CABS History

In 2022, CABS will be celebrating 30 years at the premier game club in the U.S.

It was over 25 years ago that 4 guys met and formed the basis of CABS at CAPCON on Saturday, April 18th, 1992. It was 24 years ago in 1997 that 12 gaming friends got together and first played under the banner of CABS. 

Since then, CABS has grown into the largest boardgaming club in the U.S. that regularly meets in a single location. We have grown from about 34 regular meetings in 2008 to almost 50 in 2019, with attendance of over 100 at almost every meeting. 

Our May 11, 2013 meeting set the attendance record for a regular meeting at over 225, thanks to holding a sanctioned Regionals tournament for Android: Netrunner, as well as a giveaway from Paramount Pictures promoting the reboot of the Star Trek franchise.

CABS Policies

Governing Documents

CABS Charter (PDF)

CABS Operating Policies (Google Doc)  

CABS Charter (PDF) Proposed

CABS Policies Updated 2022-3-31

All COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. People who want to attend CABS meetings are no longer required to wear masks, show proof of vaccination status, or sign a waiver. We encourage all members and attendees of our meetings to take whatever precautions they feel are necessary for their best interests. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, we ask that you not attend CABS meetings until you no longer test positive for the virus.

CABS Policies Updated 2020-6-25

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in an effort to provide a safe environment to our members, CABS will resume indoor meetings beginning July 10, 2021, with the following restrictions:

To attend an indoor meeting at CABS, you must:

1) Sign the “Infectious Disease Waiver 2021” verifying that you understand risks involved with meeting in person;

2) Provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (at least two weeks prior to the current date, photo of vaccination card is acceptable); and

3) Wear your member badge while attending, with a vaccination verification sticker displayed.

If you don't have your proof of vaccination or forget your member badge with the verification sticker, you will be asked to wear a mask while indoors. If you're not able to wear a mask while indoors we request that you do not attend indoor CABS meetings at this time.

Additionally,

4) While you may drink beverages, food may not be eaten indoors at CABS until further notice.

5) Hours will be limited: Friday meetings, 3-9 PM, Saturday meetings, Noon-9pm

Members who are unwilling or unable to sign the waiver or wear a mask may ask a board member to check out a game for them, but they may not remain on-site. Guests will be asked to sign the waiver and provide proof of vaccination (at least two weeks prior to the current date, photo of vaccination card is acceptable), or will be expected to wear a mask while visiting.

CABS Policies Updated 2020-5-20

While CABS meetings are suspended due to stay-at-home restrictions put in place by the Ohio Health Department related to the COVID-19 virus, pickup and delivery of library games is available on a periodic basis. See the CABS Library Pickup and Delivery Service policy for complete details.

CABS Policies Updated 2019-4-19

Columbus Area Boardgaming Society Code of Conduct 

Mutual respect makes it possible for everyone to enjoy Columbus Area Boardgaming Society (CABS) gatherings. You can help by refraining from behavior that interferes with the rights of others and the duties of the CABS Officers. At CABS, we strive for every member and guest to experience the joy and satisfaction of board gaming. In order to preserve that opportunity, we ask members and guests to be respectful of each other and behave in a manner that does not disrupt other members or guests.

To this end, the Executive Board has established these rules of conduct for attending CABS meetings.

Members must:

1. Treat other members and guests equally, with respect, and with courtesy. This means:
   1. Refrain from behavior that physically or verbally harasses others.
   2. Refrain from behavior that is disruptive.
   3. Safeguard library material and facilities from harm.
   4. Keep the space clean.
   5. Refrain from monopolizing/obstructing space, seating, tables, or equipment to the exclusion of others.
   6. Supervise your children if they are under age 13.
2. Report any inappropriate behavior to the Executive Board. Board Members are required to bring to an individual’s attention any act which violates these rules. The individual will be asked to change the problem behavior to conform to the rules. If such change is not made, that individual will be asked to leave the CABS gathering.

In summary, be welcoming, be respectful, be considerate, and have fun!

Weapons Policy

Unless otherwise permitted by law, absolutely no weapons are permitted on the MOSSL premises during CABS meetings or events. Anyone found carrying a weapon may be asked to leave the premises and could have their membership benefits revoked. A weapon is defined as an instrument of offensive or defensive combat. This definition includes but is not limited to: firearms, knives, bows, arrows, swords, rockets, sling shots, air guns and martial arts devices.

CABS Tobacco, Smoking, and Vaping Policy

Members and guests of CABS are not permitted to use tobacco or vaping products inside the building. Smoking and vaping are permitted outside in designated areas. Members must clean up any trash, such as cigarette butts, after themselves.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Neither drugs nor alcohol are permitted on the meeting premises. Individuals are not permitted to attend a CABS meeting while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, except for legal drugs that have been prescribed to a member by his or her physician or over-the-counter medicine that is legal in Ohio. Tobacco use is also not permitted indoors. For more clarification on the tobacco policy, please see the CABS Tobacco and Smoking policy. Anyone found in violation of this policy may be asked to leave the premises by a board member or a designated facilities committee member and could have their membership benefits revoked.

Solicitation Policy

No one may openly solicit other persons during meetings. Items related to board gaming are the exception to this policy and may be sold during regular CABS meetings with prior board approval.

Pet Policy

Pets of any kind are not allowed during meetings, except in the case where current Americans with Disability Act exceptions are made. Service animals of all types are welcomed.

Harassment Policy

CABS is dedicated to providing a fun, inclusive, and welcoming space at our meetings and events. We do not tolerate harassment of members or guests as well as unwelcome behavior in any form.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, relationship status, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, national origin or religion; sexual images in public spaces; deliberate intimidation; stalking; following; harassing photography or recording; inappropriate physical contact; and unwelcome sexual attention.

Unwelcome behavior includes damaging property at the meeting location or sustained actions that disrupt a meeting event or disturb fellow members or guests.

Participants asked to stop any harassing or unwelcome behavior are expected to comply immediately.

If a participant engages in harassing or unwelcome behavior, the board members or officers of CABS may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or asking them to leave the meeting or event. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a board member or officer immediately.

A formal complaint may be filed against a member of CABS with written notice to the CABS Board as outlined in Article X (Discipline) of the CABS Charter.

CABS Board & Committee Members

CABS Board Members are elected each year to a one-year term.  Board-appointed positions are subject to board approval and are open-ended terms with no expiration.

2023 Executive Board

Matt Boggus  (President)

George “Bud” Sauer III  (Elder Statesman)

James Nelli  (Vice-President)

Ken Hill  (Treasurer)

Don Mowry  (Secretary)

Board Appointed Positions

Librarians: Katy Puglis (Assistant)

Technology Director: Corey Sanders

Membership Director: Wade Duym

Facilities Director: Don Mowry