This is an interesting facet of the discussion that even I didn't think about- so first, thanks Tony for bringing it up. Second lets talk about this... Since VCFederation owns all the physical devices/artifacts/dollars in the warehouse and museum and bank accounts, and I'm sure it's VCFederation's 503 name/corp entity on all the agreements with InfoAge- to me that does two things: 1. Frees up the 'club' to name itself however it wants. There seem to be zero assets for VCF-MA or MARCH or whatever it renames itself. So go to town and make a new name. If that is what the membership is asking for, deliver it! 2. Does nothing to remove the confusion between VCFederation, the Festivals, the people that maintain stuff and have keys to access the artifacts, bank and museum. And that is ok. I've never felt like this was a bad thing- it causes conversation to be had, and people to talk about things and explain. That is a great thing to happen IMHO. So what if people have to explain these nuances? The fact that someone is asking is showing an interest and that motivation is worth more than some re-branding that resolves the confusion (at what level? People will still be confused no matter what you do). And this reflects on the comments from Ian and Ben re: joining and 'activities.' I've always felt the real club is what you make it. You make it by showing up and doing things- talking, helping, donating. Helping with forum, docent, cleaning etc etc etc. There are no hidden meetings (save the SteerCo- and not hidden just not open to general pop) or things going on- anyone can start something if they are willing to put in the time to do it. Not many orgs are like this. Cherish it. I gave a lot for a few years and have backed off due to other things to do, I will come back with more time at some point. I hope by then it hasn't turned into an empty club with paperwork and procedures on how everything must be done. To me the learning and exploring was 80% of the fun of the Federation at InfoAge. I hope this helped express an alternative view on things and encouraged people think about things before making a bunch of changes and the impact those changes may have. -andy PS: Case in point: i've enjoyed 2 VCFMW shows - they are incredible and fun and I don't know a friggin thing about the 'club' that runs them!

On Oct 29, 2024, at 8:39 AM, Tony Bogan via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:

From: Tony Bogan <thebogans@mac.com> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Announcement: Administrative and Policy Changes Date: October 29, 2024 at 8:39:20 AM EDT To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org>

One thing that has yet to be brought up, at least that I spotted and I apologize if I missed it, is that part of the reason our group is called VCF is we manage and curate the Federations collection. None of the comparisons in Thomas G’s post are true comparisons because of that one (and in my mind significant) fact.

The warehouse and museum contents do NOT belong to VCF-MA (or MARCH or whatever else you wish to call it) they belong To VCF.

That doesn’t mean our group couldn’t have a different name and continue curating VCFs collection of course, but it does set us apart from every and any other group that exists in this country. And for that reason, several others and one other major reason the name change was made to what it currently is. The other major reason? two VCF National Board members being part of VCF MA and in charge of its creation as a 501c and its daily and financial operations.

Again, these points don’t preclude changing the name, but I believe this is important information for everyone to know and it does make our group unique and in the same Ocean but not in the same boat (sorry, couldn’t help myself) as everyone else.

Tony Bogan

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On Oct 29, 2024, at 8:19 AM, Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:

You could bring a device that produces a mild electric shock, and when people ask you can shock them until they change the subject. I have a portable shock stick that I use in every day life when needed, really reduces the stress.

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On Mon, Oct 28, 2024 at 9:44 AM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:

On Sun, Oct 27, 2024 at 18:11 Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:

...

I’m here. I thought VCF was chosen to compete with TCF.

It was definitely not to compete with TCF. I was part of the founding. TCF is the Trenton Computer Festival and a once a year event started in 1976? in NJ. Vintage Computer *Festival* was started in 1997 in California. Vintage Computer *Federation* was started in 2016. I can’t recall the exact reason, but likely to match the acronym VCF which was the *Festival *as well as be global sounding and nature with Festivals around the world.

The biggest problem as I see it is that people have trouble distinguishing between the *Festival* and the *Federation*. I have to explain to many people the difference between them. Vintage Computer Festival West and Vintage Computer Festival East are run by the Vintage Computer Federation. The other Festivals are independent. I have been to VCF West, VCF East, VCF MidWest, VCF SouthWest, VCF Pacific Northwest, World of Commodore, Trenton Computer Festival, HOPE, World Maker Faire and have had to explain the differences at each event. There are even people that confuse Trenton Computer Festival and Vintage Computer Festival.

...

Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.

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On Oct 27, 2024, at 5:33 PM, Jeff Salzman via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:

The name MARCH was suggested because of its prior familiarity, and

that

...

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there is already a BARCH for the Bay Area Retro Computing Hobbyists, which is technically VCF Bay Area.

BARCH and MARCH

Another reason to stick with the naming convention is that it rolls off the tongue better than saying a bunch of consonants, yet still maintaining a meaning as an acronym.

Jeff Salzman

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On Sun, Oct 27, 2024, 3:57 PM W2HX via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:

How about just VCFED-NJ people will generally know where New Jersey is located. If, someday, another chapter is opened in, say North Carolina, they can just call themselves VCFED-NC

73 Eugene W2HX My Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@w2hx/videos

-----Original Message----- From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces@lists.vcfed.org> On Behalf Of Joshua Abraham via vcf-midatlantic Sent: Friday, October 25, 2024 6:16 PM To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Cc: Joshua Abraham <jarvideo@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Announcement: Administrative and Policy Changes

Just my two cents, but I feel like Mid-Atlantic should be retired for a more defined region name such as North East or New England to better define the center of the chapter's operations.

The term "Mid- Atlantic" I have seen in other circles to be very broadly defined at times from as far south as the Carolinas and as far north as New York State.

That being said I think there would be a benefit in selecting a name that better aligns with many of the other regional groups official or otherwise for the sake of consistency to the layman.

I know that technically Vcf does live within the mid Atlantic boundary, but being on the outer edge, it may be best to focus on a more central name.

Who knows, another group could pop up between new Jersey and Georgia one day. May as well plan for the future.

Respectfully, Joshua.

On Fri, Oct 25, 2024, 5:09 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:

> Thomas and to all > > Are the items that you mentioned here (and others pending) going to be > brought up at the Festivus meeting that we usually have in December > and VCF members allowed to vote on it?( or sooner) I am sure that you > and the others will keep us Informed. > > Mike Rosen > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > >> On Oct 25, 2024, at 2:40 PM, Thomas G via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote: >> >>  We in the steering committee have been considering making a number >> of changes to our operation, role, and focus for the past few weeks. >> We feel that our operation and communication has not been as >> effective as it > could >> be, given our stated goals, and are also considering certain changes >> to > the >> broader aspects of VCF Mid-Atlantic, such as membership, elections, >> and defining our role in relation to VCF National, largely in >> response to feedback from VCF Mid-Atlantic members. One of the >> changes we are considering, while largely inconsequential, is to revive the name 'MARCH' >> (short for 'Mid Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists') to replace the > clunky >> 'VCF Mid-Atlantic'. We are still in the deliberating process, but >> one change worth reporting has already occurred - Jeff Salzman has >> delegated the role of Steering Committee Chairman to Thomas >> Gilinsky. The > composition >> of the steering committee has not changed aside from this. >> >> Further information will be made available as we finalize our decisions. > >