as you noted. This club has a core of collectors that will stay to the end. I joined in 2001 & there are over 650 regular & life members still "involved" with this club that joined before I did...not a huge group, but I'm sure that they will remain to the end (if that ever comes about). MANY of those people are not "active" in the club & just like to play with their chips & read the magazine. Maybe, if the demise of the club was imminent, more would get involved...but we can't force them to be involved, just like we can't force people to collect gaming memorabilia.

The problem is & has always been -- how do we expose this hobby to a world of potential collectors? We already run ads in what I would consider the best potential pool of collectors -- ANA magazines -- but with extremely poor results. We have members work ANA conventions & events with very little interest in our club shown by those attending.

I believe that the MoGH & Chip Guide offer the greatest opportunity for exposure & growth. I am really excited about both displays (at the Mob Museum & El Cortez) because I believe that it is a foot in the doorway to greater possibilities. There are other opportunities that exist that are also being explored, but what a fantastic first step. And all of this work is being done through the donations of time, efforts & physical items from our wonderful members.

Thanks enough cannot be expressed.

Steve Bedo