As NCOWS' Marshal, I had no intention of responding to the insulting, ranting, baseless commentary being proffered here, but that is simply no longer possible.
Regardless of what some would have you believe, the truth is this:
There exists within our organization a small, but highly vocal, faction who have become disenchanted with NCOWS primarily because it is trying to return to the path of authenticity on which the organization was founded.
As NCOWS' properly elected governing body, the Territorial Congress, voted overwhelmingly to prohibit clearly modern gamer-influenced items and accessories (shotshell slides, short-stroked rifles, the non-authentic Bisley Vaquero, modified firing pins and rifle carriers, etc.) their discontent grew.
Unable to dominate the Congress and have these non-authentic items reinstated, they have instead resorted to a "scorched earth" policy of trying to discredit, humiliate and destroy, if possible, the organization through misinformation, half-truths, and outright fabrications.
The elections have been conducted 100 percent by the book. There are no "secret" meetings, no irregularities, no subterfuge -- save that being practiced by this faction itself. No Congress members have been "kicked out." And there have been far more false accusations and allegations than these circulated in whispers and shouts by the disgruntled.
NCOWS is a member-driven, non-profit organization -- its business is conducted in the open for all members to see if they care to attend. In the wake of threads such as this, the time for delicacy has expired.
Adolph Hitler himself is quoted as suggesting that "the people will more easily believe a big lie than a small one."
These are lies -- big and small -- and are designed to damage NCOWS to the greatest degree possible. They are advanced by members -- and former members-- mad that they are being democratically outvoted by their peers who are choosing greater authenticity over the gamer mentality and its accordant "arms race."
Apparently unwilling to simply accept these changes, or politely withdraw and find an organization that suits their interests more closely, they instead would try to poison the organization to everyone else, in a childish, mean-spirited and immature attempt at revenge.
It is sad, but it is true -- regardless of how some may attempt to "spin" the facts.