Apology

In laying out the last issue, I made a serious error. The most excellent review of Verdun was due to David Buckland of Singapore, and reprinted by permission. Thanks also to the consim gamesite and John Krantz. It was my error that I forgot to lost the names on the article when making the final format pass.

Elections

First, we do need an Elections Officer and an Assistant Elections Officer, someone whom the Directorate can approve rather quickly. Please write immediately if you are interested. We already have one volunteer.

Second, elections approach! To my knowledge, the nominations to date are Jeffry Tibbetts-Membership Secretary, George Phillies, Editor and Treasurer, Joe Minton-Regional Director Region 10, and Patrick Kelley-Regional Director Region 2.

Third, the former President's membership has for better or worse expired, so Mark Kramer has now become Acting President.

Treasury

Counting members expiring as this was typed, we have 137 members. Renewals include Kelley, Thorne, and Sheldon. New Members are Jason Schaff, Joseph White, Dave Wessner, Nicholas Markevich, and Mike Taber, the last four for 4, 3, 3, and 3 years, respectively. We also received $36 for back issues and $0.67 from the bank in interest. The Treasury now holds over $3552.

From the Acting President

Because the President's membership has lapsed, the Society has a vacancy for that post. The Vice President is Charged “to assume the duties of any National Officer who shall cease to perform them”. This means that I will be acting as President for what little remains of this year.

With but three months remaining in this Administration's term and no plan to continue with an Adminstration of my own in 2003, I plan to concentrate upon smaller 'housekeeping' issues and leave the serious debate on the future strategic direction up to the Directorate seated next year.

My first goal is to use the appointment power of the President to try to fill the large number of vacancies among the Committee and Regional Director chairs. Hopefully some of these people so appointed will subsequently run for office and serve in the 2003 administration. I shall do my best to persuade them to do so.

Second, I shall appoint members to the various ad hoc committees that have been authorized by the motions that have been approved by the Directorate during the current administration and do what I can to ensure success in the projects of these committees.

Third, I will work to remove obsolete standing and ad hoc committees.

Fourth, I will work to bring the renewal letter that Membership Secretary Tibbetts sends to members about to lapse up to date. I will attempt to personalize these letters and sign them myself if it is thought to be of help.

With these goals in mind, I ask you to note the following: Corresponding Member Jason Graham has volunteered to serve as the Society's Elections Officer and Chair of the Play by Mail Committee. He has my deepest thanks.

The Directorate has created an ad hoc committee to reconcile the Society Budget with the By-Laws. The purpose of this Committee is to draft a motion for consideration by the Directorate.

The Directorate has also created an ad hoc Committee to create a Twelfth (virtual) Region and reconcile its existence with the By-Laws. The purpose of the Committee is to draft a motion and submit it to the Directorate for their consideration. These Committees will be starting their work within a few weeks.

Last, if there is some issue that anyone believes should be brought to the attention of the President, please let me know. I promise to give any such issue the best attention that I am able to.

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