I saw a post by my friend John Kallman, and it got me thinking. This is usually a dangerous thing, but it is particularly scary when I am unable to sleep. John suggested it may be time to expand the OTY awards. He made several specific suggestion of areas that might merit consideration (such as titos, books, etc.).

Jim Follis responded in a well written discussion of the issue. Outlining what is involved in creating a new oty category, and the criteria he goes by when making recommendations to the board. Jim's post, and the discussion as a whole is worth a few minutes to read. The things that caught my attention in the discussion, were the recognition of books, articles, and web sites.

Kallman was basically brainstorming, and I think that is incredibly constructive. I also agree with Follis that their aren't enough books annually to justify an OTY, and the issue of web sites may not lend itself well to an OTY. Follis also correctly states that there is an award for outstanding article in the club mag. But I think Kallman's thoughts have a merit also. The books that are written (either specifically for the hobby-such as price guides; or have a broader appeal-such as Seymour's Antique Gambling Chips) and the web sites that spring up (The chip guide, the ashtray project, or the new site with the mold records) all benefit the hobby in major ways.

They broaden the horizon, they centralize information, they attract new people to the hobby, and give the hobby a greater credibility. I reference books and web sites, but their are articles that occur (not in our own magazine) that help as well. Much of that has been thru the hard work of Len Cipkens, and thank you to him for all he has done. I also wish my good friend Sheldon Smith for taking on that job. I just hope he won't use that as an excuse during the blackjack and poker tournaments at the convention in August.

While these types of achievements may not be ideal for an OTY award. I think discussion of a way to celebrate and recognize those contributions to the hobby would be appropriate. An award of this nature could be limited to the media arena (I think books are media, but I am certainly open to correction). Heck it is possible that someday chipping could be a part of fiction also. The club could recognize an outlet, but that would not requie that the outlet be released or opened during a given period. This type of award would share some similarity to the hall of fame, and that a recipient outlet would only be eligible to win once. There would certainly have to be guidelines developed etc.

While I am unable to cite specific examples at the moment,there are certainly other contributions that could be recognized as well that may not be strictly media oriented. The award would not have to be limited as suggested above, it is merely one alternative. Kallman's comment regarding the number of books put out annually, was that if the efforts were recognized, then there might be more written, is on the right track. However I might suggest that it isn't the possibility of being recognized that may spur more efforts, but the exposure of what has been done, may engender a creative spirit in others, as well as attract new people to the hobby.

This is an attempt by me to continue the constructive discussion I saw on the ccgtcc message board. It falls short of being a formal proposal, but I would welcome discussion on the topic. That discussion could lead to a formal proposal. I sincerely hope that both Kallman and Follis add more of their thoughts and insight as well.

For what it is worth, I have additional thoughts on another topic touched on in that same chain; the issue of a Hall of Famne for chips (which certainly could also include other collectibles such as ashtrays. It also rekindled a thought I had before that is of a more whimsical nature, I'll share more detailed ramblings in a separate post.

Have a wonderful day.