> From David, K5HEC. > > I do enjoy the printed newsletter… last months was especially good…. the > short bio of the amazing Nizar and the report on WSPR were both very > interesting. “Where in the world is….” is something I look for. > > But I think I would be happy with a PDF version on an iPad if it were well > formatted and easy to download. Paper, stamps, staples are a problem and > then you wind up with a paper document ….they tend to pile up and get lost. > > BVARC is great. I’ve been a member since about 1990 when I was WB5NZF. > > > > > >> On Oct 8, 2022, at 2:59 PM, Keith Dutson via BVARC <[email protected] >> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >> >> NARS went from paper only to .pdf file email and paper. Membership numbers >> were not significantly altered, and the majority of members elected email. >> The NARS member database was altered (email address) to accommodate the >> change. >> >> Later, the printed version was changed to .pdf file email only, and the file >> was posted each month on the NARS web site. Most members receiving the >> printed version agreed that they could print their own copy from the emailed >> version, if desired. This arrangement continues today, and I think the >> email option will eventually cease. >> >> 73, Keith NM5G >> >> On Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 09:54:53 AM CDT, Eddie Runner via BVARC >> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >> >> >> Some of you may know, there are two issues with printing the BVARC >> newsletter – costs and labor required to produce 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 these items is one simple answer – >> maintaining membership. Many clubs that have had a printed newsletter and >> changed to an electronic one experience a decrease in membership. The ARRL >> talks about membership loss in their “club manuals.” Even our illustrious >> editor witnessed 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 >> few possible 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 problem here 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 not alleviate the labor problems cited below so they must be >> resolved. I want to increase the visibility of the newsletter for the >> amateur community. I want it to be something that other clubs will jump on >> board and submit articles from the entire Houston area. I feel that having a >> printed document is more beneficial 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] >> <mailto:[email protected]> and let me know your thoughts. During a BOD meeting, >> a comment was made 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 reasonably produce it. Whether it is >> electronic or printed we need people to help. We are also looking for >> several people to aggressively solicit and manage advertising. For the >> printed format we need 5 or 6 people to alternate handle logistics and >> getting the printing done and to fold, tape, label, stamp and mail them. No >> matter 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, N5VCX President Brazos >> Valley Amateur Radio Club >> >> ________________________________________________ >> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >> >> BVARC mailing list >> [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >> <http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org> >> Publicly available archives are available here: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> <https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/> >> ________________________________________________ >> Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club >> >> BVARC mailing list >> [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> >> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org >> Publicly available archives are available here: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >
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