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. (I'm sure that some of you have seen the ads in many of my posts, as well as the banner ads on this and other Message Boards.) While many of you know me, either personally or via my on-line persona, I have put together this Campaign Message about myself and kindly ask for your readership.
Greetings!
My name is Jim Follis, and I am a candidate for Club Secretary of the , Inc. Like many others in the , I have just received my 10-Year Pin and it means a great deal to me. While my wife surprised me with a Life Membership when I was first eligible (some 7 years ago) I have not been one to just sit back and let the years of membership accumulate.
Some time ago I made the conscientious decision to “Get Involved” with the Club and at that time I was fortunate enough to have the ’s Past President and Founder, Mr. Archie Black, take me on as the Assistant OTY Awards Chairman. Shortly thereafter, Archie passed full Chairmanship duties to myself (with full BoD approval) and for the past 7 years, I have been running the Club’s Chip, Token, Strike and Room Key/Slot Card recognition program along with my son, Casey, as the Assistant OTY Chairman, both of us serving at the discretion of the Boards for those years.
I was an active participant in the creation of the Slot Card (Room Key) Club, then established as a Chapter Club of the , in conjunction with adding the Slot Card/Room Key category to the ’s OTY Awards. I am Member #47 and served as the Club's inaugural Election Chairman.
As a very active Internet person, I was honored to be selected as the Club’s first (and what turned out to be only) On-Line Communications Director (OLCD) in April of 2002. I served in that capacity until the position was eliminated in 2007. During that 5 year period I logged as many 600 or so messages on the Club’s Message Board, as well as a like amount between the other major collector Message Boards and processing countless emails in an effort to pass information to and from the BoD and Club members. While the position no longer exists, it remains that I am very engaged in those same Internet venues, as well as several others (some at the Admin or Moderator level) that pertain to the collecting of casino memorabilia.
In the past I assisted Club member Terry Shaffer in the development and presentation (to the then BoD) the concept for a Mentor/Mentee Program, to which Terry was later established as the Director. In more recent times I developed and presented to the then BoD a concept to establish a Membership Recruitment Committee, to which the BoD has installed me as the Chairman.
I have been recognized in 2006 and 2007 as one of the Top Ten Recruiters, receiving a Robert “Bob” Mera, Recruiter of the Year certificate in both of those years. While certainly not the Top Recruiter in those years, I am pleased to have been able to recruit enough new members in each of those years to gain this recognition.
I was also a developer of the Planning Committee program (currently on hiatus) and served as a Planning Committee Member. I actively participate in the Club’s annual Convention Exhibit activity by displaying both competitive and non-competitive Exhibits during the Convention, placing Second in the 2008 competition. I also assist my son Casey, in his appointed duties as the Exhibits Chairman. I have written numerous articles for the Club’s magazine, both as a member-at-large and in my official capacity as an appointed official of the Club.
So, as anyone can see, I am very active in the Club and in seeking election as the Club’s next Secretary, it is in keeping with my desire to be proactively involved with this great Club. As evidenced by my past, and present efforts, to both maintain the quality and purpose of the Club, it is my future plan to help achieve new heights for the members, as well as the Club in general.
While there are two significant situations facing the Club right now (financial considerations and a loss of membership) I will not pretend to be the white knight, riding in to save the day! I believe that the current BoD’s representation is extremely mindful of the situation and their current, ongoing efforts are the likely path that needs to be followed at this point in time. Recognizing also that 3 of the 5 current BoD members will continue in their roles, it is my plan, should I win election, to work with them and the new President-elect (Jim Steffner, a fellow Nevada Landing / Pops Oasis ‘Dig’ partner) to help solve any lingering issues with regard to these two major concerns.
Casino memorabilia collecting is my passion and short of that, the Casino Chip and Gaming Token Collectors Club, Inc. is my expression of that passion. In short, my attention is focused on the Club.
I believe in the Museum of Gaming History (MOGH) as a project of the and have done so since day one of Jim Kruse’s dream. I congratulate the Team that has brought the MOGH along and will look to have some of those advances shared with the . For example, just as the MOGH has an on-line shopping cart, the Club’s Promotions items should also be accessible for on-line acquisition by members.
I support the concept that the Club should have an eBay ID to offer items acquired through donations or a gifting process, for fund raising to the Club’s General Fund. I will be supporting the traditional and historical assignments and responsibilities of the Club’s Secretary, and will also look to introduce and promote my own beliefs, concepts and ideas that I feel will move the Club forward, while striving to maintain the fine accomplishments and achievements of those who went before me.
As always, I believe that the undisclosed repair of casino collectibles must be frowned upon. There is no room for slabbing in this hobby and we should always guard against the encroachment of slabbing through a process of education. Our tax exempt status is critical to the Club and must be protected at all times.
These are just some of the things I stand for in my campaign for Secretary of the , Inc. and I respectfully request your vote on the enclosed ballot to this issue of the award winning Casino Chip and Token News.
Thank you,
Jim Follis
LM 3872-53
, Inc.
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