Re: Bulletin Damage

[John Jones <jijones@usjoneses.com>]

For a cost that appears to be less that $2000 per year, we should go back to polybagging the bulletin ( for non-foreign members)

Thanks

John
__________________ 
John and Joanne Jones
Registrar-Recorders, American Iris Society
aisregistrar@irises.org

John Jones, Chairman, Electronic Services Committee
aiselectronicsvcs@irises.org

35572 Linda Drive
Fremont, CA 94536





On Jun 3, 2013, at 7:34 PM, Kelly D. Norris wrote:

> 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/
> 


---------------------------------------------------------------------
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/