Jim,

Sorry for not responding sooner. When I posted that last evening, shortly thereafter I headed out the door on business. After being up all night I have to admit that I am a bit tired so please excuse the rough edges.

But first Jim I would just like to say that where I come from they would call you a peach. Because you truly are a peach of a guy!

Ok, not having given it much thought, I was unaware of the tax limitations. That would be an obstacle, but not one that couldn't be overcome. Could a totally separate entity be established? Call it an investment club, leaving the current fund untouched. Maybe I'm grasping at straws, but I really think the basic idea is a doable thing. As Wayne Delia pointed out, age is our worst enemy, many of us are no longer spring chickens. I also realize the difficult task in reaching the entire membership with such a proposal, not to mention selling them on the idea. However, just as time is against us, time is also our friend. So I ask everyone who followed the thread, who’s interest may have been aroused, to take a minute out of their day to revisit the idea. Give it some thought, put on those thinking caps, pool your thoughts and knowledge with others, then maybe, just maybe we might stumble onto a plan interesting enough to pursue.

Nowhere on this planet will you make more money than in the stock market. Granted they are not giving it away, but with multiple minds, the process of obtaining it, along with the odds, are greatly influenced.

How much dough are we talking? Lets get realistic. How about $2 million? Why? Well, the cost of a building will not be cheap, purchased or constructed. Followed by furnishings, utilities, insurance, along with all the other associated costs. But most importantly, to insure for a long healthy existence, the club would need a sound bank account. Respectively, I’m guessing $500k to $1 million, but no less than $500k. I say this from experience. Not being able to properly bridge unforeseen gap(s) can ruin you. Let alone those planned and prepared for.

Ok, just for the heck of it, here’s a little grass seed to sow. Anyone interested can add to it, subtract or modify. But the goal is to grow this tiny seed idea into an idea of lush green grass. Then, if successful, I truly believe the current membership will rise to the occasion. Think of yourselves as foundation members, joined together in an effort to build a foundation, as in building foundation. Not only a club facility for all of us to enjoy, but many more to come. Those of which who will undoubtedly look back with amazement as to how a group of dedicated collectors formed and built such a prestigious club. The founding officers planted the seeds, and with the help and determination from what I referred to as the foundation members, we can help to grow – then harvest those seeds.

Here are my 2¢ worth of seeds:

1. Give some thought to an alternative entity. Perhaps an investment club in which funds could be rolled into the current at a later date. Due to current limited tax restrictions of course.

2. If you know of a club member with a specific expertise that may be helpful, don't be afraid to ask questions. Tell them our idea, ask them what they think, then write it down. The more knowledge we squirrel together, the better feel we can get as to making this work or not. I personally think we can!

3. If legally doable, we would need to think of low cost ways to get the message out to our fellow members.

4. We would need volunteers, stock market savvy volunteers. Individuals with hands on trading experience, long, short, calls, puts etc. I have this and I would gladly volunteer my free time in helping. Research is king, the more you know about what you are investing in, the better your chances are at winning.

5. Form a group of the above, bound to a strict set of rules of course. No monkey business, all investment activity would be monitored with full transparency to the membership.

6. Once a group is formed, then formulate a basic plan of attack. I personally look for weaknesses in the market, as I learned many years ago on the blackjack tables. It’s not, “how can I win”, rather it’s knowing how they are beating you, and know it well. That’s rule no1 and coincidentally the most overlooked rule by both casino and market players.

7. Call for the funds, from us, the foundation members. Remember, at some point in time our club membership could be in excess of 100k to 200k or more, and they'll be thanking you, for your generous efforts in laying the foundation they stand on. Trust me on that.

8. Once funded, establish and fund a brokerage account. Many brokerage firms offer free trades with maintained balances upward of $25k or more. We would qualify, thus cutting our investment club costs dramatically.

9. Investment officers would screen input from you, us, the members. Send in those stock tips, follow the markets, get in tune with your finances. Knowing the markets could jumpstart your personally wealth as well. Too many people rely on brokers to make their decisions. That’s fine, but it never hurts to back that up with first hand knowledge. Many of you, if not already, will be retiring soon, so staying a breast of things could actually benefit you.

10. Then, start trading!

Please, this is not a sales pitch. Rather it is a reoccurring thought that enters my mind from time to time when thinking about a future visit to the CCGTCC Club Facility. Yes, I can see this place as clear as glass. From parking, to walking up the front steps and through the Fourier, to gazing over Club Exhibits. But even more so just meeting and socializing with great people like yourselves, over a hot cup of coffee!

This is a great hobby with many amazing people. So lets put our amazing minds together and make this happen. Think about it, hash it over, but don't surrender.

Take Care,

Sam