[QCWA] International Growth & Communication

Tue May 5 14:06:08 EDT 2009

Dave....your thoughts are well taken.

I had proposed to Johnston when the matter of the expense of the Journal 
came up that we expolore a digital version......for those who want it.

I am subscribed to other organizational journals......all available in 
digital form.  Indeed;  some of my professional magazines are on the 
internet and I prefer to read them that way

The more digital readers we have will reduce the cost of publishing the 
paperback journal.

It would then be possible for all QCWA members witrh access to a 
computer/internet could read the journal without regard for excessive 
postage etc.

I have never kept a journal;  always give it away to someone who is not a 
member to try to interest them.

btw.....Johnston never once responded to my suggestions.

73   Norm   k1AA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave - VE3JX" <ve3jx at sympatico.ca>
To: "QCWA Reflector" <QCWA at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 9:25 PM
Subject: [QCWA] International Growth & Communication

> DISCLAIMER:  The following is an idea that has been bouncing around in my 
> head
> for some time.  It is entirely possible, in fact probable, that others 
> have had
> the same thoughts, or are studying the feasibility of this suggestion.  In 
> fact,
> I have discussed this with other members who seemed to have the same or a
> similar thought.  Therefore, please recognize that the source of this is 
> not
> important; only what we can do with it.  I only lay claim to originating 
> this
> blurb.
>
> PREAMBLE:  QCWA is an international organization in that it has members in 
> many
> other countries other than the U.S.  However, statistics show that U.S. 
> members
> are the overwhelming bulk of total membership.  International members, 
> including
> Canadians, account for a small percentage of the total.  Based on the 
> posted
> Roster of June 30th, 2008, the US membership was 6469.  The total 
> international
> membership, including Canada, was 442.  The obvious question is: How can 
> QCWA
> improve its international penetration?
>
> COMMUNICATION:  All US members benefit from the regular reception of the 
> QCWA
> Journal.  Through it, QCWA communicates to its members all sorts of varied
> information that helps, among other things, to promote a sense of unity 
> and
> belonging, not the least of which are the Chapter Reports.  A member can 
> read
> about the events and occurences within his own Chapter, and that of 
> others.
> Announcements of upcoming events, regular nets, Conventions, cruises, etc. 
> are
> incorporated into its contents.  Such communication is necessary for 
> members to
> feel a part of what's going on.  International members are not so 
> fortunate.
>
> Due to the cost of international postage, most international members do 
> not
> receive the QCWA Journal.  Even with Canadians, I am told that less than 
> 100 out
> of 245 roster members get the Journal.  Again, the blame is on postal 
> rates for
> going outside the US.  (Within the US, I believe QCWA benefits from 
> preferential
> bulk rates for domestic delivery.)  Therefore, for the most part, 
> International
> QCWA members lose out on the benefits of regular communication from QCWA
> National.  Is there anything that can be done about it?
>
> A 21ST CENTURY IDEA:  Postage is a big problem for many groups.  Local ham 
> clubs
> face this problem as all these groups do.  Their solution has been to 
> publish
> and distribute their Newsletters electronically, generally using PDF via 
> email.
> Perhaps, we can learn something from that.
>
> First though, I must mention that I am NOT suggesting that QCWA go full
> electronic publishing for ALL members.  The paper magazine format is
> unparalleled in its usage.  You can read it anywhere.  Nothing created, so 
> far,
> has replaced the codex format in utility.  Therefore, it is suggested that 
> the
> paper format of QCWA Journal be maintained, for the US at least.
>
> Notwithstanding, would it be possible to produce an electronic publication 
> for
> the benefit for our International members?  This publication need not be
> identical to the QCWA Journal; it could be a subset of it, or an entirely 
> new
> creation dedicated to the non-US member.  However, with such a 
> publication,
> whatever its ultimate format & content become, would serve to keep our
> International members informed and give them an increased sense of 
> belonging.
> It also gives QCWA the means to regularly communicate with ALL members
> everywhere, without prohibitive postage costs.  If such communication
> increases "customer satisfaction" internationally, then increasing 
> membership
> numbers from these other countries may be the result.
>
> COMMENTS WELCOME:  As you can tell, this idea is pretty raw; it needs more
> fleshing out to become a viable solution.  That's where we can all help. 
> Maybe
> you have an associated idea that would make this all viable.  Remember, 
> the only
> bad idea is the one not expressed.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Dave Hayes VE3JX
> QCWA Life #33597
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> APPENDIX:  Roster Statistics - Member Totals
>
> US - 6469
>  0 - 632
>  1 - 488
>  2 - 668
>  3 - 524
>  4 - 987
>  5 - 752
>  6 - 697
>  7 - 577
>  8 - 704
>  9 - 440
>
> International - 442
>  Australia - 3
>  Austria - 9
>  Belgium - 2
>  Brasil - 1
>  Canada - 245
>  Czech Republic - 1
>  Denmark - 1
>  Germany - 123
>  Honduras - 1
>  Hungary - 1
>  Isle of Man - 1
>  Israel - 4
>  Italy - 2
>  Japan - 26
>  Kroatia - 1
>  Netherlands - 1
>  Norway - 1
>  Paraguay - 1
>  Poland - 2
>  Russia - 2
>  Sri Lanka - 1
>  Sweden - 2
>  Switzerland - 8
> ------------------------------------------
>
>
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