<VV> E-mail vs.hard copy newsletter / counterpoint

Louis C. Armer,Jr. carmerjr at mindspring.com
Thu Sep 1 13:33:32 EDT 2005


Once again as we face a national crisis, all the wrongs or negatives 
seem to surface on our
VV list. It seems to be certain individuals prime venting arena BUT 
it also brings new ideas and
suggestions from list members like Kevin Spargur. Kevin has brought 
many good points to the
forefront but like so many other things in our lives he has 
overlooked some very obvious costs
which each individual must incur to obtain "free" e-zines. Let us 
first consider what most of us have
spent in the last 10 years to achieve the ability to receive "free" 
e-zines. Of course I can speak only
from my personal experience which conservatively has cost me in 
dollars at least $8000.00 over the
10 year period to be an active computer and internet user. I  suspect 
that by adding peripheral costs
such as paper, ink cartridges, various added computer programs, how 
to texts, surge protectors,
the cost would exceed $10,000.00. That averages out to $1000.00 per 
year to be able to avoid paying
for the hard copy magazine. I have belonged to CORSA  for 13 years at 
a cost of  less than $500.00
so do the math, quit trying to justify all the "other" expenses in 
your lives by rationalizing why you can't
be active in CORSA or join CORSA. I solicit your continued membership 
and welcome ALL new members
and renewing old members.

You ALL are appreciated,
Chuck Armer

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At 08:55 AM 9/2/2005, you wrote:
>Gentlemen (and whoever else),
>
>Some would refer to me as a "lurker", one who just sits and garners 
>from what is posted, simply because I have not made many (if any 
>post) to the list.  I am new to this list and learned a long time 
>ago that it is better to observe for a while and learn from what is 
>going on then state your piece.  Further, I am not as yet a paying 
>member of CORSA.  I want to join but recent circumstances with the 
>hurricane and such are pre-empting my doing so at this point in 
>time.  As such, what I have say on this subject may be fruitless and 
>fall on deaf ears (blind eyes, if you will) but I have watched this 
>thread with interested and baited breath from it's onset a couple of 
>days ago.  Here is my take on the subject.
>SNIP
>Hardcopy is and will always be a more expensive route simply because 
>of the time and materials required in the creation of the finished 
>product.  As such, the bottom line is going to be either to increase 
>membership dues or open subscriptions to non-members and increase 
>the subscription rate to the non-members.  Other cost-cutting 
>considerations or options may be to further limit the publications 
>frequency (if bi-monthly, switch to quarterly of semi-annually), run 
>all hardcopy as black & white with the exception of one issue 
>annually, or make the publication strictly subscription only and 
>separate it from the membership dues.
>
>Here are a few of the ways we have resolved this issue:
>
>A)  We give the membership the option of whether they receive the 
>newsletter, e-zine, hardcopy or both.  If a member subscribes to the 
>e-zine, we try to subtly encourage them to utilize only the e-zine 
>and not both.

............................................................................................................

>  Since there is no added cost for e-mailing, adding their e-mail 
> address to the mailing list is a matter of making the time to do so 
> and the member has the benefit of receiving both a digital and a 
> hardcopy if that is their ultimate decision.
>.............................................................................................................
>B)  Where possible, we encourage overseas members, to use the e-zine 
>subscription to eliminate the added postage cost.
>
>C)  Non-members desiring a hardcopy, with the exception of certain 
>government officials, must pay a subscription.
>
>D)  We sell advertising in our local newsletter to local businesses.
>The National Organization also sells advertising in our bi-monthly 
>newsletter.  We provide free classifieds to members in our local 
>newsletter where the National Organization charges $1.07/line for a 
>classified add in the bi-monthly magazine.
>
>E)  We push for membership.

SNIP

>Regardless, our big push is for members.  Members translates to 
>numbers and numbers converts to dollars.  People (Organizations) 
>understand dollars; politicians understand dollars.  Dollars 
>translates, many times, into security.
>
>There are a number of ways to cut cost and save the Organization and 
>membership money if one truly wants to do so.  I can tell you that 
>any increase in dues at this time will prohibit my joining in the 
>near future.  I am not saying that this will effect others in 
>joining or maintaining their membership but I cannot be the only one 
>in this situation.
>
>Please reconsider all of the options available before making the 
>decision to increase dues.
>
>Kevin
>(hopefully, a future CORSA member and new to Virtual Vairs)
>
>Kevin Spargur
>Jacksonville, Florida

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CORSA Member
CORSA Tri-membership Chairman
Corvair Atlanta Member
Corvair Atlanta BOD
Corvanatics Member

1965 Corsa Coupe
1964  Greenbrier
1966 Monza Convertible
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http://carmerjr.home.mindspring.com/  


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