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Post by Rich Stone on Apr 2, 2007 15:09:17 GMT
Just as a matter of interest, what is likely to happen to existing subscribers, both those who got free membership with their MGE subscription and those who got MGE with their membership? Will it run to the end of the current subscription period?
Rich.
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Post by Col' Custard on Apr 2, 2007 15:35:12 GMT
MGOC is based around a business which has, as Adrian & Rich said, a larger number of full time staff, this is then reflected in the Mag content.
The MGCC is run by the members for the members and therefore Safety Fast! is only ever going to be as good as its contributors i.e. US !
MGCC only have 1 of the 5 staff members Andy Knott, who is editor, able to work on SF (amongst his other duties) & an editorial committee made up of volunteers. They bring SF to us every Month & are always looking for articles to include. (after all where would the excellent FasTForward be without the volunteer contributors & drive of MR M ?)
As SF is a club publication it will always be hard to have the content of a commercial publication like MGE, but if the club had continued with MGE then it would have put a very great strain on our finances with the possibility of the clubs survival at stake.
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Post by Col' Custard on Apr 2, 2007 15:38:40 GMT
As i understand it the last MGE for MGCC members will be in June.
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Post by Adrian Clifford on Apr 2, 2007 16:20:38 GMT
That's correct Dave, it will be June.
There is a feature planner for the new Safety Fast it covers the following :
MG model- Road tests, Comparitive tests, Type Reviews and Buying Guide. Technical- Pre-War, T Type, Midget, Y/Z, MGA/MGB, Modern. Historical- Club, Cars, Trials, Factory Records, Archive. News- China, Club, Products, Spares, Accessories, Regalia. Events- UK, Europe, World. People Profiles- Club, MG, Racing, KH Staff. Racing- Reports, Starting up, Circuits.
After a period of a couple of months the club will be establishing the members wishes, if the decision is to make the new magazine permanent the new contract will be set for year on year.
Quote from the 12 page document " It is likely that many MGE subscribers will want their money back or that they will continue to receive MGE if it is published and we will have to refund some of the subscription income and/or supply the in-house magazine"
There is an option for overseas members (to save on postage) of an on-line version of Safety Fast.
I think that answers most questions, as I don't think it prudent or correct to go in to the full financial details here as it is a business decision and I would not want to fall foul of any confidentialities.
So, let's keep an open mind about it, support it (as you do with FTF) and let's make it work, after all, it's been around longer than we have.
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Post by colintf on Apr 2, 2007 17:34:17 GMT
thankyou for the updates Adrian!
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Dave Kerley
Been there, done that!
Straightened Pure Gold
Posts: 382
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Post by Dave Kerley on Apr 2, 2007 20:06:52 GMT
Adrian, again thank you for the information and your optimism.
I think what is really sad is that several people have replied saying that they will leave the MGCC because of this decision, which in the long run will impact upon the club, as the older generation disappears and the baton is not taken up by the next generation.
Perhaps the debate in Council should be about how to modernise the club. Is is time that it became a business, with full time officers. The MGOC did not start as a business, but quickly realised the potential of being one. I don't know what the answer is - but perhaps the club should be moving that way.
I for one will remain a member, and I shall continue to subscribe to MGE.
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Post by Adrian Clifford on Apr 4, 2007 14:39:00 GMT
Dave, that is a very salient point, to which I agree, why don't you ask the question in the letters page of SF, the answer might be interesting to all of us.
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