RE: Bulletin Damage

["Kelly D. Norris" <kellydn@frontiernet.net>]

I agree entirely with what Anner writes below.  The solutions offered,
however well-intended, don't scale with the process of producing ~3,500
copies of a magazine on a digital, short-run press.  Rest assured that at
least from the several members I've heard from (and I've heard ears full),
they've contacted the USPS, attempted to come at some local solution without
avail.  Bless the postal system, but it isn't perfect or entirely known for
excellent customer service.

Which brings me to a refrain in support of what Anner writes below (and a
belief I've long held)....the issue of delivering a quality, quarterly
magazine is integral to our membership pitch.  Without an intact, readable
product which most members view as their primary investment in AIS, we don't
have much of a chance at cultivating loyalty and rapport with the many
thousands of people that most of us will never meet.  

As for the request for data, here it is (unchanged since the last time I
quoted it prior to the fall 2012 board meeting):

Polybagging (domestic only, since internationals are already in envelopes):
$470.10/issue (~$0.15/copy or 6% of total cost/issue)
Envelopes:  $713.04/issue (~$0.23/copy)

Note that polybagging is cheaper than envelopes and offers the obvious
benefit of getting to see the cover in the mail instead of having it
disguised in brown wrapping.  Bear in mind this key point--our recent
conversion to digital proofing (after working very carefully with the press
representative over the years to finesse color accuracy) offers a potential
source of savings.  EPSON proofing has been a ~$480 expense per issue, a
holdover tradition from our previous vendor where essentially every page (in
4-part press forms) is checked by the editor's own eyes.  This was something
Terry took very seriously and something I felt similarly about.  I opted to
maintain that ala carte service as part of our contract with Sundance from
the beginning to ensure a color-accurate product for our membership.  Recent
advances in Sundance's proofing services and my access to fully calibrated
monitors have allowed us to transition to full digital proofing with the
April/May issue (we beta-tested it in January/February).  

I rue the day I ever offered as an option the removal of the polybag when we
transitioned to Sundance Press.  I had no idea it would have such a blinding
effect on delivering a truly satisfying customer experience for members we
already can't seem to keep in good supply.

--kdn

Horticulturally,

Kelly D. Norris
Horticulture Manager, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
(www.dmbotanicalgarden.com)
Unabashedly passionate plantsman (www.kellydnorris.com)

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-aisdiscuss@aisboard.org [mailto:owner-aisdiscuss@aisboard.org]
On Behalf Of John Jones
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 8:40 PM
To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
Subject: [AISdiscuss] Bulletin Damage

Anner Whitehead sends:

Greetings.
 
In response to Mr. Killingsworth's request for information concerning those
members who received battered copies of Irises, please know that I used to
be one.
 
I received copies damaged to a greater or lesser degree from the time the
wrap was removed -- without exception-- until I abandoned the print journal
altogether, and renewed only as an AIS electronic member. I would probably
have held two memberships had this not been so egregious a problem, but,
while patient supportive of the traditional printed word, I have my limits.
 
Know, too, that this household subscribes to several magazines, some of
similar dimensions to Irises, and with slick covers, and none consistently
arrives battered.
 
It seems to me that if the Sections can somehow manage to send their
journals with adequate protection, then so can the AIS.
 
In fact, I think that if you continue to solicit monetary dues on the
promise that the member shall receive this organ, you have a duty to make a
reasonable effort to get it to the membership in "merchantable" condition.  
 
I think some of the ideas proposed here for addressing the problem are
farcically over-elaborated and unlikely to effect amelioration of the
situation in our lifetimes.
 
Incidentally, I'm enjoying my electronic membership. Read a fine article
about CedricSir  Morris the other day over breakfast. I'd wanted to read it
for years. That Cedric, he was a real humdinger! Thanks for the Bulletin
files!
 
Cordially,
 
Anner M. Whitehead
 

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
<aissecretary@irises.org> The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
<aissecretary@irises.org>
The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/