V.G.C.A. NEWS March, 2001

February Meeting. For the first time in 17 years, the VGCA canceled a meeting.  Thank the good Lord that Addison thought to do it.  If anyone doubts the wisdom of doing so, the accident on (I95 should throw a different light on it.  If anyone went to the meeting, it isn't because we didn't try to get the word out.  I even tried to get the announcement on the radio, but could not get it done.  I promise to try to get at least on the WMAL list before the next winter season.  Hopefully, Doug Wicklund's Relics and Rust program will be rescheduled for later in the year.

Phone Tree. The storm and cancellation of the meeting brought another thing to light once again.  This organization does not have a phone tree.  When the updated Show Rules are sent to the membership for comment sometime in the next few months, we will also ask for your telephone number, email address, and whether you would agree to be included on the phone tree list.  The phone tree would be used only for emergencies, not for anybody's idea of what is important enough to use the phone tree because "I'm just positive that everybody will want to know that."

NRA Convention. As announced previously, the Schrier boys will be in charge of our display at the convention.  The place is Kansas City, Missouri and the time is 18-20 May.

EXCOM Meeting. The Executive Committee met the Monday after the canceled meeting.  The primary topic was the show rules and the next show.  The coming show will be policed even tighter than the last one.  We lost a member, who was also a dealer, after the last show.  Please, let's not lost any  other members because of not following the rules or misunderstandings.

September Show. The fall show dates are confirmed for 15-16 September ad Hugo's

Dues. Don't forget to pay your dues before the end of March.  If you haven't coughed up the cash prior to the show, Ed Costello will be more than happy to take your cash or check (no stamps please) at the show.

Hats and ID Badges. VGCA hats will be available at the show.  New members and old members who need to have pictures taken for ID badges will be able to do so at the show.  Listen up for the announcement.

Secretary's Subtleties. At the next show there will undoubtedly be  more than a few warnings given to table renters.  For this Newsletter, table renter means anyone who rents table space, regardless of category.  If you have friends who rent tables, let them know that the rules are for everybody, and that includes VGCA members.  Anyone who tries to take down their table before closing on Sunday will be given a warning not to do so.  If the warning is ignored, it is possible that the table r3enter won't be back.

If we had it my way, anybody who knowingly sold a repro item as an original would never be allowed to set up at a VGCA show again.  My way, the same would hold true for any misrepresentation of a for-sale item.  I know, we all make mistakes because there is no way any of us can know everything there is to know about guns and gun-related stuff.  However it is easy to tell if somebody is lying, especially if the table renter is notorious for his actions.

So, if any member sees something illegal, be it misrepresentation or a violation of Federal or State firearms transaction rules, please notify immediately any member of the Executive Committee or Show Managers.  The Show Committee Chief is Gary Holderman, and Show Chief is Phil Hill.

President's Corner. The VGCA really needs your help this time.  At the meeting in January I didn't discuss the Show at any length because it was getting late.  I thought we would be able to work everything out at the February meeting.  If I learned anything, it was not to put off until tomorrow what I can do today.

Please, if you were on a committee at the last show, call the committee leader and tell him that you will help out again.  On the other hand, if you get a call asking for your help, please respond with a "yes".  Help is needed everywhere.

At the last show, the tables were arranged by noon on Friday for the very first time.  If you helped set up, please help again.  If you are able to give some of your time on Friday, if you can be at Hugo's by 10 a.m., we can be set up at about the same time as last time if there are enough people.

Takedown is as important as setting up.  The most efficient takedown we ever had occurred at the last show.  Again, if you helped out, please plan to do so again.  Also, if you are at the show at the end, plan to stay a few minutes to help out so everyone can get out earlier.

Please call Gary Holderman at 703-754-9528, Phil Hill at 703-866-7090, or me at 540-882-3543 if you can help out and don't know who else to call.  You can also sign up to help out when you get to the show on Saturday.  There are many members who have never helped out at one of our shows.  Please think about that and help out, even if you can spare only an hour.

One last thing.  We are going to make the shows more tightly controlled from all aspects.  Top so that, every VGCA member has to get involved.  We have had complaints from customers about certain table renters, to use Mike's term.  In each case the complaints had to do with the shows at Hugo's.  There are some who still think that  any show at Hugo's is our show.  If the complaint is made about our show, something will be done about it.  Initially, that something will be anything from a warning to not being invited back.  Let's have a good show, don't forget about the meeting in April, and thank you in advance for the support that I know will be at Hugo's on 24-25 March.  -- Addison