PERC is considering the possibility of some changes to the look of the Peace and Environment News. Before embarking on this course of action we would like to obtain feedback from the readership.

The objective of the changes that we are considering is to improve the rate at which people pick up the PEN in public places (i.e. community centres, libraries, etc.). We are hoping that an increase in the PEN's pick up rate will lead to more public awareness about peace and environment issues and PERC's activities and ultimately increase PERC's membership.

Your answers to the following questions will provide us with valuable feedback that will help us to make our decisions.

1. The PEN is considering using full colour for the front and back pages. This would cost us about 10% more per issue. Do you believe that this is worth doing?
   Yes No
2. Should we be considering changing the look of the PEN in any way?
   Yes No
3. If the PEN were to change, what adjectives do you think should describe the new look? e.g. more: open (i.e. less text per page) / scholarly / dynamic / trustworthy / artistic. Use as many adjectives as you like.
   
4. Space is always limited in the PEN due to financial constraints. Do you think that sacrificing some text space to create a more open look would provide a benefit by making the publication more readable? Or, should the PEN use as much space as possible for content?
   
5. Please give an example of one locally available publication that you like the look of and whose appearance you think the PEN might consider emulating; (the publication could be free or paid, city wide or a community paper, e.g. The Glebe Report, Capital Extra, Metro, etc.)
   
6. Do you have any comments about the style and content of the writing in the PEN? Should we consider making any changes? e.g. articles that are more scholarly? more personnel, etc.?
   
7. Any other comments?
   

Dear PERC Members,

I am writing this letter to let you know about some changes taking place that may affect the PEN.

While PERC carries out many activities, involving nearly 100 volunteers, the PEN is the most visible “face” of the PERC present in our community. Our urban landscape has been changing, however, and the PEN is now just one of many free publications available to the public with the advent of other tabloids such as Metro, The Epoch Times, etc.

As I am sure you know, the PERC operates on a very limited budget and we are constantly looking at ways in which we can make the most effective use of the resources that we have available. As part of this ongoing process, we are looking at whether we can make the PEN more effective at attracting new readers who might be potential PERC members and volunteers.

Part of this process will include an on-line questionnaire on the PERC web site, requesting your input on ways in which the PEN might be improved. The link and a hard copy of the questionnaire is on the back of this letter.

We will working on this assessment process over the course of the summer and are hopeful that the end result will be a PEN that is more attractive to potential readers.

Given the timing of these efforts, and the need to make best use of our limited human and financial resources, we have decided not to publish the July-August issue of the PEN. The next issue available (after May-June) will come out in September.

I would like to thank each of you for your continued support of our organization. Should you have any questions or comments about this process you can reach me by email at board@perc.ca or via the PERC office at 613-230-4590.

Regards,

Steve Gurman

Board President

Don't forget the Garage Sale  … May 26th

Drop off items Fri May 25th, or

call 613 230-4590 to arrange pick-up

Or to volunteer to help with the sale …