The Election results are in and we now have five BoD members and a couple of different office assignments this time. I will be taking over as your President. -- a job that I will strive to serve at well. Darryl Smith, your former President, will be taking the post of Secretary. I am quite confident that he will do an outstanding job. Scott Savory has stayed on asTreasurer, a position that he did an outstanding job in the previous term. Ray Garbee is new to the board, and will serve to keep our meetings organized and focused as Chairman -- a job, I know he will handle well. Ferkin Doyle is still our National Board Representative, a job I'm sure he will continue to do like no one else can. We may be fewer in number, but we are no less capable.

We also have a new Newsletter Editor, Mike Demana. I am looking forward to working with him in producing a fine newsletter for HMGS- Great Lakes. I would also like to encourage the membership to participate more this year. Anything you can do would be appreciated. Let's make 1998 the best ever.

A HOT time to be had at Origins this summer

Pete Panzeri is organizing and running the HMGS effort at Origins 98. He is calling this HOT 98. There are three HOT goals:

Recruit Origins alternative gamers to HMGS.
Deliver quality successful HMGS games to Origins and HOT 98.
Attract HMGS gamers to Origins and HOT.

Number one of the above can only be achieved by two and three. All this really means is that we need Great Lakes members to volunteer to run some quality games at Origins, and in so doing, attract new members. Several of the other chapters are going to be involved in this as well. HMGS-East, HMGS-Mid South, and HMGS-Mid West are all working with Panzeri to make a big impression and appearance at Origins in Columbus, July 2-5.

Panzeri has been negotiating with Andon Unlimited, who runs Origins, and has hammered out a list of incentives that HMGS members who register their games with HOT 98. These are:

1. Discounts for HMGS members attending Origins. The Herald is publishing a coupon for 10% off the Origins preregistration admission. Those preregistering via fax or e-mail must provide a copy of the coupon.

2. HOT attendees may (a) play free in all HMGS events with open spots on a first-come, first-served basis. (b) Electronically preregister for any HMGS event for a $1.25 ticket fee. (c)Purchase an HMGS ribbon ($5.00) for unlimited preregistration to ALL HMGS events.

3. HMGS gamemasters may choose from one of several options: (a) One day GM/Judges - GM/Judge one HMGS event (4 hour minimum) receive one day (any day) Origins badge for free admission. (b) Multiple day GM/Judges - GM/Judge two HMGS Events (4 hour minimum each) and assist 2 hours at the HMGS table and receive a four day Origins badge for free admission for the entire convention. These HMGS GM options are better than the normal Andon GM compensation. The HMGS GM-list will be submitted by the HOT director.

4. ANDON will promote and mention HMGS in all Origins-related advertising. This will be in the minimal form of "Over 100 HMGS Sponsored Games" but may be a larger portion of the advertisement. Please note that this may not appear in advertising that is targeting a specific group.

5. ANDON will give HMGS events the same two rooms as 1997 and special priority for table locations. This special consideration will affect what type of games are running around them and also visibility. HMGS tables must remain visible to the public to promote the events.

6. ANDON will fund, provide graphic art and deliver a HOT 98 newsletter (produced by Panzeri) for all interested HMGS chapters, clubs and members.

7. ANDON will provide extensive coverage in the preregistration and on-site book of HMGS events in the charts and a one-page advertisement.

8. ANDON will provide HMGS will five demo tables in the main demo area for showcase historical games during the entire convention.

9. HOT 98 will be an HMGS convention within an "alternative gamer" convention.

We need as many Great Lakes members as possible show up to Origins and run events, or at least show up and support the HMGS effort there. With three or more other HMGS chapters participating we should put on quite a show, promoting historical miniatures gaming.

I wanted to provide you all with the basics of the plan now. Hopefully, this will give a little planning time to assemble your events. Despite the wording of #2 above, Panzeri assures me that 90% of the HMGS games at Origins '97 were open and the "pay to play" for all historical games may be wiped out altogether next year. At Origins 97, we had 110 historical games run for HMGS, and it recruited more than 50 new members. HMGS-Great Lakes accounted for about a dozen or so of those.

The opportunity to promote HMGS is here, and Panzeri has negotiated a good deal with Andon. So, there is even more incentive than last year to show up, run games, work at the HMGS booth and promote HMGS.

Contact information is as follows:

Any standard GM form MUST include "HMGS HOT 98" at the top. Mail GM data to ANDON Origins "Attn: HMGS," PO Box 13500, Columbus, OH 43213. Or e-mail GM data to: AndonTroy@AndonUnlimited.com, or call 1-800-529-EXPO ext. 212. You can also submit your game on their web page: www.andonunlimited.com (you MUST mention HMGS HOT 98, and also please notify HMGS member Troy Boni, e-mail: cjboy@ix.netcom.com and Pete Panzeri: peter-panzeri@westpoint-emh2.army.mil. Or write Pete at #3 Russell Ave., Ft. Monmouth, NJ 07703.

There is also the possibility for HOT 98 free accommodations (this would be a select needy few.)