Statement by Bob Zeigler, Trish Kaufmann and Jeff Shapiro (left to right below):

Team Candidates for APS Board of Vice PresidentsYour 3-member Board of Vice Presidents not only serves as part of the larger APS Board, but as the disciplinary body which considers cases of alleged misconduct by members, weighing the evidence pursuant to the APS Bylaws. The three of us have a wide and deep background in leading philatelic organizations, as well as a combined 122 years involved in the American Philatelic Society.

Bob Zeigler is a trial attorney who has vast experience with evidence and due process. Jeff Shapiro is recently retired from a career in non-profit management. Jeff represents the collector viewpoint with alacrity. Trish Kaufmann is a full-time dealer who brings that background to the table, as well as a female point of view. We bring a diverse perspective to the job, as well as enthusiasm and a desire to give back to the hobby we love.

We are unified in the belief that the primary role of the APS Board is to govern, not to manage. Day to day management is the responsibility of the Executive Director and staff. We want to work with staff to set overall strategy and objectives.

Bob speaks for this slate of candidates when he says, “I believe that APS, and philately in a larger sense, now faces great challenges. We are often considered a solitary and scholarly hobby, lacking in the immediate feedback that draws our youth to TV and video games. To preserve our hobby, we need to market it, not only to youth, but to the vast number of baby boomers who are at or approaching retirement age. Our hobby is at its best when we make connections and lifelong friendships with others through organized philately. I support policies for APS that will build the Tiffany Fund (its endowment); ‘Finish the Job’ of building out the Library and paying off the debt incurred by the Match Factory project; do a better job of fundraising in general; retain our talented staff, and if at all possible, avoid the use of donations to fund operating expenses.”

Get to know us a bit better from the candidate statements that follow. We invite questions and feedback and ask for your vote and support in the May 2016 election. We encourage you to visit our campaign website at WWW.APSVP.COM

I began collecting stamps at the age of 11, and now focus on the philately of the small islands of the Caribbean and South Atlantic. The hobby has been a major part of my life, and I have been active in the APS for the last 20 years, including service as a vice president, and then president from 1999-2003.

Within the hobby, I have served in leadership positions in specialty societies, serve as a Board member of the International Federation of Philately (FIP), and am a long time exhibitor and philatelic judge at both the national and international levels. I was also a Co-Chairman of the Council of Philatelists of the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum.

Service on the APS Board from 1995-2007, I was first elected in 1995 to the Board of Vice Presidents which is the judicial and disciplinary arm of the APS and in my second term became its Chairman. I also have been on the APS Committee on Accreditation of National Exhibitions and Judges since 1993 to the present, and was Chairman from 1997-1999 until I was elected APS President.

Chairman of the APS International Relations Committee from 1993-1997 which oversees all contacts with all other philatelic federations worldwide as well as interactions with all international stamp exhibitions in which APS Members participated.

On the APS Luff Award Committee from 2009 to the present, and finally was Chairman of the Greater APS Fund Committee from 1994-1997, successfully coordinating APS funding raising efforts in that period.

Some other philatelic activities included President of the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors (AAPE), President of the American Philatelic Congress, and President of the British Caribbean Philatelic Study Group.

Summary of My Professional Background:
Currently Vice President of Govic Capital of New York- Palm Beach-Sarasota.
President/ CEO of biotech companies (1993-2003) – British Biotech USA, Oncostasis Inc, and Mymetics Corporation.
Research director and executive for world pharmaceutical company now Sanofi-Aventis (1979-1993)
President of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (1998-1999)
Professor of Cell Biology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (1984-2013).
A.B. Degree from Columbia University, New York, and Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Syracuse University.

My prior service on the Board, my extensive contacts in the hobby, knowledge from my professional life in both business management and academia, and my knowledge of the recent history of the APS combine as a set of unique experiences that can help the APS to move in a positive direction into the future.

While it is unusual for a past president to return to a Board position, it is clear that APS is at a crossroads, and with new staff leadership, I believe it is poised for a new era of growth. I want to help to make that happen, and would appreciate your vote.

Dr. Peter P. McCann
Ppm103226706@aol.com

 

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Do More, Learn More, Enjoy More

Black Friday through Cyber Monday Sale “Hopefully everyone had a chance to join with loved ones to give thanks during this holiday season.  We want to send our thanks to you for all that you do for the APS and the hobby.  While others may head out to the stores to catch a deal for Black Friday, all our deals are available in the comfort of your own home.  Just log on and look through a wide selection of stamps, books, DVDs, and many other items you’ve been wanting to add.  No long lines, no battling for parking spaces, just a few clicks and we do all the work!  So grab a piece of pie, spend a little time with your philatelic family, and grow your collection or help someone else grow theirs.  On behalf of all your friends at the APS, thank you for being a great member!” ~Scott D. English, Executive Director BUY NOW!  APS is having a BIG sale between midnight Thursday and midnight Monday November 30. Buy online now!    • APS Sport Shirts – size small, blue/tan/red ($18 now $10).    • APS Two-way decal ($2.75 now $1).    • Embroidered Patch – two color options ($3.50 now $1.50).    • APS 25-year Lapel pin ($12 now $7.50).    • APS Life-Pin ($12 now $7.50).    • Posters (2 designs – Prairie Letter Box Print and Stamp Collector) ($7.50 now $5).    • Ties – Pacific 97 ties and APS logo ties ($19 now $10).    • Dedication Covers – 8 different designs all selling at $2.50    • Assorted Serviced APS Show Cachets:*          – 1977-1997 (qty 10) – ($15 now $9.95).          – 1998-2007 (qty 10) – ($20 now $9.95).    • Assorted Serviced APS Show First Day Covers: 1996-2007          (qty 15) – ($30 now $19.95). * Limited inventory available on Show Cachets; not all years are complete. Assortments will vary. While supplies last.  Circuit Sales Buyers e-mail Tom between midnight Thursday and midnight November 30 and we will answer you with a specific number code to be used on one future circuit purchase to waive half of the 5% buyers fee for that purchase. Sellers e-mail Tom in the same time frame and we will answer you with a specific number code to receive 5 free blank books when you order 10 blank books of one style. Other Gift Ideas Check out our Specialty Shops for other gift ideas: • Promotional Items • Tie Shop • Hobby Supplies • Publications • Event Souvenirs • Digital Publications • AP Bound Volumes • DVD Shop

[press release]
National Postal Museum To Unveil Art Exhibition
“New York City: A Portrait Through Stamp Art” on View Dec. 10–Mar. 13, 2017

The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum is unveiling an exhibition of original artwork Dec. 10 titled, “New York City: A Portrait Through Stamp Art.” On display through Mar. 13, 2017, 30 pieces of original artwork will be publically displayed for the first time, celebrating the influence of New York City on American society.

The artwork is part of the Postmaster General’s Collection, which includes more than 5,000 original pieces of art commissioned by the U.S. Postmasters General for stamps issued during a 70-year period. The collection includes not only the final approved art that can be seen on many U.S. postage stamps, but also concept drawings that were submitted for consideration but never used.  The collection is owned by the U.S. Postal Service and is on long-term loan to the National Postal Museum. The exhibition provides the museum an opportunity to raise awareness of the collection.

The original works will be displayed in six thematic categories relevant to New York City’s heritage. These categories—Baseball, Broadway, City Life, Icons, Politics and Music—will showcase a variety of art styles, mediums and colors used to create some of America’s most beautiful stamps. The artwork honors important citizens, events and iconic buildings that have defined New York City as one of the greatest cities in the world. The museum has designed a special pictorial postmark that will be available to visitors at the philatelic center inside the museum.

“Visitors will have the chance to see original artwork revealing the energy, history and impact of one of the world’s most beloved cities,” said Allen Kane, museum director. “By seeing New York City through some of its most recognizable facets—including its famous icons—visitors will reflect on their own connections to the city and appreciate the way postage stamps help share and celebrate our nation’s history, heritage and heroes.”

Six pieces of the artwork—one from each category—will be on display at the World Stamp Show–NY 2016. The special showing will take place May 28–June 4, 2016, at the Javits Center in New York City. The World Stamp Show carries on the tradition of the once-a-decade international exhibitions from the past 100 years. Held in the United States, the shows typically occur on a year ending with “6” or “7,” honoring the anniversary of America’s first postage stamps issued in 1847. Admission is free throughout all eight days of the show.

This exhibition captures the diversity of New York City and its significant contributions to America’s cultural heritage,” said Calvin Mitchell, exhibition curator. “New York City serves as a beacon of the American way.”

The National Postal Museum is devoted to presenting the colorful and engaging history of the nation’s mail service and showcasing one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of stamps and philatelic material in the world. It is located at 2 Massachusetts Avenue N.E., Washington, D.C., across from Union Station. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). For more information about the Smithsonian, call (202) 633-1000 or visit the museum website at www.postalmuseum.si.edu.

[press release]
The Philatelic Foundation, the leading authority in the United States for the expertizing and certification of stamps and covers, is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a substantial grant from the David T. Beals III Charitable Trust. Mr. Beals, who passed away in 1987, was a prominent philatelist and collector of Western covers, his family having been early settlers in Kansas City, Missouri.

Previous generous grants from the Trust provided for the PF’s acquisition of the VSC6000 and Bruckner Spectrometer, two pieces of high-tech equipment that have brought added assurance and confidence to its expertizing process and the development of its widely acclaimed PF Search data base that permits on-line review of the PF’s library of certificates.

The new grant will further advance the application of digital age technology to the PF’s remarkable collection of research material. This grant will permit the digital conversion of the PF’s collection of Stanley Ashbrook’s 16 notebooks of correspondence, 38 file drawers of index cards, and over 1000 color slides into a word-searchable database that will be posted on the PF’s website. Additional enhancements to the PF Search program, including certificates dating back to the PF’s beginnings in 1945, will be digitized and posted on its website, as well as studies of interesting current submissions made to the PF for certification. In all, nine different projects are to be funded and the cumulative result will be to convert the accumulation of PF research and information into a visual and searchable database.

Special thanks to the David T, Beals, III, Charitable Trust for making this all possible.

The Philatelic Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization chartered by the State of New York.

Dear Fellow APS Members,

My name is Mark Butterline and I am announcing my candidacy for the position of Secretary on the APS Board of Directors.

My main goal in running is to bring more people into our great hobby, and more collectors into the American Philatelic Society. In other words, maximum philatelic fun to the greatest number of people! There are many people out there for whom philately would bring them much joy. But they just don’t know it, yet.

This is the biggest challenge facing the philatelic community and the APS is the organization best equipped to do something about it. This task squarely falls upon the shoulders of the new Executive Director and the APS Board. They need to carefully analyze the current philatelic environment, identify our objectives and associated strategies, and then develop and execute plans to achieve those objectives. And they need to work with the whole APS community, collectors and dealers, while they do this. Our main challenges are about long-term strategy and communication (internal and external).

So who am I, and why should I be on the APS Board? Over the past 12 years, I have helped guide various philatelic organizations, large and small, while holding different leadership roles. I am the current President of the Northeastern Federation of Stamp Clubs. The Federation provides support services to 35 New England stamp clubs and their stamp shows, in addition to staging Philatelic Show, the annual WSP show in Boxborough, MA. I am a past President and Treasurer of the Pitcairn Islands Study Group and past Treasurer of the Waltham Stamp Club. Currently I am the Executive Director of the Boston 2026 World Stamp Show (the next international philatelic exhibition in the United States after New York 2016 – yes, there will be another big international show in America after New York). Much of my work in organized philately has been about analyzing organizational health and effectiveness, and developing and executing plans to improve that health and effectiveness.

As for my philatelic background, I discovered stamps at the age of four. My first acquisition was a large used multiple of the 1963 Sciences commemorative (Scott 1237). After soaking and drying, I affixed it to a piece of orange construction paper with thick white paste and exhibited it on my family’s refrigerator door. Since then my collecting techniques have improved. My current interests include stamps and covers of the Falklands, Pitcairn, United Nations, Germany, Bhutan and Expo67 postcards. I’ve been a proud member of the APS since 2003 and work on my collections almost everyday.

Professionally, I am a consultant that addresses both technical (IT) and business issues for companies ranging in size from 100 employees to multinationals. I am also an author of various articles, both professional and philatelic, as well as a book on software engineering. I am a graduate of Rutgers (1981 – B.S. Computer Science) and Cornell (1995 – M.B.A.). I am married, with a son, and live near Boston. If you have a questions or comments, please feel free to email me at mbutterli@gmail.com or call me at 1-978-407-9644.

Thank you for considering my candidacy for APS Secretary. I respectfully ask for your vote in next year’s Society election.

Mark Butterline

Stephen D. Schumann
APS Secretary Candidate Statement
Today I am announcing that I am running for the American Philatelic Society Board of Directors as Secretary.

Many challenges are facing the APS today, particularly the declining membership and the aging of that membership. New approaches, particularly the internet and social media, I believe are the key to obtaining and retaining new members. An electronic membership, at a reduced rate from the regular dues, saving the cost of printing and mailing The American Philatelist, may also help slow down the membership decline. The staff at APS is outstanding and the Board should give them full support in the areas of strategic and long range planning.

Personally I did security and audit work for Loomis Armored for over 36 years. I am now retired, attempting to sort out and dispose of my life time accumulation of foreign postal stationery.

I have been an APS member for 50 years and for 40 of those years in organized philately. I have served as an elected Director (1989-1991), Member of the Fakes and Forgeries Committee (1990-1998), Committee on Accreditation of National Exhibitions and Judges (2000-2008), and Chairman of the International Committee (1998- present). Trustee of the APRL since 2009. I received the Luff Award for Exceptional Contributions of Philately in 2007 and became a Vooys Fellow of the American Philatelic Research Library in 2008.

I was a co-founder and second President (1990-1994) of the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors. I also served as President of the American Philatelic Congress (1999-2007) which publishes an annual compendium of original philatelic research.

Since 1983, I have been an APS accredited judge and have served on over 90 World Series of Philately Exhibition juries (33 as Chairman). I try to serve the current exhibitors in the APS by providing the best feedback possible both written and oral. In addition I review and make suggestions regarding exhibits if photocopies are sent to me. An active exhibitor since 1977, my collections of Bangladesh, Brunei, North Borneo, New Zealand, Ceylon, and Labuan have garnered awards from certificate to Grand at the WSP show level.

From 1982 to 2008, I served as a Director of WESTPEX , with responsibilities for exhibits and jury. Since 2008, I have been serving as General Chairman and Jury Coordinator for Filatelic Fiesta, a WSP show in San Jose, CA.

Involved with USA international exhibitions since AMERIPEX 1986, where I was a committee member, working in the bin room. I was Vice-President of PACIFIC 97, responsible for jury and exhibit selection, at WASHINGTON 2006, I served on the exhibit selection committee and was Jury Secretary. Currently I am serving as Commissioner General for NEW YORK 2016. A FIP judge since 1990, I have served on 13 juries and have been appointed Commissioner to 12 exhibitions. An active international exhibitor since 1980, my exhibits have received awards from Bronze through Large Gold. In recognition of my philatelic contributions I was invited to sign the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists in 2015.

I am a member of over 40 philatelic societies including the United Postal Stationery Society(life), Collectors Club of New York(life), SAS/Oceania (life), United States Philatelic Classics Society, Royal Philatelic Society of Canada(life) and the Western Philatelic Library.

As Secretary I pledge to provide complete, accurate minutes in a prompt manner after each APS Board of Directors meeting.

Please contact me if you have any questions or suggestions.

Stephen (Steve) D. Schumann
sdsch@earthlink.net

[press release]

Brachbill Named APS Director of Education The American Philatelic Society has hired Cathy Brachbill, Ph.D., as its director of education. Brachbill, who has a long career in education, will start her new duties September 29 at the society’s headquarters in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.

Brachbill will manage the society’s many educational programs, including the national Stamps Teach classroom education program; in-person, online, and stamp show programs for children and adults; and the society’s popular Summer Seminar for collectors.

Brachbill is from the Bellefonte area and previously worked for the Bellefonte Area School District, serving in positions ranging from classroom teacher for 20-plus years to director of curriculum and instruction for nine years before retiring three years ago. She is currently a training consultant for McGraw-Hill Education.

“We had some incredibly talented applicants apply, making this decision very tough,” said Scott English, executive director for the APS. “Given the experience Cathy has had in educating both young learners and adults, we saw someone who could really make an impact with collectors young and old, new and experienced. We’re incredibly fortunate that Cathy has lived and worked in Bellefonte for most of her life and will help us build great partnerships here in Centre County. We are honored to have her join the team.”

Brachbill’s background covers a range from elementary and secondary education for K-12 students, classroom teaching for college-level students, professional development of classroom teachers to administration, budgeting, and management. She received her master’s and doctorate degrees from Penn State University.

“I look forward to working with the staff, volunteers, and members of the American Philatelic Society to enhance current Educational Services and reimagine others while continuing to serve the APS membership with a high level of quality,” said Brachbill.

Brachbill’s duties also will include working as an APS liaison to groups such as the U.S. Postal Service and National Postal Museum, to oversee the Young Philatelic Leaders Fellowship program, manage the APS audiovisual program service, and to manage and enhance the APS mentor service.

Brachbill will work with Janet Houser, youth director and assistant to the education director.

Brachbill will have an official e-mail address of cbrachbill@stamps.org. Her phone number will be 814-933-3803, ext. 239.

With nearly 31,000 members in more than 110 countries, the APS is the largest, non-profit organization for stamp collectors in the world, promoting the hobby for collectors of all ages. Founded in 1886, the APS serves collectors, educators, postal historians, and the general public by providing a variety of programs and services. The society is entirely supported by membership dues, gifts, and the sale of publications, souvenirs, and services.

Michael Bloom
Candidate Statement of APS Director at Large
As a Life Member of APS I’ve devoted myself to growing the number of adult and youth stamp collectors and growing APS membership. When elected to the Board I will devote myself to continuing the efforts already begun. Stamp collecting needs a welcoming face and the APS StampBuddy program, which I created, is now in full swing at every APS StampShow and AmeriStamp Expo. It has a strong presence at many of the 31 World Series of Philately shows. StampBuddy reaches out to non-collectors through presentations at senior living communities, genealogical societies, libraries and many other venues. APS cannot remain passive in building our hobby. The APS Entry Level Adult and Youth Committee, which I chair, brings together our best stamp educators and creative thinkers.

Every year the April issue of the American Philatelist lists a recruiting Honor Roll for the previous year. For 2015 I was listed as the second biggest recruiter for APS membership in 2014, right behind Donald Sundman of Mystic Stamps.

We know that many stamp collectors are not involved in organized philately. I set out to find them and introduce them to APS. The easiest place to find unaffiliated collectors is on eBay. At my request, APS set up a program to auction donated material on eBay and to make a directed effort to show the relevance of APS to each collector’s interests. That program, called ePAM, or eBay Pathway to APS Membership, is now in Beta test.

World Stamp Show NY2016 will have a Welcome to Stamp Collecting Pavilion. I am on the NY2016 Organizing Committee and have been tasked, as Chairman of the NY2016 Entry Level Adult and Youth Committee, with building an entry level adult and youth program that will occupy 5000 square feet including a 30-seat theater. I’ve asked APS to produce two professional qualities movies, one for youth and one for adults. The APS Board has approved this. When NY2016 is over we will leverage everything we learned to carry over to APS activities.

I’m a former teacher so I am able to see stamp collecting from a youth and young adult perspective. But I am also a business man running a multinational engineering and manufacturing company with offices in the US and China. I have a degree in electrical engineering and a graduate degree in counseling; kind of left-brained/right-brained. I will bring my common sense and business acumen with me.

I’ve also chaired a number of non-profit boards and believe that every Board member ought to have a portfolio: some area of major interest where they can bring new ideas and methods of implementation to a Board. My portfolio will include increasing the number of stamp collectors and growing APS membership. As a member of the innovative APS Membership Committee I am alreadyworking closely with the committee.

The future for our hobby looks bright if only we begin to understand how collectors have changed. We need to do better branding. We need to use new technologies such as online learning, and virtual stamp shows. We need to go beyond exposing our youth to stamps; we need to figure out how to turn them into stamp collectors. If elected, that’s where I am heading. I would love to hear your ideas, especially when they are a little out-of-the-box.

mbloom@sinotech.com

Update: September 28th: David has dropped out of the election.

David McNamee
Candidate’s StatementI am running for election to an At-Large position on the APS Board of Directors because I feel a deep responsibility to the hobby to ensure that the APS and its core services are available for future generations of collectors. I joined the APS in 1974 as a young adult, and the guidance and inspiration of the APS and its services have continued to enrich my enjoyment of life ever since. I am an active exhibitor and philatelic Chief Judge, an editor of three philatelic journals, an author of two Congress Book articles (2006, 2010), and three philatelic books based on my research. I have served in leadership positions for local and national stamp shows; a regional philatelic library; local, regional and international philatelic societies; and most recently as Chair of the APS Committee on Accreditation of National Exhibitions and Judges.

I am committed to support the completion of the APRL – it has meant so much to me as a philatelic author, editor and judge. I am retired from a career in financial management and audit, having held senior positions as well as managing my own consulting practice, and serving on the Board of Directors of my profession’s international governing body.

I want to serve the American Philatelic Society and you as an At-Large Director on the APS Board. I believe that my experience in nonprofit governance, consensus management, and my active participation in all dimensions of the hobby make me qualified to ask for your vote.

dmcnamee@aol.com