Issue: Scoutbook Import

Scoutbook decided to remove a number of fields from their export formats without warning. See here for full details:
- https://discussions.scouting.org/t/february-24-2021-scoutbook-updates/225917

One of them was the DOB (date of birth) column which we used to confirm member matches on import. The lack of this column is the new Scoutbook export files is now preventing import from Scoutbook to SOAR.

We will be working to have an updated Scoutbook Import working by the end of the week without the DOB column.

Issue: Gmail

Over the last few days, many Google services have experienced significant problems.

It seems that Gmail specifically is still having issues as of today.

Email sent through your Email Lists may be creating "bounce messages" back to you, with Gmail addresses that are actually valid.

You can read more details here.

There is nothing you, or SOAR, can do at this point. We simply need to wait until Google services are restored.

We just wanted to give you a heads up in case you start seeing these "bounce message" and that you may need to make alternate communication plans for anyone with a Gmail address for the next couple days.

File Upload Size Increase

A number of BSA PDF forms now have file sizes greater than 10MB.

To support customer use of these on their SOAR websites, we have increased the maximum file upload size to 15 MB per file. This is for the Files section of your website and for any attachments to content.

We still recommend using a "link" vs. "local copy" strategy for BSA forms. Putting a link in your website to BSA forms on the national website will ensure you are always using the latest version of forms as they update them. Putting a copy of BSA forms on your own SOAR website means you might not be using the latest and

Chrome Browser password notifications

Google has added a new "compromised password" feature into new releases of the Chrome Browser.

Based on this new feature you or your member that use the Chrome Browser may receive a "Check you password" warning on your SOAR website.

This DOES NOT mean your SOAR website has been hacked. What is DOES mean is the specific username/password combination used has been found in previously hacked websites.

The person that received that message should change the password for the username on your SOAR website, and probably all other locations where that same password is used.

Update - Contact Form captcha

We have update the "captcha" on the Contact Us form on your website.

This is used to prevent people form automating submissions to the Contact Us form and sending you spam.

The updates should reduce the amount of spam you have been receiving through this form.

Update - Ranks for Packs

We have added two new Rank options for Dens in SOAR myPack.

  • Girls
  • Combined

These will be helpful when you are using your SOAR website for both Boy and Girl Dens. When a Pack starts adding girl scouts to their Pack, they may need to have a combined Den at the beginning until they have enough girl scouts in each Rank to form separate Dens. You can use these two Ranks to help show this in the the Pack Roster.

Email to optonline.net - resolved !

We have worked with Optimum to resolve the issue with email being delayed to optonline.net email addresses.

You should not encounter any more delivery issues to these addresses.

SOAR Support

Email to optonline.net

Email started being delayed to email addresses at @optonline.net yesterday (1/27/2020) morning.

We have tried contacting them to resolve the issue. Unfortunately they do not provide any contact information for their postmaster or a process to resolve issues.

They use a 3rd party blacklist, which we are not listed on. We are not listed on ANY blacklists.

So not sure where the problem is coming from.

If you receive a bounce message for an @optonline.net email address please do the following:

  • Forward the bounce message to that member
  • Ask them to open a support ticket with Optimum (optonline.net)

Service Update: 9/24/2019

Your SOAR service is fully functional. All read-only mode restrictions have been removed.

Add content as you wish !

We are working on a full announcement with details for later tonight.

SOAR Support

Planned Outage: 11PM CST 9/22 - 5PM CST 9/24

SOAR Customers,

We have a new plan in place from our hosting provider for the migration to a new data center that will minimize downtime for your SOAR website, during what we know is a very busy time for you.

Sunday Sept 22nd 11PM CST
- SOAR websites will be taken offline to enable the transfer.

Monday Sept 23rd 2AM CST
- SOAR websites will be back online before this time.
- SOAR websites will be in read-only mode at this time.

Tuesday Sept 24th 5PM CST
- SOAR website migration will be completed before this time.
- SOAR websites will be fully functional again.

Do I need to do anything?