Sticking with the viability factor, the club has to make a little money, or at the very least break each year. If the newsletter printing costs more than what the club takes in, then it has to be altered in some way. There have been some great suggestions so far. The idea of a color electronic version with a black and white print edition would temporarily solve some of the issues. Some people are very comfortable with electronic communication, others shun it completely. I believe what has to happen is there should be a transition period from the current newsletter format to the electronic format. It should take place over the next few years. As an example:
Year 1: For those that can make the change now, make the change to the electronic format. For those that prefer a printed format, allow that.
Year 2: Try to wean those that are still on the printed edition to the electronic version by adding a surcharge for the printed edition. (Perhaps a $5 dues increase).
Year 3: Maintain the higher dues rate for the printed version, but reduce the dues for everyone that only receives the electronic version. In that way, there is an incentive to change if you haven't done so, but you still have the option of a hard copy.
Year 4: Maintain year 3
Year 5: Eliminate the hard copy option, adjust dues accordingly.
If the primary role of the dues is to pay for the printing of the newsletter, then those costs should decrease. I don't know if there is currently a stipend for editing the newsletter, but if not, some of the dues money could go to that. It wouldn't be much, but would be a small show of appreciation for the work that is done.
During that time, it would be imperative to bring in some new members. Perhaps offering a discount on dues renewal for each new member a current member brings on would help.
Had I read and pondered this earlier this week, I would have printed out club info. I set up at a local flea market and sold a bunch of stuff. I could have given out club info.
Over the next five years, the plan should be to double club membership, eliminate the printed version of the newsletter, this would result in a lowering of dues, and that lower dues amount might be the incentive many new members need to join the club.
I am in no way saying that the does are too costly now, but if most of the dues goes to printing/postage costs, it would make for an attractive club opportunity if we could offer membership at $10 per year with the expectation of a color electronic newsletter delivered through e-mail.
So there is my two (OK, maybe three) cents worth of input. Again, the main focus needs to be on building the club to maintain viability, reducing costs in the process, while providing an excellent service.