I'm curious to see what the frequency of people taking the new magazine will be.

i would rather buy a copy from a local supply company.

So roughly speaking the magazine appears to be losing about 20% of it's readership (keeping in mind that such polls are B.S.). But, let's go with that position for the sake of discussion.

If the magazine loses 20% of it's subscription base from where it was, can it function in the black? Keep in mind that they may be able to do other things to increase revenue. The question I'm asking is, could the magazine, as it was, stay in the black with a loss of 20% of it's revenue?

there is little doubt that it could. we had proposals for far fewer copies than would be needed for 80% of the expected membership. (i am assuming that the numbers in those proposals created a profit.)

Excellent,

Do you know what the viability cut off point is?

no, not exactly. a/the publisher would be better equipped to answer that one.

Thanks!

Here is a small sample of 2008 sign ups and the magazine options chosen.

Out of 32 players registered through our affiliate club, only four did not want to receive the magazine. Two of the four were from a family of disc golfers. In the past, all members of this family would have received a $5.00 discount and received only one magazine. So, basically only two members are newly opting out of the magazine this year. That equals about 6 percent.

Yes, it is a small sample, but it is an actual sample.

Here is a small sample of 2008 sign ups and the magazine options chosen.

Out of 32 players registered through our affiliate club, only four did not want to receive the magazine. Two of the four were from a family of disc golfers. In the past, all members of this family would have received a $5.00 discount and received only one magazine. So, basically only two members are newly opting out of the magazine this year. That equals about 6 percent.

Yes, it is a small sample, but it is an actual sample.



The total magazine opt out rate of US and Canadian PDGA members following last weeks membership batch, less family members, was 2.1%. Very encouraging stats thus far!

Regards,
Brian Graham
PDGA Executive Director

The total magazine opt out rate of US and Canadian PDGA members following last weeks membership batch, less family members, was 2.1%. Very encouraging stats thus far!



With numbers like that it makes we wonder if perhaps the issue of the magazine opt out was blown way out of proportion on the message board by a handful of discgruntled golfers.

It looks like this issue is proving that using the sentiments of message board posters to reflect the views of the general membership is flawed.

Sometimes though, the fact that a choice is offered makes people happier making it. The PDGA can always use more positive press, especially on this D-Board.

The total magazine opt out rate of US and Canadian PDGA members following last weeks membership batch, less family members, was 2.1%. Very encouraging stats thus far!

Regards,
Brian Graham
PDGA Executive Director




Hopefully that continues! The mag is a tool that would be bad to lose, IMO.

I think the true test will be the opt out rate of 'late renewals' and then next year's opt out rate after people get a feel for what the new magazine will deliver. A bit of profiling here, but I would assume that the type of people who renew early are more likely to see the value of having a disc golf magazine.

The total magazine opt out rate of US and Canadian PDGA members following last weeks membership batch, less family members, was 2.1%. Very encouraging stats thus far!



With numbers like that it makes we wonder if perhaps the issue of the magazine opt out was blown way out of proportion on the message board by a handful of discgruntled golfers.

It looks like this issue is proving that using the sentiments of message board posters to reflect the views of the general membership is flawed.



Suzette,

I suspect that fewer people may have chosen to opt out of the magazine than we might have expected for several reasons. One is that we are getting a brand new publication this year, Flying Disc Magazine, and members want to check it out before deciding whether they want to receive an annual subscription. Another potential reason is that members realize what a great deal they are getting with six issues for $10. It is still very early in the membership season so we will have to wait to see the final numbers.

For the record, I do not think that offering a magazine opt out level of membership is in the best interest of the association.

Regards,
Brian Graham
PDGA Executive Director

if you all recall, it was the folks who wanted to force the magazine on everyone who were worried that no one wanted it. the pro-choice folks did not share that concern to the same degree. suzette, it was the anti-choice folks who were the naysayers, not those arging for choice.

regardless, we ALL should be pleased that disc golfers want the magazine. everyone wins in this case, so it is very difficult to find fault with what happened.

It looks like this issue is proving that using the sentiments of message board posters to reflect the views of the general membership is flawed.

suzette, can you find just ONE example of someone in a leadership position claiming "the sentiments of message board posters ... reflect the views of the general membership "? it is a single avenue for input, not the sum total of the thoughts of all disc players. i am not aware of any discussion which the message board was the only input we used.

It looks like this issue is proving that using the sentiments of message board posters to reflect the views of the general membership is flawed.

suzette, can you find just ONE example of someone in a leadership position claiming "the sentiments of message board posters ... reflect the views of the general membership "? it is a single avenue for input, not the sum total of the thoughts of all disc players. i am not aware of any discussion which the message board was the only input we used.



sandalman, can you find just ONE example of Suzette stating or implying that someone in a leadership position claimed "the sentiments of message board posters ... reflect the views of the general membership "?

I haven't seen a single example where she implies that.

suzette, can you find just ONE example of someone in a leadership position claiming "the sentiments of message board posters ... reflect the views of the general membership "? it is a single avenue for input, not the sum total of the thoughts of all disc players. i am not aware of any discussion which the message board was the only input we used.



My aren't we defensive! I did not imply that anyone in a leadership position was using the opinions of those on the message board to make policy, that is something you inferred.

It looks like this issue is proving that using the sentiments of message board posters to reflect the views of the general membership is flawed.

suzette, can you find just ONE example of someone in a leadership position claiming "the sentiments of message board posters ... reflect the views of the general membership "? it is a single avenue for input, not the sum total of the thoughts of all disc players. i am not aware of any discussion which the message board was the only input we used.



It seems to me that the decision to offer the opt-out on the magazine was based on the discussion board. It may not be true---perhaps the board had other input requesting the opt-out, or just recognized it as a good idea from a few posters---but it rather looks that way to me, and probably others.

Suzette's remark may as well be addressed to posters, instead of the board. Many of us, on occasion, post as if our sentiments reflect the views of the general membership.

The total magazine opt out rate of US and Canadian PDGA members following last weeks membership batch, less family members, was 2.1%. Very encouraging stats thus far!



With numbers like that it makes we wonder if perhaps the issue of the magazine opt out was blown way out of proportion on the message board by a handful of discgruntled golfers.

It looks like this issue is proving that using the sentiments of message board posters to reflect the views of the general membership is flawed.




Sadly, there is also a small group of people out there who are seemingly dedicated to finding fault wherever possible with (the) PDGA and, in the information age, it is all too easy for them and their vitriol to have undue influence over others. To these folk it might be said that when you denigrate the PDGA, and this most often happens on the basis of uninformed impression and not fact, you are not stepping on me or another staff member or a key PDGA volunteer. You are in effect stepping on the collective efforts and good will of all who have contributed to the building of the PDGA over the past 30 years. -- Former PDGA Executive Director Brian "Guru" Hoeniger, Disc Golf Magazine, April/May 2007 issue



In the world of disc golf, truer words have possibly never been spoken.

whatever.

so many disgruntled posters want to make things about people instead of the real issues. thats the one thing that bugs me the most about the discussion board.


It looks like this issue is proving that using the sentiments of message board posters to reflect the views of the general membership is flawed.


now, iif it is not the leadership being addressed, who the heck is it? some random player who stumbles across the website? there is no one i know of, leadership or otherwise, who believes the message board reflects the views of the general membership. some people seem to think it gets a lot more cred than it does.

fortunately, they post their views on the ,message board, and we all know how valuable thoseposts are, dont we :)

The total magazine opt out rate of US and Canadian PDGA members following last weeks membership batch, less family members, was 2.1%. Very encouraging stats thus far!




With numbers like that it makes we wonder if perhaps the issue of the magazine opt out was blown way out of proportion on the message board by a handful of discgruntled golfers.

It looks like this issue is proving that using the sentiments of message board posters to reflect the views of the general membership is flawed.




Sadly, there is also a small group of people out there who are seemingly dedicated to finding fault wherever possible with (the) PDGA and, in the information age, it is all too easy for them and their vitriol to have undue influence over others. To these folk it might be said that when you denigrate the PDGA, and this most often happens on the basis of uninformed impression and not fact, you are not stepping on me or another staff member or a key PDGA volunteer. You are in effect stepping on the collective efforts and good will of all who have contributed to the building of the PDGA over the past 30 years. -- Former PDGA Executive Director Brian "Guru" Hoeniger, Disc Golf Magazine, April/May 2007 issue



In the world of disc golf, truer words have possibly never been spoken.



I'll second all of the above.

I am gladly taking the new magazine. I'm also disheartened to see DGW go at the same time. I am helping with the Affiliate Club Program here and out of the 10 to 15 that I've received thus far no one has opted out of the magazine except for one husband/wife combo.

There was lots of complaining about this or that with regards to the magazine opt out option. It all seems pretty insignificant to me when we are talking about $10 (for an entire year) in the long run.

These questions are probably best suited for Rich so just in case he is reading (which I won't assume he is) ...

How much would it cost me to get an extra 10 copies sent to my house? (Promotional uses such as trade shows, newbies at the park, leaving with sponsors, etc)

When does one's PDGA membership need to be current by in order for them to receive the first issue? As I mentioned before, I'm doing the ACP and I don't want anyone to miss their issue.

And lastly ... does anyone know the actual expected date for when we'll be receiving the first issue?

Thanks!

PS - I just sent Rich a message directly to his e-mail and if I get answers I'll gladly post them for all to read.

With numbers like that it makes we wonder if perhaps the issue of the magazine opt out was blown way out of proportion on the message board by a handful of discgruntled golfers.



DING!...DING!...DING! We have a winner!

"When does one's PDGA membership need to be current by in order for them to receive the first issue? As I mentioned before, I'm doing the ACP and I don't want anyone to miss their issue."

dont forget that anyone can subscribe for $20 on the website, so your mag subscription need not be tied to the date you renew PDGA membership.

Rich sent me an e-mail and because none of the answers are personal or confidential, I've posted his answers below in <font color="red"> red</font>

Q: How much would it cost me to get an extra 10 copies sent to my house? (Promotional uses such as trade shows, newbies at the park, leaving with sponsors, etc)

<font color="red">A: The regular way of handling bulk copies is we charge off of a retail distribution schedule. At 10 pieces it's $3.05 a piece. </font>

Q: When does one's PDGA membership need to be current by in order for them to receive the first issue? As I mentioned before, I'm doing the ACP and I don't want anyone to miss their issue.

<font color="red">A: We have to cement the exact date, but my understanding is the PDGA will give the full year subscriptions to anyone signing up before issue 2 comes out...It is ultimately a PDGA decision as to when the cutoff appears.</font>

Q: And lastly ... does anyone know the actual expected date for when we'll be receiving the first issue?

<font color="red">A: Your first issue should soar into your box right about January 30th. We intentionally set our first date to allow Rick time to get his last issue out and not hit in the same week if possible.</font>