to raising the serotonin level in the brain.
In our busy daily lives it can sometimes be hard to restore peace in ourselves. We go to work, cook dinner, sometimes watch TV or play foxybingo but how often do we focus on our positive energy? It would without a doubt be beneficial to have something in our lives, like the indoor fountain, that can help achieve that balance without us having to consciously work on it.
The water's soft murmuring sound has a soothing effect, it reduces the anxiety and depression and invites to meditation and relaxation.
Easy to maintain
Interior fountains are easy to maintain, since they do not require any kind of water installations.
Due to the natural evaporation process, water has to be added periodically in order to maintain the level above the pump. The dusty air makes it necessary that the water be completely replaced every couple of months.
Distilled water is recommended, since tap water contains minerals which, in time, will leave stains on the fountain and deteriorate the pump.


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If you're keen on Little ones and therefore are uniquely gifted with loads of persistence, you might usually start a home-based daycare.
Alyce J Oct 26, 2014 Hi, I actually liked this text. I feel Every person provides a skill they can industry like becoming a VA, composing, web design and so on for a few more hard cash. I believe the primary factor to take into consideration when beginning a business is if you can run the business with the working day occupation.
A growing number of seniors are wishing to keep away from nursing homes in lieu of being in their very own homes. Presenting non-clinical home treatment by helping the elderly with regular every day tasks may be fulfilling and lucrative.
I'm a band member myself and I Participate in the keyboard so I know how having a studio may be successful although getting your gigs as your main supply of earnings.
The 1 Short is Aon's weekly manual to The most crucial challenges affecting business, the overall economy and other people's life on this planet now.
Let's say it is possible to make all-around P200 – 300 for each container. How considerably more If you're able to offer in various locations directly? Just employ the service of someone to provide for you personally for P100 pesos daily and acquire the remaining revenue. Just learn the way to work with the strength of leveraging.
Should you be just starting a small business online, stick to this sequence. If you've been on line awhile, do a quick overview and see if there is a stage you happen to be neglecting, or by no means acquired around to accomplishing in the first place. You cannot go Erroneous with the fundamentals.
Anyone who visits your site and opts in on your checklist is a very very hot lead. And there is no improved Device than email for subsequent up with These sales opportunities.
And some of the opportunities is likely to be exactly what you're on the lookout for if you want to insert some more fun to your lifetime. Underneath is an index of the most entertaining home based business ideas.
You can begin with a list of scissors, razor, comb, plus a mirror then that's it! While you're nevertheless new to this kind of business, you may want to supply your company free of charge for a exercise.
As an celebration planner, you are able to both go company or social. Company industry incorporates look at this web-site businesses as well as other corporations. When you have communications with HR Division of firms, This may be a profitable business notion.
When you have connections or can make connections While using the important individual in the grocery store, it is advisable to Establish your on the net grocery business.
Pam W January 26, 2012 Fantastic write-up. My husband continues to be marketing applied textbooks on-line for 10 years…It's not sufficient to fully assistance our family members of 6, however it does afford to pay for us lots of versatility. We both of those do the job other odds and finishes location jobs and it finally ends up Doing work out. We now have also experienced the flexibility for being volunteer managers at a church camp in the summertime.
Accredited therapeutic massage therapists can set up studios in their own personal homes to meet with clients and supply their providers.


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UK: November rise for car sales good news say dealers
Clarity on pricing has at last brought private customers back to the car showroom,' said Alan Pulham, franchised dealer director of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI), commenting on car sales figures for November which showed a rise of 13.4% to 162,572 units, with private buyer sales rising 33.8%.
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Method of and system for electronic funds transfer via facsimile with image processing verification
In a system for carrying out financial transactions via facsimile machines, account customized transaction vouchers are completed by at least one party to a transaction. The transaction vouchers issued to that party contain thereon in bar code format a series of pseudo random alphanumeric characters with a different set of characters on each voucher. The party transmits by facsimile an image of the completed voucher to a facsimile machine at a central facility. A character reader at the central facility reads the incoming data and authorizes the requested transaction based on the pseudo random alphanumeric set of characters on the voucher when confirmed by a comparison to a list of pseudo random alphanumeric sets of characters in the account record of that party. Used sets of alphanumeric characters are deleted from the list in the account data to permit onetime usage of a voucher. A credit voucher is sent from the central facility to a facsimile machine at the site of the other party to the transaction. This voucher includes a pseudo random alphanumeric set of characters selected from a second list of such characters in the account information of said second party in the central facility. The voucher contains a signature field with a background comprising a repetition of the string of the pseudo-random alphanumeric characters used to identify the voucher as a means to detect unauthorized photocopying of a signature and affixing the same to the signature field on the document.
Latest Moneyfax, Inc. Patents:
- Method of and system for electronic funds transfer via facsimile machines
- Method of and system for electronic funds transfer via facsimile machines
- Apparatus for carrying out financial transactions via a facsimile machine
- Identification apparatus for operating secure equipment
- Identification apparatus for operating secure equipment
This invention relates generally to electronic funds transfer systems and more particularly to a funds transfer system using facsimile machines to transfer electronic funds data of buyers and sellers with a unique high level of transaction security.
Spurred by the pressures of paper-based checking which is costly and time consuming for financial institutions, various electronic and computer based arrangements have been suggested and used in an attempt to perfect electronic funds transfer. Examples of electronic funds transfer techniques that have achieved substantial usage in recent years are the Automated Clearing House (ACH), Automated Teller Machine (ATM), and point of sale system (POS).
To eliminate the presence of a central computer in every transaction, there has been a trend toward off-line electronic funds transfer, that is, transfer of data between portable and resident units, with only periodic downloading of data to a central computer. Mareno U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,355 and Stuckert U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,837 illustrate two examples of such systems. However both systems present problems that have limited their widespread use. In Mareno, no exchange of funds may be made arbitrarily because the cards carried by each user, although having funds data storage capability, have no keyboards and require a special interface apparatus to be present at each transaction. In Stuckert, cards used with the portable terminals have no display; a separate portable terminal must be involved during each transaction. The user cannot continuously monitor his account, limiting the versatility of the system.
These problems and others were solved by Benton in U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,059 issued on Dec. 8, 1981, disclosing a modular funds transfer system wherein each user as well as vendor carries an identical portable module having a keyboard and a display. Funds are transferred between modules using a hard wire interface, and the account status stored in each module is updated following each transaction. In another patent to Benton U.S. Pat. No. 4,341,951, printed vouchers are issued by the portable module following each transaction.
The Benton approach was further refined in U.S. Pat. No. 4,454,414 to provide bidirectional optical coupling between portable funds data transfer modules, including a "hand-shaking" protocol that enables funds transfer to be completed only if a number of criteria are satisfied. These criteria include an identification check following keyboard entry by the user of a secret number and examination of the transaction amount to ensure that it falls within credit limits. In Benton et al. U.S. pat. No. 4,625,276, electronic funds data are transferred between portable modules either directly in a local mode of operation or indirectly, via telephone lines, in a remote mode of operation. Transaction records are printed by an outboard printer or downloaded to a central computer.
The systems described in the aforementioned Benton et al. patents are capable of having a substantial impact on the manner by which financial transactions are carried out, securely transferring funds between buyers and sellers while simultaneously printing supporting documents. However, considerable dedicated apparatus including a modem and printer as well as portable modules are required to implement these systems. In copending application Ser. No. 236,614 to Benton et al., filed Aug. 23, 1988, there is described a modification to and implementation of a conventional facsimile machine to be operative in a transaction mode of operation for carrying out transactions between buyers and sellers.
While generally satisfactory, this Benton et al. system requires modification of existing facsimile machines to interface with the integrated circuit memory modules carried by authorized users. System implementation would be substantially simplified if electronic funds transfer could be carried out through conventional, unmodified facsimile machines. It would also be preferable to clear transactions at the ACH in real time, on line, in a manner consistent with existing funds transfer protocols. Such a system is described in Benton copending application Ser. No. 298,348, filed Jan. 17, 1989.
The Benton system in the '348 application provides a method and system for carrying out electronic funds transfer in real time, via conventional, unmodified facsimile machines using existing electronic funds transfer protocol. In accordance with one aspect of that system facsimile machines located at the sites of the parties to a transaction, e.g., buyer and seller may transmit the contents of a document in bit mapped form to a facsimile machine located at or near a central facility such as an automated clearing house (ACH).
The system includes special transaction vouchers to be sent by facsimile by the buyer and seller to the ACH for clearing. Each voucher has particular regions containing pre-printed information and other regions to be filled in for each transaction including the amount of the transaction.
A character reader associated with the facsimile machine at or near the ACH reads the various regions of the images of the transaction vouchers received by facsimile, formats the images into data recognizable by the ACH and supplies the data to the ACH for transaction clearing.
The ACH stores personal identification numbers (PINs) of parties authorized to carry out financial transactions and compares the personal identification number provided by each party with the stored personal identification numbers to determine whether the parties are authorized to transact within the system. Also stored are account data associated with parties authorized to carry out financial transactions. The ACH compares the amount of each requested transaction with the stored account data to determined whether a requested transaction is authorized.
The ACH sends to the parties, via facsimile, printed reports providing transaction summaries. A first report, following confirmation by the parties that a requested transaction should be carried out, summarizes the details of the pending transaction. Another report is sent to the parties that in effect is a hard copy invoice of the transaction. From time to time, the ACH also sends by facsimile to all authorized users of the system a summary of their account activity.
Other features of the electronic fund transfer system of the '348 application are described in detail in that application which is incorporated herein by reference.
In any system of funds transfer security is of paramount importance and this is particularly true with electronic funds transfer.
It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a method and system for carrying out electronic funds transfer with a degree of security believed to exceed that available in using traditional checks.
It is another object of the invention to provide a secure method and system for electronic funds transfer that entails virtually no additional effort by the system users.
It is still another object of the invention to provide such a secure method and system for electronic funds transfer that incorporates a unique safeguard to either or both parties to the transaction.
A further object of the invention is to simplify a transmittal document used in electronic funds transfer while increasing redundancy verification.
A still further object of the invention is to integrate easily each electronic funds transfer transaction into the user's existing internal check filing system.
Yet another object of the invention is to permit determination of whether a payor signature on a transmittal document used in electronic funds transfer is original rather than a copy.
The invention may be briefly described in the context of an electronic funds transfer system of the type described in the aforementioned '348 application. According to the invention, the transaction vouchers in each book of one time use vouchers have printed on their face a string of pseudo-random alphanumeric characters. Along with each book there is provided a machine readable list of the strings of characters on the vouchers which are bound in the voucher book. Each string is randomly different. This list of character strings is transferred by facsimile to the ACH by the bank when a new money facsimile transfer account is opened and/or new vouchers are ordered. The random voucher character strings are entered in the new members file (Member Master File). The account is now activated and the voucher strings or numbers are "valid". No voucher can be used until it is resident in and appropriately activated in the Member Master File. When a voucher is used, that voucher's unique number is then deleted from the file and can never be used again. Truncated vouchers or copies of such are of no value.
In one embodiment, the customer chosen PIN is entered on the voucher twice to assure reliability. The voucher, including both PIN entries, is then transmitted by facsimile with all of the data elements contained on the voucher. The PIN is preferably carried on a PIN strip removably attached to the voucher. The PIN strip is removed after the facsimile transmission and subsequently destroyed. Trucation of this voucher also serves as a visual reminder later that this voucher has been used. The visual comparison of the PIN at host computer level represents a significant reduction in risk.
In a second embodiment, the payor's preprinted check is included as part of the voucher document. The check is easily fastened to a designated portion of the voucher document. The check may be a standard check from the user's normal checking account or a modified version particularly suitable for further simplification of the voucher user entry process. The non-check portion of the voucher document is streamlined. Information linked to a database in the system, including the string of pseudo-random alphanumeric characters, is preprinted in bar code or other optical character recognition format. A removable PIN strip is provided for a one time entry of the PIN number. As a means to prevent photocopying a signature and affixing the same to the signature field on the document, the signature field includes a background comprising a repetition of the string of the pseudo-random alphanumeric characters used to identify the voucher. As this string is unique to the individual document, a photocopy of a signature on such a background or on a plain background, if affixed to a signature field area of a different voucher would be detected as invalid by the system. This feature ensures that the signature field includes an original signature. The above-described signature field may be incorporated into the preprinted modified version of the check affixed to the voucher or, if a standard check is to be used, into the non-check portion of the voucher.
The new security system provides multiple fraud prevention features and is believed to offer an electronic fund transfer system having a degree of security which exceeds that which is inherent in the traditional check system. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein only the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing on-line electronic funds transfer with ACH clearing incorporating the general system with which the security features of the invention may be utilized.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a central image processing system.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of one embodiment of a transaction voucher used in the system of this invention and filled out by the payor to a transaction.
FIG. 4 is a diagram of a credit memo according to the invention.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the general operation of the system.
FIGS. 6(a)-6(g) are a flow chart showing programming of the central computer at the ACH for carrying out the principles of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram of a second embodiment of a transaction voucher used in the system of this invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram of notification sent to the payor that payment is in progress pursuant to transmittal by payor of a transaction voucher such as shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing system operation relative to the embodiment of FIG. 7.
Referring to FIG. 1, as an overview of funds transfer between parties in an automated clearing house (ACH) network, a payor 20 will transfer funds from an account in his bank 22 to the account of a payee 26 in payee's bank 24. As an intermediary between the banks 22 and 24 there is an automated clearing house (ACH) 28, which is an association of banks arranged to carry paperless exchanges including posting and clearing transactions, such as direct deposits, preauthorized bill payments, customer initiated entries, corporate transfers and the like. This type of network, being well known in the art since 1972, is not described in further detail herein. The invention to be described in detail hereinafter implements electronic funds transfer using remote facsimile machines 30, 32 at the sites of the payor 20 and payee 26 to transmit images of special transaction vouchers to a local facsimile machine 34 at a central facility 36 preferably at or near the ACH 28.
The central facility 36 uses conventional character recognition equipment 35 to separate text from the incoming voucher image and to encode the text into the proper protocol for processing by the ACH 28. The ACH 28 in turn determines whether the parties are authorized to carry out the transaction, depending upon transmission to the ACH by the parties of correct identification data, and upon confirmation of an adequate balance in the payor's account to support the transfer of funds requested. Of particular importance, written transaction receipts or summaries are sent by the ACH to the parties for confirmation via facsimile.
Facsimiles 30, 32 and 34 are conventional machines capable of CCITT, group III or greater, image transmission. Such facsimile machines, being well known, are not described in detail herein. However, it is helpful, by way of review, to note that conventionally a facsimile machine contains all the necessary electronic capability to function as a "front-end" processor for a centralized automated computation and clearing network as required by the present invention. This capability includes a printer to generate hard copy printout, a document reader having an optical scanner to optically digitize documentary material, a modem to transfer to a communication medium such as telephone lines, binary data at a high baud rate, and a telephone line interface including a dialer to generate DTMF dialing tones and process voice communications. It is important to note, that rather than transmitting the ASCII character representation of documentary material, facsimile machines send the actual document image as a binary encoded, "bit mapped" stream of data. The character recognition equipment 35 at the central facility 36 utilizes a computational algorithm to recognize and reconstruct the textual content of digitized image data, in a manner that is well known to persons skilled in the art.
Referring to FIG. 2, a plurality of dual-mode telephone lines 40, for example forty lines, and a conventional line switch 41 handle incoming and outgoing communications at the central image processing system. As described, the information is received by a facsimile terminal and certain fields from the voucher undergo an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) process so that key information such as account numbers are automatically known. These steps are performed by a number of Facsimile/OCR Preprocessors 42 which serve as the linkage between telephone lines 40 and the systems electronic communications network. For monitoring and back-up purposes, all of the activity going through the preprocessors 42 are stored on the transfer request input buffer 44 and the acknowledgement output buffer 46.
Typically information from the preprocessors is transmitted to the host gateway 48, which then communicates this information to the host computer system 50 of the financial services organization offering the Facsimile Funds Transfer (FFT) service. The FFT system would then receive notification back from the host computer system as to whether a requested FFT transaction was approved. The host system may be incorporated in the bank ACH 28 of FIG. 1.
There will be a limited number of instances in which FFT requests must first receive human intervention. Requests will be handled by operators on an exception basis--usually when the system senses that a request is unclear or not legitimate. In such cases, information concerning a request would then be transmitted via the systems ethernet network 52 to the image keying cluster controller 54. This controller assigns a specific FFT request to an image keying work station 56. Once an operator at a work station receives a requested transaction the operator goes through a set procedure of verifying and cross-checking the information. In the illustration in FIG. 2 there are three image keying work stations and the average time for a transaction may be less than 15 seconds depending on the amount of information to be keyed. Once a transaction has been approved by an operator at an image keying workstation, the imaging keying cluster controller 54 transmits the necessary information over the network to the host gateway in the same manner followed by requests not routed to image keying workstations.
The response from the host computer system/ACH will indicate whether the request has been approved and will contain certain authorization and support data. This information is then sent over the network to the acknowledgement output formatter 54. Here two facsimile transmissions are prepared. One is a facsimile funds transfer FFT credit voucher that will inform a party that he has received an FFT payment into his account. The second is a transaction confirmation that is sent back to the account that initiated the FFT transaction. Both of these transmissions are then sent over the network to an available pre-processor, which accesses a telephone line and performs the actual facsimile transmission. A customer service workstation 56 permits an operator to handle any administrative and adjustment activities. The network server 58 archives all facsimile information that is received and transmitted on either its magnetic or optical disc memory storage units 60. The system may be staffed by 4-5 employees during peak hours with an off hours staffing of 1-2 persons. The system is designed for simple operation whereby it is possible to utilize low skill level operators.
Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a sample of a specially drafted transaction voucher 62 which contains in a machine readable format the complete set of information necessary to characterize and clear a transaction. The transaction voucher 62 is customized and preprinted for an individual account and bank and would have an issuing bank name at the area for bank name 64. Similarly a specific and unique membership number would be imprinted upon the voucher at 66. The voucher has a field 68 for receiving by hand written entry the name of the payee, a field 70 and field 72 for redundant entry of the account number of the FFT payee, and a field 74 for entry of an application of funds number. A field 76 receives the handwritten date, while fields 78 and 80 receive a redundant and duplicate handwritten entry of the amount of the transaction. Field 82 is utilized to designate the currency. Field 84 receives the handwritten signature of the party to the transaction. At the right edge of the voucher and attached by perforations 86 is a removable PIN tab 88. The tab 88 contains fields 90 and 92 to receive a redundant duplicate handwritten PIN entry. The tab is removable preventing reuse of the voucher.
A key element of the security system of this invention involves on each voucher a field 93 wherein there is printed on a per voucher basis a unique finite (100 element, for example) collection of pseudo randomly selected 6 or more alpha numeric digits or characters. This series of singular and unique digits is assigned to a members file and at the same time preprinted on the set of vouchers issued to the member. As these are used, the numbers are flagged from the master file. The transmitted voucher number must match the current sequential number in the members master file. The payee's file also contains a similar preselected list. These numbers are assigned to the credit memo voucher transmitted to the payee. The payee then may verify that the credit memo voucher number corresponds to the pre-printed list included in the back of his voucher booklet. This prevents fraudulent sending of funds availability notification to a payee.
Turning to FIG. 4, there is shown a sample confirmation credit memo voucher 94 which is transmitted to the payee by the FFT processing center. Obviously, the conformation credit memo voucher must be credible as a bonafide document. The ability to transmit a fraudulent credit memo voucher to a seller could result in the fraudulent verification of funds availability and subsequent release of goods or services. To deter this possibility each credit memo to a particular payee (seller) is preferably sequentially numbered from another sequence of pseudo randomly selected alphanumeric digits. Such a random number is shown in the field 95 in the credit memo in FIG. 4. Thus the originator of a fraudulent credit memo would require knowledge of the list of random numbers as well as the prior sequence of credit memos issued to the particular payee. A facility within the FFT processing center is provided to verify funds availability and to certify credit memos via telephone.
A typical data flow utilizing the system of the invention is illustrated in simplified form in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 5 a completed FFT payment voucher 96 is transmitted by a sending facsimile machine 98 to a receiving board in an N channel facsimile pre-processor 100. The graphic bit mapped voucher image is transmitted by the pre-processor to the character recognition software program 102 which outputs an ASCII encoded field of data in a sequential formatted record. This ASCII encoded FFT payment voucher record is transferred to the system manager through the ethernet at 104. The systems manager at 106 pre-processes the voucher records and manages the data traffic to and from the host.
Operation of the system shown in FIG. 5 is now described with reference to the flow chart set forth in FIGS. 6(a)-(g). Referring to FIG. 6(a) the data from an N channel facsimile/OCR pre-processor produced by a voucher such as voucher 62 in FIG. 3 is inputted at 108 to the system manager 110. An index key is now generated from the membership number to initiate an on-line request from the mass storage data base for the individual member master file record (step 112). A membership validity decision is made at 114. If the member account number cannot be validated, the processing is aborted at 116 and exited with exception at 118 with a report to the payor that the account number in the FFT voucher was unreadable or invalid.
If the membership account number is determined to be valid, the program proceeds to step 120 to verify the PIN against the PIN on file in the master member file record. The PIN validity decision is made at 122. An invalid PIN coupled with a valid account number suggests a possible security problem. The invalid PIN is noted and exception processing commenced at 124. A memo is transmitted by facsimile back to the member facsimile number on file indicating that an invalid PIN response was received (Step 126). If an invalid PIN is received more than three times for a single member number a HOLD is placed on the account (Step 128) and the program exited with exception at 130. If the PIN decision at 122 is valid the next sequential random number from the member master file is read (Step 132).
As previously stated, a pseudo randomly selected list of numbers or characters are sequentially printed on each of the 100 vouchers in the set issued to the member. An identical image of this list is maintained in the member master file. As each voucher is used and its assigned random number is evaluated as being a valid number it is then deleted from the list in its order of usage. Thus a voucher can be used only once and never again. The next voucher to be used must contain the next random number in the sequence or else it will be rejected as invalid. The probability of fraudulent guessing of the next number in the list is negligibly small.
The transaction count for the inputted member number is retrieved from the database record of the member master file (Step 132) FIG. 6(b). The target voucher number is next compared to the number determined by the transaction count retrieval of the random number from the member master file (Step 134). The decision as to the validity of the random number is made at 136. If no correspondence is indicated, i.e. an invalid voucher number is detected, the transaction is rejected and the member account is flagged as having received an invalid voucher. The program next scans the file of deleted voucher numbers to determine if the rejected voucher has already been used. If a match is detected in this search it suggests that a copy of a voucher is being used (Step 138). The program is exited with exception at 140 and an account investigation undertaken for possible fraud or misuse.
If the random number comparison 136 indicates a match a valid sequence number has been obtained. The program next proceeds to interrogate the payee FFT number to determine whether the payee is an FFT member. IF the payee is not a member of the FFT service a holding account for the involved funds is set up as a demand deposit account of the payee (Step 142). This decision is shown in FIG. 6(c) at 144. The set up of a temporary demand deposit account under the name of the payee is indicated at 146. The program next tests whether the payor balance is sufficient to cover the payee amount (Step 148). If the determination is negative an insufficient balance report is made to exception processing (Step 150). An output facsimile message is initiated to the payor (Step 152) and the program exited to exception processing at 154.
If the decision at step 148 is affirmative and indicates that the payee amount is equal to or less than the payor balance, the balance is determined at 156 and the demand deposit account in the payee name for the payee amount is established at 158. A credit memo report to the payee at a payee facsimile number appearing in the member master file is initiated (Step 160), the transaction is then archived in a voucher record, and imaged on the optical disc (Step 162). The program is exited at 164.
Returning to the payee member number validity decision at step 144, if the decision is affirmative to indicate that the payee member number is valid, the program next recalls the payee account master record (step 166). The payee account number is next tested against the negative file compilation (Step 168). If this decision (Step 170) is affirmative to indicate an attempt to transfer funds to a negative account the transaction is aborted and exited with exception at 172. The exception operator is flagged and will call the payors listed contact number.
If the payee account number is not in the negative account file as determined at 170, the program next reviews the actual date against the voucher date for approximate coincidence (Step 174) FIG. 6(d). The validity of the date decision is made at 176. If the difference between dates exceeds the predetermined programed limit, the transaction is aborted at 178. The exception operator is flagged to call back the payor or to facsimile back an exception message to the payor and the program is exited at 180.
If the date is valid or within the programmed difference, the program next reviews the on file member signature code. This comprises a dimensionally reduced parameter string representation of the signature (Step 182). The decision as to the validity is made at 184. If the signature cannot be validated the transaction is aborted at 186. The exception operator is flagged that a signature fault has occurred. This could be because the signature field was left blank. The program is exited with exception at 188. If the signature comparison results in an affirmative answer, thereby validating the signature, the program next tests the amount limit in the payor file (Step 190). If the amount in the transaction voucher exceeds the transaction amount limit an exception is flagged and a call is made to the payor immediately following receipt of the voucher by the FFT service.
The amount limit decision is made at 192 in FIG. 6(e). As stated, if the amount limit is exceeded, the payor is called at the number listed in the member master file. A query is then made of a secondary six digit PIN prior to continuing with processing of the transaction (Step 194). If the payor cannot be contacted, the program is exited and aborted (Step 196-198). If the payor is contacted (Step 196) a decision as to the validity of the second PIN is made at 200. If the decision is negative and the second PIN is not validated, the member account is flagged for investigation with a HOLD of all further transactions at 202 and the program is exited at 204. If the second PIN validation inquiry at 200 is answered affirmatively, the program proceeds to a further inquiry at step 208 presently to be described.
Returning to the amount limit decision at 192 and to the situation wherein the inquiry is answered negatively and it is determined that the transaction amount does not exceed the amount limit, it is recognized that the balance may in fact be a credit line (Step 206). An inquiry as to whether the transaction amount is less than or equal to the payor balance including the credit limit is made at 208. If the transaction amount is not less than (exceeds) the payor balance (credit limit), exception processing is flagged at 210 to indicate that the balance or credit limit may be overdrawn. The payor is either called if such a service is indicated in the payors member master file or there is a facsimile communication back to the payor with an indication that there has been a balance limit overdraft error. The program is exited at 212.
If the decision at 208 indicates that the amount of the transaction is less than the payor balance (credit limit) the payor balance is debited at 214. The program next notes the use of the pseudo randomly selected voucher number involved in the transaction and flags that number as used or deleted (Step 216).
Referring to FIG. 6(f), the payees FFT service account number is credited with the transaction amount (Step 218). The transaction is logged to the payors master member file and the data is mirrored to the payees master member file to provide audit trails (Step 220). The data is archived at 222. A copy of the graphic image of the transaction voucher is forwarded to the optical disc storage for purposes of audit or dispute (Step 224).
As explained previously, the payee may be provided with a list of pseudo random alphanumeric characters or credit memo digits corresponding to the number of his transactions with this specific payor. The same list appears in the data in the payees master member file. The program now selects the next pseudo random alphanumeric set of characters from the payees credit memo file list (Step 226). This number is known to the payee by reference to his corresponding list and his knowledge of the number of transactions with this payor which have transpired previously, e.g., he knows the number of this transaction. The payee then verifies that the credit memo document number shown on the FFT credit memo issued by facsimile to him (such as the memo of FIG. 4) matches the next sequential number in the preselected pseudo random sequence. This verifies that the credit memo report is indeed a bonafide FFT service document (Step 228).
Referring to FIG. 6(g), the program next deletes the credit memo report number form the payees file list of pseudo random credit memo numbers (Step 230). A debit memo is then issued via facsimile to the payor with the original voucher number (Step 232). The respective reports are queued and the program is finished (Step 234 and 236).
Referring to FIG. 7, a second embodiment of a transaction voucher is illustrated. A form identification number is shown at 302 as a bar coded numeric field, used by the system to determine the type of incoming document. Based on this determination, proper routing is performed. The form identification number also serves as a batch control number and would change with each batch of, for example, fifty checks. The batch number is linked by the system database to the payor's system account number.
Check number 304 is a bar coded numeric field containing a random number generated by the system. This number is unique to the individual check and corresponds to the number 93 of FIG. 3. A random check number is generated for each check in the batch and associated in the system database with the batch number at the time of creation of the batch. The check numbers are thereby assigned to the payor's account. The payor's actual bank account number within the host bank is represented as a bar coded numeric field at 306. The above described bar coded numeric fields 302, 304 and 306 are preprinted on the checks before being received by the payor.
The remainder of the transaction voucher contains fields to be entered by hand by the payor. Area 310 is directed to payee information and payment options. Inclusion of both payee's bank name and identification number provides an additional level of validation as the system online database permits a comparison and reconciliation thereof.
The lower portion of the voucher includes a preprinted document, very similar to a conventional personal check. A hand written copy of the payee name, transaction amount and date are entered in the designated areas in much the same fashion as a check. The signature field box 314 surrounds an area wherein the randomized check number has been numerously reiterated. The authorized payor signs within this field. The random number background prevents a copy of a previously signed signature field, which may easily be pasted over a signature field area, from use as authorization of a subsequent funds transfer.
As an alternative to the check area of the voucher being pre-printed, the payor's actual check may be used and affixed to this area. In such instance, the voucher would include an additional signature field, with reiterated random check number background, in another area of the document. A removal PIN strip, for a single entry of a PIN number, is provided at 316.
Both of these voucher alternatives offer increased convenience and advantages to system users. The original voucher, including the check number and amount strip, is filed with the payor's other cancelled checks, requiring no change of the payor's internal check filing system. The payor can manage his check register in his traditional manner. The transmittal document to which a check is attached becomes a customized document with an authentic check image faxed through to the payee. The used transmittal document would be filed as a reference source if the payor needs to transfer funds to the same payee at a future time. The document would not be confused with an active one because the PIN strip would have been removed. Redundancy is increased; the amount field is now presented to the system three times, once in the blocked area and twice in the traditional manner on the check.
When a voucher has been transmitted by facsimile for processing, the randomized check number is flagged as having been used and future use of a document with this number is prohibited. Unauthorized interception of such a voucher would be harmless for future use as the number would be recognized by the system as being invalid. An attempt to affix a different check number would be difficult as well as unlikely of success due to the unpredictability of a valid check number.
Upon processing a received facsimile voucher transmission, the system transmits by facsimile back to the payor notification of payment in progress, an example of the form thereof shown in FIG. 8. Such notification serves as a means for informing the payor that the voucher has been received by the system, for verifying that the received voucher information is in accordance with the payor's requirements, and as a means for the payor to order cancellation by return facsimile transmission to the system. A bar coded numeric field is provided at 318 for form identification. A copy of the check portion of the voucher is included at 320. When the return facsimile transmission of the payor notification is received by the system, it is immediately identified as a cancellation order and is routed appropriately to the proper workstation.
The system may be expanded to include provision for member requests with corresponding appropriate forms. Data requests can be implemented by providing a menu of banking information selections including, for example, balance inquiry, cleared deposit inquiry and wire transfer funds available inquiry. The system would recognize the type of request from the form identification number field.
With reference to the flow chart of FIG. 9, operation of the system relevant to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 is illustrated. At step 330 a facsimile transmission of a payor voucher such as shown in FIG. 7, containing the appropriate information, is received. For this purpose a facsimile server station is provided for sending and receiving facsimile images. The station has the ability to convert group three facsimile images to group four level compression.
At step 332 character recognition and bar code reading is performed. A computer is provided to execute a program for character recognition in accordance with a stored reader neural network software library. The program also performs translation of the 3 of 9 bar code into numeric strings. Any necessary image enhancement and mark/sense feature location tasks are performed.
At step 334 a determination is made whether the optical image can be read. If the bar coded fields are not recognizable, the transaction is aborted and the input is discarded at step 336.
At step 338 validation processing is undertaken of the bar codes, payorder number, payor bank account number and PIN number. In the event of error or other incorrect information determination at step 340, the pre-processor will automatically send an error message facsimile transmission to the payor (step 342), if there is sufficient information to identify the payor; a failure determination with insufficient payor identification information results in discarding the image (step 336). Upon successful verification at step 340, the transaction is held in a transaction processing queue (step 342).
At step 346, database information relative to the payor and payee accounts is loaded from the customer service station 344. Indication of receipt of a cancellation notice will also be input. The customer service station includes a computer for handling customer account setup, inquiries and transaction cancellations.
At step 348 data is viewed by an operator at an image display station. The operator will validate the OCR fields and sufficient funds. If a vendor list is specified in the customer account database, the operator can verify the payee against the approved list. The operator has three choices for routing the transaction, as indicated at step 350. If the transaction is to be aborted, processing will be terminated with a facsimile error message transmitted to the payor (step 342). If the transaction includes an exception that may be recoverable it is further processed at an exception station (step 352). If the exception station is unable to recover the correct information, the exception processing of the transaction is terminated and a facsimile error message is transmitted to the payor.
If the operator at the image display station determines that the transaction is acceptable, that transaction, as well as any transaction that has been corrected at the exception station, is released to the transaction post processor 354. The transaction is then checked (step 356) against a transaction cancellation list generated by the customer service station and, if it is not to be cancelled, the transaction is released to the queue processor 358. In the event of a cancellation, the transaction will not be placed in the queue and a facsimile message is sent back to the payor (step 342). A similar check is again made at step 360 prior to ACH queue processing at step 362. Processing is performed by a computer which is connected to the DEC NET. The unit will run the Paperless Entry Processing (PEP) software package which is used by over 80% of the ACH member banks 366 to manage ODFI and RDFI (Originating/Receiving Depository Financial Institution) tasks.
There has been described a method and system for transferring funds, on-line, between accounts using facsimile machines that are conventional and unmodified. This is accomplished according to the invention with a degree of security which exceeds that available in the conventional use of checks. This is made possible by special vouchers containing account numbers for payor and payee, a PIN number, a signature, and most particularly a pseudo-randomly selected alphanumeric serial number known only to the payor and stored in machine language in the transacting institution. In like fashion, the payee is provided with a credit memo possessing a similar measure of security. Thus the credit memo contains the member account numbers of the payor and payee in addition to a second pseudo random alphanumeric serial number known only to the payee and stored in the data bank of the transacting institution. Thus the payee also has his own unique protection against the issuance of fraudulent credit memos.
In this disclosure there is shown and described only the preferred embodiments of the invention, it being understood that the invention is capable of use in various other combinations and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concepts as expressed herein.
1. An electronic funds transfer system for carrying out financial transactions between parties to a transaction, comprising:
- a transaction voucher having a region for containing at least the amount of a transaction, an account number, a pseudo random alphanumeric set of characters and a signature region including a background of repeated strings of said set of alphanumeric characters;
- at least one remote facsimile machine at a site of one of said parties for transmitting images of said transaction voucher;
- a central facsimile machine located at a central facility for receiving incoming images sent from said at least one remote facsimile machine;
- a central computer means associated with said central facility and means for formatting incoming images of transaction vouchers into a form recognizable by said central computer means;
- said central computer means including means for processing a transaction associated with images of a transaction voucher and means for authorizing the transaction based upon the image of said pseudo random alphanumeric characters received from said at least one remote facsimile machine.
2. A funds transfer system according to claim 1 wherein said central computer means further includes means for associating a bar coded set of characters on said voucher with a list of pseudo random alphanumeric characters carried by a set of transaction vouchers issued to a funds transfer account holder; and
- means for comparing a predetermined set of said alphanumeric characters in said list with the alphanumeric characters in the image of said transaction voucher.
3. A funds transfer system according to claim 1 wherein said signature region of a transmitted voucher image includes a signature of a maker of said transaction voucher over said background;
- said central computer means further comprising means for matching signature data of the received voucher image, representing both signature image and said background, with stored signature data; and
- means for activating said means for processing if a match has been performed by said means for matching.
4. A funds transfer system according to claim 3 wherein said transaction voucher further includes a region for entry of a personal identification number (PIN) and being detachable from the remainder of said voucher to permit removal therefrom after the image of said transaction voucher is sent to said central facsimile machine to prevent reuse of said voucher;
- said transaction voucher being issued to an electronic funds transfer system account holder having an account file stored in said central computer means, said account file for said member including an account number, said signature data, said PIN and said list of pseudo random alphanumeric characters;
- a transaction being authorized for said member by said means for authorizing by matching the stored pseudo random characters with the voucher image as well as by matching said stored account number, stored signature data and stored PIN data with corresponding data in the voucher image.
5. A funds transfer system according to claim 4 including means to delete or void the alphanumeric character is said list after matching with said image to clear a transaction.
6. A funds transfer system according to claim 4 including means for cancelling a transaction in response to transmission of a facsimile request by said member.
7. A funds transfer system according to claim 3 wherein said transaction voucher further includes a check portion for entry of data including date, payee, amount and signature.
8. A funds transfer system according to claim 7 wherein said check portion includes said signature region having a background of repeated strings of said set of alphanumeric characters.
9. A funds transfer system according to claim 7 wherein said check portion comprises a check from a checking account of said maker and affixed to said voucher.
10. A funds transfer system according to claim 1 wherein said set of alphanumeric characters on said voucher is patterned in bar code format.
11. A method of carrying out financial transactions between parties in an electronic funds transfer system, said parties comprising a payor and a payee, having at least one remote facsimile machine at a site of one of the parties to the transaction, a central facility having at least one central facsimile machine for receiving images transmitted thereto from said at least one remote facsimile machine, the central facility including a central computer having means for storing account data associated with the parties to the transaction and means for clearing financial transactions based upon the account data and the image data received on-line from at least one of said parties to a transaction, comprising the steps of:
- using said remote facsimile machine, transmitting to the central facility an image of a transaction voucher having regions containing the amount of the transaction, an account number, a pseudo random alphanumeric set of characters and a completed check of the payor; and
- clearing the transaction based on information contained in the voucher images received by the central facility and on account data stored at the central computer.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the account data stored at the central computer includes a list of pseudo random alphanumeric characters assigned to an account, and further including the step of deleting or voiding a set of alphanumeric characters in said list when said set has been used to clear a transaction.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein said step of transmitting comprises transmitting an image of a signature of the payor on a background of repeated strings of said set of alphanumeric characters and said step of clearing comprises matching the transmitted signature and background with corresponding data stored in the central facility.
14. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of cancelling a transaction prior to completion in response to transmission of a facsimile request received from said payor.
Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
|May 1, 1979
|Idelson et al.
|August 26, 1980
|Idelson et al.
|July 7, 1981
|July 27, 1982
|July 12, 1983
|June 12, 1984
|April 30, 1985
|May et al.
|July 21, 1987
|Mowry, Jr.
|January 17, 1989
|Shavit et al.
|October 2, 1990
|Benton et al.
|January 15, 1991
|Campbell et al.
|June 16, 1992
|Benton et al.
Patent History
Type: Grant
Filed: Jun 20, 1991
Date of Patent: Nov 23, 1993
Assignee: Moneyfax, Inc. (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Inventors: William M. Benton (Fort Lauderdale, FL), William Mee (Pompano Beach, FL)
Primary Examiner: Roy N. Envall, Jr
Assistant Examiner: Laura Brutman
Law Firm: Lowe, Price, LeBlanc & Becker
Application Number: 7/718,471
International Classification: G06F 1520; G06G 752;


text:
Atkinson arrives at noon with 320 regulars, volunteer infantry, and one
six-pounder. Two Potawatomi chiefs come into camp and assure him that their people will
remain peaceful. Volunteers camp south of river and regulars on north side. Order is
issued against unauthorized firing of arms.Atkinson Letter Book, Black Hawk War Collection,
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL; Stevens, Black Hawk War, 128.
Lincoln's company draws 10 quarts of meal and 10 pounds of pork, although
by this time most quartermaster stores are issued to regiments rather than to
companies.Quartermaster's Record, Black Hawk War
Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.
Lincoln, for plaintiff in Fithian v. Cunningham, moves defendant plead case following afternoon. So
In the debt case of Cast v.
Vanmeter, Lincoln files a plea for his client Ambrose D. Vanmeter.Plea, 17 May 1842, Cast v. Vanmeter, Alfred Whital Stern
Collection, Library of Congress, Washington DC.
In Cumberland County Circuit Court, Lincoln appears for defense in People v. Lester, manslaughter, change of
venue from Coles County. ISLA—File.
Lincoln attends House. Consideration of Post Office appropriations bill
develops into debate on Congress' power over slavery in territories.Journal; Globe.
Lincoln records mortgage made by John Hay on 7th.
Book CC of Mortgages, 43.
Lincoln probably visits his stepmother at her home near Charleston.
He makes entries in Lincoln family Bible, and discusses his
stepmother's support.
Charles H. Coleman, Abraham Lincoln and Coles County, Illinois (New Brunswick, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1955), 133; Family Record Written by Abraham Lincoln to, [1851?], CW, 2:94-95; Memorandum of Births in the Hall Family, [1851?], CW, 2:96.
In the Edgar County Circuit Court, Lincoln appears in court on behalf of his client William C.
McReynolds in the case of Munsell v. McReynolds, a suit to
settle a partnership. Along with Leander Munsell's attorney, Kirby Benedict, Lincoln files an
agreement which dismisses the case and obliges McReynolds to pay the court costs. In the case of
Noblitt v. Duck, a suit involving a broken contract,
Lincoln and Kirby Benedict represent defendant John Duck. Judge David Davis orders Lincoln and
Benedict to file their plea by Wednesday, May 19. Judgment, 17 May 1852, Munsell v.
McReynolds, Order Book 3, 291; Declaration, 7 May 1852, Noblitt v. Duck,
case file, box 25; Order, 17 May 1852, Noblitt v. Duck, Order Book 3, 289, all in
Edgar County Circuit Court, Edgar County Courthouse, Paris, IL.
Stuart and Moore, for defendant, move to dismiss Barger v. Illinois Central RR, appeal from assessment for damages for right of way. Lincoln and Swett, for plaintiff, resist motion, and it is overruled.
Lincoln and C. H. Moore represent Illinois Central Railroad Company
in assumpsit case in which jury finds for plaintiff and assesses his
damages at $100. Stuart and Edwards represent plaintiff.
This is one of cases covered by Lincoln's draft of September 14, 1855 for fees.
[Lincoln's account at John Williams' store is charged $2.50 for "2
White Chambers."
Pratt, Personal Finances, 148.]
In the U. S. Circuit Court, Lincoln & Herndon represent the
plaintiff Mark Hamilton, who is suing Jesse Cooper for $3,000 in damages, in
the case of Hamilton v. Cooper. Lincoln
files a praecipe with the Clerk of the court. The praecipe instructs the court
to notify Cooper, who lives in Carrollton, Illinois, of the case against him.
Lincoln also names himself as a surety in the suit by signing a bond for costs.
Praecipe, filed 17 May 1858, Hamilton v. Cooper, Record
Group 21, case file 379, U.S. Circuit Court, Southern District of Illinois,
National Archives and Records Administration, Great Lakes Region, Chicago, IL;
Bond for Costs, 17 May 1858, Hamilton v. Cooper, Private
Lincoln writes to German-language newspaper editor
Theodore Canisius, of Springfield, Illinois. Canisius seeks Lincoln's opinion
on a Massachusetts "constitutional provision." The amendment would impose a
two-year waiting period before "naturalized citizens" could vote or hold public
office. Lincoln writes, "as I understand the Massachusetts provision, I am
against it's adoption in Illinois, or in any other place, where I have a right
to oppose it. Understanding the spirit of our institutions to aim at the
elevation of men, I am opposed to whatever tends to
degrade them. I have some little notoriety for commiserating the
oppressed condition of the negro; and I should be strangely inconsistent if I
could favor any project for curtailing the existing rights of foreign-born
"white men", even though born in different lands, and speaking
different languages from myself." Abraham
Lincoln to Theodore Canisius, 17 May 1859,
Lincoln gives E. L. Baker, editor of "Illinois State Journal," copy
of "Missouri Democrat" in which he had marked passages referring to
Seward's position on slavery issue, and on margin of which he writes
in pencil: "I agree with Seward in his 'Irrepressible Conflict,' but
I do not endorse his 'Higher Law' doctrine. Make no contracts
that will bind me." Baker takes this to Chicago.
Herndon & Weik, 373-74; Endorsement on the Margin of the Missouri Democrat, [17 May 1860], CW, 4:50.
Representative of Washington County, Md., asks President to
interfere in local matters to prevent civil war. N.Y.
Tribune, 18 May 1861.
In the afternoon, the 1st Michigan
Regiment and their band march to the White House, where they extend "their
respects to Mr. Lincoln, who expressed himself highly gratified with their
martial air." A newspaper reports, "[Former U.S. Senator Lewis] Cass [of
Michigan] felt great interest in equipping and preparing its men, and felt . .
. great pride in their appearance. . . . Michigan may well feel honored in such
representations." New York Daily Tribune, 18
May 1861, 5:2.
John G. Nicolay, private secretary to President,
makes official trip to Fortress Monroe, Va., in connection with newly formed
army. Nicolay to Bates, 21 May 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers,
Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
[Mrs. Lincoln and party visit encampment in City Hall
Park. N.Y. Times, 18 May 1861.
Mrs. Lincoln leaves New York
at 5 P.M. for Boston. Baltimore Sun, 20 May 1861.]
Lincoln pays $5.50 on harness account. Lutz
Account Book.
Writes check for $8.00 to "William."
Sec. Seward shows Lincoln letter from James W. Webb. "He asked me not
to require him to read it. I shall not say what else he said." Seward comments,
"It is the P—Gen. S[cott]—& I against the two C's [Chase and
Cameron]. . . . The P. is all right." Seward to Weed, 17 May
1861, Thurlow Weed Papers, Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester,
Rochester, NY.
President recognizes Christian Friedrich Mebius as consul at San
Francisco of Free Hanse City of Lübeck.
National Intelligencer, 21 May 1862.
Reviews with
Sec. Stanton
military situation in regard to Gen.
McClellan's request for reinforcements. Gen. McDowell is to move
toward Richmond and at same time keep approaches to Washington
Committee on Conduct of War, Report (1863), 1:273.
Orders McDowell to retain separate command, obey orders of McClellan
while co-operating with him, and use own judgment in placing troops
for greatest protection of capital.
Abraham Lincoln to Irvin McDowell, [17 May 1862], CW, 5:219-20.
Writes Mary Motley, daughter of John L. Motley: "A friend of yours (a
young gentleman of course) tells me you do me the honor of requesting
my autograph. I could scarcely refuse any young lady—certainly
not the daughter of your distinguished father."
Abraham Lincoln to Mary Motley, 17 May 1862, CW, 5:220-21.
President drives to office of Rear Adm. Dahlgren at Navy Yard; later
Dahlgren returns to town with him.
Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Cong. George S. Boutwell (Mass.) meets President on White House steps
and goes upstairs with him to locate on map Gen. Grant's position in
rear of Vicksburg, Miss., after crossing Black River today.
George S. Boutwell, Reminiscences of Sixty Years in Public Affairs, 2 vols. (New York: McClure, Phillips, 1902), 2:307.
Lincoln declares Judge H. H. Leavitt's denial of motion for habeas
corpus in Vallandigham case is equal to three victories in field.
[Writ denied May 16, 1863.]
Harper, Press, 243.
President lays before Senate treaty with certain bands of Chippewa Indians.
Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 17 May 1864, CW, 7:344-45.
Cabinet meets.
Welles, Diary.
Lincoln prepares order for draft of 300,000 men, "to increase the
active and reserved force of the Army, Navy, & Marine Corps of
the United States." [Order seems not to have been issued.]
Order for Draft of 300,000 Men, 17 May 1864, CW, 7:344.
Sec. Stanton
: "Please notify the insurgents, . . . that the
government of the United States has satisfactory proof of the
massacre, . . . at Fort-Pillow," and outlines action government
proposes to take. [Presumably these instructions to
Sec. Stanton
never signed and sent.]
Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 17 May 1864, CW, 7:345-46.


text:
|Tim Barton's Temporary Web Page
|This is just a quick page I set up to display the web pages I made while in high school and the Hidden Heroes website I worked on in the following year. I haven't had much experience in Dreamweaver or Fireworks, as these were all scripted in Notepad, but I'm quite familiar with Flash and Photoshop and can pick up programs quite easily. I realize these pages aren't partilcularly spectacular but I hope they display my competency and potential. I've also included links to some of my more recent artwork, character designs, and Flash animations. These are my strongest skills and I believe they could be quite beneficial to your company.
High School Personal Webpage
High School Art Webpage (Way too slow)
Various Artwork 1 Various Artwork 2 Character Designs Layouts and Vehicles
Flash Snowboard Flash Action 1 Flash Action 2 Flash Walk Flash Name


text:
Careers at Summer Breeze Senior Living
Summer Breeze offers caring individuals a rewarding career in a unique independent and assisted senior living environment. Our hospitality focused, deficiency-free community and experienced staff are dedicated to providing the highest level of senior care. We are always looking for qualified individuals who are passionate about improving the lives of seniors.
To apply for employment at Summer Breeze Senior Living, click below:


text:
Pointe-a-la-garde Postal Codes
Pointe-a-la-garde city is located in Quebec, Canada
You can search for the Pointe-a-la-garde QC postal codes by its streets and block numbers
Pointe-a-la-garde Area Code is 418 and Time Zone is Eastern (GMT -05:00).
Pointe-a-la-garde Postal Code - Quebec
Pointe-a-la-garde Postal Code is a six-character string that forms part of a postal address in Canada. Like British and Dutch postcodes, Pointe-a-la-garde - QC postal codes are alphanumeric.
The first three characters (alpha-numeric-alpha) of the postal code which represent a geographic area in Pointe-a-la-garde.
The last three characters denote a Pointe-a-la-garde local delivery unit (LDU). An LDU denotes a specific single Pointe-a-la-garde address or range of addresses, which can correspond to an entire small town, a significant part of a medium-sized town, a single side of a city block in larger cities, a single large building or a portion of a very large one, a single (large) institution in Pointe-a-la-garde, Quebec, such as a university or a hospital, or a business that receives large volumes of mail on a regular basis
If you want to send a mail to Pointe-a-la-garde City, you should use the corresponding Postal Code.


text:
Great service very professional
"Very professional - James and Dominic answered all my questions and put me at ease - there was no pressure to buy.
Went to look around and ended up driving away in my new car the same day after getting a great price px for my car.
Would definitely recommend and use again."
Ford Fiesta
Gemma P
Imperial Car Supermarkets Southampton
Rated 5/5
March 2015


text:
Por fin es viernes, a disfrutar del fin de semana chic@s!
The combination that always works, that saves us many times, white and black. I finally buy a faux fur coat, this one is from Suite Blanco, it cost me decide between this model and other one in black, but I really like this type of hair and now it's mine!
Finally it's Friday, enjoy the weekend guys!


text:
See also Brethren, Brother; Man, Men; Sister
An adult female person, a daughter of God. The term Woman is sometimes used in scripture as a title of respect (John 19:26; Alma 19:10).
God created male and female, Gen. 1:27 (Moses 2:27; 6:9; Abr. 4:27).
A virtuous woman is priced above rubies, Prov. 31:10–31.
Woman is the glory of the man, 1 Cor. 11:7.
Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord, 1 Cor. 11:11.
Women should adorn themselves in modest apparel, 1 Tim. 2:9–10.
I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women, Jacob 2:28.
Thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou art an elect lady, D&C 25:3.
Women have claim on their husbands for maintenance, D&C 83:2.


text:
About Us
Ensemble Offspring are champions of adventurous new music. The group embraces open-minded music-making in all its forms, from seminal chamber work to free improvisation, alongside the creation of striking interdisciplinary productions. Based in Sydney, Ensemble Offspring is led by acclaimed percussionist, Claire Edwardes, and the core septet features some of Australia's most innovative and virtuosic performers. Winners of the 2016 Art Music Award for Excellence by an Organisation for the groups' more than 20 years contribution to Australian music, Ensemble Offspring has performed throughout Australia and the world – from Katherine to Hong Kong and Brugge to Wagga Wagga.


text:
Middletown School Committee Candidates
The school committee candidates were asked to respond to two questions:
#1) In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue facing Middletown schools?
#2) Lately, tensions have been high between the Town Council and the School Committee. If elected, what would you do to improve this relationship? There are nine candidates running for seven open seats on the Town Council, with six candidates seeking re-election. One incumbent, Vice Chair Robert Kempenaar is not seeking another term.
74, married with two children
Resident of Middletown 35 years
Retired US Navy, Commander
Retired; General Dynamics/Electric Boat, Principal Engineer,
Program Analyst and Manager
Public offices: Middletown Town
Council, 2012-2016; Planning
Board, 2005-2012
#1) I think the most important issue facing the Middletown School System is adequate, sustainable funding. Each year the School Committee produces a budget that almost without exception is a request for a 4 percent increase, the legal maximum. The Town Council then tries to find a way to incorporate this budget request into the town budget and constrain property tax increases to 2 percent or less. This is an unsustainable funding trajectory and will continue to produce School Committee – Council friction. Long term financial planning is required by law, but except for capital spending, is not now a central part of School Committee and Council financial planning. It should be.
#2) Ultimately a good School Committee Council relationship must be based on trust. This will require absolute transparency, open communication and an assumption of good will by both Council and Committee members. Financial or other "surprises" must be minimized or eliminated and a concerted effort made by both the School Committee and Council to understand the constraints and imperatives of each other.
It is not enough to have good personal relationships. An effective Middletown education system can only be built upon unanimity of purpose among teachers, town and school administrators, parents and students. My experience on the Town Council and my service on town committees and commissions provide me with a unique ability to improve the Council-School Committee relationship.
74, married with three children
Resident of Middletown 42 years
Retired Westinghouse Electric Corp.,
US Air Force Reserve Officer
Public offices: Middletown School
Committee member 2008-2016
#1) Many issues face Middletown schools. To meet the demands of high tech today is the importance of computer tech curricula. We must blend fiscal responsibilities with limited tax dollars. We need to continue to get extra help for students in K through 3 when our teachers identify students who need extra help. At this early age the students are very receptive to help. I am glad to see school librarians returning.
#2) Lately, tensions have been high between the Town Council and the School Committee. Yet, I believe a challenge is always a good thing. The "ComputerGate" challenge was a good test for both the Town Council and School Board. The challenge was the fiscal responsibility of the School Board's expenditure of $1.1 million for computers and other equipment. (The purchase of computers is not yet complete.) The matter was resolved (at some expense) and the School Board now makes certain the council is notified well in advanced of any large purchases.
31, married
Resident of Middletown resident
for over 30 years
Raytheon Senior Software Engineer Public offices: Middletown School
Committee member (2008-2016),
vice-chair (2012-2016)
#1) I believe the most important issue facing Middletown schools is the struggle between providing an excellent educational program for all students that is both broad and deep and identifying the resources (financial and otherwise) necessary to support such a program. For the past several years, the Middletown School Department has experienced decreasing state revenue each year as a result of the Rhode Island school funding formula. This year the state's contribution to Middletown schools is around $1 million less than it was before the implementation of this formula, and we have a few more years of expected decreased state revenue before we expect it to even out. As we contend with this decreased revenue source, Middletown Public Schools must continue to ensure that our existing resources are being used as efficiently and effectively as possible, while striving to find alternative funding sources. It is imperative that despite these challenges, we continue to provide the best possible educational opportunities for our students. Our students deserve our best effort in this area and more.
#2) If re-elected to the Middletown School Committee, I will focus on achieving increased effective communication with all stakeholders in the Middletown Public Schools, particularly the members of our Town Council. It is the responsibility of the members of the Middletown School Committee to ensure that members of the Town Council, as well as other town and school staff, students, families and residents, receive accurate and timely information regarding our schools. I believe that in the absence of frequent and clear communication, individuals are forced to make assumptions or draw their own conclusions based on incomplete information. If re-elected, I would continue to encourage regular discussions between the School Committee and Town Council leadership. I will also work to improve the Middletown School Committee meeting agendas to make them more informative and understandable. In addition, I will research strategies and methods that other school districts have used to engage in effective communication with their communities.