Steve,
Let me first answer your questions,and then clarify my reason for making my first post, as I think you've missed my point.
I thought the convention was awesome! the room, the concessions, the layout. It appeared to me that more dealers were present. I met many old and new friends again this year. I scored a lot of chips for my singles collections as well as many chips to fill gaps in my playable sets. The convention was well run from my perspective. All volunteers and organizers deserve a huge thank you and our appreciation!
The discussion in this thread initially concerned the website, then gravitated to how upgrading would improve membership. First rule of thought (at least mine) in growing your membership is to not run off current members. Especially, members with disposable income ready to spend it. Yes, Steve, I thought long and hard on just giving this person a pass. I hate that this incident occurred. I hate that it was a leader of the chipping community that was involved. And if it was a dealer or another member without ties the the face of the club, sure I would have probably blown it off. But it wasn't, it was someone who at the time represented the club. someone that impacts the future of the club, someone that impacts the impression members have of the club. Agree or not, a pass was not warranted.
The three of us broke no rules, the three of us had never heard of that rule, and from other discussions on this board, many of the other members haven't either. it's vague at best.
What can we do now? We keep the discussions on improving the membership going. If there are concerns like exchanging money on the floor that the general public and members (new and longtime) need to understand, let's work together to educate. Many ideas have been delivered to the membership in the last few days. Hopefully, the membership can wake up and help the leaders build a stronger community.
As they say on another site I frequent, this post is worthless without pr0n!
Enjoy! Some of my loot from the convention.
respectfully,
james
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