Is this what you are looking for, Jim? Posted on June 30th, 1997.......Andy - Las Vegas

Our organization has a constitution named "Casino Chip & Gaming Token Collectors Club Constitution". It is a beautiful document, well written, simple and represents what we as members stand for. Whoever wrote it deserves our thanks.

The board is the protector of this constitution as well as the protector of ALL members of our
Organization. To run our club, the board is granted power to create by-laws under Article V - Section II.

This is a tremendous amount of authority, responsiblity for an all volunteer board. Without this authority the board would be ineffective and unable to function in caring out their responsibilities. Two areas of consideration must be discussed to understand why I believe, and will handle, two proposed changes to our Constitution. The first change I will propose in writing to the board will be to Article V - Section I. One of the most commen complaints battered around is the interest our members take in the club. As Mike S. has stated often try to find someone to volunteer when something needs to get/be done. Try to find someone who will run for an office and take on added responsibility. In addition, all our officers work for the tremendous sum of -0-! Not pretty especially if one searches for a solution - when their appears to be none.

I believe members lack interest because they lack involvement - and lack involvement because they lack interest. Kinda of which came first the chicken or the egg! Realizing their are not too many available solutions to the problem makes changing anything near impossibe. By luck, hapstance or whatever the club has been blessed with five hardworking, ask for nothing, give all individuals since its inception. I often ask myself what would happen if we didn't have these people; oh sure - someone else would take their place and it would be business as usual - Yeah, Right!!! As much as we say it will never happen; someday it will; one ,two or all of them will no longer be serving our club. I hate to see what would happen then. While I attended the open business meeting, I missed a lot of what was going on by watching other members interact with the board and themselves. One could judge if listening carefully to the exchanges between themselves ideas for the future I found down right frightful. I don't know if any of the board could hear them - but I did. It motivated me enough to write these observations. I thought what if these people were in the position of power what could be done then. Their is no doubt in my mind the love our board must have for this club. I did not see that love in the eyes of the people who were throwing out ideas faster than anyone could comprehend. Too acomplish two items in one I am going to propose an amendment to allow the full membership to vote by ballot with a 2/3 majority of club members voting to ever amend our constitution. I believe this amendment is necessary to protect our club for all the future generations to come. By giving all members a chance to participate, I would hope an interest to get involved would begin to develop. Especially in those members who for whatever reason cannot attend the open business meeting held in conjunction with our convention.In addition, it would eliminate forever the possibility of a select few(2/3 majority of those present) to change, what our board has worked so long and hard to protect - our constitution. The open business meeting could than be used for exchange of ideas, suggestions, etc. to make our club better. The second change I will propose to the board in writing is too Article V - Section II. As I stated earlier the board needs to adopt by-laws to function and run our organization. As long as we have our current board I have no problem with the way the constitution is written. However, to protect future generations who may not have the caliber of leadership we enjoy, I am suggesting a check and balance be established. A simple provision reserving the right by a full membership vote (2/3rd needed to override)to make null and void any by-law the membership believes not to be in the best interests of the club; Again this would be by ballot. We already have a protection built in, that any by-law cannot be passed which violates our constitution, etc. However, the suggested proposal covers all actions of the board and provide a safety net if it should ever be needed five or ten years from now. Both of these changes, in my opinion are necessary to allow our club to grow and prosper in the future without worry. Mike S. in an earlier post was kidding me about who should count the votes? Now I am being serious - an independent person or organization that has no vested interest in the results. With these two changes in our constitution we would insure the direction of our club for the year 2000 and beyond. We would have an avenue for correction if we should make a mistake in judgement as too individual(s) or decisions. Also, I would feel a whole lot better if and when we should ever have to elect new officials; after all leaders like we have now are pretty hard to find!! Thank you for reading this long document and hope I didn't put you to sleep . Remember, the proposals are only have the job - YOU have to show up at next years convention to VOTE. Be there, I believe it's that important!!!!