Hey Debbie, good to see you here.

Good thoughts on the minutes and no I didn't know the magazine was on the site. I'll go check it out.

Thanks alot guys for the welcome :wink:
I just spoke with Gary Dick and the minutes are already on the agenda for the next meeting which is at Buffaloe Field on the 22 at 9.00 a.m. if anyone wants to attend.
I will let everyone know what comes of it.

Deb :wink:

Hopefully everyone likes having the magazine online. The EC is working to get as much information on the website as we can. We have added a link to the TBBR website under links. Ron did a great job setting up a website for the records, check it out if you haven't had a chance.

EC Meeting
 

How much money could we save if we cancelled the hard copy of the magazine to people that can read it on the website? I personally have read the whole magazine on the website and have not received my copy yet.

Just a thought

Ronnie

I agree, having the magazine on-line is a great idea. I also have read the on-line version already. The only problem I had was trying to patiently wait for it to load at times. But that problem is because I'm on a slow dialup connection, so I don't don't have an issue with the load time. From the PR standpoint, its a fantastic idea. Someone surffing the sites, sees the link, reads the on-line and becomes a member.

Once again, for whoever had the idea on on-line mag, well done. Also, I agree with the cost cutting idea on having the magazine on line. But how about offering the members the option of hardcopy or on-line. The members with less than speed of light systems could choose whether to receive a hardcopy or not. But on the other hand, I can see where that would be a nightmare for the publisher. It would be a major pain from the varying size of the print run, to the problem of people calling to say that they didn't get a hadcopy, etc. I can see where that would really be a nasty can of worms. So maybe that my idea of offering an option needs to be re-thought a bit.

I agree, having the magazine on-line is a great idea. I also have read the on-line version already. The only problem I had was trying to patiently wait for it to load at times. But that problem is because I'm on a slow dialup connection, so I don't don't have an issue with the load time. From the PR standpoint, its a fantastic idea. Someone surffing the sites, sees the link, reads the on-line and becomes a member.

Once again, for whoever had the idea on on-line mag, well done. Also, I agree with the cost cutting idea on having the magazine on line. But how about offering the members the option of hardcopy or on-line. The members with less than speed of light systems could choose whether to receive a hardcopy or not. But on the other hand, I can see where that would be a nightmare for the publisher. It would be a major pain from the varying size of the print run, to the problem of people calling to say that they didn't get a hadcopy, etc. I can see where that would really be a nasty can of worms. So maybe that my idea of offering an option needs to be re-thought a bit.

I think putting the magazine on the internet is a good idea for the reasons stated. I especially like non-members being able to view it and hopefully deciding to join. I think the regular magazine still needs to go out to all members. I like to pass on my magazines to non-members. It's just another way to try to encourage membership. Plus the advertisers are paying to have their add put out there in a real magazine. Of course if we save enough money by going online with the magazine we may not need advertisers. Good topic for discussion.

Your points are good, but remember the magazine is handed out at events to entice new members. It is really a pretty impressive publication and I would hate to see it go the way of the dinasour (tomme?). I also think that the PDF is great, but you can also publish HTML and actually have it so it is browser enabled. Maybe the new webmaster could help with that so people could read without actually downloading. I especially like the electronic version because I can keep them on my drive for those lonely nights on the road, they help me remember you guys and why I work so hard...

You work hard?


:twisted:

You? Work?

We recently cut the magazine by two issues in order to save $9,000 a year. Perhaps another option might be to expand back out to six issues per year which we had through 2003 and make two of them purely ezine issues. I think if someone went through the archives an "LSBA Classics" with say a good story of the month taken from prior years might be neat. Similarly but in terms of current articles, maybe there could be a bonus article section each month, along with last meetings minutes, the treasurer and other officer reports. That way you wouldn't have to wait from one EC meeting for as much as 6 months to know what was happening.

One problem with putting the magazine solely on line is that not all people even have internet, much less a fast internet. A second is those people who don't or won't join and would simply read or download off of the site. I've heard people who used to pick up a free magazine at a bow shop say why should I join, I get the magazine for free.

Still we could save about $18,000 per year by going solely on line. That would buy a lot of hunts for the membership, pay for a lot of kids bows, allow us to donate to bowhunter defense efforts around the country, etc. :D

Tomme, the problem with going solely online is that many folks don't have i-net service, let alone a computer (though the number constantly is increasing). Furthermore, with dial-up, it sure takes long to load. I think it would be best to set our online pace to our members' progress in technology. Meaning, if folks would prefer to view it online instead of receiving it in the mail, they can make a note of it on their membership applications and renewals. Life members can call in and inform the administrator of their preferences. :?: I personally like having a hard copy around.

I like the reallocation of funds idea, if it'd work.

Are we still "nonprofit"? :?: :?: :?:

Tracy,
More members have internet service and posting the information is just one tool for the LSBA to use. I for am glad to see we have the magazine on line.It shows we are moving in the right directions.

If we need to scale it back then we pick out the most important information and get it on line. Let the stories and pictures be printed in the magazine.

I spend all day at a computer with a full T-1 internet connection but I am old fashioned when it comes to magazines. I like the real thing in my hands. I like to pass on the copies to try and promote this sport we all love. I think any attempt to make the magazine an online only publication would be met with much resistance from those without computers or high speed connections and traditional hard copy guys like myself.

If we use 2 technologies we can post it for everyone, 4 times a year in print (with the pdf posted) and then 2 times a year HTML (Hyper text markup Language) most word processors and publishing packages output native html and that is very quick to browse. Now to add the links (goto page xx) would take work, but I believe that everyone including the advertisers would benefit from 2 mags on the net.

I also think that we could have a submission page for the editor where the stories and pictures could be saved more easily for future issues.

On Events I would like to see the meetings posted 4 months in advance. I would also like to see 5 meetings a year with 1 in each region to support the members and give them a chance to attend.

I agree Timm. But, as with the Traditional Bowhunters of Texas newsletter, the members could have the option of either viewing it online only or receiving a magazine. I'd like to do both and I do believe that having it online is a good thing.