I would like to begin by congratulating our editors for the extraordinarily fine newsletters and journal for this year. The quality of the articles make these publications worthy of the highest praise. Our editors work hard to turn out a really top quality. When you like the publications, LET THE EDITORS KNOW! We have had our publication troubles but we believe we have solved many of our problems and we plan to go on a definite publication schedule in 1978. Other changes have been decided and will be explained in detail by the editors. The editors always welcome articles, research papers, critiques, etc. for use in the publications. Consider the fact that our Society has already grown to the point where you now have a large, quite specialized reading audience for your oboe and bassoon articles. The officers also welcome your thoughts on our Society, how to achieve our goals, and how to improve our methods.
I would like to thank the members for the positive vote on our new dues structure. The vote was overwhelmingly for the new dues. With this, our Society can move forward into projects which previously were beyond our reach including a youth performance contest and the commissioning of a major work for the double reeds. Some of you voiced criticisms even though you voted "yes." Some of you voted "no" and gave a reason why. In many cases your criticism was justified. But we feel that many of our problems are being solved, and we ask you to bear with us for one more year. If at the end of that time you do not see definite signs of the improvements we plan, if you do not see the fruits of the new dues structure, then you could resign knowing that you supported the Society as long as you could and even continued to support it after that time. Then you could write me and give me hail columbia!
Next let me thank all of you who have become Contributing members during this fall. The need for Contributing members joining NOW for 1978 was and is vital, and those of you have paid your 1978 Contributing member dues this fall have done the Society a great service, helping it over a really tough financial squeeze.
Our 1978 convention will be held at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California on August 21 - 23. Final arrangements are underway now and our host chairman, Don Christlieb promises a really exciting meeting.
CONCERNING CHANGES OF ADDRESS
"PULEASE" ! You must be more careful about your address. Let me try to explain the problems with "lost" members. A simple letter bulk mailed to all our members costs roughly 7 1/2 cents each or about $105 for a mailing to all 1400 members. BUT bulk mail will not be forwarded by the post office. And all items which can not be delivered are returned to us with a postage due of 25 cent per letter. Now in our last mailing we had ONLY 88 out of 1400 letters returned and this does not sound like much. In fact, it is only .064% of our members. BUT those 88 letters cost us $22 in return postage and would or will cost us another $11.44 to remail the letters if we find the correct addresses. Now for the member we have a missing item and he will likely, sooner or later, write some officer complaining about not receiving that item. Assuming that he writes me I then have to use a 13 cent stamp to reply to his letter and explain the circumstances. I then use another 13 cent stamp to write the correct officer to make sure the member receives the missing item. At this point ONE member can have cost the Society 71 1/2 cent on a simple letter! AND please remember that an item such as the Journal costs a great deal more. Returning to our last mailing--our original postage cost of $105 was raised to $127 by only 88 members who failed to give us their new address. Or to put it another way, this is an increase of 21 percent in costs brought about by .06% of the members.! SO please remember that our publications will not be forwarded. Notify us of any change of address as soon as possible. Send your name, old address, and new address to:
Laura Jaeger
IDRS Treasurer
Box 25 Station A Kingston,
Ontario Canada K7M 6P9
The IDRS EXISTS for you, the members. As with all Societies, it can achieve only what its members are willing for it to achieve. Your officers need your support, but more, they need your help. Articles, ideas, performances, recordings, new music, etc. are all needed. Suggestions for running the Society, brainstorms of all kinds, suggested new projects, and yes, a quiet word of encouragement are also needed. I hope to hear from many of you in the very near future.
California, Here I Come!
Lowry