On the board, I have read about the effects of the economy on collector and our hobby in particular. I know we have an aging membership. In addition, there has been discussion and people have linked to articles suggesting that the country is trending away from collecting in general. All of these factors, plus perhaps some dwindling in the actual membership numbers have raised concerns the last few years. Archie has provided nice incentives on a number of occasions in order to entice some who may be sitting on the fence to join. Hopefully, after one issue of our award-winning magazine and they will be hooked for life. In any case, it's our best shot for surviving and thriving in the coming years. I remember the two or three years before I joined, in December, there would be sudden movements to offer chips by as many as a six to ten people, some of them really nice looking chips. When I decided to join, nothing. But, you know what? I have received way more that my fair share of kindness from people in the hobby over the years. Especially when I started. Long-time collectors taking my common and probably poor condition chips they didn't need in any case in trades, trades with an, "if you ever find a..." attached so I could get the chip I wanted now. I have tried on a number of occasions to pass this generosity forward, but I think I'm still way ahead. So, I don't really mind seeing the incentives I never got. I am just glad someone has both the means and the desire to do it. Hopefully, this year will go well for me and I can start a bit of that myself. Still, I do what I can. I try to be helpful, informative and share what I have so others can enjoy it too. Still, I have to say Thank You to Archie, David Spragg, Gene Trimble, Andy Hughes, Charles Kaplan, Barry Hauptman, Brian Cashman, all of the Board of Directors and other officers, all of you behind the scenes MOGH people, intenet guide providers, book writers, Magazine editors, Debbie Meister, Steve Passalaqua (sp?? ), Pam G and anyone else who regularly contributes and/or works to raise money or otherwise help the hobby for all of your efforts in keeping this hobby healthy so I can enjoy it!!