Hey, Charles.
I think that the success of the Members Area and the response we have had
should help with getting the TSA back into the black.
Also, we are going to try another printer, 360 Digital Books, who the AMCS uses
and was recommended by Bill Mixon.
We'll have to see how they do, but, I think they'll be OK, everyone will like
their quality, and we'll get the per member price of the TC below (much below)
$5 per person, including postage.
I, too, would like to see everyone go digital, as that would make monies
available for a plethora of goals I have for the TSA.
See below:
* The first item on my agenda is to get the TSA back into the black.
We should now be able to do this by getting more people receiving their TC
online and by going to a different printer. We're going to try using 360
Digital Books, the same company AMCS uses and I was referred to them by Bill
Mixon.
This should help a lot!
* The second item on my agenda would be to lower the costs of the TSA
Convention.
I'm getting a lot of comments from folks, especially those with kids, that $80
is a lot for them to attend. Anything we can do to reduce the costs for members
(subsidized by the savings of putting out the TC) would encourage more to
attend and/or hopefully join the TSA.
* Thirdly, I want to see the TSA being an active partner (but, not a
controlling one) with projects, the TPWD, and cave conservation groups, like
the TCMA and the TCC, and the BCI (WNS issue).
I hope we can accomplish this by supplying equipment for project and survey use
(Jim Kennedy is keeping up with this now, although, an "Equipment Manager"
probably ain't a bad idea).
Also, I would like to see the TSA be used to support the TCC or TCMA
purchase/gate/maintain worthy caves. Whether this is done monetarily, supplying
equipment, recruiting help, acting as a contact for landowners, or a public
face for cave preservation in the state.
We could also use any money saved to sponsor events like the ICS, which we've
done, and to make donations to worthy groups like the BCI and others.
All would naturally be subject to a vote by membership.
*
The fourth item is education.
I have been giving cave talks for almost 15 years and leading youth groups for
about as long. I'm the "Youth Contact" on the TSA site, BTW, and the SW Region
Youth Caving Liaison for the NSS.
I would like to establish a "Youth Caving" liaison for each Grotto who would
talk to youth groups and, hopefully, take them caving or hook them up with
someone who could. Julie Jenkins in Austin has been a tremendous source of
assistance for me.
I don't want to supply equipment for this, as this could open up a whole can of
worms, or literature, as the NSS does a very good job of this.
Not much money, if any, is probably needed for this, but a lot of dedication is
needed.
* Fifth item is Publicity and Membership
Getting the word out at various outdoor stores, like REI, Whole Earth
Provisions, etc. and all of the local colleges would help increase membership
and Grotto participation. This could be accomplished by putting out some NICE
flyers and, more importantly, someone who will do a good job of dispensing them
and keeping them stocked.
Need monies for this.
I hope this helps and looking forward to seeing you at the Convention!
Thanks,
Mark
________________________________
From: Charles Goldsmith [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wed 4/15/2009 9:21 AM
To: Alman, Mark @ IRP
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Please Update Your TSA Members Area Profile
Mark, I know this has been discussed before, but to get 99% of the people to
electronic, its going to have to hit THEIR pocket book. I'd like to discuss
this at the TSA convention in the meeting, but my suggestion is to raise the
rates for the mailed Texas Caver, I know $5 won't cover it, but if they don't
go electronic, their rates are increased for membership.
People will complain, that's what they are good at and love to do, very little
action for the most part. I think thats the only way you will get a higher
adoption rate of the electronic version and free up the monies for other uses.
Charles
On Wed, Apr 15, 2009 at 7:40 AM, <[email protected]> wrote:
To those of you who have joined the Digital Revolution and joined the
Members Area of the TSA, I'm requesting that you go to
http://www.cavetexas.org/members/
log in, and check/update your profile as to how you want your TEXAS
CAVER.
You'll see the following in your profile:
How I wish to receive the Texas Caver?:
Please select either "Online" or "Mail"
The next issue will be coming out next month and any trees we can save
or $$ not given to the Postal Service helps.
Printing The TEXAS CAVER consumes the lion's share of the TSA budget
and any monies saved is a plus for the TSA.
If for some reason you haven't joined the Digital Revolution, we
suggest you visit the TSA website at www.cavetexas.org
<http://www.cavetexas.org> and become a paid member and/or become an online
member of the TSA.
If you opt to receive the TC in the mail, you'll still be able to view
back issues online, or you can do your part to be environmentally and fiscally
responsible, while sticking it to the USPS and their rate increase in May by
opting to go digital!
Thanks!
Mark
