This is not a bee-hive kicking note. It's really about _why_ I continue to support Skip and _how_ I would like to ask you all to help me do it.
About 8-10 years ago the club was suffering from difficulty with its flagship product, Coupe Capers. At that time, the production quality had dropped. The errors that crept in showed that a secretary had typed in the stories from member's handwritten submissions. That was when Skip got some submissions at all. It was apparent that Skip wasn't able to keep up with the workload while doing life's other activities. He and I talked for a few minutes about all the things that were going on and getting in the way. Jeese! No one could have done all the things he was doing with shine on all the parts! But, bottom line, Coupe Capers wasn't worth much right then. During the '91 National Convention, I approached Skip to offer my services to help. I figured he'd unlikely to accept if I offered to take over as editor, but that's really what I wanted to do. Instead, though, I offered to help do the proof-reading, typing and such. I told him about my moderate skills. (Some semi-pro writing and editing experience.) The next day, Skip asked me if I would consider doing the whole job as Coupe Capers' editor. I said yes. From the summer of '91 through December of '94 I did that job. With my skills and experience, it took 40-70 hours per month to do it with the quality I wanted. The first two years were unpaid, I asked for pay the third and a half years. Think about that: 40-70 hours per month to do a good job. Skip wanted to do the job better and was willing to release control of a prized responsibility to try to make it better. In 1994 MY work became oppressive. I was getting to the point where I couldn't do it with the quality I wanted. They had to pressure me to get me to meet the deadlines. I gave my six-month notice to the board and they did a search, settling on Carolyn as the Editor. I'm not sure but I think she's getting paid the same as I did in '93 with no cost of living adjustment. (P.S. Board of Directors -- I think a COLA is deserved!) Well, my work-load hasn't improved. It's straining my free time to just keep up on reading these list messages. I'm usually not even able to respond to the notes, here, to which I'd like to respond. Skip is exactly right that some info here is not valid -- I've noticed that most errors get fixed within 48 hours as people provide better information. I've seen a few things get by uncorrected. That is the nature of person-to-person conversations like this one. Certainly not all of what I've said is gospel -- I try (and fail too often) to make clear that I ain't no expert or "final authority" so let's talk it over and try to get the FACTS! Coupe Capers is good for researched articles and lots of other support to the members. Based on what I see printed. THEY ARE NOT GETTING VERY MANY ARTICLES SENT TO THEM! I'd sure like as many of you as possible to help the EOC by sending: 1. Researched factual stories including maintenance, flying techniques, regulations, etc. 2. Family stuff about our Coupe kin. 3. Travelogues about fun and beautiful trips you did which others might duplicate. Let's support each other by supporting all of our means of communication. I'll offer to review, edit and provide other support to any of you who want to send stories to me (via virus-free e-mail attachments (Word 6 format, please)). Then we'll pass them on to the Capers with your by-line. That's a way I think I can help contribute right now considering my work load. Those who can, send Carolyn a story with photos all laid out and camera ready! I thank Skip and Carolyn who put in more work than that for which they are paid. I thank all of us who help contribute to each other by submitting good stories to the club. I thank all of us who help each other here. And you guys who've made your own Coupe web sites have done us all a great service. See my other posting about the Club web site disussion. This is timely since the board of directors and many of us will be getting together soon at the National Convention. -- Ed Burkhead East Peoria, Ill. N3802H, 415-D
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