Region 1 Update: 06/08/2007

Hi everyone,

Time to share some more news from the home office, and a few other tidbits.

The biggest news is that the election for officers is now happening. There's a paper ballot in the new issue of the Journal that should be on your doorstep anytime now. You can also vote electronically on the IPMS web site. One new thing you'll notice this time around is a box for each office offering a chance to abstain, yet still cast a ballot. There are a few offices being contested and a few running unopposed. The important thing is to cast your ballot. Candidate bios are on the web site, as well as in the current Journal issue. There are some very fine people running for office, and all have their vision of how IPMS should proceed into the future. They're all committed to the Society; otherwise, they wouldn't be running for important offices. I won't suggest to anyone how to vote, because I believe the position of RC should be somewhat nonpolitical, but will strongly urge every IPMS member to cast a ballot!!

On another matter, I received this from Dick Montgomery the other day.
A discount policy:
What is says:
IPMS/USA will honor a $ 1.00 discount per chapter member when said chapter elects to renew/pay for all IPMS/USA chapter members, plus a minimum of 3 new member/rejoins. Rejoins being defined as any former member whose membership has been expired by 1 year or more. These memberships must be forwarded to the National Office with a renewal/new member card for each along with 1 chapter check for the total amount.

What it means:
Some clubs pay the annual IPMS/USA membership fee for their club members.
This discount structure is designed to allow for a small discount to that club.
Please note:
1. One check for the total amt., that being a chapter check.
2. Each person being renewed or joining as a new member must submit a Member Application form..... a simple list of names will not be acceptable.
3. Re-read the definition for a “rejoin”. If the former member is not sure of how long he’s been awol please contact the Office Manager or your Regional Coordinator.

The other thing that came in to pass along is a fee increase for rechartering. It reads like this;
Announcement regarding increase in Charter Renewal Fee:
The annual fee for charter renewal shall be $20.00 for the 2008 charter cycle.
For more information, please contact the Director of Local Chapters at dlc@ipmsusa.org.

Back to me!! Please make a note of this increase, and make your rechartering payment accordingly. And please don't complain to me about the increase, I didn't have anything to do with it!!

I haven't gotten the final report from our Noreastcon hosts yet, but know the event lost money this year. This makes two years in a row that the event has lost money. One of the main reasons was not enough sponsorships were received. We as a region need to do better in the future to ensure our premier event remains at the top rung of the regional ladder. Moreover, this includes sponsoring a category at the regional. There were too many chapters that didn’t step up to the plate and answer the call. I guess I’ll have to start harping on everyone earlier in the process next year. So please, consider sponsoring a trophy package at next years Noreastcon!! It’s our event, and we all need to support it.

The IPMS Nationals are rapidly approaching. This year the BIG SHOW will be in Orange County California, right across the street from Disneyland. Just think, you could spend one day with a mouse, then spend the next day at a modelers Disneyland, the vendor room at the Nationals!! What a concept!! I won’t be making the trip this year, as we’re having a huge family reunion in Colorado around the same time, but am planning to go back to Virginia Beach next year. I hope everyone from Region 1 that goes has a great time, and does well in bringing home an award.

I’ll end this most mercifully now, by saying, please share this with the Officers and members of your chapter. Until next time……….

Semper Fi
Doug H.
RC-1