[CW] CW Clubs

[Joe-aa4nn]

Clubs should realize the economy of posting articles to
a web site for viewing by the membership.  Better yet,
sending a PDF attachment to the members will expedite
the news, and the editor can do photos in color for an
impressive and informative newsletter.

With the continuing rise in postage fees and printing costs,
there's no reason not to take this economical approach.
If a person wants the printed copy, then there's your reason
for charging $30 or more per year to cover these costs.

de Joe, aa4nn

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Ring" <n1ea at arrl.net>
To: <wb9cac at yahoo.com>; "CW Reflector" <cw at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2008 1:22 PM
Subject: Re: [CW] CW Clubs


> Hello Bill,
>
> Most of the money goes to printing and postage.  Those FISTS Keynotes
> are usually quite thick.  With the increased postal charges for small
> 2nd class mailers like FISTS, I'm sure that a great economy exists to
> get 4 issues out in the mail for $15.00 a year.  If these had to be
> printed by letter press like the one Ben Franklin used - the cost
> would be $150 a year, but there are still a very few web offset
> printing houses that will print small run jobs like FISTS.  For how
> long is quite another matter.
>
> I have no problem with giving $15.00 to such great organizations.  I
> understand that others might.  I also know that I can't belong to them
> all - and I've rotated membership in some of them.  I renew for a few
> years with one, then drop it, then pay for another club for a few
> years, etc.  I try to cut my total "memberships, books and
> subscriptions" costs to about $200 a year.  But that means choices:
> OOTC but no QCWA, VWOA but no MTC (this year), SOWP but no RNARS.
> ARRL but no RSGB, etc.
>
> Perhaps some clubs should have an "Association Fee" - like a
> initiation fee - you get listed as a member, get a membership
> certificate, membership club pin, and from then on you can subscribe
> for an additional fee.
>
> Or maybe a "no subscription" membership.
>
> Since about thirty years ago, "QST" has become just an advertising
> book with junky articles.  I'd rather have "QEX" instead - but ARRL
> says "No".
>
> I want to belong to ARRL but my "QST" makes the round trip from the
> paper processing plant, to the printer, to Newington, to my house via
> the post office, and then when I receive it, it gets put into the
> "recycle can" within about 2 minutes.  Such a waste.
>
> If I had "QEX" at least there would be something to learn and study and 
> keep.
>
> 73
>
> David N1EA
>
> 73
>
> David N1EA
>
>
> On Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 12:55 PM, Bill Ellis <wb9cac at yahoo.com> wrote:
>> I used to have a paid membership in FISTS, but after the first year, why 
>> 15.00 again? Perhaps a lesser fee after the first year. I have nothing 
>> against FISTS, but I can't see why it requires 15.00 every year.
>>
>> Bill, WB9CAC
>> FISTS # 11256 (can't verify it, however, it's not on the list any longer)
>>
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