[QCWA Hotlist] Changes taking place in QCWA

Sat Nov 10 01:30:21 EST 2012

I (and I think all QCWA members in Hawaii) share Dale's concerns.  The older 
the member, the less likely his interest in computers.   The magazine IS the 
glue that held the QCWA together....EVEN THOUGH MANY! Chapters never 
contribute a column or article.   I do not believe getting rid of the 
magazine  is the best way to cut costs.

It does not sound like the new Board asked the membership for comments 
before deciding on this drastic action.    On the other hand, looking 
through the magazine, clearly MANY if not most chapters DO NOT submit any 
material which may mean they are not doing anything.   Many QCWA members 
only like to wear the badge as a sign of their longevity.  Attending 
meetings is probably not a high priority for many of our members.

73 John Peters K1ER
LM, over 60 years licensed, Honolulu Chapter
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dale Svetanoff" <svetanoff at earthlink.net>
To: "Ken Simpson, W8EK" <W8EK at flham.net>; "Qcwahotlist at Mailman.Qth.Net" 
<qcwahotlist at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, November 09, 2012 7:26 PM
Subject: Re: [QCWA Hotlist] Changes taking place in QCWA

> Ken,
>
> Thank you for putting out this informative message.  Chapter 123, here in
> Iowa, will have its weekly net tomorrow (Saturday) morning on 75m and this
> provides a good update on what's happening.
>
> I have a major concern over the "new" QCWA and its operating practices. 
> As
> of now, it appears that about 33% of our Chapter 123 members will become
> disenfranchised with the move to all-digital distribution of the 
> "Journal".
> These are members who either do not have a computer (and don't want one) 
> or
> who do not have access to a computer due to their physical situation or
> other circumstances.  There was no stated requirement in the past that a
> computer (or access to one) was necessary for QCWA membership.
>
> Although I am VP of Chapter 123, I speak only my own opinion, not that of
> the other officers or members.  Some of them may wish to post similar
> comments, but with time running short between now and the end of the year,
> I felt it necessary to bring this situation to your, and the BoD's
> attention.  Was consideration given to loss of members due to inability to
> receive the "Journal"?  If not, why not?  I suspect that 33% membership
> loss is higher than many other chapters, but there might be chapters with
> even worse potential losses.
>
> I say this because here is the story as I see it:  The "Journal" is what
> binds this group of senior hams together.  We do not have an all-inclusive
> net, although many chapters, such as ours, do have local area or regional
> nets.  Yes, there are certificates, QSL cards, and other goodies for the
> members, but it is the "Journal" that brings the news to all.  Given that
> the "Journal" represents a major "medium" within the organization, what's
> the plan for these folks without computers or access?  Are they to just be
> dropped as victims of "tough times"?  Is there any intent to refund any
> dues to these folks?  Again, if not, why not?
>
> If these members represent "collateral damage" due to QCWA's financial
> woes, then why was this situation not brought before the membership long
> before the past few months?  Wiping out one-third of a chapter's 
> membership
> by cutting them off from the organizational communication is not, IMHO, a
> very smart thing to do.  Again, maybe we are the exception, but even if we
> are, these members deserve better from an organization that, I am sure,
> they felt as proudly about as I have over the years.  I think it's time to
> put some consideration back on the table and work out an equitable 
> solution
> so that non-digital members have some way to stay connected.  Lest you
> think that well, it's just too bad, think about this: we have a very
> valued, long-time member who is battling Alzheimer's.  He has no computer
> and certainly can not "learn" to use one now, but he can read a hard copy.
> I doubt that he is the only QCWAer with that problem.  How about doing
> something for people like him?
>
> My perspective is that the BoD has taken a young person's view of the
> situation by going all-digital.  Well, that would be fine if our 
> membership
> was primarily 50 or under.  While many "oldsters" and "seniors" have
> embraced and use digital technology, not all have and I don't think it is
> fair or reasonable to expect that members who are in their 60s and beyond
> will necessarily hop to it and go with the new flow.  Many might, but 
> there
> are likely to be many who can't, for whatever reason.
>
> 73,
> Dale Svetanoff, WA9ENA
> VP Chapter 123 & former Director Chapter 2
> Member #23,985
>
>> [Original Message]
>> From: Ken Simpson, W8EK <W8EK at flham.net>
>> To: Qcwahotlist at Mailman.Qth.Net <qcwahotlist at mailman.qth.net>
>> Date: 11/9/2012 12:41:38
>> Subject: [QCWA Hotlist] Changes taking place in QCWA
>>
>>
>> Many of you are aware of some of the changes that are taking place in
>> QCWA, but some are not.  The following will appear on the QCWA web
>> site in the next couple days, but I wanted to give the chapter
>> officers a "heads up" on what is going on.  The same information will
>> appear on the next issue of the Journal.
>>
>>
>>
>> Changes in QCWA
>> By Ken Simpson, W8EK
>>
>> Remember that song from years ago, "The Times, They are a Changing"?
>> For QCWA the times really are changing.  Many changes took place at
>> the Board of Directors meeting in Reno on September 24.  The changes
>> introduced then have now reached fruition, but more subtle changes are
>> yet to come.
>>
>> At the board meeting, your directors made some "Tough Decisions".  We
>> had no choice.  We either made these tough decisions, or we went
>> bankrupt.  It was that simple.  Your board made the decision to make
>> QCWA a viable entity going forward, and to financially move QCWA into
>> the black in 2013.
>>
>>
>
>
>

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