More Changes On the Way for Synapse
Many of you will remember the announcement three years ago that the funding for Synapse had been cut as part of larger cuts to other Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) publications. Many Unitarian Universalist (UU) Youth and the Youth Office worked hard on a plan to streamline Synapse and get some funding restored, and by the Fall of 2003, Synapse was back to two issues per year. Again this year, the struggling economy has made some budget cuts necessary across the Association. In 2005-06, Synapse's budget will be reduced by about 50%. (To put this in perspective, the UU World magazine will be published four times per year instead of six.)The Youth Office pondered a number of options...the idea that seemed like the most creative compromise was to increase the Synapse production to three online issues per year, and one print issue which would be a compilation of the three online issues. So, after the Spring 2005 issue comes out next month, you won't see another print issue of Synapse for over a year...but in (roughly) October, January, and April, you'll see a new online issue of Synapse containing articles, resources, and timely announcements of opportunities. Then around the end of August, you'll see a large print issue containing all the articles and resources from the online issues, as well as flyers with opportunities for the upcoming year.
How is one big issue cheaper than two smaller issues? It turns out there are some one-time costs associated with making each issue which do not increase significantly with the size of each issue. Also, having one issue means more real content—only one front cover, one back cover, one table of contents, etc.
Even though we're disappointed about the realities that caused the funding to be cut back, we're excited about the opportunity to continue to move Synapse in the direction it has been for the past two years—away from flyers and announcements about events with expiration dates, and towards resources, information, and perspectives that will be useful for years to come. The idea is, as you collect Synapse, you're really collecting a library of resources and youth essays!
One last note—for those currently subscribed to the print version, you'll receive the one big print issue per year, starting around September 2006...and remember, check the subscription expiration date on the back of your Synapse—a subscription is for two years (which now means two issues), and you may need to resubscribe!
Looking to the future!
—The Youth Office
For more information contact youth @ uua.org.
Last updated on Saturday, April 19, 2008.
