Dear Everyone

I sometimes receive letters of complaint about the late delivery of the newsletter. I would like to point out that with a few exceptions, the responsibility of the delivery of the newsletter lies mainly with the national Societies of which individuals are members. We make sure that each issue is prepared and delivered to the National member Societies in time to reach the recipients by the date on the newsletter. The newsletters are sent by airmail through the Royal Mail in the UK in all except one instance, the USA (sent by international carrier due to quantity); no consignments are sent surface mail. Guaranteed delivery times to different countries vary but are typically 6 days at the longest. It is then the responsibility of the local person or agency that receives these packages to forward the newsletters to the individual members.

And that is when the famous story about four men, Somebody, Anybody, Everybody and Nobody takes place: Somebody had to do the job of distributing the newsletters. Somebody had this responsibility because Everybody thought he was Somebody and not just Anybody. Somebody, however, thought that the job was Anybody's. Everybody on the other hand thought that Somebody would do it. However, Nobody did it. In the meantime the newsletters were maturing on Somebody's desk and Everybody was waiting for them excited about his participation in the new newsletter competition, (don't forget US$ 20.00 for the first correct solution to the crossword published in the July issue, received by Christmas), submissions to forthcoming conferences and all other wonderful contents of the newsletter.

At the end Somebody thought that the newsletters were taking too much space on his desk and besides, they had matured enough so he made sure they were posted. Everybody got his newsletter well done, five months out of date and was not very pleased. So Everybody complained to the Editor. The Editor then told Everybody to complain to Somebody. Everybody complained to Somebody. Somebody was not pleased and started arguing that the newsletter is not an efficient way of distributing information. Everybody agreed and Somebody was pressing to abolish the Newsletter altogether and replace it by electronic mail. This way Nobody would do the job and Anybody could receive it in time. However, Nobody without access to email could receive it and Everybody with access to email would receive it whether he was a member of IAPR or not. However, Everybody would have to read it sitting in front of his computer and not at any other place... Nobody would bother with membership of IAPR as Anybody would be like a member.

At this point a god from Olympus mountain appeared in front of Somebody and gave him advice (it always happens in Greek tragedies). Somebody realised that he was not just Anybody, but an officer of IAPR which was about to disintegrate and that he had some responsibility to the members of his Society that elected him. Somebody then put his act together and ever since the newsletters have been delivered on time and Everybody lived happily ever after!

The Happy End!

PS All Greek tragedies have a little exaggeration in them.

Maria Petrou