Hi Everyone:

I don't post on here very often but, in light of the current discussion thread, I'd like to add my opinion to the issue at hand:

I'm also relatively new at chip collecting. I started in late 2011 and found a deep love for the hobby. I enjoy hunting and collecting chips, then researching the history on the casinos from whence those chips came. The artwork is mesmerizing; the backstory of a chip or casino is fascinating; the sheer fun of obtaining hard-to-get chips is exhilarating. I jumped into the hobby with both feet and discovered, through online research, that the CC>CC club existed. I made it a point to join the club and then attended my first annual convention in 2012. I've attended every annual convention since 2012 and just returned home from the 2016 convention with some wonderful additions for my collection.

That said, I also understand the frustration from newer (and maybe sometimes older) members over the 'politics' or the seemingly difficult wall to break through and feel like you actually belong to the club. To be honest, I still don't believe I've done that yet. Each year I attend the convention, I see familiar faces and greet those I've seen from prior years... but I still truly feel like an outsider. There are a few members of the club (specifically Steve Bedo, Steve Passalacqua and Quentin Kamm) who have gone out of their way to be inclusive and friendly to this relatively-new member. I want to personally thank them and let them know that I appreciate their efforts because this is the behavior I expected to see from members of such an exclusive club.

I see many club members (as well as Board members) on this message board say that, to be included, you need to be willing to volunteer at the convention. I have not yet done so; partially because it's difficult for me to justify blindly giving my time up to a group of people who may (or may not) really give a damn whether I attend the convention or not. This is the weakness I see with the current climate of the club. I'm not sure I have an easy answer to this, and I'm not sure if I'm the only one who feels this way, but there has to be a better way to celebrate the new(er) members of the club without making that inclusion dependent on their willingness or ability to volunteer at the convention.

Some people are just naturally shy. Traditionally, people who collect items such as stamps, coins, chips, etc. are more introverted than extroverted. To rely solely on them to reach out to an organization that appears to be self-inclusive is counterproductive. These people already feel like they are on the outside and probably lack the skills or traits to go up and start introducing themselves to a bunch of strangers. To ask them to volunteer without first cultivating a friendly relationship does both the member and the club a disservice. Neither one benefits. This is where the members who are more extroverted can help (again, please see the names I listed above). I think the club should try to better utilize its members with those outgoing traits to seek out and welcome the newer (or even disenfranchised) members. I can only imagine how much fun the last couple of conventions would have been if I had felt more included in the "group" without it hinging on me stepping forward first. I see Board members post platitudes in response to the posts of frustration and all that does is make the chasm wider. I know you on the "inside" enjoy the club and think it's great. That doesn't help someone who sits on the "outside" and doesn't see an easy entrance to the "good old boys" club. Again, I don't know if I speak for anyone other than myself but I also can't believe that I'm the only member who feels like this.

So... to conclude a long post, I'd like to say the following. I have not given up on the club. Don't get me wrong, it has crossed my mind a number of times. I love collecting and I will never give up the hobby. I'm just unsure of the value that being a member the club brings to the hobby. My 3 year membership expires on 6/30/16. I waited until I attended the convention before deciding whether or not to renew it another year; and my intention was to renew it for just another year if I were to do it at all. At the convention, I actually took the plunge and renewed for another 3 years with a hopeful attitude. I'm hopeful that this was the correct decision. I'm hopeful that the current President and Board recognize the need to bring in new members each year (let's face it, the average age of a club member is getting up there) to help revitalize and re-energize the club. I'm hopeful that new ideas which are presented will be accepted as a willingness to grow the club or make it better and not always just a criticism of the status quo. I'm hopeful that members can set aside petty differences and appreciate the hard work that the Board and convention volunteers give in order to make the club and convention an enjoyable experience.

Once again, thanks to all of you who recognize the challenges a new member faces and goes out of your way to help that person along. You are truly the heart of the CC>CC and the reason why I keep attending the conventions and care about the future of the club.

Scott Moore
R-8441