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Let me start with a note about a change in the pledge period.
Traditionally, the Nygaard Notes Pledge Period was set at 44 issues. This number came from the fact that I used to put out about 44 issues per year. Last year I changed to a "publish-as-often-as-I-can" schedule, and I ended up putting out 33 issues instead of 44. So I think it makes sense to declare a new measurement of the Nygaard Notes Year. Henceforward it shall be 33 issues.
So, after you send in your pledge, I will wait until 33 issues of the Notes comes out before I send you your personalized Pledge Renewal letter. That way, your pledge really will be good for about a year. I just sent out some renewal letters to people on the old "44-week" system, and it had been about 15 months since they last pledged. That's not a year!
So, if you decide on your pledge amount using the traditional "pledge-per-issue" amount, a pledge of $1.00 per issue would mean you would make out a check for $33.00 instead of the former $44.00. If you use another method of calculating, then go ahead and do whatever you do, there are so many options that it's too complicated for me to go into here.
But, you get the idea: a year in Nygaard Notes-land is now 33 issues.
For those of you who have already pledged, not to worry: your current pledges will still be good for 44 issues--I wouldn't make you change horses in mid-stream!
The Three Methods
For those of you who have not been through a Pledge Drive before, here are three different methods for determining the amount of your generous donation. You may, of course, come up with your own method; these are simply suggestions.
Method #1: Traditional
The traditional way of pledging, or subscribing, is to attempt to determine what each issue is "worth." That would involve a look at the "market," which would mean finding other newsletters like this one that charge per issue and trying to be competitive with them. I don't like this method, for two reasons. One, I don't think there are other newsletters like this one. For one thing, if they were like this one they would not charge anything, but would be provided as a public service supported by free-will donations. Two, I don't even understand this "competitive" stuff. The only reason I ask for pledges at all is so that I can have enough time available to do a good job of it. I'm not trying to establish a "market" or make a profit.
As you have probably figured out, this "traditional" method is not my favorite. Still, it is one way to do it. Since the new Nygaard Notes "year" is now 33 issues, figure it like this: If each issue is worth a dollar to you, then you could send me $33. Fifty cents each? Then it's $16.50. If you would be willing to shell out about one thin dime for each issue, then send a check for $3.30. Simple, no?
Method #2: Income/Wealth Calculation
A second way to think about what amount to pledge is to relate your contribution to your own income or wealth. Are you willing to devote one or two hour's worth of your wages each year to supporting Nygaard Notes? Then send me that amount. If you make minimum wage, I am more than happy to accept $5.15 or $10.30 for your annual subscription donation. If you make closer to the average hourly wage for United Statesians of $15.46 (2003 figures), then you would make an annual contribution of something like $15.00 to $31.00. You could get more specific, too. The average pediatrician, for example, makes about $140,000/year, so the Pediatrician Pledge would be about $70.00 to $140.00.
In a related way, you could send one-tenth of 1% of your net worth. For the average household, this would be roughly $42. (For help in figuring out your own wealth, the median household income, etc., see Nygaard Notes #138, "Wealth in the United States.")
Method #3: Whatever
You may think up your own amount based on some outrageously complex system that is impossible to reproduce here. Fine. Use it.
I will record whatever you send and then I will contact you about 33 issues later and ask you to renew your pledge. (Most people do renew, but you don't have to.) I will even send a pre-addressed and stamped envelope--that's about as easy as it gets. |
