Journal Issues/The New Journal Format

[noelsmith]

Things are as they are despite all the questions and debate.

Chris has gone, so time to move on.

[SkyKing]

8 minutes ago, noelsmith said:

Things are as they are despite all the questions and debate.

Chris has gone, so time to move on.

The real issue is a lack of transparency from the Eboard.

[ghodges]

Ditto.... and that doesn't necessarily mean their silence is anything nefarious...... we just want questions answered when asked to reassure us it's not. We want direct communication and participation by at least some of the Eboard, even if it's only one who's assigned to do the dirty job for the rest of them!  😉 

 

Gil 

[Bert]

3 hours ago, ghodges said:

Speaking for myself, I appreciate the time you took to answer those questions so methodically. As an almost 50yr member I've seen more significant changes in the IPMS publications than most, since I date back to the Quarterly and Update days!

The only question that arises from your post for me is your sentence that "The magazine was ready for change after 18 years and I wanted the new folks working on it to be invested in it."

That sounds like a personal opinion of your own and thus (as Historian/ PUBLICATION DIRECTOR) you decided to implement those changes. WHAT exactly was "wrong" with the Journal that made it "ready for change" and then caused you and the established editor to not be able to come to terms with those changes?

It seems odd that you say you're granting the TEAM of editors a lot of autonomy, but that Chris Bucholtzc as the sitting editor (evidently) wasn't open to having the same? Or, was it that he objected to the addition of the team?  It seems even further strange that since (you say) the changes you're trying to implement going forward are so small, that they should cause such a disruption as they have. Or, are there some larger changes down the road not yet implemented that we members should know about?

I'm looking forward to this next issue with the content you mentioned. The first couple of issues have seemed to just be a "polishing of the old apple" (new title graphics, thicker cover, slicker art work, etc.) and NOT worth the trouble stirred up thus far. I'm hoping the content change you've hinted at perhaps tips the balance in favor of the changes being made. We'll see....... 

Gil 

 

It seems to me the older members are being put out to pasture.

[SkyKing]

Just now, Bert said:

It seems to me the older members are being put out to pasture.

I’m a 50-year+ member and I endorse this message!

[Circuitrider]

4 hours ago, ghodges said:

The first couple of issues have seemed to just be a "polishing of the old apple" (new title graphics, thicker cover, slicker art work, etc.) and NOT worth the trouble stirred up thus far.

 

Amongst all of the comments made, this one sentence may be the most cogent, well-thought-out, and reasonable relating to the issue at hand. Kudos.

[GoldThree]

Bert, No one is being put out to pasture. I am 60+ myself. On the design team are some 60+ members. The idea, in general, is to embrace anyone who enjoys building models. In the 60's, 70's, & 80's most of those builders were men who built planes and tanks. If the IPMS/USA wants to grow beyond that (which I hear from members all the time) this will mean being open to new builders and genres. This does not mean leaving what the core members like behind, it means adding new genres to it. There will always be armor, cars, and aircraft. When I joined the IPMS, sci fi was still a tiny contingent, now it has grown and more accepted. This is happening with Gundam now, because if we want to be relevant to all builders, then we need to make a spot for them and offer something to them. It takes good ideas, time and work to do this. So, for example, I work with the NCC to help them understand Gundam, so that it can be properly included in the nationals. This takes time-understanding the genre, writing up stuff, working with people to implement it. I am rambling a bit.

To quote Gil "that doesn't necessarily mean their silence is anything nefarious." I can tell you that my "so called silence" (if you want to characterize it that way) has everything to do with all the tasks that I need to get done. Right now I am filling in as a designer of the IPMS/USA Journal to assemble the magazine (on the Nov/Dec issue, in case you are wondering, the sooner I get it wrapped, the sooner it goes to the printer and the sooner we get back onto schedule). This is actual work and takes real time. So, I may not get back to someone or post on the forum simply because I really need to get the magazine done. Writing this stuff does not come naturally to me. The magazine is not the only thing I need to do...there is other IPMS business and all the stuff that happens in real life. This is more or less true for everyone who volunteers for the organization. We tend to be busy just trying to get stuff done. So, while it is important to post updates here and/or on Face Book, it also means not doing something else. And honestly, I have never relished writing stuff for social media. It is stressful and takes time.

[RCTHEFOX]

I like the new format. I subscribe , and buy, numerous aviation and modelling magazines. Many of these are changing to the same type of format as the new Journal employs. I find it refreshing. By the way, I'm 78 years old and have been modelling since I was about five. I build 1/72 scale aircraft of the Vietnam era to modern aircraft. 

Current kit under construction is an Italeri F-22A. Not a well engineered kit but I'm getting it there.

Bob Walker IMPS# 17121.

[AZRhino]

While we have your ear, I have tried pointing this out in emails for at least a year but see no change. This is the ad for IPMS/USA that is currently running in Amazing Figure Modeler (as of June 2024). Very old and out of date. I assume this is an ad share with AFM. It makes me wonder how many other ad share publications are running outdated ads for IPMS.

[Bert]

1 hour ago, GoldThree said:

Bert, No one is being put out to pasture. I am 60+ myself. On the design team are some 60+ members. The idea, in general, is to embrace anyone who enjoys building models. In the 60's, 70's, & 80's most of those builders were men who built planes and tanks. If the IPMS/USA wants to grow beyond that (which I hear from members all the time) this will mean being open to new builders and genres. This does not mean leaving what the core members like behind, it means adding new genres to it. There will always be armor, cars, and aircraft. When I joined the IPMS, sci fi was still a tiny contingent, now it has grown and more accepted. This is happening with Gundam now, because if we want to be relevant to all builders, then we need to make a spot for them and offer something to them. It takes good ideas, time and work to do this. So, for example, I work with the NCC to help them understand Gundam, so that it can be properly included in the nationals. This takes time-understanding the genre, writing up stuff, working with people to implement it. I am rambling a bit.

To quote Gil "that doesn't necessarily mean their silence is anything nefarious." I can tell you that my "so called silence" (if you want to characterize it that way) has everything to do with all the tasks that I need to get done. Right now I am filling in as a designer of the IPMS/USA Journal to assemble the magazine (on the Nov/Dec issue, in case you are wondering, the sooner I get it wrapped, the sooner it goes to the printer and the sooner we get back onto schedule). This is actual work and takes real time. So, I may not get back to someone or post on the forum simply because I really need to get the magazine done. Writing this stuff does not come naturally to me. The magazine is not the only thing I need to do...there is other IPMS business and all the stuff that happens in real life. This is more or less true for everyone who volunteers for the organization. We tend to be busy just trying to get stuff done. So, while it is important to post updates here and/or on Face Book, it also means not doing something else. And honestly, I have never relished writing stuff for social media. It is stressful and takes time.

Well, my tounge in cheek remark was not meant to disparage you in any way or the job you're doing.  IMHO I don't care for the new Journal logo, but hey that's just me. My take is on the way the Society handled the IPMS/USA FB page controversy concerning the so-called cheating event at the San Marcos convention and decisions put into place resulting in many longtime head judgers resigning their position and......... so on and on. I'll leave it there ...... really no point in rehashing all that. This fiasco is what prompted my remark of older members being put out to pasture.

[GoldThree]

Michael, Thanks for reminding me on that. I don't think we have a new updated "swap" ad to put in it's place. Again, one of those things that needs to be done, but can get lost. I redid the "Membership card" for the last issue and you would think it would be simple. Not so much. I will put this on my list. 

[rsteinbrunn]

A note of thanks to both Bob Lomassaro and Ro Annis:

Hi Bob & Ro,

 

Just a note of positive reinforcement for all of your hard work on the Journal. It's a fair piece of work, I know, and at times a thankless job. Just wanted you both to know that this member since 1968 is very appreciative of your efforts and says thanks.

 

I see my Fokker D.VII is on the cover of the Sep/Oct issue....which I think makes six covers over the years....quite an honor!  Looks like a great photo, so three Gold Stars, two Attaboys, and a hearty Navy Well Done!

 

Cheers!

--Bob Steinbrunn

IPMS/USA 3345

[noelsmith]

I submitted an article to Chris when he was editor. Must be a couple of years back now. It was about a custom van model I built for the IPMS UK 50th Anniversary at Telford in 2013. Thought it would be nice article to run during 2023 in the Journal during the  60th anniversry. Don't know to this day of it ever got used or not. Chris said it was 'ready to go' shortly before the upheaval and his resignation. Whether it gets used or not is still in the air as far as I am concerned. I would like to think so but who knows?

The model is now on permanent display at the International Model Car Builders Museum, Sandy, near Salt Lake City, Utah.

There is a lot of debate about the new Journal format, but I guess things will settle down when members get used to it.

Edited February 22, 2025 by noelsmith

[GoldThree]

noelsmith, I have not seen that submission, more than likely it got lost in the changeover. Can you you re-submit everything to me at: basementleader@gmail.com? You reference "a lot of debate about the new Journal format."  If you have any issues, please feel free to address them here, directly to me. I hope you enjoyed the last issue with the Yamato on the cover. Few issues of the magazine feature ships on the cover. I know the image isn't perfect, but it is a very large model and very difficult to shoot (thanks to William Kluge for reshooting a few images for me to use, BTW). The feedback here seems to have died down...

[BWScholten]

My Jan/Feb issue showed up last week.

I like the new look sans IUJ, but I'm not leaving the org because I don't like the magazine cover.

Keep driving on.

[Ron Bell]

1 hour ago, GoldThree said:

noelsmith, I have not seen that submission, more than likely it got lost in the changeover. Can you you re-submit everything to me at: basementleader@gmail.com? You reference "a lot of debate about the new Journal format."  If you have any issues, please feel free to address them here, directly to me. I hope you enjoyed the last issue with the Yamato on the cover. Few issues of the magazine feature ships on the cover. I know the image isn't perfect, but it is a very large model and very difficult to shoot (thanks to William Kluge for reshooting a few images for me to use, BTW). The feedback here seems to have died down...

Ro,

I'm in the same boat as Noel. I submitted an article that Chris said he liked, but with the change over I don't know its status. Can you provide any info as to its status?

[GoldThree]

Ron Bell, What did you submit?

[Ron Bell]

It was a "how to" article on vacuform building using a Rareplanes Meteor. 

[GoldThree]

Ron, I have that one in the queue. I plan to get it in during the first half of this year.

[Ron Bell]

Thank you, Ro. 

[ghodges]

Received my November/December issue in the mail a few days ago and have been perusing it since. Although I still don't care for the IUJ title, it does seem that the photo and the graphics on the cover are VERY well done; in that it is eye catching enough that I think most ANY modeler would be interested in seeing what's inside.

I also think the overall contents are coming together quite well now after the first few months of changes. There seems (to me) to be a good "flow" to the pages and the articles. The articles show a dedicated attempt to present a balanced group of genres hopefully giving something in the issue to most of our members. Of course, if you read the articles that may NOT be in your wheelhouse, they too can give you some tips and techniques to apply to whatever you do build.

On the whole, thus far I'd have to sum up the changes in the Journal as making it "slicker". The paper seems heavier, the color a bit better, and the printing on the pages is larger making it easier to read. It even seems heavier in the hand..... almost lending it a gravitas that makes it feel like a serious modeling magazine; which it IS!

That's all good..... BUT it does lead me to some questions that it'd be good to know the answers to since the Journal is a good hunk of the IPMSUSA budget.

1) How much more are these changes costing us from the printer compared to a year ago, before the upheaval and changes were made. 

2) What is the yearly budget for the Journal for the rest of 2025 and into 2026, especially compared to 2024?

3) Are the changes so extensive that they may continue to delay the Journal's getting back on track for "on time" publishing and delivery to our members? If so, how is that problem going to be resolved and WHAT WILL BE DONE to get it back on track.

4) With 4-7 modeling articles per issue, and the need for an average of 30 articles per year to fill the 5 issues besides the one used for the Nats coverage, HOW MANY articles are currently on hand? How many issues do we have enough articles for? Enough for rest of 2025; enough for into 2026?

5) Has the Eboard and the Journal staff considered offering membership extensions as a form of "carrot" to entice members to write and submit articles IF there's a shortage in articles, particularly for certain genres?

While I like what I'm seeing and what I'm getting for my dues, I've been a member of IPMSUSA long enough, and seen the costs of the previous "improvements" to our publications to know we don't get something for nothing. I'd like to know that we're still on solid financial footing to pay for the Journal's changes going forward and whether a dues increase may be on the horizon, or what other actions might be considered to keep us in the black with the presumed cost increases. I'd also hate to see the Journal have to "cut back" from what we're currently getting (due to not being able to continue to pay for those improvements) since THAT would look like we'd be giving less to our members after showing them something better. Thanks!

 

Gil 

[GoldThree]

Gil, I will answer your questions once I have sent the Jan/Feb issue to the printer. I expect this will be tomorrow. That will take care of one of your concerns, namely, getting back onto schedule. Assuming all goes well, the March/April issue will be on schedule. I am glad you liked the cover, the Journal almost never has ships on it, so we couldn't pass this up. Thanks to William Kluge, who reshot images of that gigantic model using a tripod and multiple focal lengths, which allowed me to focus stack multiple images to create one in which most of the ship is in focus. It isn't perfect...but still a great image. I worked hard to make sure it read as a model (because the background was added) and not try to make it look like a real thing. Wait until you see the covers for the next two issues! And, yes, we are printing the cover on heavier stock, which means it can take more ink and the Tamiya ad doesn't bleed through. And maybe even "Sanity Clause" will have a late X-mas present for you regarding the "IUJ" thingie. I believe your Lee is in the upcoming issue. RO 

[MikeOberholtzer]

Gil,

I can answer your financial questions. 

1) How much more are these changes costing us from the printer compared to a year ago, before the upheaval and changes were made. The overall cost of producing the Journal has actually gone down on an annual basis. Volunteers are now doing certain services that we used to pay about $10,000 per year for. This more than offsets a small increase in cost due to the heavier cover and any additional pages we may add to a particular issue like the Convention issue. More detail on costs is in the next answer.

2) What is the yearly budget for the Journal for the rest of 2025 and into 2026, especially compared to 2024? The Journal is our largest single expense other than the Convention. We plan our Journal expense based on 6 issues per year, but there are years with 5 or 7 issues if we are off schedule like we were in 2024. In 2023 we produced and shipped 6 issues at a cost of $12,293 each. IN 2024 that went up to $14,729 each for 5 issues. Most of that increase of $2,436 per issue was for postage and shipping; only $890 per issue of the increase was for printing. Even that increase wasn't due to changes we made; it was due to increased costs for paper and other materials. Our average cost per issue so far in 2025 is $14,992, very much in line with 2024. This doesn't include the cost reduction mentioned above in question 1, which will save us about $10,000 per year starting in 2025.

Regarding your concerns about whether we are on solid financial footing, the answer is a definitive yes. Your timing is good- we are printing our annual financial statements in the next issue of the Journal. You'll see that we brought in about $33,000 more net revenue in 2024 than 2023. As you know, profit is not our goal, serving our membership is. We try to stay close to break even, and most years do see a small profit. However we have the reserves to cover us in any lean years, and as of right now we don't see a dues increase on the horizon. But like most things financial, that isn't a promise, just a prediction. The economy's ups and downs impact IPMS/USA like they do everyone else, so let's hope for a good economic outlook.

Mike Oberholtzer

Treasurer, IPMS/USA

[GoldThree]

Gil,

More answers:

3) Are the changes so extensive that they may continue to delay the Journal's getting back on track for "on time" publishing and delivery to our members? If so, how is that problem going to be resolved and WHAT WILL BE DONE to get it back on track. The answer is not what "will", but what "is" being done and has been going on for the last many months. Firstly, now that we have a team of volunteers, the workload can be divided up so that no one person can break the magazine. Second, starting with the May/June issue (yes that one, the one that everyone complained about) we were already working like mad to get back on schedule. Like I said in the previous post, the March/April issue will be on schedule. The IUJ team has been working non-stop to accomplish this.

4) With 4-7 modeling articles per issue, and the need for an average of 30 articles per year to fill the 5 issues besides the one used for the Nats coverage, HOW MANY articles are currently on hand? How many issues do we have enough articles for? Enough for rest of 2025; enough for into 2026? Bob Lomassaro is the Managing Editor and has edited articles already for 2026. He has worked hard to find all sorts of diverse content (which you will see in upcoming issues). However, this does not mean all the issues up till then are "filled up." We always need space for things that come in, new, timely, and so on. I don't want to have so much of a backlog that new submissions can't be printed. On the other hand, it is nice to have a bunch of articles ready as a cushion just in case. We will always need new content. If we start to have "too much", then we will add more pages to the magazine. Typically, the IUJ runs 72 pages, you will note that the last two issues ran 76, because we had more content. The issue I am about to send off has 72 pages. That's because some of the articles I thought I could use had pics that were too low resolution to print. I knew I could drop back down to 72 pages and get the issue done, again to get back onto schedule. BTW, Bob Lomassaro is doing a fantastic job (along with all the rest of the team).

5) Has the Eboard and the Journal staff considered offering membership extensions as a form of "carrot" to entice members to write and submit articles IF there's a shortage in articles, particularly for certain genres? We have. The problem is tracking all that. Honestly, I don't think we need another "carrot"-seeing your article in print is pretty gratifying. And even while folks were complaining loudly about the 2024 May/June issue, the amount of submissions began to increase dramatically. This is still true. So, while I still get complaints about the "IUJ", I have also been getting lots of submissions and compliments. We are always looking for what our members are building, whether it is an M3 Lee (but 3d printed) or a 1/10th scale Hatsune Miku (both of which you will see in upcoming issues). 

I hope this answers your questions. Your initial post almost sounded like an ENDORSEMENT.

[ghodges]

Thanks for such detailed, concise, and easy to understand answers! It is reassuring that the changes being made are coming together as planned and that things are not only well under control, but that thought has been put into finding ways to save IPMSUSA costs while also upping quality.

And my post WAS an endorsement! As I said..... I believe you could put that onto a magazine stand in a hobby shop and it would sell to the general public. As it is, it is a BARGAIN for our membership even if you look at your IPMS dues as merely a magazine subscription!

 

Gil