Your probably right.

I see the building fund a little different than most of the members. The supporters of the fund (and there are many) see it as something that could (or will) occur in the near future. The critics (and they are vocal) see it as pie in the sky, and unrealistic.

I see the building fund as an ongoing goal. If we are sincere in our stated desire to help preserve our little area of history, than there needs to be ways to accomplish that. A building would allow for permanent displays, meeting facilities, and any number of other uses.

This goal gives the membership a goal outside of their own personal interests. If someone gave the club a building, and sufficient funds to maintain the facilities, we would need to create some other long term goal. Some day we will achieve the goal, in what form it may take, I don't know-personally I'd love it if we could tae over a closed casino (preferably on the strip or downtown).

But the building fund creates opportunities for members to work together to achieve a common goal. It sets the goal beyond our immediate reach, that gives the club a sense of purpose, and a direction.

There are other wonderful things in the club, such as the library, which we could do stuff for as well, but that is ongoing. The building is a representative idea, one that has us going and growing.

Debbie Meister does the grab bags each year. The first year I got mine at the same time as Belinda Hixon, we sat together and traded some of the items in our sacks. There are always things popping up to raise money for the building fund which are fun and add something themselves.

The building is a destination, and it may take a fgew years or many many years to get there, and it may take a form totally different than what we picture in our heads. But I support the fund as much for the journey getting there.

The journey adds many things to our club, positive things. Yes there are times when the journey gets rough, and some question the reason for the journey. The reason for the journey is simple, clubs like ours are like sharks, if we stop we die.

So when the day comes when we throw open the doors to the club building, I hope somebody is looking at the metaphorical map to see where we should journey to next.

Besides Chuck, if you die before the building opens, then we can name something in it after you.

The Chuck Smorse Information Desk, or

the Chuck Smorse Lobby, or

The Chuck Smorse Memorial Bathroom