Newsletter Going All-Electronic

Beginning with our February 2008 issue, the LGB RPCV Newsletter will be published only in an electronic version. We have been publishing our printed issue quarterly since the summer of 1995, and also offering an electronic version for the last several years. In those twelve and half years, we have never missed an issue. Today, about two-thirds of the people receiving the newsletter have chosen the electronic version.

Cost: More than two-thirds of our yearly budget is spent on the printed newsletter. While the number of printed copies has declined with the increase in electronic subscriptions, the cost of production per printed issue and distribution has doubled, keeping our annual printed newsletter costs around $2000. We want to apply these funds towards more member-supported programs or projects overseas that have a Peace Corps and/or HIV/AIDS education or prevention focus. The cost of maintaining our web site, electronic newsletter, post office box and other programs remain modest because of the volunteer efforts of our Steering Committee members.

Flexibility: The electronic newsletter offers us more opportunities for informing our members through the publication of more timely news articles, the ability to publish more in-depth stories, the use of color photographs and illustrations and just-in-time referencing of related articles and resources.

Members Without Email Access: Members without access to email will have an opportunity to continue receiving the newsletter articles in a printed version. We will contact those of you without an email address on file and describe your options for staying connected.