Blech. This whole business kind of makes me sick. I’m still not clear on the details of what happened. Since I haven’t heard Corey’s side of things, I have to go with what I’ve heard. Apologies if I’m making assumptions here. It sounds like Corey was accidentally left on a signatory to the Warhamster WECU account, and WECU policies changed to make it easier for signatories to access money in group accounts. Then Corey emptied out the bank account to the tune of close to $400 to commission artwork and print a banner and stickers? It sounds like there wasn’t any communication with others about whether it was OK to do this, but I’m not sure. I don’t know if it was Corey’s decision alone or Kevin and Corey’s decision.
I totally get the desire to spend club funds on tournament swag. In the past, teams have usually footed their own bill for swag, but whatever. The way this happened (the way it seems to have happened?) feels really gross. Those funds were generated by individuals who gave generously of their time and energy to try and contribute to the Bellingham wargaming community. Kevin, I hear your disillusionment (and assume that it’s echoed by Corey?), but I don’t think any amount of dissatisfaction entitles you to those funds. Certainly not without putting it forward to others before withdrawing the money. The fact that Corey (Kevin?) feels entitled to unilaterally (bilaterally?) take that money is deeply disturbing to me.
If we were looking for a way to spend club funds, there are a lot more things I’d prefer to spend them on. There have been plenty of regular Warhamster-led events over the past couple of years that would deserve financial support. Sherbert’s old Endless Highways campaign. Koyote’s TNT and Mordheim campaigns. Joey’s Infinity escalation league. I reckon some extra funds for terrain, swag, giveaways, or the like for those events would be appreciated, and would benefit the larger Bellingham gaming community.
Corey and Kevin, the right thing to do here would be to return the money. If you agree that you did the wrong thing, make it right. In regards to a path forward, what Koyote posted as I typed this makes a lot of sense to me.