Re: MCM - TAG

[Neil Frank <nfrank@mindspring.com>]

At 12:19 PM 4/13/98 -0400, you wrote:
>* Neil suggested going to a quarterly publication  due to being behind
>schedule, and lack of articles
>  * Those who responded were not enthusiastic about the idea
>  * More articles have come in as a result of meeting
>  * Later suggested doing a combined issue to catch up, then return to
>normal (6 times per year) publication schedule (july/aug, sep/oct and
nov/dec)

Bob Day and I made the 'tentative' decision to combine the Mar-Apr and
May-Jun issues in order to get the publication schedule back on track.
Unfortunately, we are already too far along to change this idea (so it is
really not up for discussion at this time). However, comments for the
future are still welcome. I am hoping to go to press later this week....
but will not have the issue in the mail till end of April or first week in
May. The delay (this time<g>) is due to personal schedules of Bob and
myself; Easter/Passover holidays; additional work required to do a color
layout and perhaps most importantly... the infamous IRS April 15 deadline!

The decision to have a combined Mar-Jun issue is separate from a decision
to change publication schedule to quarterly. I suggested the latter because
of SC concerns expressed about escalating annual TAG costs, uncertainties
about AGA's ability to afford current TAG approach (publish color 2 x per
year) and the recent delays in publishing.
I still have mixed feelings about the current bi-monthly publication
schedule. The flow of incoming articles is not enough to comfortably
sustain bi-monthly. With the new MC, and more people to "beat the bushes"
to bring in articles, I am willing to put off a motion to change the
schedule at this time.

>
>*  Bob suggested a "Chairman's Message" [when would you need this by, Neil?]
>
This is a good idea. If it is in this upcoming issue, pending confirmation
from Bob Day that there is still room (because we have to publish in
multiples of 4 TAG pages), I would need it within then next few days...
let's say Monday April 20.

>[I also think we should "spot light" one committee each issue, explaning
>what the committee does, who works on it, and anywhere members might become
>involved]
>

I like this idea. I can reserve space in each issue. I suggest one page.

>* Neil needs to know how much we can budget for TAG before he prepares next
>issues
>
>[my feeling is that there is no reason for Neil to do anything different
>than he's been doing all along.  We need to get a handle on how our money
>is being used, but we are in no immediate danger]
>

Unless I hear otherwise, I will continue doing what I have been doing. I
assume a motion is not needed.

>* Art brought up the idea of selling advertising space in TAG
>
>[I think this idea has some merit _IF_ someone besides Neil can be found
>who wants to handle it.  But I think it needs to be handled in TAG
>committee, not MC)

I am not interested in taking on more work at this time. I agree with the
idea in principle, however, so if someone can be found to handle
everything, I am in favor of it. Art and I have had some sidebar
conversations which identify some of the issues and duties. I have them
archived .... so, if anyone wants to see it, I can email. 

Regarding the committee to handle this... Art said:
>Neil, I think this should be under the communications committee tied to
>publicity or advertising. 
>

Since we do not yet have this committee filled, it can become a
subcommittee under TAG or stay where it currently is.