Mike Webb of Alliance Games, a member of the GAMA Board of Directors, sent us this comment in reaction to the comment of Gabriel Vega of Name of the Game (see 'Gabriel Vega of Name of the Game on Discounters at Origins') regarding the GAMA board's decision not to enforce a recently enacted ban on Internet discounters at the Origins game convention (see'GAMA To Allow Internet Discounters at Origins').
Just wanted to forward along the below to you as a counterpoint to Gabriel's comments on the GAMA BoD and the resolution passed at this summer's membership meeting:
'But I was just following orders.'
These words have been used far too often in history to justify actions by individuals given orders to do something that turned out to be illegal. And in the vast majority of cases, they have fallen on deaf ears. Rightly so.
While I think many folks agree with the resolution as passed at the GAMA membership meeting, the fact remains that GAMA's legal counsel has advised that making such a determination based on discount puts GAMA at risk. And enforcing a decision that, while made by the membership, is not legally sound would be abdicating the responsibility every director has to look out for the best interests of the organization.
I understand that there are other legal opinions, that there are other viewpoints, and that there are those that disagree with this interpretation. Frankly, I feel that a private show should be able to select exhibitors based on the good of the constituents of the show. But my opinion does not matter if GAMA winds up in a costly court battle on the subject. The fact that there are differing opinions means that there could well be a differing opinion held by a judge. GAMA simply cannot afford to take that risk, especially when warned ahead of time of it.
As a director (I am the Wholesale Division Director), I will gladly step down if the membership should ask me to in response to my support of not implementing a resolution passed by the membership. But I will not shy away from my responsibility to conduct the business of GAMA in a responsible and legal fashion. Where there is debate on legality, GAMA is best served by avoiding entangling itself in a legal issue such as this one.
However much I may personally agree with the goals and intents of the resolution -- however much I may want to implement it -- I refuse to abdicate the responsibility I have to serve the organization and industry. I therefore refuse to pull the trigger and say 'I was just following orders.'
