You posted; "I have been to the SB show many times and the convention once in a while. A club number isn't necessary." That might be true Dave, but have you given any thought to the fact that if there were no dues paying club members there would be NO convention? A "chip show" is not a convention.

As for your old membership number being restored. I have this one simple question; Is it fair, hypothetically for example, if you had joined the club 20+ years ago and had a membership number of lets say under R-500 and you allowed it to lapse by not renewing your dues a year later, that you should be able now to re-claim that early number which would give the impression to others that you have been a member all those years, when in fact it was 20 years ago that you were a club member?

As Bedo has commented... we would welcome you back with open arms no matter what your new membership number is.