PSC Paddler, the newsletter. What about it?

Bill Kessler · Joined: 27 Feb 2005 Posts: 32

Does the PSC Paddler, the newsletter for Prairie State Canoeists, continue to serve the needs of our members?
Since the earliest days of its founding in 1971, the proceedings and events of Prairie State Canoeists have been announced and chronicled in the newsletter, PSC Paddler. However, the increasing cost of producing and mailing the newsletter has stirred new debate about whether to continue to send the newsletter as hard copy, or to switch to an on-line version sent to members via email.
Currently, the newsletter is sent six times per year, arriving on the even numbered months, and a directory of members and scheduled trips is sent in the spring. While the costs may obviate some cutbacks, many directors and members have expressed a concern about whether eliminating the hard copy may result in a loss of enthusiasm, participation, and ultimately membership in PSC.
Standard contents of the newsletter include Trip announcements, From the Chair, Paddlers’ Marketplace, Welcome new members, Trip reports, Board actions, Application form. In addition to the standard contents of each issue, these special items appear as appropriate: New Directors and Officers; Points, patches, awards; important dates into the future; announcements of special events, preview of the season, trip leaders’ meeting, training schedule, spring and fall dinner, picnic, IPC news, etc.
What are your thoughts about discontinuing or cutting back on the newsletter? What needs to be printed in the hardcopy newsletter, and what elements can be handled on the web or an e-newsletter only?
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Broken Knife · Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Woodstock Il

I think the newsletter raises enthusiasm though some parts I never read like the market place. I never see anything I want or when a boat is being sold I usually can't afford it. Some of the artilces on camping I think are useful but they usually are on topics I already know. I like to see trips listed so I have a hard copy of a calandar. Many times I go online to see the latest update.

Cindy3626 · Guest

Bill, Even though Michael and I haven't been on a trip in a couple of years (due to a death in the family and resulting complications), we still read every newsletter with interest when it arrives in our mailbox. We hope to resume participation some day, and the newsletter keeps us connected.

One thing I could suggest, if the paper copy becomes completely unaffordable, would be for some web-savvy person to add rss capability to the newsletter page, so that we could subscribe to it via Google Reader or something similar.

Hope this helps.

--Cindy

dpaterka · Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Posts: 8

What have been the actual costs for composing, printing and mailing the newsletter for 2008 & 2009? Dennis

dpaterka · Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Posts: 8

Does PSC generate a financial statement? If this is true: "[i]Currently, the newsletter ... production and postage costs have escalated to the point that the individual annual dues may not cover the expenses." [/i]then how can PSC afford this: " One dollar ($1.00) of your dues to PSC will be forwarded to IPC" ? Is this the renaissance of Reaganomics?
Dennis

Guest · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 1:10 pm Post subject: Newsletter

Dennis,

Costs depend on the number printed and mailed. Usually the printing is about a dollar each and postage about that as well. $20.00 should cover it easily, but the club has shifted its priorities and is directing resources to things like conservation, training, safety, and social events. I don't think the board will leave members without a method of communication. The question is whether all the features in the current newsletter are actually helpful and whether the size, frequency, and schedule may be a bit extravagant. Most members check out the web site regularly. Why go to the labor and expense of printing if they can find it easily on the web site? The essential notices, such as membership renewal, special events, meetings, dinners, training, etc., can probably be communicated in fewer issues, saving some money and some trees. And the savings might be better directed toward enhancing the web site and an email newsletter.

As for the cost of composing, I am a volunteer. It is labor-intensive and, if it is not valued by a large number of members, then why should we do it?

The finances are reported at the end of the year but not published. Any member in good standing can request the information.

Bill

dpaterka · Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Posts: 8

OK, as good an answer as any, as long as members know what they're getting for their twenty bucks.

Here are two newsletter Ideas:
1) You could save printing the Trip Reports in every issue and then print them all at once at the end of the season in One Big Issue.
2) You could just print the Upcoming Trips say three times during the season on one sheet/two sided, then members would have trip details convenient to slip into their pocket.

Then you could post your conservation, training and safety stuff electronically.

And since the club has shifted its priorities and is redirecting its resources you could also consider paid advertising in the newsletter.

Dennis

Guest · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:16 pm Post subject:

Yup. Considering all the above.

B