[QCWA] Re: library of chapter programs

[Carolyn Harrison]

At 07:31 PM 3/26/2007 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi Carolyn,
>
>Re:  The following sentence from your message of 26 March 2007
>
>Our committee has this lending library as CR 17 but our Committee moved
>slowly as you know and currently this SAIL is third on the list. John since
>you are volunteering to do the work of converting tapes to DVD, why don't
>you do an article for the Summer Journal?

Hi Joe,
I was confused when I read the message yesterday. I knew, Joe, you were 
very much interested in getting a speaker resource library going which 
sounds like a good idea.
But I will confess truthfully I thought most of the message content came 
from John. Sorry about my mistake. You will note that I did have this item 
on our Committee's agenda but we do move slow responding to matters in our 
Committee's discussion stage. Part of that is my fault and some is that 
part of the Committee's members don't check their Email very often. I like 
for everybody to have a voice, especially if in an area where their 
expertize and insights are greater than mine. I am sort of one of the new 
kids on the block but maybe gaining speed!!


>
>I'm Joe, and from the context, I think you are referring to me; however, 
>your message is addressed to John as well.  I would be happy to write an 
>article for the Journal if I have sufficient time.  I am undergoing a 
>series of operations and chemo sessions right now for a cancer problem 
>that showed up a little over a month ago, so a lot depends upon what sort 
>of deadline you have for the article.  I believe the fall issue of the 
>journal would be a more realistic target for me.  Please give me the 
>deadlines for both the summer and fall issues so I can get a better idea 
>of what is required and when.

I think your writing an article for the Journal would be wonderful. The 
Summer issue deadline is April 1 and the Fall issue is July 1.    Have you 
thought about getting on the 2 QCWA reflectors to see what kind of interest 
the lending library could possible generate or even sending DVD's directly 
to QCWA chapter members for their meeting programs if they directly request 
the DVD's from you. That route might implement the DVD's being in the 
Chapter's hands earlier than if we take this matter before the Bod. Also 
the legal ramification might be less for QCWA with the copyrighted 
materials. I am certainly no legal expert; in fact, I have to pay for legal 
advice when I need it.


>
>Re:  If you will write up the motion, I'll present it to the BoD so it 
>will move at a fast pace.

I was really directing the motion part to John because a motion probably 
should come from a BoD member, but recommendations and great creative ideas 
are always most welcome and there are surely a lot more general members 
than BoD  members  for ideas so I'm encouraged to hear that you are trying 
to help other chapters out. We as Directors can bring motions before the 
BoD immediately but the normal procedure is for discussion to occur in the 
Committee, then move onto the BoD as a motion. My thinking was perhaps John 
would help word a motion then I could present it to the BoD, skipping the 
Committee slow down. But my mistake did lead to the Email from 
you  yesterday PM for which I'm thankful because I'd been thinking of 
getting some thoughts to you anyway.


>
>If this is also directed to me, I may need some help with the format you 
>folks use for such motions.  However, most of the ideas I would want to 
>express in the motion were given in my previous message.  Left to my own 
>devices, I would probably come up with something like that outlined below:
>
>1.  The Motion:  A statement of the Motion itself.
>
>2.  Background.  This would dwell on the difficulties the chapters have in 
>coming up with fresh and exciting programs month after month.
>
>3.  Implementation.  Basically, this section would contain much if not 
>most of what I sent in my earlier message plus whatever else I may think 
>of in the meantime.
>
>As to duplication of DVDs, I use my 2.8 GHz laptop computer, running 
>Microsoft Windows XP SP2, with an external DVD burner.  The drive internal 
>to the computer reads the DVDs and the external burner produces the copies.
>
>I should also mention that although almost all commercially made tapes are 
>copyrighted, burning them to DVDs will work for many of them but not 
>all.  From my experience, I have found that most documentaries and 
>travelogs can be copied but Hollywood made feature films cannot.  And, 
>having opened that bag, I'm not sure how to deal with the copyrighted 
>material that can be copied.  I have taken the liberty of showing one or 
>two of these at our meetings, but I may be violating a law or two.  My 
>rationale is simple:  I paid for the original tape, so I believe I met the 
>intent of the copyright law and can feel free to show that tape to my 
>friends.  My reasons for burning my copy onto DVD were two:  I want a 
>medium that occupies much less space and one that has fewer 
>vulnerabilities.  I threw the copied tapes away.  Since I paid full price 
>for the original medium, I feel free to use the DVD copy in the same ways 
>I used the tapes.  However, when such a DVD arrives at QCWA Hq for 
>possible duplication and distribution, I think the ice may be thin or 
>nonexistent or the water may in fact be hot.  We'll need some legal advice 
>on this one.

The copyrighted materials could make me a little nervous but as I indicated 
earlier, I haven't a clue as to what the consequences of that action might 
incur. My advice would be get some good reputable advice from someone in 
the know. Chuck might comment his thoughts as to the QCWA HQ's involvement 
in distributing copyrighted materials. I  do know we shouldn't be doing 
anything to endanger our charitable status.

>Frankly, I'm delighted that you folks like the idea and want to pursue 
>it.  Here at the Gator Chapter in Clearwater, we have a very difficult 
>time finding materials that are not only of interest to our current 
>members but have the potential to draw in new members when the word of 
>mouth gets around, as it always does.
>
>73, Joe W9DGW


Joe, I know Chapter 41 in the Dallas area, where Director Val Erwin is 
involved, is saying some good things abut that Chapter's leadership and the 
fact they have bought equipment to view rented DVD's from the archives of 
Netflix. That Chapter is making a come back from what I gather in interest 
of present members and gaining new ones. Let me give you Val's Email 
address. I know he'll put in touch with Steve Brody, K5ZYZ, Chapter's 41's 
President. Tell you what, I'm just sending this Email to Val also so you'll 
see the address which is the Dallas.... one.

You take good care of yourself! I am sorry to learn of your present illness 
and you have my prayers and best wishes for the return of good health very, 
very soon.


73,
Carolyn WB0OUM