First of all, there will be no "incentive" to remain a member unless the club's BoD decides to add something. Many people renew because of their love of the hobby, because they enjoy collecting chips, or for many other reasons. Others renew because of the club's great magazine. Then there are many, MANY others that renew because it's a small price to pay to keep close to those people that they now call friends. That's why I renewed...that's why I chose to become a Life Member. I have made a ton of really wonderful friends through this club, many of whom I've never met in person, but have a unique bond because of this club, this hobby & even this bulletin board. But I didn't wait for someone to approach me, I jumped right in, volunteered at the convention, introduced myself to as many people as I could & made as many acquaintences as possible -- many who have become my friends over the years.

A lot of members are in this hobby & the only for the chips & that's fine, too. But they can't expect to get much more out of it other than the chips. That's their choice, but to me, that's missing out on the greatest thing this club has to offer -- the people. The same people that know what I collect & keep me in mind when they run across something special that I might be interested in.

I have made myself very "visible"...volunteering where possible, offering thanks & congratulations on this BB where appropriate & offering sympathy when needed. When new members post that they've joined the club, they get welcomed -- did you post when you first joined? Do you post a "Welcome" when others post that they've joined? I don't know what you donated to the MOGH, but if you donated to the MOGH's Grab Bags, Steve Palumbo thanked those that donated.

Like I said starting out, as I see it -- you get out of it what you put into it.

Steve Bedo