I'm afraid we can do nothing about the "investing" way the hobby has grown. When I started collecting (within the club), an "expensive" chip was over $100. Now, an expensive chip is over $1000!! As long as there's money to be made, and the value of these items grow, deep pocketed individuals will bring their cash to "invest" for the future return be it short or long term.
As far as the club leadership being for the "collector" first, that should be a given! Dealers are the ones who have to 'coddle up' to the 'investors', the club leadership does not! All should and must be treated fairly and equally if we intend to have this club grow and prosper (now I sound like Spock<g>)!
Bottom line is, truth in deals, full disclosure and a keen eye for fakes is what the club should be concerned with. I know a few years back, even before Jim P. was involved <g>, there was a discussion of this on the Prodigy BB....should the club be the Chip Police?? That's where all these new posts under that topic came from! I say, yes, at this point in our hobby, the club MAY just have to be that!
Protection of veteran collectors "not connected" and newbys is priority #1.