[QCWA] International Growth & Communication

Thu May 7 08:54:01 EDT 2009

Dave....well said.

I would like to point out the matter of the continuing Rules and Regulations 
articles by Johnston...

They do not apply to our Canadian brothers and others elsewhere;  just for 
US amateurs.

I would vote to drop the articles and allow those interested to go to the 
FCC website to get answers on their questions.

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
> ------------------------------------------
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> QCWA mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/qcwa
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:QCWA at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html 