First, I want to let those who don't know what my situation it. I have never been to a convention. I have never met the vast majority of people I read on the board. My only tangible benefit from the club is my copy of the magazine.

So, with that in mind, here is my take:

1. The most important things which keep people interested in the hobby/attract people to the hobby are this site, the annual convention and the Chip Guide, two of which are run by the club. Yes, the chip guide started as a privately created and run entity (thank you, Greg Susong), and it may be where it is even if it was never taken over by the MOGH, which is itself an outgrowth of the club, but it is a part of the club now. Yes, I suppose eBay must be included in this list. OK, that has nothing to do with the club.

2. The club itself keeps people engaged in the hobby by its very existence, as well as the magazine, convention, etc.

3. The club officers do more to at least try to attract people to the hobby than any other source by far. Without an organized effort of some kind, many of the existing members would simply leave the hobby.

4. The club efforts through the MOGH in creating actual publicly available exhibits and in attempting to ultimately create an actual museum are the most important investment in the future of this hobby that I can imagine. If done properly, a museum could create interest.

To me, it is worth it to renew each year just to support the club, and thus, the hobby, even if I didn't get the magazine (which I am very glad I do receive, believe me).

Thank you to every person whose efforts have created each and every aspect of this club and keep it humming year after year.

Those are my thoughts.

Michael Siskin