Here are a few ideas regarding membership/convention/general issues. Some of these might have been put forth before as I have not been active for the past few years. I want to stress, these are just some ideas I have come up with and in way are to be construed as a comment on current members, policies or actions. No offence is intended, they are only meant to be conversation starters.

1) Any consideration to creating a new member pack? If a regular membership, a recent copy of TCR (Nevada Chip collectors), Gaming Table (other collectors) and perhaps a few nice but inexpensive tokens, key cards, or chips were packaged together (a small variety of molds, inlays, manufacturers and or locations) you could still hit a price point around $99. This might help raise awareness of the club, the resources available and introduce some of the directions a collector might take their collection.

2) After putting together the “New to the hobby” package. The club should list it on eBay as a buy it now auction. By maintaining a steady stream of auctions, with varied end times, you would reach thousands of people searching the chip, token and other casino collectables area for a few cents. You would be reaching people who, by the nature of their searching, are interested in collecting. I could not think of a more cost effective advertising buy.

3) Lots of members are actively selling on eBay. Perhaps the BoD could come up with a ”Club Ambassador Program”(CAP). Create a set of standards, (minimum feedback rating etc.), and a boilerplate text for members to insert into their auction listings. This text would include a link to the club website, and also provide a promotional code (the 4 digit membership number of the listing member) for $5 off of the membership fee. Yes, I know the membership fees have little to no profit margin built in but I think the benefit of each marginal enrollment will provide greater revenue going forward. You could also raise the cost of the membership to offset the discount provided, but that is for a more detailed analysis if the idea moves forward. The promo code could be used to track how many new memberships are driven to the club by member and perhaps a small valueless acknowledgement (like a thanks in the magazine or something similar) could be made to the member or members that drives the most activity.

4) Club members should also be periodically reminded that The Chip Board is by far the most accessible entry into the hobby and its community. I would never want to see the free flow of ideas and comments to be stifled but there needs to be more acceptance of newcomers who post. Many are not as comfortable posting under their real name. If they are just asking questions or discussing the hobby, they should be welcomed not berated. Additionally, it is expected that in any group of individuals, friction and conflict will arise. The slights and arguments should be tempered by the understanding that the appearance of the group to a potential new member can be irrevocably damaged by a contentious atmosphere.

5) Acknowledging that there are many conveniences to hosting the convention in Las Vegas, has any thought been given to periodically (every other year, once every 3 or 5 years) hosting the convention elsewhere? With over 50% of the nation’s population still living east of Chicago, it might make the convention more accessible to many if it was hosted in a more convenient area from time to time. Let’s get crazy and even dare to consider some of the European attractions once every decade or so. This would certainly help to increase the visibility of the organization and would allow the hosting of a membership drive while in other cities.

6) Periodic virtual meetings, discussions or education seminars could be held online with the free video conferencing software now available on line. Nothing will better grow the participation levels and enthusiasm of members (both new and old) like the ability to have actual real time interaction with other members.
https://www.anymeeting.com/landing/buy/ChoosePlan.aspx
http://www.oovoo.com/home.aspx

More to follow as I or others think of them.
Now have at it with the comments!!!