Some of you may know, there are two issues with printing the BVARC newsletter – costs and labor required toproduce it. Costs have skyrocketed over the last year and it is getting harder to find volunteers for production.Many ask why we still produce a paper newsletter and fight with all those problems. The answer on theseitems is one simple answer – maintaining membership.Many clubs that have had a printed newsletter and changed to an electronic one experience a decrease inmembership. The ARRL talks about membership loss in their “club manuals.” Even our illustrious editorwitnessed a significant drop in membership at the Houston Astronomical Society (long after he was president)when they went from paper to electronic form. So, the question is, where do we go from here? Here are fewpossible options:1. Stay as a paper publication only (and continue to have the same problems).2. Change to an electronic publication only.3. Do a combination of sorts by allowing members to opt out of a printed newsletter. The major problemhere is that this does not help with the labor portion and the costs do not go down proportionally.4. Find a benefactor that can pay the printing costs for the next 20 years. Keep in mind, that this does notalleviate the labor problems cited below so they must be resolved. I want to increase the visibility ofthe newsletter for the amateur community. I want it to be something that other clubs will jump onboard and submit articles from the entire Houston area. I feel that having a printed document is morebeneficial to the hobby as whole.This a club issue. I would like input from the membership as to what you think should be a direction to go in.Send me an e-mail to [email protected] and let me know your thoughts. During a BOD meeting, a comment wasmade that only a few will respond to this request. I hope they are wrong.The other challenge on the newsletter is to significantly increase the staff to that required to reasonablyproduce it. Whether it is electronic or printed we need people to help. We are also looking for severalpeople to aggressively solicit and manage advertising. For the printed format we need 5 or 6 people toalternate handle logistics and getting the printing done and to fold, tape, label, stamp and mail them. Nomatter what direction we go in, we still need people to help with this endeavor.Also, just to let everyone know, an anonymous donor has paid for the printing for the September newsletter,which is only temporary solution, so the cost issues still exist.Let me know if you are interested in helping. The club needs your help.Mike Hardwick, N5VCXPresidentBrazos Valley Amateur Radio Club
________________________________________________ Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club
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