"Cosentino Resigns from HMGS-East" Topic

It sounded reasonable up until he suggested dumping everybody (from HMGS positions) that he named in his rant, without giving specific charges to show why each ought to go.

Without CLEAR, ARTICULATE, and DIRECT charges, his statement does nothing but add another layer of complaint on the already high stack of gripes against HMGS-E. It's worthless, or even worse than that; rather than being convinced of his position I now add him to the list of problems.

I second Cpt Arexu. As a member of HMGS-E I would like to know the details before I make any decisions, I am not going to base them on what sounds like sour grapes.

Tom

Just more of the same from HMGS-East. Makes me oh-so-glad that when we formed our club we decided not to become a part of HMGS.

Our club will never have a nation-wide membership and our convention will never have the drawing power of a Historicon or a Cold Wars, but you'll never see a member of our BOD posting a letter like this on the TMP.

While I do not agree with Mike's decision, I understand his frustration. I have talked with him and I hope he will be willing to work with the organization in the future regarding our conventions and promotion of the hobby. I look forward to a good working relationship with HMG magazine and wish both Mike and Don much success with the Legio X Inc. While Mike and I have not always seen eye to eye on every issue facing HMGS-East I have come to regard him as an ally in promoting the hobby and, I hope a friend.
VR
James Mattes

HMGS-East stuff just makes me chuckle to myself. Based on the word of mouth info I've heard about HMGS-East over the last few years there are more skeletons in the closet than you can shake a stick at.

Granted the majority are probably just rumor/BS or whatnot...but man...if even 10% of the stuff is true HMGS-East is going to implode in a major fashion sometime in the future.

That would be a very bad thing.

As I watch the snow build up outside, I have mixed thoughts on the content of openly released resignation letters. I think it is bad form to leave in a blaze of accusations.

Good Luck to Mr.Cosentino though. I'm not sure if I agree with his style or with some of his characterizations but I respect his volunteering. I do think he did the right thing in resigning in advance of Cold Wars. It will give the rest of the BoD some time to solicit for a replacement before the convention meeting.

Sour grapes - not worth the bother of reading.

unfortunately this is the second time he has complained. He has use MWAN to complain also. I actually think much of what Mike says is true but no specific facts. Again we keep on hearing the money is gone but no one gets it done. Maybe the attorney general of the state HMGS is formed needs a call?

Here's the troubling part: aside from all sort of allegations regarding internal strife, he makes vague allusions to criminal conduct (misappropriation of funds) without providing proof of his assertions. I'm no lawyer, but that could be construed as libel.

Witt

Um, this is all about a game club, right?

It sounds like Enron part deux...

I'm sorry, but I'm missing the drama, how big is HMGS-E?

Is HMGS even relevant anymore? I think the internet is what has saved Historical Wargaming.

All that is needed now is an organization to run conventions.

Well no!
HMGS-East has an active membership of about 3000 with a contact list of over 7500 gamers. We run three large conventions with approx 1200 games a year not counting the ancient tournaments. Historicon is the largest historical gaming convention in the Free World. Cold Wars is a close second. HMGS-East is not a club. It is a NFP organization with a charter to promote the hobby of historical miniature gaming and its relationship to the study of military history. I think it was P.T. Barnum who said no publicity is bad publicity?

I can say if you have not attended a HMGS-East convention you should. You can go an entire weekend and not hear a single word about the workings of the organization. Where passion for the hobby leads folks to disagree on the direction and focus of the organization I have not seen any run on the cookie jar. Some forget what the organization is about and others want it to be a gaming club. But as the famous naval philosopher (Popeye) once said, "I yam what I yam" and HMSG is what it is.
VR
James Mattes

HMGS-East is absolutely brilliant at running conventions. I sure as hell wouldn't want that job. Every time I go, I am grateful to them for the obviously hellish amount of work required to pull it off.

But other than that, I've never really been sure about what HMGS did. I remember in the 1990s there was some sort of educational outreach or initiative in schools, or some such? Not sure what became of that. And there was talk of some kind of high-budget video production for a while. Thankfully, I think that brainchild died a quiet death. Then of course they give awards to people, which is a nice gesture, although nobody is really itching for them. People come to the conventions to play games and buy/sell stuff, not to get little cloth ribbons.

I've never thought that a hobby needed leadership. What sort of cat-herding did HMGS ever really have in mind, and for what purpose? There was always a whole lot of reverential talk about "The Hobby" (skies opening, angels sing), as in "promoting the hobby" or "growing the hobby" or "advancing the hobby," but as far as I can tell, The Hobby pretty much does its own thing, particularly now with the internet available as a medium of communication and promotion.

I guess this is inevitable in any human endeavor. I don't know, but I assume that stamp collectors or classic movie buffs or radio-controlled car enthusiasts also have their local clubs and their big national clubs, and at the big national level are people who have a lot of ego invested in the hierarchy, and thus they see the hobby differently from the 99% of people who actually constitute "the hobby."

For me, happiness in the hobby means (in this order): 1. Having a great bunch of local guys to game with once a month. 2. Having a thriving, worldwide marketplace from which to buy new stuff, and in which to sell my occasional creation. And 3. Going to big wargame conventions a couple times a year and having lots of fun.

For their role in reliably providing me with #3, I thank HMGS-East.

The basic problem here is that Mr. Cosentino came to the BOD with an agenda that no one let happen. I believe this agenda was to represent the vendors on the BOD and to help make the conventions more of a trade show.

Note that I don't entirely disagree with the sentiment. Not at all. It's imperative that the vendors without which this hobby depends feel that they can be profitable and that they are not being abused.

However, when one chooses to serve and places his hat in the ring, he is obligated to serve in whatever capacity the organization needs. The BOD is 6 guys. SIX! There is a good deal of work for just six guys, and most of it is pure gruntwork. Just how big can a clic be? With Mattes and Panzeri, Cosentino makes 3 - THATS HALF THE BOD! 50% of the votes!

This resignation neither surprised me nor upset me. Not everyone is a team player, and not everyone can put an ego aside long enough to accomplish a mission.

It is IMPOSSIBLE to constitute any body of individuals without egos colliding and one or two folks left outside the fold. It has never happened, and never will. Not even the 12 Apostles (and they were all saints)!

More important, who to replace him. On the short list of candidates, James Curtis, P.J. O'Niel and Geoff Graff - one of the best organizers that I've ever seen. There may be others, but these are my pick. Otto would be on the list, except that if he knew that I had suggested it, he would not be pleased. He's just as effective in his role as maverick anyway.

While Mike may have a lot of valid points, sadly, I believe he gave up the "high ground" with the content of his resignation letter.

As construed by others, it appears "sour grapes", though I believe he may in fact, be spot on with a lot of his opinions of inappropriate actions, ignoring the by-laws/procedures etc. Unfortunately a lot of accusations at the end appear unsubstantiated, and he leaps from trial to sentence without presenting evidence.

So in the end, he diminishes any potential response to his hope that the membership will respond to the recent rash of overspending, reduction in communication and apparent misguided actions the Bod has committed and nearly committed.

To bad, as I thought with some recent elections, there was a minority, but growing presence of independent thinkers on the BoD, of which he was one. Their number is now diminished, making it likely a "crony" will be appointed and the remaining voices of change grow dimmer still.

It should be interesting to see who gets nominated at CW for this spring's elections and what their platforms will be. I know I would not vote for many of those I voted for in the past, were they to run again.

Good luck in the future Mike C. and thanks for your service to the hobby.

Sam,

The problem is no one is having an audit done. As a member I would like to know how the money is spent and where and to who. I am assuming that the scholarship program is gone since no one has been announce in the minutes. But they were spending money on promoting the hobby because they were concern about the IRS claiming they were not meeting there "non-profit" obligations.

Otherwise I agree. playing in Dave's basement is great. Being able to buy stuff worldwide is great (except for the last year's rise in the euro, pound, etc.)and the conventions are great.

Mike please add Otto's name to the list. He would be great.

Any large chartered organization like HMGS should be releasing financial statements to the members every so they know where the money is going.

Although financial pocket-lining can be disguised as 'stationery items' etc. Sounds like they need some trustees to oversee the expenses.

But any organization with a fees paying membership and elected committees is going to have problems. 10% of the members do 90% of the work and the rest complain. anyone with a reform agenda is going to run into stonewalls from the others who feel they're volunteering to do thework so they should be allowed to do it 'their' way and enjoy the 'perks'.

I'm glad I'm not a member of HMGS. It's a hobby, it shouldn't cause stress.

James

How many people are elected during each election term? Is it 2 or 3? When's the next East election anyway?

Since I've moved out of the area & unable to attend cons (my primary motivation in getting a membership) I'll probably drop it this summer. Minimal benefit in keeping it.

From my recollection, every time in the last few years where problems have been debated/discussed, it seems like the status quo wins out over the input of the members (by virtue of ignoring or disregarding much of their input). Information is constantly delayed and late being reported to the membership. 8am member meetings at cons aren't very helpful from a scheduling perspective for many members, which just breeds more distrust of the BoD leaders.

I sympathize with Mike & being stonewalled. I respect his attempts to improve the organization & its programs for the members. This should give a loud, strong signal to the membership that they need to fix the problems within the BoD if they are going to continue to have good cons to attend. Too many members think the big problems are over & the current cauldron is just a minor bump. (Maybe too many members use the buddy system and are content to keep it that way as long as there are nice cons to attend?)

Gamers with any interest in HMGS-East need to consider what isn't being said along with what is (from Mike).

vojvoda,

"Historicon is the largest historical gaming convention in the Free World"

I wonder how Historicon would rate to Salute, which has upwards of 4,500 attendees each year, and it's just 1 day! Even if just half of the attendees were there for historicals (which in reality is much more than 50%), it would still be many more than Historicon brings in. Just being the devils advocate;0)

Its just a fun hobby that we all discovered in our own nerdy ways. I love the few conventions I go to, I love dealers and flea markets. I love the camraderie. Are we losing sight of this? If Mike does not like the BOD, I am really glad he resigned because again it is JUST A HOBBY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Real life is not near so fun, and much more complicated.

It's not just a hobby...it's a Soap Opera!

I'm picturing the "elitist" BoD members as:

mid to late-40's and trying to make their otherwise failed lives amount to something by playing petty politics as leaders of a club formed by grown men playing with toys.

Am I right or wrong?

The members put the BOD into place. That was the membership talking. The real membership! The conventions run fairly well, and aside from everyone wanting something for nothing (a really human trait) the membership seems quite happy. Otherwise, the folks on the BOD would have been replaced.

There is a group of about 6 to 12, and they know who they are, that are very loud, very obnoxious, for whom muckraking and creating scandal seems to be the game. Aside from bashing the working folks, they don't have a real idea or add one bit of "value" to the organization through their own labor. JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE LOUD, DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY REPRESENT THE MEMBERS. They are the 2-5% that exist in EVERY organization that actively work against the goals of that organization. Facts simply don't matter when they get in the way of the argument to these folks.

No one has asked, "Precisely what ideas were stonewalled?". or exactly what the financial misdealings are. And yes, the organizations spent $5,000 USD to have an audit done. Yes, it has a professional bookkeeper now.

I joined HMGS-East because I appreciated the cons and because they seemed to be the only large gaming group that was trying to provide any sort of leadership on any aspect of "the Hobby." I fear I had already formed a somewhat negative opinion of Mr. Cosentino from his comments in the now deceased MWAN so I'm not surprised he was not happy with the BOD. I wish both he and HMGS-East well because we are thin on the ground and not becoming more numerous. Onward throught the Fog!

mikeah wrote "There is a group of about 6 to 12, and they know who they are, that are very loud, very obnoxious, for whom muckraking and creating scandal seems to be the game. Aside from bashing the working folks, they don't have a real idea or add one bit of "value" to the organization through their own labor. JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE LOUD, DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY REPRESENT THE MEMBERS. They are the 2-5% that exist in EVERY organization that actively work against the goals of that organization. Facts simply don't matter when they get in the way of the argument to these folks."

Mike H.

You were the one who called the membership at large sheep only days ago. How about letting the few members who want to ask questions that can help prevent future mistakes ask those questions without calling us names. Your issue with corrective fact finding is perhaps more pertinent to the HMGS Issues Forum where internal issues can be discussed internally.

Thanks,

Mike L.

p.s.- I agreed with the analysis in your first post except that the BoD is comprised of 7 members, not 6. So Mike C. and 2 others is not half the BoD but rather 3/7 of the whole.

Correction- "So Mike C. and 2 others are not half the BoD but rather 3/7 of the whole."

I first attended Cold Wars in 1987. SInce then I have watched so many of these tempests in a teapot I can't possibly keep track. I am a member solely for the cons as many years that is my only gaming opportunity.
Since my only real concern with the group is the conventions, I only get worked up when I see efforts to monkey with the conventions.
I wish the BOD and Mr. Cosentino good luck and hope for continued success with the convention schedule.

Tshintl wrote: I wonder how Historicon would rate to Salute, which has upwards of 4,500 attendees each year, and it's just 1 day! Even if just half of the attendees were there for historicals (which in reality is much more than 50%), it would still be many more than Historicon brings in. Just being the devils advocate;0)

I did count the games last few years at Salute. I think it was 95. Of that total I want to say it was 75% "alt" gaming vs Historical. Hcon is Four days. Paid attendance last year was 2480 with around 300 GM and 300 Family, etc… see my notes from the report to the forum last August.

HISTORICON ATTENDANCE: This year's paid attendance was 2,480* down
2.5% from last year's 2,543. Overall bodies at the show were 3,470
up 2% over last year.
* NOTE the GM are not counted as paid attendees.
A breakdown of the numbers:

Member/Nonmember/Other Chapter = 1,821
1-Day = 368
Minor = 247
Family = 299
Guest = 42
Staff = 79
GM = 291
Dealers = 323
Total (including GMs) = 3,470

Number of games, days and dealers Hcon rules! Origins is a larger “Gaming” convention but I am only reporting on Historical events etc. I had hoped to attend SALUTE this year but time is a factor and do not think I can fit it into the schedule.

VR
James Mattes

What you have called "corrective fact finding" is in actuality a vicious, petty witchhunt that has gone on for years, and that has sickened the rest of us far too long. A number of folks have already quit the HMGS Forum because of the malevolent and clearly self serving interests of a few.

Name one idea that any of the 2%ers have advanced that held any merit. Invented issues loudly proclaimed do not constitute value. Aside from Del, most of the other members of the BOD have learned to ignore the nonsense.

For any organization to improve, things must change, new ideas tried. There will be successes, and failures. You can't run conventions without spending money, you can't accomplish anything if your entire purpose is avoiding failure and critics.

There is no such thing as "The BOD". It is not a single unchanging entity. It is a small group of real people, with varied talents who have ego's, lives outside of their hobby, and goals of their own. The membership of this body changes frequently. What my agenda is, is to make service to this hobby a positive experience so that good people will WANT to serve, on the BOD, as volunteers, as GM's, and starting and running local clubs. The goal of the 2%ers is to poison all of it, and in this they have been successful.

Now we are fighting back. There, here, everywhere.

Over the years I've seen great improvements in the conventions, many by folks who worked on their own. I've not seen any good idea ignored as long as there was a member with available elbow grease to attempt it. At some point we have start the train and accept that the folks blocking the track are going to get run over.

Democracy isn't a particularly efficient mode of running a Corporation, nonprofit or otherwise. We need a BOD that can make hard choices and take chances. We need an organization that is willing to take risks, try new things, and be willing to fail occasionally.

If you don't like the direction that the organization is moving in, have the guts to actually run for office, which requires a willingness to play on a team, and take the heat that the anklebiters and cheapshot artists who will oppose everything you do.

But then, it's much more fun being the anklebiter, isn't it?

Oh gosh:
"Now we are fighting back. There, here, everywhere." [even on the beaches?]
..folks blocking the track are going to get run over."

Hmm, the Peloponnesian War has nothing on this. Is this gaming's version of Reality TV?

I know nothing (nor do I really care to) about the Illuminati of the HMGS-E. Just glad to be part of the HMGS Midwest- a open, well run organization that puts on a stellar convention in the Chicago area - which, despite the storm this might elicit, I must say Mike Consentino (along with a dedicated, hard working bunch of other great gamers, brownie bakers, and volunteers) had quite a bit to do with. Just some perspective, not to agree with his letter or 'accusations' (I have absolutely no clue as to the workings of HMGS-East); but I do believe Mike has the abilities to contribute greatly to any organization and in no way deserves the title of "anklebiter" or "cheapshot artist". Hopefully someone well qualified can replace Mike C. on your board-thing and your conventions are a continued success; but I believe you may be the poorer for this resignation.

I've been going to HMGS-East Cons for a good many years now, and am more often than not a GM at them. Although there have been a few snafus along the way in scheduling and what-not, I've always had the pleasure to deal with friendly, professional folks who against all odds get the job(s) done. I have NO idea what heinous conspiracy is supposedly at work within the BoD, but if the last few cons are any indication, I say keep up that evildoing, guys! I look forward to every con with incredible anticipation, and Del, Fred, Walt, and others whom I have worked with in one way or the other have my full support. They do a thankless job with enthusiasm and LOTS of heart.

Good luck, Mike - perhaps you should simply go and make some lemonade, or grape-ade, or whatever... 8)=

Jerry Frazee

I happen to know Mike from his work in the Midwest and I can say that he is a dedicated member of this hobby. He has devoted a huge amount of time and effort to helping the hobby. He may annoy some of you because he has opinions and ideas about improving the hobby, whereas the only thing many of you seem to be concerned with is yourselves. I'm sorry that Mike thought he could help HMGS-East straighten out some of it's troubles and improve it's conventions. Your loss is our gain here at HMGS-Midwest.

Mikeah wrote "Now we are fighting back. There, here, everywhere."

@bruceh- I found that funny too.

@mikeah- Perhaps you want Mel Gibson to play your character in the upcoming HMGS-E made for TV movie? There is no Ragnarok between the forces of good and evil to champion.

Aside from some personality conflicts there are discussions of following proper procedure and communicating with the membership. Everyone is entitled to their opinion in that regard. My opinion is that the those who have unfortunately left, have chosen to remove themselves because of hyperbole laden, polarizing arguments.

To answer your (paraphrasing) "what good ideas have been given by those you label 2%-ers?" question..Well you'd have to name names. I'll just speak for myself. I've run games at HMGS-E events and elsewhere, helped judge games, sat at the GM help desk, distributed FI'03 flyers, attended membership meetings, voted, and given suggestions and feedback on areas I could see improvement on. I've proposed ideas on the flea market for example. I'm also very involved with a club in my area.

Forget gaming resumes though. Even if all I did as a member was show up and play games, my opinion should still be listened to by those elected without being put down by people who can't take constructive criticism.

Mike L. (Not C. or H.)

"HMGS Midwest- a open, well run organization"

HMGS Midwest wasn't without controversy. There was all the fallout over the "Rochelle year" with accounting books, lawyers and sundry.

There is an old saying, "Nobody ever erected a monument to a committee"

Michael Cosentino did a fine job reviving Little Wars and I, for one, would feel comfortable having him as leader. I'm thinking there needs to be a single effective executive LEADER otherwise things wallow in petty politics.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

As a member where can I get a copy of the audited financial statements. Also was an audit of the internal controls done?

Members can see financial report on the members only Yahoo Forum. The board recommended an audit based on the recommendation of the new accounting firm working the financial side of the house as an SOP when we changed over from the volunteer accountant (HMGS board member) to the firm as we have hired to do the books from here on out. Standard business practice, nothing to cast aspersions on the former accountant.
VR
James Mattes

Perhaps I should have set Junta in HMGS-East instead of La Republica del Banana.

Interesting (and fiery!) exit. Good luck in your future endeavors, Michael.

FWIW, as I'm named in this (as CW05 Director), there have been problems with communications here and there, and CERTAINLY a conflict in management styles, but Mike's action really threw me for a loop when I heard of it.

Beyond saying that, I'm not going to slag this man. I like Mike, and I think he added something positive to the board when he was on it (far more than he credits himself with, actually!).

As for all the snide comments about the BOD, juntas, petty politics, cronyism and whatnot made in the followon commentary... well, I know the members of the BOD, and whereas I don't agree with any one of them all the time (as Mike says, who could?) I do know they are a bunch of guys who work pretty hard, for countless hours, for no compensation, so a lot of people can enjoy three conventions a year. For their efforts, they get to enjoy being sneered at, bullied, and accused of being petty criminals (online, of course... these online heros usually lose their courage in person, when they don't have an alias to hide behind!). Makes you wonder why anyone bothers to run for the BOD in the first place.

Mike, I (for myself) appreciate your efforts on HMGS-East's behalf. Sorry things didn't work out. If I in any way contributed to your stress level and frustration with HMGS East by my actions, I apologize.

Walt

I do not know anything about Mr Consentino's comments except that he was very critical of Scott Holder. I have know Mr. Holder for 10 years at least. He has served gamers with much devotion and energy. I have never known him to be less than fully honest. I have never seen him act other than one would want a person in authority to act.

Thus I hold him in in the higest respect. So if I know nothing else about Mr. Consention's comments, I know that he is wrong about Scott Holder. Thus, how can I give credence to his other comments?

Moreover, I have never known it possible to look out for one's colleagues while NOT being on a governing board, no matter how frustrating.

I do wonder about the rumored big surpluses in the HMGS-E coffers and the need for the big dues raise?

Where would we be without our annual HMGS-East scandal?...thank goodness I'm in HMGS-GL.

I've known Scott Holder since I joined NASAMW back in '86 or so. Great guy. He was always more than happy to volunteer his tome to help promote the hobby (and...he's a great WRG7 player).

Almost 20 years of knowing him puts him in the "great" column.

** HISTORICON ATTENDANCE: This year's paid attendance was
** 2,480*

To put this number in perspective, attendance at the 2001 Mad City Train show in Madison, WI in 2001 was over 14,000 over two days.

I believe he lost people on the ranting issue but he did bring up some good points as others have. That being if things are so rosey financially, why did the membership dues and conventions dues have to go up? This is an area that I am having trouble understanding. Especially since we didn't get that many mailings of the newsletter last year and there was no mailing for the Fall-In convention to preregister. So why exactly does the cost have to go up? And as far as the educational assistance program we should not even be doing that. I thought that area was covered by college scholarships and grants. Not by people wanting to get together to play games with miniatures.

delljohnb 01 Mar 2005 11:30 a.m. PST
Where would we be without our annual HMGS-East scandal?...thank goodness I'm in HMGS-GL.

Glad we could entertain you! But sorry to say there is no sniper on the grassy knoll and Elvis is dead. No scandal, Mike did not feel he could accomplish what he wanted to do in HMGS-East on the board with the current configuration and believed there was too much interference from others. I have talked to Mike and he is not turning his back on the organization and is willing to contribute in other capacities.
VR
James Mattes

I am just a member for the conventions and I want to stay out of the politics that is thick as mudd in the inner workings of HMGS. I game, push lead, buy lead, and go home. I have helped in the past (Coldwars 96) and I have to give a big THANK YOU to all the volunteers who are in the trenches running these shows. Once is enough for me and the bickering from people who never have helped is too much. By the way, make the newsletter a .pdf and save HMGS $14,000.00 USD.....

Elvis is not dead!
If the coffers of HMGS East get so low, for whatever the reason, and the conventions begin to truly suffer, what will all you people who just show up to play say then? My bet is that not one in ten of you knows or appreciates what it takes in financial, and in human man hours, to put on any of these events.
There's been a lot of smoke coming out of HMGS East in the past five years. Somethings got to be burning in there somewhere.

Not saying that I could do any better, but 3,700 attendees for a convention that is supposed to be "something big" is not very good. I thought Historicon was larger - people always made out like it was. With that kind of number total, I am not even sure it approaches what modern people would term as a "convention" sounds more like a club gathering. With all the griping by the "involved" people on here, it sounds to me like a group of old hens.

I am a western gamer by region so I never have had the opportunity to attend, but it sure sounds like y'all over in the east really have these continual "issues"
maybe you should take a look at group counseling or group therapy or something and fix yer problems.

mikeah 28 Feb 2005 8:46 p.m. PST

A number of folks have already quit the HMGS Forum because of the malevolent and clearly self serving interests of a few.

*NJH: The number of people on that forum has steadily increased over time, NOT decreased. People may have left the forum, however, they have been quickly replaced by more people than left. The bottom line is that membership on the Forum is increasing, so something must be going right.

Name one idea that any of the 2%ers have advanced that held any merit.

*NJH: The Almanac - there's your one idea. It had a lot of merit and went exactly no where.

Invented issues loudly proclaimed do not constitute value.

*NJH: Continually shouting "Wolf," is equally valueless.

Aside from Del, most of the other members of the BOD have learned to ignore the nonsense.

*NJH: One person's "nonsense" is another person's Ox.

For any organization to improve, things must change, new ideas tried. There will be successes, and failures. You can't run conventions without spending money, you can't accomplish anything if your entire purpose is avoiding failure and critics.

*NJH: The difficulty is agreeing upon which ideas to try, and which failures are acceptable.

There is no such thing as "The BOD". It is not a single unchanging entity. It is a small group of real people, with varied talents who have ego's, lives outside of their hobby, and goals of their own. The membership of this body changes frequently.

*NJH: This does not in any way exculpate them from doing the legal tasks for which they were elected, nor does it mitigate against responsibility for failure. If they are prepared to accept the accolades for success, then they should be prepared to accept the brickbats for failure. It's not easy running an umbrella hobby organization like HMGSE, therefore, those who undertake a BOD position should be prepared to do their best w/o excuses.

What my agenda is, is to make service to this hobby a positive experience so that good people will WANT to serve, on the BOD, as volunteers, as GM's, and starting and running local clubs.

*NJH: Your adamant adversarial posturing seems out of step with your announced goals. The hobby needs to be inclusive, not exclusive. If people are concerned, then ask why are they concerned, and examine the nature of their concerns. The perfunctory dismissal of concerns is not in the best interests of the organization.

The goal of the 2%ers is to poison all of it, and in this they have been successful.

*NJH: Hyperbole. This statement has no basis in fact. You cannot know for sure that any group has "been successful" in any effort to "poison all of it." Your perception of events may lead you to believe this, but w/o facts to sustain your assertion, it must remain just your perception.

Now we are fighting back. There, here, everywhere.

*NJH: It's just a hobby. What exactly do you think you're fighting over? Your percieved opponents are hobbyists, just like you, and their only crime is to express concern and think things should be done differently. Hardly a reason for such inimical phrasing.

Over the years I've seen great improvements in the conventions, many by folks who worked on their own. I've not seen any good idea ignored as long as there was a member with available elbow grease to attempt it.

*NJH: The Almanac was a good idea and it had a member willing to do the legwork (in fact, he did).

At some point we have start the train and accept that the folks blocking the track are going to get run over.

*NJH: Such a tone is not conducive to the comradeship we should expect to find in our hobby. Have you considered the possibility that the train might switch tracks?

Democracy isn't a particularly efficient mode of running a Corporation, nonprofit or otherwise. We need a BOD that can make hard choices and take chances. We need an organization that is willing to take risks, try new things, and be willing to fail occasionally.

*NJH: I agree. But they must also be ready to be held accountable and face the consequences of their actions. Also, have you considered the possibility the BOD might make choices you don't like, or take chances you think are unwarranted? BTW - I should like to remind you that the BOD is not now so monolithic as to be able to do such. Remember - "There is no such thing as "The BOD". It is not a single unchanging entity."

If you don't like the direction that the organization is moving in, have the guts to actually run for office, which requires a willingness to play on a team, and take the heat that the anklebiters and cheapshot artists who will oppose everything you do.

*NJH: Remember that such sage advice is a two edged sword.

But then, it's much more fun being the anklebiter, isn't it?

*NJH: If I have a concern I say my piece, and I'm happy. I bite no ankles. If I should ever really get upset, I would not content myself with anything less than ripping out a person's cardiovascular system or relieving them of all their viscera. Figuratively of course. I always bear in mind that it's only a hobby. And, I never let the events and occurences of my hobby interfere with my life. It is afterall just a hobby and I'm not compelled to do anything, except what I want to do. I'm perfectly happy to let one and all enjoy the hobby as they wish. If that means letting someone belly-ache every now and then about something, then I can easily live with that by keeping it all in perspective.

Ironclad Man wrote: Elvis is not dead! If the coffers of HMGS East get so low, for whatever the reason, and the conventions begin to truly suffer, what will all you people who just show up to play say then? My bet is that not one in ten of you knows or appreciates what it takes in financial, and in human man hours, to put on any of these events. There's been a lot of smoke coming out of HMGS East in the past five years. Somethings got to be burning in there somewhere.

I hope you are not addressing this to me? As a board member I have been working the convention review and financial end for over a year. Man hours just to do the corporate business is more hours than I care to admit. I also do not see a lot of smoke coming from the chapter. We are examining the role of the organization and looking at ways to promote the hobby, nothing more.
VR
James Mattes