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