My fellow Gaming Countrymen We have reached a crossroads in the direction of our organization, Historical Miniatures Gaming Society, Great Lakes. You all well know by now of our acceptance as a full chapter by the National Board of Directors. an objective that we have worked hard to obtain, considering the friction that we have received along the way and the lack of direction that this group had in 1994.

But recognition at the national level doesn't come without a price. There are certain criterion that we must follow to stay in our present position. Now, there are a few of you out there who have expressed that if Great Lakes decides to do things that don't "fit the bill" with National and if National were to take away our current status (basically shutting down Great Lakes as an HMGS chapter) because of non-compliance with their "official" views, that we should just form a gaming group exclusive of HMGS.

I, and quite a few members that I know, am not here for that purpose. The reason I joined Great Lakes, ran for office and have worked to promote our organization outside of central Ohio is because it is H.M.G.S., not another local group. I do understand the resistance to accept National's agenda at face value, seeing that it does seem to be filled with hypocrisy, but, after seeing certain BOD members work hard to achieve this goal of acceptance, and knowing the time and money that I have put in, I wish to see us continue on with the full approval of National. Just because this group was started under shady pretenses doesn't mean that we throw away the work that we have done to make us a viable H.M.G.S. chapter.

Now on to other things: With our current membership base of around fifty (50) active members, and with the majority of the membership living in central Ohio, I am very troubled with the lack of turnout at the annual membership meeting that was held in June. First. I do want to thank the members who took the time to show interest in their club, and I did notice a couple of faces that I wasn't familiar with in the past. I know that your time is valuable to you, and I appreciate the effort made to attend the meeting.

But again, considering the distances that most of you have to drive, I feel that we should have had a far better turnout than what we did. I can understand things such as holding a job, commitment to family, and maybe even frustration with great Lakes having prevented members from attending. Just let me say this. with the current effort that has been put forth by the BOD, especially the job that Brian O'Leary has done assembling the newsletter, and the timeconsuming effort that Ferkin Doyle has put forth in handling the mailings. I think that you are beginning to see us function as we should. Now we need your support to continue moving in the right direction.

Let me finish by stating this: This organization has been over many, many rough roads in the short time of its existence, and it has been held together by just a few individuals who have done all the work for the members benefit. Does the lack of support that these few receive from the rest of you mean that you are not satisfied with the effort that they have made? Or is it simply a lack of interest in the group as a whole? We need to have your voices heard so we can steer this chapter in the direction that the membership sees fit, not just a few of the individuals.