Fair enough, Gila Monster.

FWIW, I found this...

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms187004(v=sql.105).aspx

"Input values can also be specified for OUTPUT parameters when the stored procedure is executed. This allows the stored procedure to receive a value from the calling program, change it or perform operations with it, then return the new value to the calling program."

As I read that section, it appears that I should be able to do what I want to do but I don't understand how.