Source: Aerograph May 2011

After printing and mailing the first Aerograph that I had ever compiled, I was shocked at the costs.  I knew that we were a relatively small group with a finite level of available funding and I felt that I had just spent a lot of money.  As an old sailor (I was born near the end of the Great Depression during the Dust Bowl in the Texas Panhandle) I knew full well what limited funds really mean.  I was raised to save and conserve all my resources.

During my years as editor of the Aerograph, I have repeatedly stressed the availability and advantages of the Aerograph via email.  For the individual member the advantages are promptness of delivery (on the day that the Aerograph goes to the printer) and color.  There is a major financial advantage to the NWSA.  That advantage is funding scholarships.  During most of the executive and general members meetings held at each convention, significant sound and fury is directed at our level of funding for scholarships!  We have recently completed a year centered on increasing donations for scholarships.  Mike Gilroy, chair of the Scholarship Committee has circulated a survey directed at the membership and funding for scholarships.

Some of our members have restated to me that the membership fee is made to provide for the costs of the Aerograph production and postage.  It is!  And we certainly spend it!  Here are February 2011 costs for providing 414 copies of the Aerograph through the postal service - $458.40 printing - $175.54 for bulk mail - $46.25 for prorated bulk privilege - $5.64 for postage to Philippines.  The total costs (excluding computer, printer, and office supplies consumed) to send one copy of the February 2011 issue was $1.66 for each Aerograph. 

While working on the February 2011 Aerograph, it came to me.  The cost for emailing 143 Aerographs was zero!  Therefore, those who received the February 2010 issue of The Aerograph via email have done the equivalent of donating $237.38 to the NWSA General Fund!  For receiving the Aerograph during the past year (four Aerographs plus one Bellinger List), the funds made available for consideration as scholarship money was $1,186.90!

 This is the reason that I have been campaigning for reducing the printing and postal costs for this publication.