Journal 49

[Julie2owlsdene]

Good news that the journal is on it's way, but sad about the loss, Tony. Maybe it really is time to put up the subscription charges. £10 a year for three journals isn't a lot to pay, for most magazines, journals etc. Even our art group pay £30 a year and our members don't get a journal!

Like Katharine says, it really nice to be able to hold a journal and look back at other journals too. It's not quite the same reading something on the internet.

[Poppy]

I thought our new blog was a compromise on the idea of starting a 'forum journal' anyway

That's what I mean't... It would be good if the blog would become part of the society and I think it would make it more 'well known'

[Tony Summerfield]

The bald facts are that over 150 have not renewed their subscription this year and although we have welcomed just over 100 new members, you can see which direction we are going. I have had to raise the overseas subscription charges due to the horrendous postal increases, but even with the increased subscription I am still not breaking even on the Worldwide copies and from my post out today 27% are going overseas. Increasing the subscription charges is likely to further increase the number who do not resubscribe - we have lost 40 overseas members this year as it is.

The obvious solution is to cut back on the Journal expenses, but I am waiting until after Journal 50 before I review the situation. I have cut down on the print run for the third Journal in a row, but even after the cutback I still have over 60 copies of Journal 48 in stock, which will now sell very slowly if at all, as all new subscribers will start with Journal 49.

[Poppy]

I knw we have already said it is not the same looking at a screen but feel free to post on our blog whenever Tony...

[Fiona1986]

I'm sure Tony has enough on his plate already, but Stef and I will certainly mention the society and the journals on the blog and also on facebook. We don't have a particularly big audience (yet) but who knows, we might be able to persuade one or two people. (I'm in the 'every penny helps' mindset).

[Eddie Muir]

I'm delighted to hear that Journal 49 is in the post, Tony. It's always such a pleasure to receive the latest edition.

However, I'm extremely sorry to hear about the Journal's financial problems. As I've said before, I'd be more than happy to pay more for my subscription. Sadly, the same can't be said for everyone else and so there appears to be no easy solution to the present difficulties. It would be a sad day if you had to cut down on the size of the Journal and the print run, but if these steps would help then they should be taken, Tony.

[Poppy]

I would be willing to ay extra as the journal is such a great read, but as Eddie said others might not...

[Lucky Star]

Great news that it is on the way. I can only agree with what others have said regarding the financial situation of the Journal. Let's hope that as the economic situation improves subscriptions will begin to rise again.

[pete9012S]

This may be a crazy suggestion,but say we all had to pay £10 per year to be a forum member here.
That money then going to the overall running of the Society/Journal in fact whatever Tony saw fit.

We could have a poll about it....

a/how many would confirm their acceptance

b/the actual annual amount of money per year required to register and be a member on the forums here.

Perhaps that would be a practical, useful use of a poll compared to some of the polls seen lately!

Also,might stop ones who register and then machine gun/pebble dash the forums with countless inane posts..

And now for my final idea...

Pay To Post

Yes,each post we make here is charged to us via paypal at say 2p per post.Doesn't sound much,but I bet it would ad up to a tidy sum for the Society.

Perhaps it could cost a bit more to start a new topic say 10p.

Again these may seem like crazy ideas,but we do live in a technological age were all these things are possibly feasible and have the knock on effect of creating a 'think before you post' mentality....

With a bit of support from everyone here we may all live to see this in the future...




OWNER & DISTRIBUTOR :MR TONY SUMMERFIELD

TO SUBSCRIBE SEND CHEQUE TO 'SOCIETY JOURNAL HQ'
ROCKINGDOWN HOUSE
BLYTON QUAY
BARBADOS
BB17002



Mr Summerfield contemplates Journal no.50 at his Barbados 'Office'


Regards (T in C)

Pete

[Fiona1986]

2p a post? Nigel owes at least £220 already

[Tony Summerfield]

Welcome to the planet Pete!

It looks like you are suggesting a means for me to have a holiday in Barbados, but I am quite happy taking my annual break in sunny Salisbury!

[Poppy]

Well I have to admitt Pete at 2p a post you will be killing 2 birds with 1 stone! Post Count Champs and money for the Journals!

[Moonraker]

This may be a crazy suggestion

Got it in one, Pete!

[Daisy]

I am pleased to announce the safe arrival of..... Journal 49. Looking forward to a feast of reading today.

[Pippa-Stef]

Can't wait to see if one pops through the door for me. I don't think there was a renewal form in my last one but if there was I'll have to renew asap.

Does any brave person feel like submitting a review of the journal for our blog to try and drum up some more interest?