[QCWA] International Growth & Communication

Wed May 6 13:05:44 EDT 2009

Ladies and gentlemen:  I tried very hard to contact QCWA members in any 
of the European countries that had e-mail listed for their 'Chapter' as 
I was trying to promote the 2008 QCWA INTERNATIONAL Convention.  They 
are not any better at responding to e-mail than are so very many 
'Chapters' here in the U.S. -- I never heard any word at all from any of 
them.

As amateur radio operators (semi-professional communicators?) I shudder 
to think of our ability to communicate among ourselves.  It's NOT GOOD, 
ladies and gentlemen.  Proof of that concept is how many times this 
issue of on-line journals comes round.  Is nobody paying attention?  Or 
perhaps someone thinks that the basic reasons why that is not a good 
and/or workable idea have changed materially?  They have NOT.

As for me, our very good friends and fellow QCWA members in Canada are 
enough to make QCWA an international organization.  They are 
(thankfully) well integrated into our governance structure and, from 
what I've seen from some of the more prominent VE members, are most 
valuable in the assignments they fulfill and in the support they give to 
QCWA.  Merci, Canadiens!

I now relinquish the podium and return the floor for more of .... the 
same-old.  73,  Vic, W4VIC

Dave - VE3JX wrote:
> 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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