... for men of principle, even if they happen not to share the popular point of view (though I'm not at all sure what the popular point of view is on this issue).

>> What you say is true as far as you take it. Fact is that that particular
>> Chapter was formed when the rules required membership in the CC>CC.
>> The Chapter was formed under the auspices of the international and now
>> when the possiblity of that same requirement being reinvoked it time to
>> head for the door.

No one, including Charles, has said it is time to head for the door yet, Marty. But, if that chapter (or any other) were to decide to drop out of the club, we can only ask one thing: What have WE failed to do to convince them to say?

>> Its not illegal, it is within boundaries, I guess. ... but to me part
>> of the job of a Chapter President (who signed on under similar rules)
>> should be to encourage and educate potential members about the CC>CC,
>> not lead the charge to the door.

Every leader, in trying to do his job, whatever that might be, should always have foremost in ind what is best for his followers. For a subordinate leader (like a chapter president in our club), what's best for the parent organization will usually also be what's best for the followers. But, this will not always be the case. And Charles didn't say he was going to "lead the charge" (which implies that he is going to urge the chapter to drop out of the club); he just said he would let them decide for themselves what they want to do.

I am reminded again of one of my favorite quotations (George Bernard Shaw): "The reasonable man tries to adapt himself to the world. The unreasonable man tries to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends upon the unreasonable man."

Don't misunderstand me, Marty (or anyone else). I believe that every member of a chapter would benefit from membership in the international club. I think the benefits of club membership far exceed the measly $20/year membership fee. I can't imagine why anyone who collects chips, tokens or other casino/gambling memorabilia wouldn't want to be a member of the club. But, I still see this as a problem with the club, not a problem with the chapter members who don't want to join the club. For whatever reason, we have failed to convince these people that the benefits of membership are worth the cost. THAT is what we really should be working on. ----- jim o\-S