K-factor- overseas members perspective

[Adam Glatt]

As a Canadian member of the NSRCA, I think reducing the number of issues per
year is a good thing to do.  The surveys would be affected, but I can't fill
them out, so it doesn't affect me.

As long as the website has a news section that is kept up to date, I think
fewer issues is a good option to offer.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Thomas C. Weedon" <weedon at wwnet.net>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: October 3, 2002 5:51 PM
Subject: RE: K-factor- overseas members perspective


> We will be able to offer a compromise soon. We are planning to have a
> monthly K-Factor for our members on the web site, soon. The costs for
> foreign members should be low, as there are no expenses involved. I do
> agree, that we must always have a printed version. That is our "Flag
Ship".
> That defines us and makes us what we are. But times are changing and we
may
> want to think about other communication opportunities as well.
>
> Concerning cost savings, the most effective way to cut costs is to reduce
> the number of times we publish per year. Our saving would be considerable
if
> we published 6 or 8 times a year instead of 12, and our work load would
> diminish, giving everyone a small rest from the publishing pressure. We
> would still save money if we made the issues slightly bigger. It's the
page
> setup, printing, and postage that costs. The less often you need to do it,
> the more you save.
> Tom Weedon
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: discussion-request at nsrca.org
> [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]On Behalf Of Nik Middleton
> Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2002 5:52 AM
> To: discussion at nsrca.org
> Subject: RE: K-factor- overseas members perspective
>
>
> A most excellent post.  Couldn't agree more.  There is an opportunity
here,
> but as ever costs are an issue.  If there were some way of receiving the
> K-Factor in electronic format in the destination country and then having
it
> printed, that might be a way forward, then the numbers would be low.
>
> I simply do not agree with the idea that we should go 100% electronic.
It's
> not for everyone.  This is born out by the fact that far from killing
paper
> media, the newspapers are holding their own.
>
> I stopped my membership because I couldn't justify $50+ for a magazine
that
> mostly contained contest results.  That being said, I know it takes a lot
of
> effort to write and submit articles.
>
> It's a real issue, but I don't have any solutions
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: discussion-request at nsrca.org
> [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]On Behalf Of Koenig, Tom
> Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2002 4:44 AM
> To: 'discussion'
> Subject: K-factor- overseas members perspective
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> I've been reading the threads regarding the K-factor with great interest
and
> finally decided to put in a short burst myself.
>
> I've only been a member since 95 and have actually managed to get several
> others signed up down here, but for various reasons retaining those
members
> is/was another story.
>
> With the utmost of respect to the NSRCA but for the overseas members I see
> the K-Factor being the only 'real commodity' that the NSRCA possesses.
There
> is little else the NSRCA can do for 'us' unless the it takes on a more
> 'Global' role, which is something I hope to see. Think outside of your own
> backyard.
>
> We have our own national bodies etc and our own newsletters, but because
of
> our small relative size(s) we have never attempted something along the
scale
> of the K-factor. So why not take on a world leadership role?
>
> Something that you MUST consider is the cost. ALL the guys I had signed up
> gave the number one reason as cost v what they got.
> You must consider exchange rate here...over the years an average
membership
> for me has cost between 80 to 100 Aussie big ones. This is not cheap...I
> realise the exchange rates are no-ones fault but when you consider that as
> overseas members we really get nothing else but the K-factor. We get no
> voting rights (not that important anyway ) but I  find it humerous when I
> see some people complaining about their 'local' U.S cost.
>
> The number two problem that seems evident in retaining OS members was
> 'content' of the K-factor. Everyone conceded that it is first and foremost
> there for the local American members..it has to be, it is afterall your
> national body, but contest listing/report after contest report proved to
be
> what everyone down here got bored with.
> So I asked more questions..what do they want. As overseas members they
> wanted the following:
>
> * More of a "Global" attitude...lets see some worlds  and continental
> reports containing lots of information, pictures, trends analysis etc.
lets
> face it, the major magazines do nothing, when the K-factor did little or
> nothing...you lost at least 4 OS members down here that I know of.
> * The ads and suppliers are vital..all wanted more and actually listed
> this as a major factor in joining the NSRCA to read the ads and see whats
> available to us pattern freaks. INFORMATION.
>
> * lets keep the cost realistic,  some of the ideas mentioned before,
> like CD's sound quite feasible.
> * guys down here wanted to see more technical content.. I seem to
> remember Brian Clemmons wanted to do a plane feature every month...surely
he
> had some volunteers??
> * More pictures... and finally.. more of a global outlook( again)
>
> While on cost....there aren't going to be any OS members left if the
> K-factor is as irregular as it is. Maybe that wont matter to the NSRCA but
I
> think it would be a shame...lets face it... pattern flyer's are the same
all
> over the world, no matter where you come from, we are all hopelessly
devoted
> to it, which is why I see this as an opportunity for the NSRCA to unite
> pattern flyers around the world. There has to be a way to bring us all
> together and I see the K-factor being the tool to do it with. Lets become
so
> strong that the FAI shakes in their boots!!!
>
> Sorry for this to be written by a 'scatterbrain' but I'm in a hurry at
> work!!
>
> Just some food for thought.
>
> Tom
> Canberra, Australia
>
>
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