1) Not sure why the 1st would be an issue.
Jay Sands was Vice President while a joint editor. Many past BoD members were chip dealers and/or catalog publishers during their tenures. I don't see what conflicts exist? Can you be specific?

2) The ideas I put forward in statement apply internationally. Many of the contacts I refer to are in europe and the far east.
I also mentioned about obtaining peoples reasons for wanting or no wanting to join or renew.
The magazine is always billed as the 'main reason'. I also think that being able to be 'fully' involved in the convention is another, but this is likely to be more true the closer you live to Vegas. For those who wouldnt ever be able to attend, the club should be 'sold' as 'the way to keep the hobby going and develop worldwide contacts within it'. I any event, I don't believe the cost of membership is the major factor to most prospective members.