Re: MCM - Digest V1 #118

[Neil Frank <nfrank@mindspring.com>]

>>The editor, Neil Frank, has had the position for almost 10 years, and is 
>>close to burning out.  (I think there are a couple of good possibilities
for 
>>replacements, but we're still in the "talking" stage.


I have been away for the past week - from a visit to Boston followed by
family trip to Florida. While talking to Karen in Boston.... hearing about
her level of (in)activity on the MC, and talk about a commercialized
version of TAG (ie. Gomberg proposal), I decided that 10 years is a nice
round number and that at the end of 1999 I will retire as editor. I hope
that a replacement can in fact be found.

 
>>We are now discussing the possibility of adding a second publication to the 
>>AGA line-up.  This would be a short "newsletter" that would go out during 
>>the months opposite TAG to keep members up to date on AGA news and business 
>>matters.  We are currently seeking a person to act as editor of this second 
>>publication, and Neil just asked me to post a message on APD asking for 
>>volunteers.   I'll do that if and when I finish wading through all this 
>>stuff!<g>

I announced this in the editor's page. I hope it is now in the mail (Karen:
did you get a copy of the magazine last week from the printer so that you
could proof it before it was printed and mailed?). Up thru Dec 1998, TAG
was our communication vehicle. People got it ~ every 2 months. Because of
the lack of consistent communications about AGA, we are apparently haveing
a communication crisis - and lack of confidence amoung some members. As as
short term solution , I suggest that someone use APD to give weekly or
biweekly updates on the status of TAG and of the AGA in general. If we get
someone to volunteer for one special mailing, the same can be done for the
membership in general. A few years back, I think Dorothy made such a
mailing when the publication was a little late. Now it is very late, so it
does not surprise me that the natives are restless.

>
>>I think that is true.  Amano paid to fly Neil Frank to his Aquatic Plant 
>>Summit in Japan a couple of years ago as the representative of AGA.  Amano 
>>takes us seriously, so does Tropica and Dupla.  I think people in the 
>>industry take us seriously.

Actually, I was asked to represent the USA. :-)


 It has a worldwide membership of approximately 600 people,


According to Jack... it is now 800+


neil