[QCWA] International Growth & Communication
Dave - VE3JX
ve3jx at sympatico.ca
Tue May 5 14:39:09 EDT 2009
Hi Norm,
Thank you for your thoughts. You raise a different issue; that of having the
Journal available for all, US included, in an alternate format. While that is
not what my proposal is about, it perhaps is an idea worth pursuing.
My suggestion was for the benefit of International members for whom the cost of
receiving a paper Journal is prohibitive; that they have the benefit of regular
communication with the "mother ship".
Perhaps, another suggestion we could consider - a very minor one - is the naming
of QCWA's umbrella organization. It is usually referred to as: "QCWA National",
to distinguish it from the local chapter organization. Could we perhaps
consider calling it instead: "QCWA International"? It's a small thing, but it
gives the right message to everyone that we are an International organization.
(As well, the conventions could be called "QCWA International Convention".) If
we really are an International organization, then maybe our name should reflect
that.
BTW, I would like to let you know that our current President has already
responded directly to me about this proposal. While he did not comment on his
view of it, he did say, in part: "it should be interesting to see what the
response (on the reflector) will be." So, we can rest assured that he is
listening.
Once again, thank you for your feedback.
Cheers,
Dave VE3JX.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Norm Gertz" <k1aa at cfl.rr.com>
To: "Dave - VE3JX" <ve3jx at sympatico.ca>; "QCWA Reflector" <QCWA at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 2:06 PM
Subject: Re: [QCWA] International Growth & Communication
> 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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