Gabriel Vega of the Name of the Game of Camarillo, California had a strong response to the announcement by GAMA president Rick Loomis that the GAMA Board of Directors had decided not to enforce the ban on Internet discounters on the Origins floor that was passed by the membership last year (see'GAMA To Allow Internet Discounters at Origins').
Rick Loomis' announcement of the decision of the GAMA Board of Directors to allow internet discounters at Origins, flies in the face of the decision of the membership to disallow such activity. The resolution, as presented by WizKids EVP Martin Stever, and passed by the GAMA membership states 'Resolved: Every effort should be made to exclude any person or business whois regularly engaged in the business of deep discount retailing of games via the Internet from participating at Origins as an exhibitor.'
For the GAMA Board of Directors to not follow such a clear directive of the membership is ethically wrong. While I can appreciate the legal counsel sought by the GAMA Board, and the revelations such counsel has brought forth, the proper method would have been for the membership to be educated with the information, and then the question should have been considered again. If the resolution passed again, then any members of the GAMA Board who were uncomfortable enforcing such a resolution should resign. If the resolution had not passed the second time, then it would have been accomplished in a democratic fashion, affording the GAMA membership a true voice.
But for the GAMA board to shortcut this process is both high-handed and undemocratic. I would call for the resignations of any board member who recommended such a course which undermines the mandate of the GAMA membership.
