[Whiterook]

Thanks guys, good points there. Let me clarify this a little though...the modeling club I found is here in Western Massachusetts, called the Wings & Wheels Modeler's Club, and they meet monthly in a town about a half hour from my home. Dues is $15, so it's a bargain; and that's where I see the "learning from experience" factor you all mention as coming into play. They offer to sponsor your membership in the Northeast's Region 1 Chapter, taking $5 off the $25 IPMS dues with membership with Wings & Wheels. So the question comes to bear...I plan on going to Wings & Wheels' model show this Sunday, and depending on what I see of the membership, I'll most likely join their club in June; but do I join IPMS as well?