by Lloyd A. de Vries
This didn’t come up until the Q&A of the General Membership Meeting on Saturday, August 22, 2015, surprisingly, but I think it’s the information most people want first: The American Philatelic Society currently has just over 31,000 members, with approximately 29,500 of them in the U.S. In the past year, the APS has a net loss of 440 paid memberships; including Life Members, the APS has lost 560 members.
I thought Scott English, the new Executive Director, did a nice job introducing the APS staffers present in the room and the show; he seemed to know something about each of them, even though he’s only been on the job since August 10th.
APS president Steve Reinhard notes that there have been quite a few major personnel changes in the past year: English, Jay Bigalke as American Philatelist editor, Megan Orient as Director of Shows and Exhibitions. He thanked Ken Martin for his many years of service and noted that Ken is now Chief Operating Officer. That got a solid round of applause from the members.
Reinhard announced that the American Philatelic Center is finally on the way to completion of the American Philatelic Research Library facility.
He announced that the Stamps Teach program is successful, and has received a $25,000 matching grant. What wasn’t mentioned is that the Director of Education position has been vacant for several months.
He finished by announcing that he was not running for re-election as president (as previously reported here in The Virtual Stamp Club), adding that “it is very important that we get the right people in office.”
Board of Vice Presidents chair Alex Haiman announced that the VPs have handled 14 complaints in the past year. Half were resolved from a BVP hearing. One is in appeal, and there were two expulsions.
Treasurer Ken Nilsestuen reported that both the APS and APRL are in good financial condition. The APS received a surprise bequest from Walter Weber of $1.3 million, which allowed the library completion project to start. It provides about two-thirds of the necessary funds.
Matt Liebason, the new chair of the Membership Committee, said that there needs to be more one-on-one recruiting. “You are the ones who care enough to come to a meeting on Saturday morning,” he said. “We will turn this around.”
Society Attorney Kathleen Yurchak reported there is one lawsuit pending against the APS over a disputed donation.
APRL president Roger Brody reported that the Library is expanding from 7-8,000 square feet to more than 20,000 square feet.
World Stamp Show-New York 2016 president Wade Saadi said buzz is starting around the world about the next U.S. International, which will start on May 28th. “[International] shows in the U.S. are a focal point of philately,” he said.
WSS-NY2016 has booked 15,600 hotel room-nights, but half have already been taken. He advises booking as soon as possible. You can cancel with no penalty up to one month before the show. (Click here to go to the reservation page on the “NY2016.org” site.) 80% of the dealer booths have been taken; only two society booths are available.
In his first report as Executive Director, Scott English says he wants to retire the library debt “quickly and aggressively.” The target to complete the library project is April.
The APS and APRL will be reviewing and renegotiating their agreement over the use and administration of the American Philatelic Center.
The APS is in the process of hiring a Director of Education, with the emphasis on “distance liearning” (course on the Internet).
In conclusion, “Anyone who ever steps foot into a stamp show will meet friends for life,” he said.
Surprisingly, not announced was the APS board’s decision to hold its 2017 winter show, AmeriStamp Expo, in Reno, and StampShow 2019 (summer) in Omaha. The vote was reported in Linn’s Stamp News.
