New and Returning Member Progress - editable?

Has anyone been able to successfully convert this PDF into a functional editable document? I have used basic online document converters (e.g. PDF to Word), but the document is so heavily formatted that it makes it near impossible to edit.

Thanks!

After trying several free and trial PDF converters, I had a nice surprize when I uploaded my PDF to Google Docs. They did the best job of conversion for my doc. Of course, YMMV depending on the way your doc is formatted.

Thanks a lot Mikerowaved. Once you have uploaded to Drive, do you open the PDF with Google Docs to be able to edit? When I do this, the document converts as if i had copied all the info and pasted into a text file. There is no real formatting. It is like it goes from one extreme to another.

I suspect, what you want is the make the form fillable, but populated with the current data. That's a bit more complex.

I just opened the .pdf downloaded from
[PDF]New and Returning Member Progress Form
https://www.lds.org/bc/.../PD50020824-m ... rm-eng.pdf

...directly into Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Went to tools column on the right and chose Fill & Sign

Double click where I want to type, and start typing.

Use mouse or arrow keys to move text exactly where I want it.

Easy-peasy.

I can fill this out offline - but the real power of the data behind it, would be to share it and track it, online with the ward council and not have an off line - separate sheet that is easily lost or overlooked when there is a calling change or transition. Why could this form not be stored online with the ability to update in real time, similar to Interview and Action List for a Bishop?

We converted it to a Google Doc and now the assigned ward council member can edit it while the bishop, ward mission leader, and member view it real time. Really awesome!

Be very careful about what's stored on a non-church service like Google Docs. It shouldn't be anything confidential.

Gotcha.

In the upper right hand corner you can share with specific people so that it's private. Basically it was a form that was built that looks similar to the new and returning progress sheet.

ethanselph wrote:In the upper right hand corner you can share with specific people so that it's private.

That's all fine - until it's not. And someone sues.

I guess you could leave out personal information like address and even first name as well as contact number. What else could someone sue you for?

It is only viewed by those that you designate unless I'm missing something. ? There would be no PII or SPI ( personal identifiable information / sensitive personal information. You could even just put down brother jos for short of Joseph if someone was really nervous about things on the sheet. I appreciate your concern but there are lots of ways to protect the person if one was overly cautious. Unless you're looking at someone trying to hack in to your Google Drive to find out when a person completed the temple prep class I just don't think it's a big deal.

ethanselph wrote:It is only viewed by those that you designate unless I'm missing something. ?

That's the theory, but it doesn't always go as planned. As such, I'd recommend that nothing be placed on a service like Google drive that would cause embarrassment if it's discovered.

If you're looking for something based on policy, Meetinghouse Technology Policy:

4.9.3 The use of MLS data and membership information in third party software is prohibited, whether obtained from within or outside of a meetinghouse.

4.9.4 The use of cloud-based services for storing and/or backing up MLS or any membership related data is prohibited.

The question then becomes what is "membership related data"? That's open to interpretation by local leaders. If they have questions, they can consult their immediate presiding authority (Handbook 1: Introduction). However, interpreting "New and Returning Member Progress" as "membership related" would not be much of a stretch.

That's good advice! I guess just a last name without address, no phone number, no membership data, and no children would probably be a good place to start.