> From: mc707@earthlink.net.geentroep (Matthew Caulfield)
> To: rolls@foxtail.com
> Date: Fri, 03 Jul 1998 09:37:17 -0700
>
> Subject: AMICA Chapter Names
>
> Eileen Jacobs' news about the formation of a Southwestern Pennsylvania
> AMICA chapter prompts me to express a pet peeve about AMICA chapter
> names.  Too many of them have names that might mean something to someone
> but that fail utterly to identify or even suggest the area they cover.
> Names such as Gateway, Founding, Heart of America (admittedly a small
> clue there, unless you think YOUR state is America's heart and center),
> or Northern Lights.

It honestly, truly, is merely a coincidence that the AMICA chapter
of which I am a member, has one of the more geographically descriptive
names (SOWNY = Southern Ontario & Western NY [state]).

On the other hand, I've yet to figure out which of the "descriptively
named" (Mid-America? Snowbelt?) MBSI chapters cover Toronto. Largely
academic, mind you, as I've yet to find out about a chapter meeting of
any sort near enough to me to be worth the drive.

> MBSI has a leg up on AMICA when it comes to presenting information
> clearly.  When MBSI reprints something, whether an article or an
> advertisement, it identifies the reprint as such and gives the original
> publication data.  Am I the only fool who has ordered something from an
> AMICA ad only to find out that the ad ran a half century ago and that
> the company is long gone?

I can't admit to that mistake, but indeed, providing original
publication data should be expected.

> Good luck in setting up your new chapter, Eileen, and choose a good,
> geographically descriptive name for it that will help you to attract more
> members.
>
> Matthew Caulfield

- Colin Hinz
  Toronto, Canada