The main problem with this report is that the budget for the newsletter is considered in isolation. I would much rather see a report that shows what options exist for the newsletter at different budget ranges, all the way from a minimal amount ($3600) up to whatever a monthly magazine would cost, and a bunch of steps in between including the $18000 level.
I also liked the line about actively seeking out advertisers. Given the extremely limited distribution (are we even above 1000 yet? and how many of those even read it at all much less the ads?) and the medium (everyone is used to ignoring and not even seeing ads on the computer by now) the prices are simply ridiculous. $250 to buy a full page ad... whereas that same $250 would probably cover a direct mailing to around 250 CFC members. I note that in the November issue there was exactly one ad, although it's unclear if it's supposed to be a 1/4 page or 1/8 page (it's more like a 1/6 page ad) and it's buried on Page 21.
There is also no mention about timing. How many threads do we see here and on Chesstalk asking where the newsletter is? How often has it been on time? For someone wanting to advertise an upcoming event, the uncertainty is a big problem as well. There should be some kind of financial penalty from the salary of the editor if the newsletter is not ready on time.
Christopher Mallon
FIDE Arbiter