Re: GWAPA

["Karen Randall" <krandall@rdrcpa.biz>]

Hi Scott,

> Rarely am I one to resort to the phrase "our differences
> are mostly over semantics." but that might be the case
> here.

That's fine, I just wanted to set the record straight.<g>

> If you will indulge me, I'll try to say better what I
> meant. One way to end deficits is to reduce costs, as you
> mentioned. Although, cost cuts are eventually eaten up by
> inflation or worse, lead to reduced operations and a
> vicious cycle of reduced revs, more cost cuts, reduced
> operations, etc. Imo, as a rule of thumb, long term the
> solution to a defict operation is increased revenues --
> cost cuts are almost always short term solutions for a
> deficit operation.

And the rest of us agree, which is why we HAVE made the big moves and
improvements to the organization that we have.  Until instituting the
changes in TAG, the fact is that in spite of the fact that for quite a
period of time no one got ANY magazine, and when they did, the quality of
content was low and the quantity was lower, our membership CONTINUED to
grow.  Don't ask me why or how, because it is a total mystery to me.  But it
happened.  And we took in more money than we put out EVERY YEAR.  So under
the old model there was no deficit at all.  There was a surplus, that made
many of us feel we needed to "give back" to members by trying the first
conventions.

> I don't propose a big bank account as a
> goal, just moving away from deficit operations, which I
> know we all would like to see.  My point was that
> convention surplus revenues won't do it but increased
> membership will -- so increasing membership should be the
> underlying goal (or at least a primary consideration) even
> for a convention.

I think that's a great way to look at it.  I would LOVE for membership to
grow to the point where the need for ads in TAG was minimal, and allowed us
to add pages, rather than just hope to survive.

> I also think that TAG going to something less than full
> color would be sad to say the least. It's such a great
> journal and deserves color.

We're it total agreement there!<g>  Cheryl and I have worked way to hard on
that puppy to want to see it scaled back.

> Nor am I predicting that AGA will dissolve. In fact, I'm
> confident that it can continue to be on the forefront of
> this growing hobby. And I think that is going to be due our
> increasing membership.
>
> It's sort of like "free will" in a predetermined universe
> -- it will happen but only because we will make it so.

And you are right there too.  We've done great work in the last few years,
but we still have a lot more to do.  It's great that we have such a
fantastic, enthusiastic group of people working for AGA now.  We could
definitely use more, and we have a long way to go, but I am confidednt that
we'll get there!

Karen


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