gistfile1.rb

{ send_for_approval: "sent for approval",
    deactivate:        "deactivated",
    reactivate:        "reactivated",
  }.each do |status, desc|
    define_method status do
      if @offer.send(status)
        redirect_to @offer, :notice => "Offer was #{desc}."
      else
        render :action => "edit"
      end
    end
  end

responder.rb

class MyResponder < ActionController::Responder

  # Example usage
  # def controller_method
  #   respond_with @offer
  # end
  def to_html
    if available_methods.keys.include? controller.action
      if resources.first.send(controller.action)
        redirect_to resources.first, :notice => "Offer was #{available_methods[controller.action]}."
      else
        render :action => "edit"
      end

      return # just return, don't execute super
    end
    super
  end

  # Example usage
  # def controller_method
  #   respond_with @offer, :change_state => true
  # end
  def to_html # another impelemnetation
    if options[:change_state]
      if resources.first.send(action.controller)
        redirect_to resources.first, :notice => "Offer was #{available_methods[controller.action]}."
      else
        render :action => "edit"
      end
    else
      super
    end
  end

  protected

  def available_methods
    { 
      send_for_approval: "sent for approval",
             deactivate: "deactivated"      ,
             reactivate: "reactivated"      ,
    }
  end

end