Members from every HMGS chapter have often asked 'why do we have a National HMGS Board?' and have wanted to know what purpose they serve. The National Board of Directors (BoD) exists primarily to accredit new chapters into HMGS. Another important function is the necessity to coordinate the actions and functions of the various chapters. The National BoD does not exist to run HMGS or interfere with the management of each chapter. 100% of the work of HMGS is accomplished by the chapters. While HMGS National happens to be incorporated. there are no 'members' of HMGS National. The BoD is made up of one representative from each chapter with the chairmanship rotated between the chapters in order of seniority. This group of people decides if new chapters have met the minimum standards for accreditation and vote to allow them to become full chapters of HMGS. These standards are a minimum of 50 members, $500 in the chapter account, and incorporabon of the chapter. HMGS National is also responsible for coordinating and sanctioning HMGS conventions. Currently, this coordination is loosely accomplished (to be polite) and is an area that must be improved. The only restriction placed on HMGS conventions is that at least 90% of the events should be historical. There are no restrictions on working with a separate convention that offers other types of events. The BoD only meets once per year, at the flagship convention of the chapter that holds the chairmanship. The work that goes on during the year is performed by a staff appointed by the board. As National Director, it is my responsibility to identify what our needs are and find the staff to fill those needs. At this time, I'm looking for four volunteers to help with this work. Per the bylaws, they should be from diffierent chapters, if possible. If you are interested, please notify me by a letter or contact through the other means listed below. Funding for HMGS National comes from the dues collected by each chapter, $1 of your membership goes into the National treasury. This is not enough money to start any am bitious projects at this time. We will start to use this money to promote the hobby more in '95. Your newsletter editor has a copy of the National bylaws if you would like to see them. [See below, Ed] I hope this information has given you an idea of the limited work done by the National organization. With a larger volunteer staff, we should be able to work on projects to benefit every chapters. Bylaws for the Historical Miniatures Gaminz Society National Board Purpose: To coordinate the actions and functions of the various Regional HMGS Chapters. Historical Miniatures Gaming Society and HMGS are trade marks of HMGS (East) and are given to HMGS National for the purpose to accredit or remove accreditation of the Regional Chapters. As holders of the trademarks and copyrights to the name, HMGS (East) give the National Board the authority to license the use of the HMGS trademark. The Board: Each accredited chapter will appoint one representative to act for them on the National Board. Should a Regional Chapter lose accreditation, their Regional Board seat also will be forticit. The process of appointment of the member shall be totally within the purview of the Regional Chapter, Each Regional Member of the National Board will have one vote on all National Board matters. There shall be one officially constituted meeting for the National Board annually. This meetiing will be held at an officially sanctioned Regional HMGS Convention and will rotate annually in terms of seniority of the regional chapter. Thus, the first meeting will be held at Historicon. the next meeting will be at Little Wars, and so on. Chair of the National Board: The Chairman of the National Board shall be the representative of the chapter at which the annnal meeting will be held. His term of office begins on the date of Historicon. Members in Good Standing: All members are eligible to vote at the annual meeting if their respective chapters have paid their current annual dues. This requirement may be waived by a majority vote of the members in good standing. Automatic Suspension: If a chapter after investigation has been found to have misrepresented itself to the National Board, or acted in such a way as to endanger the organization as a whole, it is immediately suspended. subject to the review of the National Board at the annual meeting. Funding: The various chapters will grant to the National Board $1 (one dollar) per Regional member. The National Board also may accept donations toward its day to day operating expenses. The National Board also may engage in fund raising measures, bill cannot forcibly levy any more than the $1 (one dollar) per Regional member fee. Accreditation: The National Board shall be the sole acting authority to accredit any chapters. This shall be done by whatever criteria the National Board deems is fit. Mininium standards to be considered for accreditation shall be 50 paid members. $500.00 in a bank account under the provisional chapter's name, and Incorporation of that provisional chapter. To gain admittance a chapter must gain a minimum of 75% positive vote from the National Board. Loss of Accreditation: The National Board shall be the sole judge of the removal of Regional Accreditation. Chapters may be removed if the National Board feels that the chapter no longer represents the values and no longer pursues the goals of HMGS. Once a motion for the removal of accreditation is made against a Region, the Regional member or the National Board representing the Region in question is immediately disqualified from voting on the issue of that Region's removeal. To remove accreditation the motion must be passed unanimously by the allowable voting members present at the annual meeting. Should two chapters be considered for removal of accreditation at the same National meeting, neither chapter may vote on each question of accreditation. Once the question of removal is disposed of and if the motion is not passed, the vote of the Regional member of the Region in question is immediately restored for all other matters. Coordination or Chapters: The National Board will determine which Conventions be sanctioned by HMGS. It is the responsibilily of the National Board to coordinate sanctioned conventions so that no scheduling conflicts arise. The National Board will require each regional chapter to submit their mailing list into the National archives. Each regional chapter can then request a mailing to be made to all accredited members, which the National Board call provide, The mailing list printing will be made by the National Board who can assess a fee for the use of that list. The National Board also will be the contact point for any news media wishing to do a story on miniatures gaming. The National Board will act as a contact point within the gaming industry, and will be a distribution point for any other information that the Regional chapters wish to publish. Staffing: If practical under the funding, fund raising, and contributions, the National Board will appoint a paid staff to coordinate the above efforts. Should a paid staff not be possible, then the Regional Chapters will be responsible for the appointment of members to fulfill these functions. Whenever possible the staff should be balanced in terms of region. Staff will have no vote in National issues, but will be responsible for reporting to the Board on their functions. Perceptions: HMGS National should be seen as a facilitating agency, not as a "Big Brother" constantly looking over the shoulder of the Regional Chapters. An all voluntary organization can be a tax burden to its members when outside factors intrude. It is the purpose of HMGS to promote the best in Historical Miniatures Gaming. We exist to educate, expand, and promote the hobby. The National Board is simply the best way to achieve the aim of our organization, not to change them. Back to Table of Contents The Messenger June 1995 Back to The Messenger List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1995 by HMGS/PSW. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com