In regard to this proposed XP system, while I agree that it's a good start, I also fear that we run the risk of further alienating those members who haven't actually contributed anything to the clubzine yet.

I think the fairest thing to do would be to offer an additional XP award for financial support: everyone would get to benefit from this, and the program would still encourage more creativity.

Now, I'd like to bring up a new topic for discussion: bringing back the club roster as a Chain-Mail insert. I strongly feel that we're all entitled to receive an updated membership listing with each issue: how many of you are with me on this one, people? Let's send the administration a message that's loud and clear!

- D. Gene Frye

Upon reading Mary Kelly's letter to the "Club Forum," I became a little upset at some of the things mentioned. It is possible that these feelings of mine were uncalled for, but I was still disturbed.

I'd like to address two comments that she makes including, "and in every issue I've received, either the editor or one of the officers is complaining about 'member apathy'. The reason I joined DU is not so I could help build someone else's gameworld (Crimsonvalel) and not so I could gain DU more respect with the RPGA."

Crimsonvale was created many issues ago for the members. Many of us thought this would help bring us closer together and would give everyone a chance to express himself in writing and at the same time, help build a town that we could call our own and center some scenarios around. When the project is complete many of us would like to see it bound and distributed to those people who are interested. It is not simply building someone else's world, but building something we all had a hand (or two) in doing.

Secondly, as far as I can remember no one in this club was ever concerned about gaining respect with the RPGA. In my own opinion, I hardly believe that they deserve much of it. They've had many problems communicating with their clubs, their regional directors, and even which tournament to run at which convention. From talking to some "high ranking" officials from the RPGA (actually, I was being talked to) namely Skip Williams, I have been able to realize that the RPGA is not as organized as it should be. [Skip] has made this point clear to me all too many times by speaking to me as if he were my superior in the armed forces or the like. If he'd respect his fellow associates, they'd respect him. But as of now, I see very few reasons to "respect" the RPGA.

I was also mildly angered when I was accused of whining (well, maybe I was whining) about apathy, but when Mary stated that [the club's officers] "should think of more ways to entice members to contribute," I couldn't help but be angry. Why do the club's officers always have to wrack their brains to think of ways of enticement? I've already offered the Experience Point System and very few people have responded to it. To those of you who have, I thank you. I mean, how hard is it to think of ways that would entice someone to get involved while you're taking a walk, or watching television, and then jot it down somewhere and mail it to an officer?

This letter was not meant to be targeted at Mary herself, but at some of the attitudes I have been hearing about from various members. In no way do I want to upset Mary, but I wanted to clarify these situations for anyone who is confused and for future members who may look back on this.

Finally, I wanted to thank her for writing in to the "Club Forum" and stating her opinions (for that is what it was created for), to Tim for his hilarious letter from Chud Yaksnot, and to Jil for creating and managing the "Forum." Thanks to all.

- Jeff Young

On the whole, I like the XP System. I only wonder if the club can afford to give out these awards. I personally will accept only membership extensions, which is costly, but not as costly as some of the other awards. I think that the idea of having the award based on quality and not quantity is sound. I don't even have one point to my name in the RPGA. When I go to a convention, I like to play a game I enjoy instead of one to make points. If this system works, we may even have to expand the number of pages in the newsletter.

- Ben Gregory

It is my belief too that there is a level of couch potatoism when it comes to this club. I have only been a member for a month now, but from reading Chain-Mail I can see how the submissions have repetitive authors. I do not mean to insult anyone with my comment, I have read all the articles and find them very useful and creative, but this club supposedly has over 25 members. [Now over 50, see directory - Editor] I have both a reason for the inactivity and a solution.

DU is a rather large club spread out all across the map. For this reason, it is highly unlikely that a meeting will commence where 50% or more of the membership could attend. This is why we need some common ground, where we can all talk in real time.

My suggestion is to look toward technology. Computers allow people in different hemispheres to converse no matter the language barrier. I think we could put this to our advantage. Probably 50% or more of the membership has computers, and I;m willing to bet that half of this number have modems. A bulletin board system would be totally out of the question, because no matter where it's placed someone would be calling long distance.

So I offer an alternative: let's use the services already available. CompuServe would be the most logical choice because not only do they have a CB Simulastor with 35 Conference rooms that can handle up to 100 people each (the conference rooms have private rooms also, which allow us to have a club meeting without interruption), they also have a Role Playing Garners club with 14 more conference rooms (and private "clubhouses"). The only thing that would probably turn off members is the price (first 4 hours free, [with $6/hour thereafter, but you pay only for time used]). I am already a member of CompuServe, and I imagine some of you other [members] are too. If you are, I request that you send your ID number to [the Editor]. If you aren't, join now! This is the easiest way to have a club meeting! But if someone is totally against it, there are also PC-Link and Prodigy (flat rates of $10/month), GEnie ($5/hour) or Delphi (which may run as low as $1 /hour, through a $20 plan).

I would like to hear some input on this, and if any CompuServe members would like to C-Mail me any comments, my ID number is 73500,3513.

- Steven Dashiell

EDITOR'S NOTE: I will gladly publish any computer service ID numbers for members who voluntarily submit them to me for the purpose of freer communication among the membership. Please note, however, that such computer service companies may use ID numbers for billing and other restricted services, and so any member who wishes his ID number published does so with the understanding that he is alone responsible for the release of this information.

In case you were wondering, some times I must make necessary but slight modifications to the text appearing in this column. Such modifications are indicated through the use of brackets, to delineate these changes for the reader's benefit.

DEER JILL:

HOO NOT NO HOW TWO SPEL NAME WRITE (ME FIX!):

ME TRY TO RIGHT YOU THIS LETTER WITH FOOT IN MOUTH BUT ME GET HUNGRI AN'HAVE TOO STOP. ME CARRY BIG CLUB ME GET FROM BIG FEET HILL PEEPLES, SO ME GUESS I MEMBER OF FORUM TWO, ANYHOWS, WHAT FORUM? YOU WANNA BUY CLUB? ME SELL CHEAP CAUSE CLUB IS LOT BIGGERER THEN ME. ONLY COST ONE MORE THAN THREE KOBOLD TAIL, ME ONLY HAVE THREE FINGER CAUSE TASLOI IN WOODS, HE ET WON, BUT ME CATCH AND ET HIM AND AM WAITING FOR FINGER TO GROW BACK.

YOU ASK ME WHAT ME THINK, SO ME THINK BUT IT NOT TAKE LONG. ME THINK CRIMSONVALE UNFARE TO ORC PEEPLES! ME NO DO NOTHING TO GET ARROW STUCK IN BUTT. ALL ME DO IS CATCH RAT FOR STEW POT OFFER SUM TO FURRY FOOT MUNCHKINY PEEPLES WHO GIVE ME BED SLEEP IN WITH NO BUGS FOR SNACK AND THEY SAY KOBOLD TAIL NO GOOD IN CITY SO ME OFFER GOOD POINTY EAR INSTED. POINTY EAR WORTH TOO KOBOLD TAIL EASY AND ALL ME GET IS ARROW.

YOU PEEPLES GOT NO GRATITUDE (SEE ME NO BIG WORD THAT WHY ME CHEEF) AND HANG ORC HEAD OUT ON BAR SIGN WHERE POINTY EAR PEEPLES AND LONGHAIR MIDGETS STAY. WHAT WRONG WITH REST OF ORC? YOU THROW AWAY BEST PARTS. ME NO COME BACK NOHOWS, BUT SINCE YOU ASKEDED FOR FEEDBACK, ME SEND BAG OF CORN ME TAKE FROM STABLE LAST MOON. ME THOUGHT NO ONE SEE.

CRIMSONVALE NO FUN FOR ORC PEEPLES!

YOU PRINT THIS LETHER CAUSE ME PROMISE BIG FEET HILL CHEEF GROGG ME SAY HEY AN HE COME BANG ON DOOR WITH CLUB (CAN HE JOIN TOD. IF HE HEAR NO HEY SO YOU WRITE LOUD, OKAY?

- CRUD YAKSNOT
BIG TIME ORC CHEEF

P.S. ME NO NO HOW CLUB FEEL EITHER, 'CEPT IT HEAVY. YOU SURE YOU NO WANNA BUY CHEEP?

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