Alan,
Thank you for your additional insights. This discussion has been very civil and hopefully has shed some light on Jerry and Lawson's situation. Obviously our very small group is in favor of the the book ... in some form or fashion, as they say.
Good works and dedication. If there are any Rotarians on the Ford Barn, they will tell you that Rotary decided some years ago to dedicate themselves to a cause. Rotary took on the task of eliminating POLIO throughout the WORLD.
They have been very successful in a battle that is being fought in some of the most undeveloped places on earth and have polio on the ropes. Most people do not know about this amazing effort.
There was never a thought about breaking even. They simply threw money at the project because it was worthwhile. Need more money? Find it.
Now, a 35/36 Ford book is definitely not a fight against polio, but maybe there's some inspiration there. For those not familiar with Rotary, they are mostly local businessmen. Many are the very best business people in the community. If anyone would have the business savvy to go thumbs down on such an absurd proposal as wiping out world polio, it would be these guys.
Nope.
The challenge for the Early Ford V8 Club is to find a way to do the important things that will insure the "future" as Fe26 put it. "Publish or perish" is a saying in academic circles. It means as a college professor, you must publish books in order to grow and assure your position and prestige in your field. The EFV8C is in a similar position.
What would happen if the club decided that they would stop publishing the V8 Times magazine? How many members keep their membership just to get the magazine? How many are not members of local clubs, do not attend any meetings of any kind, and simply enjoy the magazine?
Have any idea what is happening to the costs for publishing the "Times?"
Vic hinted earlier about foregoing hard copy publication. You can bet that at some time in the near future you will be getting your V8 Times on line. The EFV8C better be getting familiar with KINDLE(hmm, rhymes with Windle, the editor), NOOK, IPAD and other devices that are flying off the shelves right now.
For those guys with computer aversion, your goose is cooked. If the EFV8C is doing their job at all, they already are exploring plans that would include making the V8 Times available online with members paying for and being issued passwords for access.
A hint that they might be up to speed would have been an offer to Lawson and Jerry to publish their book as an online pilot project.
Probably not though.
Some things to think about for sure. It's hard to change some people.
