It has been a year since I took the position as Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the International Double Reed Society. The year has been one of learning, frustration, and pleasure. I wish to thank President Knepper and the Executive Committee for their support and guidance, and I especially would like to thank all the members who were patient, kind, and helpful as I learned, and who wrote letters of encouragement.
Your office is located in my home in what was formerly known as the "girl's room", but which is now called the "computer room". I have purchased the following equipment which I use to do school work and to keep the "books" for your Society: a Radio Shack TRS-80 Model III home computer with four disk drives, a Radio Shack DMP200 Printer, a TRS-80 Printer Controller, and a Radio Shack Automatic Power Controller. In addition, the room has a nice desk, filing cabinet, typewriter, shelves, and a stereo to keep me company while I work.
I use the SuperScripsit program for word processing such as writing this report or for form letters. I use the Profile III Plus for data files and have over 2,000 records in the IDRS file. I have found the programs and the hardware to be quite good. The two programs are compatible so that I can pull information from the data files to use in the word processor. As you would expect, I have made a few errors in designing the files and in other things, but so far there has been no major problem. I would welcome any suggestions some of you computer fans might offer to help, but please remember that I am not a computer whiz! If you are ever in the area, please drop in for the grand tour - I might even let you ride my three- wheeler!
The publications of the Society are BULK mailed, which saves a great deal on postage, but which has one draw-back. The U.S. Post Office WILL NOT forward bulk mail! When the issue arrives at your previous address the postman checks to see that I have "Address Correction Requested", runs off a computer print-out of your address and sticks it on the cover. He then checks for "Return Postage Guaranteed" and malls the issue to me with postage due of $1.30. When I receive it I change the record to show your new address, put it in a new envelope ($. 11), and mail it to your new address ($1.05). This entire procedure runs the cost of postage for this one issue from less than $.25 to $2.36!
MOST address changes come from student members who use their school address. When you consider that each issue cost the Society $3.95 to print, elementary arithmetic shows that the Society is already subsidizing Student members. So everybody, but especially Student members, PLEASE let us know about a change in address as soon as possible. And Student members, DO use your HOME address since it tends to remain rather constant.
From time to time members seemingly vanish! Please help out if you know the whereabouts of the following three members:
Attention: all members outside the USA!
In order to get issues to you, to clear up past problems of
missing issues, etc., I have been mailing your issues "Air
Mail". This has cost the Society a goodly sum, but has helped
to get the files correct. Air Mail is $3.06 to most of the world
and $4.06 to Australia, Japan, etc. With the cost of each issue
being $3.95, it is obvious that the Society is spending more than
your dues just to get your publications to you. Therefore, beginning
with the 1985 calendar year we will return to our previous custom
of mailing all publications outside the continent of North America
at the SURFACE mail rate.
Contributing member's publications will continue to be mailed via air. Other members who wish to have their issues by air may do so by paying an extra $10.00 per membership year.
During this first year I have made some mistakes, learned a great deal about using the computer, and have hopefully solved most of' our "communication" problems. Suggestions for improving our services, publications, or everyday operations are always welcome.
Sincerely,
Lowry Riggins
Executive Secretary -Treasurer
International Double Reed Society
626 Lakeshore Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71203
Bus.: (318) 342-2145
Res.: (318) 343-5715