[dedindahed]

So we voted in favour of price matching, but it seems there is agreement that we need rules in place.

Board games and RPG materials are both to be included.

Limitations were mentioned, perhaps one club purchase per per 6/12 months.  Another option is to limit by use, no new games until the old one has been played x times (too much work?), no new rpg scenarios until a previous one has been fully played out.
Less limitations may be ok, if it turns out that having more games available at the club is a bigger benefit than the outgoing amount.

The initial idea is that club purchases must be brought to the club every week and made available to all, this is good, but may become impractical as collections build so for long term I'd suggest an online library with names of keepers so you can request a game be bought in advance, maybe make it compulsary to bring a new purchase for the first 4-6 months of ownership?

It was suggested that a 50% vote would be needed to initiate any purchase, but I think that is a little high, I think 6 members should be enough to reccomend a purchase, especially in conjuction with the above limitations.  We may need to set up a queueing system, and perhaps could give priority by number of backers, though the policy has been in effect for some time now and has seen no use so this may not even be necessary.

I'm also in favour club funded part replacement for games that get lost/damaged while being loaned to club members, I guess each case would need to be individually judged as there is a potential for abuse, but i think the potential is low.  Also a policy for price matched games that get lost/damaged outside the club may be needed, (revoke all further price match rights unless amout is repaid?)

Just some points for discussion, hopefully we can reach an acceptable policy without too much trouble.

[dead]

[HDimagination]

What about seting a budget? Maybe set up two funds within the kitty, one for free nights and one for buying games, and agree how much of the surplus funds go into each?

That way doing one won't have an effect on our ability to do the other, and the amount that we do it is limited by the amount of money in the 'game fund.'

On the subject of RPG's I would maybe make the suggestion that we limit what it's possible to apply for, maybe saying that you can apply for core rule books and adventures, but not ancillary sourcebooks.  

I'll take a D&D example to illustrate my point:

You've got your 3 core books, that are used every game, so provide value for money and see use every time that GM runs that Game.  I think that using club funds to buy these books or simlar 'whole system in one book' games would probably be the best thing for the club in general.

You've got your adventures, that when run will give enjoyment to allot of people, but really can only be used once in the club.  given that these are generally the cheaper side of RPG products, this could work out quite well.

Then you've got sourcebooks like for example, Martial Power (geared toward fighting classes).  This book contains only optional rules that people can choose to use to improve a limited number of character types.  I would say in order to get the most benifit for the club as a whole, buying this kind of book with club funds should probably be discouraged.

Just my thoughts on the matter, and I must admit, that while I was initally against the idea, i may be comming around.

[dedindahed]

I don't think we need to budget, I don't see free nights as a must have, more as a safety net to prevent accumulation of funds, so I would say priority goes to gaming materials, and free nights kick in when required.

Given we've always agreed to price match in the past, and no one has, I don't see a mad rush to do so, and if there is people will simply have to wait until funds become available.

I think sourcebooks and modules are as valid as core books, the problem I see with core books is if a D&D group the size of paz's all decide they want a subsidised PHB each it could get pricey, though obviously you can get by with less.

I'd be against willy nilly buying every sourcebook that comes along, but if there's an adventure and sourcebook that go hand in hand, and the intention to run it at the club is there I see no reason for the pair not to be allowed.  Though I'd agree that very limited scope sourcebooks are probbably not the best option (The complete half-orc fighter-rogue) etc.

There is the potential for sourcebooks to be handed around to other groups to use after one has run it's course.

I'm in agreement with most of Ian's suggestions, keeping it simple is certainly the best way to go, though I'm still in favour of logging all subsidised products and their keeper in a thread somewhere so that materials can be requested.