Minutes
The meeting of April 7 came to order at 7:30 with eight people present.  Seth Ceuny was acting chairman.  Agenda's were cut apart with the ceremonial scissors and handed out to all any who wanted one.

The minutes of the last meeting were accepted.  The treasurer's report was also accepted.  SNIP currently has $31.30 in the treasury. 

The constitution was brought up to a vote of those attending and was ratified without changes.  Officers were then elected according to the rules set forth in the constitution with the following results.

President: Matthew LaBarge
Publisher: Shane Smith
Secretary: Christine LaBarge
Treasurer: Norman LaBarge

All votes were unanimous. 

The Battle Derby Mech Race was then discussed.  A request was put forward for the club to finance the purchase of the mechs so they would be available in case SNIP was able to hold a Battle Derby and a major convention such as Michicon '99.  Do to the club's lack of finances it was determined that the club would only finance 4 mechs with a maximum expenditure of $20.  It was also brought up that Norm and Chris would contact the Metro Detroit Gamers to see about setting up a Battle Derby at Michicon this year.

Several suggestions were put forth for the SNIP sponsored event for May.  A miniature painting seminar was greeted with the most enthusiasm. With more discussion this event was accepted and set for Wed., May 5.

Origins was discussed.  People will look up information for inexpensive sleeping arrangements and this will probably continue to be discussed between now and the next formal meeting.

A suggestion was brought up that some posters should be printed so that more people can learn about SNIP.  It was agreed that at least one poster will be created to be posted in the store.  Norm also mentioned that the SNIP logo will probably be included on the sign by the road.

Karen Burgess was voted in as incoming Chair. 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00.

Michicon '99
Chris LaBarge

I almost thought I had bad news for everyone.  Just as we decided to see if we could beta test Battle Derby at  Michicon this year I received the following email.

Hi,
    Sorry to say MichiCon '99 will not happen. We met Monday night and decided to cancel it because the hotel wanted more money than we could afford.
    We are looking toward a MichiCon 2000.

As I said before, this was almost bad news.

The following day I received a follow-up to that email

Hi,
    Now MichiCon '99 is merely postponed. Somebody was able to kick the powers that be in the butt to get the convention rolling.
    Sorry about the earlier misinformation. I'll let you know as soon as I have definite information.

I've also been informed that there seems to be no problem in SNIP sponsoring a Battle Derby Mech Race at the con.  I will relay information as I get it.

MICRO ARMOR
Battle in the Rhineland
Erik Fromm 

January 15, 1945.

In the Rhineland Units of the 1st SS Panzer Division delivered a stunning blow to American forces trying to destroy the Fatherland. 

Fifteen Panthers were deployed to halt an attack by the Americans, and were stunned to find that they were vastly outnumbered. Our troops bravely choose to fight for the Fatherland rather than run away like Russians. Clever gun placement of 88mm guns, as well as several Marders were able to prevent the scoundrels from running up the center of the field. They instead had to negotiate their way through a set of hills, while under constant fire. 

Within minutes, our gunfire had destroyed many of the American's inferior "Sherman" tanks, as well as several other tanks which were attempting to over-run our 88mm positions. Erik Fromm, commanding the left flank of the defense, made a daring charge up a hill and directly into the American formation. This forced the Americans to stop and try to surround our powerful Panzer V "Panthers," because it was the only way for them to take them out. This allowed Fromm to roll back down the hill, so that an 88mm emplacement on a nearby hill could finish off the enemy. 

Meanwhile Heinrich Lehmann, commanding the right flank, was luring the Americans into a trap with his five Panthers. As the Americans advanced over a hill in his region, Lehmann had his 88mm knock them down, along with his Panthers. 

Had the Americans not decided to run off like cowards, they would have found three more Panthers waiting for them at the bottom of the hill. These Americans thought they had us, but the bravery of our strong Panzers has forced them to reconsider their superiority. 

Am ende steht der zieg!