[NSRCA-discussion] NSRCA Dues Increase (KF option)

Tue Dec 26 09:59:51 AKST 2006

It's been said before, but many probably missed it, but the KF costs are not 
that linear.  We get a price from the publisher for 1000 copies.  Yes that's 
more than we need, but the price for 750, 500, or some other number that 
they will accept goes up astronomically.  We throw away the extras because 
the mailing cost to distribute them to non members is an investment with no 
return (we tried that already).  Even the postage costs are not linear.  If 
we threw away even more copies to save mailing costs to 1/2 the members our 
mailing costs would not cut in half.  As you can see we are kind of at the 
minimum balance point.  We are already at the minimum sweetspot.  We really 
need to increase circulation or eliminate it.

Yes, people now have other places to get information.  Yes, more people have 
internet.  Yes, in the promotion and management of pattern (the NSRCA's 
"job") the value of the KF (and everything else we do) should be 
re-evaluated occasionally.  There's no question that going totally on-line 
would be cheaper. This would be a huge trade off though.  The skill set and 
time needed to really beef up the website would replace the skill set to 
publish a paper rag.  Maybe this can be subcontracted too for less. 
Advertisers would renegotiate rates.  Before committing, research should be 
done.  I'm interested in the results and look to them with an open mind. 
Any volunteers?  seriously.  We shouldn't just keep doing what we do because 
we know no other way, but when good ideas pile up on too small a group of 
workers, it frustrates those workers that are doing their best with the 
skills and time they have.

-_Lance

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jay Marshall" <lightfoot at sc.rr.com>
To: "'NSRCA Mailing List'" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2006 8:29 PM
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] NSRCA Dues Increase

> Give members an option - on-line or print for +$10,
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
> [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Fred Huber
> Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2006 8:11 PM
> To: NSRCA Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] NSRCA Dues Increase
>
> Put the internet to work then....
>
> Digital K-factor delivery is possible to most members.  Find out how many
> would go for that (without the printed version) to get a reduced 
> membership
> fee.
>
> It might cut into advertising revenues... but it could also save on 
> printing
>
> osts.  It would definitely save on the postage.  If the print version
> membership turns out low enough, thiers could be done on a desktop 
> printer.
>
> We can already get the K-Factor early by download if desired.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "John Ferrell" <johnferrell at earthlink.net>
> To: "NSRCA Mailing List" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
> Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2006 6:00 PM
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] NSRCA Dues Increase
>
>
>>I was wondering when the subject would come up.
>> If you read Rusty Dose's column in the K-Factor the problem and the
>> possible
>> scenarios are well outlined. The problem has been with us for a while and
>> slowly growing. There was a time when the K-Factor was a cash-cow. People
>> would join just to get the newsletter. It was the only way to learn what
>> was
>> available in parts and services.
>>
>> The internet has changed the scene. The K-Factor has become another
>> "pretty
>> face", the best resource now is online. The K-Factor is a very
>> professional
>> work of art but it comes at a price. There is no way it can compete with
>> the
>> internet for timely information. I don't have a solution other than what
>> Rusty outlined. I fear the costs of the K-Factor will destroy us and this
>> increase may be enough in itself to do the job!
>>
>> It appears obvious to me that it is the only immediate path. Derek and 
>> the
>> other new officers need (and deserve) our support through this time of
>> crisis. The extra $10 we are talking about amounts to pocket change for
>> the
>> electric guys and four flights of fuel for the rest of us. My check will
>> mail this week...
>>
>> FWIW, I prefer to keep the costs low to keep the membership higher. At 
>> the
>> same time I have only praise for the current high quality K-Factor!
>>
>> John Ferrell    W8CCW
>> "My Competition is not my enemy"
>> http://DixieNC.US
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Paul Brine" <pbrine at uoguelph.ca>
>> To: "NSRCA Mailing List" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2006 5:19 PM
>> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] NSRCA Dues Increase
>>
>>
>>> It also wasn't announced to the membership until Dec 22nd via Lamar's
>>> email.
>>> Remember not everyone (ie myself ) is in a position to download and read
>>> the
>>> k-factor on-line.
>>>
>>> Applying the increase to those who renewed before then is like you
>>> signing
>>> on the line to buy a car and being told a week later by the dealer that
>>> the
>>> price went up a $1000.
>>>
>>> Paul
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Martin X. Moleski, SJ <moleski at canisius.edu>
>>> To: NSRCA Mailing List <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>>> Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2006 1:07 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] NSRCA Dues Increase
>>>
>>>
>>>> Anthony Abdullah wrote:
>>>>
>>>> > Silly quesion:
>>>>
>>>> > After a long pattern lay off for grad school and such I am returning
>>>> > in
>>>> > full force. Part of that included renewing my NSRCA membership. When 
>>>> > I
>>>> > downloaded and printed the form from the NSRCA website the dues was
>>>> > listed as $30.00 and that is how much the check was written for (just
>>>> > two days ago). Do I need to send an additional check for $10.00 or is
>>>> > the price increse effective Jan 1?
>>>>
>>>> There was a missed communication between Lamar and myself early in
>>>> December, so I didn't hear about the change in dues until two or
>>>> three days ago.
>>>>
>>>> The law is probably on your side, if you want to take the time
>>>> to take it to court.
>>>>
>>>> It would be a huge kindness to simply send along another $10 check.
>>>>
>>>> I believe the forms have all been updated.
>>>>
>>>> I'm hoping to work on the Paypal front end over this vacation.
>>>> It hasn't been satisfactory for a couple of years ... my bad.
>>>>
>>>> Marty
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NSRCA-discussion mailing list
>>>> NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
>>>> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>>>
>>
>>
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>>
>>
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