K-factor- overseas members perspective

[Mark Wendt]

Tom,

         Great idea.  If you posted the contest results on the web site, 
instead of in the K Factor, you would take out a whole bunch of stuff that 
doesn't mean much to folks outside the districts where the contests are 
held.  And since the contest info wouldn't be included in the K Factor, 
there would really be no need to do it on a monthly basis, since the info 
in the magazine wouldn't be as time sensitive.  Using the web site is a 
much better solution for contest results, because it can be updated in a 
much shorter period of time for those hungry for those results...

Mark


At 07:51 PM 10/3/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>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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