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Re: [GBW] [GBW_EXEC] New England Update, second try
The discussion we are engaged in now is made possible by electronic media. In terms of communication, in general terms, printed communication "pushes" members who already know something about the organization; and electronic media "pulls" new people, as well as pushes those already in the loop. There are questions of archiving the history of the organization and diminished ownership; and the already mentioned monetary questions concern all of us. It is a new world, and electronic communication is not going to wait while we print GBW newsletters, journals, and standards' program announcements.
Jean Gillingwators
Blackbird Press
-----Original Message-----
From: Cathy Hunt <cathyshunt@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: The email list for Guild of Book Workers member communications <gbw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thu, 5 Feb 2009 8:28 am
Subject: Re: [GBW] [GBW_EXEC] New England Update, second try
The Lone Star Chapter has been sending their newsletter via e-mail for some
time. At first I was a little disappointed until I realized that I had always
read it, noted important information, and then put it in the recycling. The
online newsletter is a financial and environmental savings.
Having said that, I like having print copies of the Guild Newsletter and Journal
- I like holding them as I read them and the quality of print and images - and I
save them. But, I am guessing that I am part of a disappearing generation that
wants to have these materials in print form. I know that my young stude
nts are
happy to get everything online.
Would it be possible to keep the Guild dues as they are for those who want to
receive the newsletter and journal in hard copy and offer a reduced rate for
those who want to get these documents off the website? That might have the added
affect of encouraging younger people to join.
I agree that more transparency is important to marketing the group and I think
the website could use a makeover (I know this isn't easy or cheap). But, an
inviting website is the major draw for potential members of any age, but
particularly the under 40 crowd.
Cathy Hunt
________________________________
From: Peter Verheyen <verheyen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: The email list for Guild of Book Workers member communications
<gbw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, February 5, 2009 6:57:18 AM
Subject: Re: [GBW] [GBW_EXEC] New England Update, second try
The Guild has had these discussions since it went online. First it was don't
go online lest non-members see it, then it was only with basic
organizational information, then "ok, the Newsletter but only if delayed by
several issues..." At the one who first put the Guild online it's been a
struggle at best and in many respects the Guild missed the boat. That
doesn't mean it can't catch up but it's going to mean a lot of work.
1. Decide what the true benefits of membership are.
2. Decide which need to be truly for "members only."
-Standards and exhibitions come to mind.
-Workshops could
be discounted for members.
-The Journal, especially if revitalized...
-This listserv, quiet as it is.
3. The other things should be seen as and USED as marketing tools.
That latter category includes the various newsletters. Let's face it, there
is very little that is truly unique in any of them. The calendars are
limited and gleaned from other sources where they are freely available, and
the few other articles and announcements should serve to ATTRACT new
members. The little Guild admin news and other occasional columns? What's
the harm if those are seen? For the Chapters, where it seems increasing the
life of the Guild resides, the same should hold true. Don't you want new
members? I think the NE Chapter deserves praise for jumping into the fray
like this (never mind the fact that they have been online and are the most
up to date) and California and Southeast are right there too. The rest...
At the end of the day ALL functions of the Guilds should have a vibrant
presence online, including and especially Chapters.
For Standards that should be recaps of past events with links to the order
form for videos (and behind a firewall the handouts), the Newsletter put it
online and if you insist one issue behind but with the index freely
available (member contact info can be removed - leave the ads the sponsors
will thank you for increasing their visibility), the Journal at a minimum an
index/table of contents, Exhibits online with link to order print version of
catalog (thi
s WORKS and raises $$$).
Today's bookies are increasingly networked and network savvy. If something
doesn't exist, they'll create it. The Guild must ACTIVELY reach out to that
audience to remain visible if not viable. I don't see that happening. I see
barriers being put in place in an effort to remain "exclusive." Much has
changed in the past 15 ~ 20 years, and opportunities that didn't exist then
(or were isolated/remote) are not a mouse click away. Lots of opportunities
everywhere and vibrant and dynamic media abound and I'm not just referring
to Book_Arts-L or The Bonefolder both of which just keep growing. There are
numerous other ones to.
I'd love to see some wider discussion of this, so let's have go, shall we.
Peter
_____________________________________
Peter D. Verheyen
Bookbinder & Conservator, PA - AIC
<verheyen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
The Book Arts Web & Book_Arts-L Listserv
<http://www.philobiblon.com>
The Bonefolder: an e-journal for the bookbinder and book artist
<http://www.philobiblon.com/bonefolder>
-----Original Message-----
From: gbw-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:gbw-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Eric Alstrom GBW
Communications Chair
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 3:21 PM
To: gbw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [GBW] [GBW_EXEC] New England Update, second try
I think the concern is not electronic/digital publications per se,
but how they are distributed. A blog, unless it can be password
protected, is open to all. That is not a bad thing, but we have to
know it will be accessed20by non-members, too, if we decide to have
GBW/chapter blogs.
Distributing newsletters, etc, via email is different. Only members
will get the email with the newsletter. Another alternative would be
to have a member-only section of the web pages with the publications/
info posted there.
Eric
On Feb 3, 2009, at 4:31 PM, Catherine Burkhard wrote:
> This, too, is a concern of mine. But....I think in the LSC, we'll
> continue
> with the newsletters, even tho done electronically.
>
> That's why I don't want to see the GBW Newsletter go electronic.
>
> Catherine
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Eric Alstrom
Publicity Chair & WebBinder
Guild of Book Workers
publicity@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byorg/gbw/
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GBW: The email list for GBW member communications
GBW Standards - October 16-18, 2008
Toronto, Ont
ario
More info at http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byorg/gbw/standards.shtml
The GBW website is supported and maintained by
Conservation OnLine http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byorg/gbw
To post messages, email to GBW@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
For problems, contact Eric Alstrom, List Manager:
gbwlist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
For info about the list, visit http://mailman.lib.msu.edu/mailman/listinfo/gbw
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****************************************************
GBW: The email list for GBW member communications
GBW Standards - October 16-18, 2008
Toronto, Ontario
More info at http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byorg/gbw/standards.shtml
The GBW website is supported and maintained by
Conservation OnLine http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byorg/gbw
To post messages, email to GBW@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
For problems, contact Eric Alstrom, List Manager:
gbwlist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
For info about the list, visit http://mailman.lib.msu.edu/mailman/listinfo/gbw
****************************************************
****************************************************
GBW: The email list for GBW member communications
GBW Standards - October 16-18, 2008
Toronto, Ontario
More info at http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byorg/gbw/standards.shtml
The GBW website is supported and maintained by
Conservation OnLine http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byorg/gbw
To post messages, email to GBW@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
For problems, contact Eric Alstrom, List Manager:
gbwlist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
For info about the list, visit http://mailman.lib.msu.edu/mailman/listinfo/gbw
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