[QCWA Hotlist] Changes taking place in QCWA

[Ken Simpson, W8EK]

Hello John and Dale,

I will address this to both of you, but also to the entire reflector.

First, I was trying to let you know about the changes that are taking 
place in the MANAGEMENT of QCWA.  The "decentralization" of the 
General Manager position, if you will.  The change to a volunteer 
management, saving the organization about $35,000 a year. The changes 
in the Journal will be addressed by others from the publications 
committee.

You already have read a response from Vic Culver, W4VIC, our national 
Secretary, and now Certificate Custodian as well.

As Vic expressed, and as I expressed in the original e-mail, the board 
of directors had to make some "tough decisions".  But basically, the 
decision was simple.  Either we made these decisions, or QCWA would 
cease to exist -- go bankrupt.  Our CPA told us that we would need to 
take in over $100,000 in 2012 if we were to continue to exist.  We 
will not even be close to that, so we had to make other decisions. 
Basically we have eliminated our three largest expenses.  There will 
still be expenses associated with operating those positions, but they 
will be much less.  The conservative estimate is that QCWA should save 
over $55,000 with the changes we have made.  We expect to be in the 
black in 2013.

Most years, I attend about 25 hamfests and about 25 chapter meetings. 
  I HAVE been asking members about these things for several years. 
Recently, I did six presentations in a 10 day period.  The response 
has been OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE.  Those that indicate that they might 
have a problem with a digital Journal are well under 1%.  Yes, less 
than 1%.  Do we want to loose those people?  Absolutely not.  We would 
like for the chapters to step up and help.  But primarily we are 
finding that these people DO have computers, and use e-mail to 
communicate with their grand kids, etc.

As I said, the response has been very positive.  Actually, we are 
finding that more people are joining.  At chapter meetings, there are 
often people who have not renewed their national membership for a 
variety of reasons.  Those people are now saying that they need to 
renew, and will do so.

One of the solutions to the few people who do not actually have 
computers is for the chapter to help.  The chapter can print the 
Journal and take it to the member.  They would not need to print the 
entire Journal, as the "computerless member" probably is not 
interested in reading about all of the other chapters.  This is a good 
project for a chapter, and will help cement the need for the member to 
also be a member of a chapter.  Another solution is that they can go 
to a library or community college where they can get access to a computer.

By the way, someone made a comment about "getting rid of the 
magazine".  We are not doing that.  Quite the opposite -- we are going 
from 4 issues a year to 12 issues per year.  That means three times as 
many issues.  And we will be able to have high resolution color 
pictures, with virtually unlimited space.  We will have hyperlinks, 
and even audio.  The turn around time will be MUCH shorter.  All very 
positive things.

I hope that you can look at all of the positive things that we are 
doing.  Yes, the board made tough decisions, but if these decisions 
were not made, the Journal would cease to exist entirely, because the 
organization would have ceased to exist.

Thanks.

73,

Ken, W8EK

Ken Simpson
E-mail to ExecAdmin at qcwa.org or W8EK at FLHam.net
Voice Phone  (352) 732-8400


John Peters wrote, On 11/10/2012 1:30 AM:
> 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.
>>>
>