AMCA Magazine Reduced to Four Issues from Six

[Spag]

The AMCA Board decided recently, for fiscal reasons, to reduce the AMCA magazine from six issues per year to four. Increased production costs and reduction in advertising revenue were cited as the reason for the reduction. A more detailed explanation was spelled out in the recent November/December issue of the magazine.

Although this Forum has limited participation compared to the 14,000+ AMCA members, it would be interesting to see how Forum members view the reduction in the number of published magazines.

Questions for consideration and respectful comment:

1) Do you believe the magazine is the most important benefit of your membership for which you pay dues?

2) Before the Board reduced the number of magazines per year, should the membership have been surveyed to determine if members would agree to a $10.00 increase in dues from $49/yr to $59/yr (USA membership) to help offset increased production costs and reduced advertising revenue?


3) Would you pay $10.00 more in dues to keep receiving six issues of the magazine?


4) Does it matter to you that the magazine will only be published four times a year now?


5) Was reducing the number of magazines by two issues (a previous benefit for the membership) a fiscally sound decision by the Board?

I think everyone understands there are fixed expenses and inflation that the Board can’t control. Some expenses can only be reduced so far. The AMCA Board and other social organizations are faced with the same fiscal challenges. Is a reduction in benefits the only practical way for these organizations to survive?


Richard

[otis71]

It was stated that the volume would increase. If that is the case and the amount of content stays the same just divided by four instead of six it seems like it’s a prudent move. I have my doubts but time will tell.

[BigLakeBob]

A survey would have been interesting, but in the past it seems like most are against a due increase. I've been a member since the mid 90's and the majority of that time it was always 4 issues. I feel 4 is just fine and keep the dues the same. But, if a paper copy was totally eliminated and went to digital only, I would pay more for the paper.

[Skirted]

Replies in red

The AMCA Board decided recently, for fiscal reasons, to reduce the AMCA magazine from six issues per year to four. Increased production costs and reduction in advertising revenue were cited as the reason for the reduction. A more detailed explanation was spelled out in the recent November/December issue of the magazine.

Although this Forum has limited participation compared to the 14,000+ AMCA members, it would be interesting to see how Forum members view the reduction in the number of published magazines.

Questions for consideration and respectful comment:

1) Do you believe the magazine is the most important benefit of your membership for which you pay dues? It ranks high, but equally so do swap meets, national road runs and chapter events. If I ever reach a point where I can't ride or travel to events, the magazine would be priority but can't say if 4 or 6/yr would matter. It takes tremendous effort and cost to publish and mail a high quality magazine like we have in todays world which is why so many club and hobby magazines have been reduced or even eliminated.

2) Before the Board reduced the number of magazines per year, should the membership have been surveyed to determine if members would agree to a $10.00 increase in dues from $49/yr to $59/yr (USA membership) to help offset increased production costs and reduced advertising revenue? Probably not as the surveys themselves cost money and time.


3) Would you pay $10.00 more in dues to keep receiving six issues of the magazine? Without any question, NO.


4) Does it matter to you that the magazine will only be published four times a year now? It was 4 times a year when I joined and that was fine. Having more content per issue will help counter reduced issues.

5) Was reducing the number of magazines by two issues (a previous benefit for the membership) a fiscally sound decision by the Board? Yes

I think everyone understands there are fixed expenses and inflation that the Board can’t control. Some expenses can only be reduced so far. The AMCA Board and other social organizations are faced with the same fiscal challenges. Is a reduction in benefits the only practical way for these organizations to survive?
While the magazine is the subject of reduction, the efforts made in recent years to improve "boots-on-the-ground" benefits like swap meets, national road runs, and promoting chapter involvement are positive. Plus the huge effort in creating the Vintage M/C Library and archived past issues more than makes up for issue reduction when it comes to benefits.
Richard

[joe fxs fxr]

I'm of the same mind, 4 bigger issues is just as good as 6 smaller ones. I usually have a backlog of magazines in my 'library' anyways. FWIW, Harley's Enthusiast magazine just went to only one issue per year! And it's still 90% worthless dribble.

[exeric]

I'll miss 6 issues per year and I would gladly pay $10.00 more per year to keep it at 6. However, I'll support anything required to keep the AMCA healthy so if the 'Antique Motorcycle' goes to 4 issues per year for the good of the club, that works for me.