SGS President William Sariego has resigned. His re-signation message (he will remain as Regional Director of Region 4) is on page 11. Howard Divins becomes Acting President of the SGS pending a fresh election.

SGS Treasurer John Kula has resigned. Difficulties with Canadian banks were at issue. The resignation Message is on Page 11. Your humble Editor will continue to hold the books pen-ding a fresh election.

Special Elections are Hereby Called for the Posts of Treasurer and President. Successful replacements for these positions will swiftly occur, or the SGS will rapidly cease to function, because I for sure am not doing all the work.

Send nominations to George Phillies, Editor, 87-6 Park Avenue, Worcester MA 01605 as soon as possible.

Treasurer Resignation

Gentlemen,

Because of a fundamental inability to undertake my duties as Treasurer, I have had to resign my position, with deep regrets.

This inability is based on the fact that, because of some American laws and regulations governing American assets held in foreign banks, I am unable to open a business account in the name of the SGS up here in Canada. Without the hands-on control over the treasury, I am unable to do something as simple as attesting to the society's accounts. Without direct access to a financial institution, I cannot deal with the banking instruments which I would normally receive.

I apologize sincerely for the inconvenience, and trust that the matter will be resolved in short order. I will continue to look for ways to support the SGS in other capacities.

--John Kula

Treasury

Total of Treasury and All Accounts 1/5/98 $2316
Treasury Balance $2381

Renewals: Monahan, Friend, Oschmann, Henderson, Scholle, Kramer, Lucas, Schutter $96
New Members: G Young $12
Publications $16
Interest $3
Treasury $2511

Old Publisher's Advance Account 1/4/98 $34
New Publisher's Advance Account (-124 - print 33, postage 32 for November Issue) -$189
Editor's Advance Account -$14
Treasurer's Advance Account $0
Vice President's Advance Account(includes Divins as former Publisher) $39

Total of Treasury and all Accounts $2381

Treasury includes special fund for the advancement of the Society $14

Presidential Message

Greetings, friends. I hope everyone in the SGS had a merry holiday season. This last column is one that I knew I would write someday, but that day has come sooner than anticipated. Being elected to both the Presidency for a third term and as Region 4 Director is an honor. While the By-laws do not prevent one person from holding two offices (though that person gets only one vote in motions), I feel that can lead to an elitism that can be damaging. I feel compelled to resign one...and I hereby officially resign as President. There are three reasons for this.

One is purely personal and touched on above. I refuse to hold two offices. Also, I've served as an SGS national officer the last four years; as Vice-President for two years, and President for the last two. I have to ask myself if I can honestly benefit the club further, or is it ego to simply see my name in lights? I was not going to run, but when John Kula nominated me, no one else had stepped forward.

The second reason is more serious. The election leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I had promised my opposing candidate a fair, friendly election. The 11th hour mailing from Mr. Kula and Mr. Phillies concerning my opponent did not allow that. I neither condone nor condemn these gentlemen for there actions. I recognize personality conflict as a fact of life. Both these gentlemen and Mr. Williams have had disagreements in the past, and I know they acted in what they thought were the best interests of the club. On the other hand, the timing of this letter, coupled with the subsequent dismissal proceedings, was poor. As a point of personal honor I cannot accept the elections results in light of this.

The third reason is professional. Just before last Origins I broke into the hobby ranks as a professional, with the publication of Byzantium, my first game development for Decision. I have now had a design accepted by Avalanche Press, with whom I've been a de facto contract employee since Origins. How can someone with definite connections with two hobby publishers claim to lead a non-affiliated gaming club? That I believe is called a conflict of interest.

I will still be involved in the SGS as a Regional Director, and will continue to support the newsletter with articles, as I have done in the past. As per the By-laws, Howard Divins is acting president until a special election is held.

In closing I would like to thank those with whom I have worked over the last four years: Jack Jewart, an early mentor and I fine gentleman, the talented Richard Gutenkunst, Ken Ellis, who despite living in another state has become a friend as if he lived next door, the dynamic Steven Williams, John Kula who brought a bold, new look to the TRATEGIST, and many others...the list is almost endless. I wish you all the best.

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