I can't imagine the amount of time invested by a member of the board is so prohibited to prevent them from taking a quick poll of their members.

I've also read the dissenting comments of how the "slabbers" issue was resolved. I for one, am not for slabbing chips... but who am I to make that decision for 2,000+ members? If I were a member of the board (and persuasive) I could easily pass a draft and subsequently enact a policy based on my personal beliefs and not those of the membership... that's a shame.

Not having known Bruce and not knowing Chuck, my initial assessment of Chuck's question was whether an expelled member should be allowed to author an article in a club magazine. Now, the question, is a valid question, at least for him. Initially, the general opinion was that it should be considered and may not be appropriate. However, due to the nature of the particular article Chuck chose... it went into a whirl spin! His mention of the "Hall of Fame" was desperate... he apparently has some issues with past decisions of the board or maybe some personal issues with members of the board. Who knows! But is it the position of to ridicule a members position... or should it be reviewed?

It would be interesting to see what the memberships TRUE feelings are toward slabbed chips, self-manufactured chips (seems a lot of people collect them-whether they were known before or after manufacturer), who should be allowed to author an article in the "official" club magazine, etc. Regardless of anyone's current beliefs, whenever a member of the board makes a comment, it is construed to be that of the board (this is one freedom giving away upon election).

How many members are there? What percentage vote? Why is it offensive to ask the membership what they think when a decision has to be made (how many real decision are made a year?) The magazine, convention, selection of the board are fundamental and should be part of the constitution, by-laws and ethics. How many decisions above-and-beyond these have to be made? In my opinion, the ethics committee should be the only preliminary decision made without consulting the members.

I have the luxury of being a new collector and haven't formed any bonds, alliances or cliques. As such, I view a lot of the issues differently than the select few who voice their opinions on this and the board.

If it took 30 seconds to author and implement an electronic survey... would it be a waste of the board's time? If the decision made by the membership was different than the decision voted by the board, would the board still neglect the members voice?

Your comments make sound like a political organization and not a hobby. What's best for the hobby... to implement a leaders policies for two years and listen to the malcontents drag down the club... or make it a fun hobby whose membership enjoys and promotes the hobby through the personal involvement?