RED RAG

Ideas & suggestions from a Red Rag Collective meeting at 92a London
Rd, Reading on Sun 3 August 1986.

Present: Paul Ha, Paul Ho, Paul Co, Nick, Simon, Ian, Sam, Laura,
Jackie, John, Clive, Linda, Ana, Mark R.

Thanks to Laura for the hospitality & refreshments!

Here we go...

(A) Pricing of the Rag / a paper: suggestions for fixed price /
recommended donation / free...

i: A price gives a regular income, a good idea of opinions of the Rag
& how many to print. Donations would be better but don't happen.

ii: But some people would refuse to pay on principle (commodity
consumption). It was pointed out that "Going Out" info is about
consumption too! Part of the Rag's character is its free-ness.

iii: What people felt: Simon, Clive, Laura, Ian & Mark in favour of,
say, 10p price; Paul Co, Linda and Ana don't like the idea of a price
but can't see any other way; John in favour of a price; Paul Ho
against a price on principle; Sam - can't think of anything better
than a price; Paul Ha prefers donations but would go along with
pricing if need be; Nick is against charging; money from paid ads
preferable.

iv: Nothing resolved on pricing. What do you think?

v: Larry has offered to get paid ads going as a major source of
funding. The meeting welcomed this, but it needs some
clarification. Also, how does Larry feel about pricing the paper?

vi: If the Rag cost something to but, a way of getting the cash needs
looking at (collecting it).

vii: One way to get grobblies is to become a co-op or try for a "small
grant".


(B) Distribution

i: It was agreed(!) that the current door-to-door distribution is very
nice but it takes up a lot of time & effort, and makes Sunday folding
something to avoid.

ii: Simon suggested putting the Rag out through outlets in central
Reading, with an enlarged posties system (10 subscriptions!) for
people too far from such an outlet. This sounded OK to most people but
obviously could give the posties person (currently Veronique) more
work. What do you think, Veronique?

iii: If the Rag cost, say, 10p a copy, and a new ideas on distribution
were put into practice, then money would have to be collected at the
outlets, (especially because, as Paul Co said, door-to-door saves /
collections would cause lots of aggro for distributors).

iv: It was felt some way of ensuring that people did pay was needed. A
suggestion was for a % commission to the shopkeepers etc, which would
make it in their interest to ensure people paid up for the Rag. Again,
this got a mixed response & was not resolved.

v: Those people who was commission as being a necessary evil suggested
that we go to an outlet with an agreed number of copies, ask for our
Rag money up front & then, when we go back with the next one, give
them a commission for the ones sold & a refund for the unsold
copies. Ie a sale or return system...

vi: What do you think about the idea of pricing & commission?

vii: It was agreed to talk to current shop / other outlets about these
things, & "report back" to the next meeting. Points to raise include:
scrapping door-to-door delivery means more people coming to shops for
Red Rag & so more custom for shops; the Rag (if priced) would be
available on sale or return; only mention commission as a last resort
(but if one shop insists on it, should all outlets get it - that seems
fair).

viii: Simon to talk to Eurofoods, Mo's Place, Kan's Kitchen Music Mkt;
Nick to AUEW, ICL, Elephant Off License; Paul Ha to Palmer Park
library, Azad; Ian - Acorn, Harvest, UB Cycles, Pan Books; Mark R to
Jellys, Paradise Club, No. 60; Laura - Lings, Central, Apollo & RCRE,
Continental Stores, Sutherlands; Ana to Listen, Pop Records; Clive to
Sanco & Harrisons Newsagents.


(C) Acorn - are the Acorn collective prepared to allow "The Rag" to
use their equipment? If so, on what basis? Especially if the Rag costs
10p or whatever. It would be good if Acorn could come to the next
meeting.


(D) Standard Format - suggested, to give clarity, & to make it easier
for people to get involved in pasteup. As few typefaces as
possible. All copy to be typed in the correct column width, if poss -
3 columns a page popular (8cm typing, 6cm when reduced - Nick has
access to a suitable photocopier). Mark in favour of standard layout
principles to give continuity, make it more attractive to buy (if
priced) or get, and to reduced artistic rivalry over pasteup
style. And to avoid space wasting. Page/sheet size dependent on the
press used, & so on Acorn's opinions.


(E) Name - not really discussed. A new start, or use the loyalty of
the Rag's readership by not changing name???


(F) Printing - good to get involved for (1) demystification (2) skill
sharing (3) assembling a suitable printing group if we were to do it
ourselves (4) knowing what you can get away with on artwork.


(G) Editorial policy - held over to next meeting, along with ... (sort
of) ...


(H) Content / Why Have Red Rag?

i: Paul Co raised the essential question of who is the Rag / paper
for? Why write? "So that people know what's happening"; "not for
Anarchists or politicos"; "for groups of like minded people"; "to
relay ideas & information"; "not a journal for theory - but your ideas
affect how you put info across"; "not for political axe-grinding" -
quite a selection of views, but many are compatible. John into lots of
national / international stuff.

ii: If we want a situation where people use this framework to transmit
information - on rights, action, campaigns, what is / will be / has
been going on - how does this active participation come about? By
developing contacts, perhaps with a newshound team responsible for
going to groups etc to ask them what's happening & if they were aware
of the Rag as a means of reaching more people, etc.

iii: A popular suggestion - talk to all sorts of people / groups about
the Rag's new approach. For contacts, info, contributions &
involvement.

iv: Another idea: media workshops on writing, pasteup etc to give new
people experience & exchange skills, without Rag production
deadlines. Laura, Clive & Mark offered to help.


(I) Next meeting: Thurs 14 August 1986, 8pm at 56 Hamilton Rd,
Reading. Come on down!

 - Bumper new launch issue planned for end of September - get busy
   now!!

x Mark.

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