Northwest Science Fiction Society Board’s commitment plus a membership rate change

Last June the Northwest Science Fiction Society (NWSFS) Officers and Board members met to discuss the elections and status of the memberships in the club. The issue was that a number of memberships had lapsed and these members had not been notified.

During the meeting we also discussed the current benefits of membership in NWSFS. It was decided that, once the elections were finalized, the new Officers and Board Members of NWSFS would be tasked with compose composing and implementing a plan to revitalize the club. This will would include plans in with respect to the publication of tthe Westwind, the membership Green Book, as well as determine determining what which other aspects of NWSFS membership that needs to be improved so as to better serve the membership and provide tangible value to their membership in NWSFS.  Of primary importance will would be to increasing membership involvement, as well as increasing the actual membership of NWSFS.  Improving membership communications, as well as activities to add value to the membership, will also be considered.

To this end, we took the following actions:

• The board voted to extend the memberships of members by six months
• Once the elections were finalized, the new Officers and Board Members of NWSFS would be tasked to compose and implement a plan to revitalize the club.
• Produced and mailed Issue 276 of Westwind.

From the meeting we created a five- year plan, for the revitalization of the club, which includes the following actions and goals:

• Producing our newsletter, The Westwind, on a quarterly basis
• Producing our membership Green Book on a yearly basis
• Take actions to determine whichat other aspects of NWSFS membership that needs to be improved so as to better serve the membership - Your input on this is encouraged.
• Provide tangible value to their membership in NWSFS - Your input on whichat types of benefits we should be pursuing is welcome
• Increase membership involvement
• Increase membership of NWSFS
• Improving membership communications
• Add activities to add value to the membership
• Reestablish connections to relevant charities

The five year plan is intended to be a live living document that we review on a yearly basis.

To help reduce costs and to join the late 20th century, we have decided to move from publishing a paper Westwind to publishing it as a PDF. We will still produce a small number paper of paper issues of Westwinds to accommodate members who wish to receive the Westwind in that a paper format. A benefit of this action is that we are able to reduce membership rates which are changing, starting March 1, 2010:

• Membership will be $15 a year, this will include Westwind in PDF
• If you wish want a hard copy of Westwind, $5 surcharge per year

As the Westwind will be mailed out electronically (in PDF) to our membership, so we need to make sure we have your email address.

In closing: we encouraged every member of NWSFS to provide input as how to improve NWSFS and the value of NWSFS membership. All input was/is greatly appreciated.

Thank You

The NWSFS Board:

• Chair - Michael Citrak
• Vice Chair - Shawn Marier
• Treasurer - Bill Boyde
• Westwind Editor - Karen V
• Membership Services - Greg Paddock
• Archives - Don Glover
• On Line Presence - Jim Cox & Kat Marier
• Past Chair - Michael Ormes
• Mail Services - Dick O’Shea