Notes from APS Membership Meeting – 2/24/18

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Some notes from the American Philatelic Society General Membership Meeting, held February 24, 2018, at AmeriStamp Expo in Birmingham, Alabama:

Several times this weekend, APS executive director Scott English thanked “the hard work of the U.S. Senate” in allowing Mick Zais to preside at this show.

It’s a joke: Mick has been nominated to be Deputy Secretary of Education, and White House ethics rules do not allow an appointee to maintain outside employment or serve as office of an organization. However, the Senate has not acted on Mick’s appointment, made last fall, which has allowed him to remain in office as APS president.

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Zais said the Board of Directors is now discussing what to do with the Society’s excess cash – a good problem to have. One option is to invest in modernizing how the APS tries too acquire members. The other is to pay down the debt on the American Philatelic Center. “Just having the question is good news,” Zais said.

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Treasurer Bruce Marsden (above left, with Mick Zais) reported that the APS received $801,000 in contributions in 2017, up 20% from the year before. APS investments were up more than half a million dollars, largely due to the strong stock market. The APS is $118,000 ahead of its budget plan, and the fund balances were up $1 million. The “building debt” is now $4.8 million, the first time in ages it has been below $5 million.

Marsden pointed out that mortgage payments are made from the rents of tenants in the “Match Factory” and donations, not members’ dues. The APS’ debt-equity ratio is now .36, down from .44.

Society attorney Kathleen Yurchak said the only recent legal issue – a disagreement with a donor about the use of his contribution for a rarities gallery – has been settled, with the donor’s money refunded. She did not name the donor, but he is Don David Price.

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Popular APS staffer Janet Houser is retiring after StampShow. More details here.

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The United Nations Philatelists International donated $2,000 to the APS.

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The APS lost 987 members last year.

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In his executive director’s report, English promised big changes in the APS in 2018. That story is here.

6 thoughts on “Notes from APS Membership Meeting – 2/24/18”

    • Yes, but it’s complicated and I haven’t had time to write it up yet, Al. Check back tonight.

  2. I was just on the Ambassador Facebook site, and someone was commenting on not having online APS courses. I replied it was time to join the other people rushing into the 21st century. If you are looking for something to help slow the downward slide in membership, think of investing in a program that would help in presenting APS courses online. I will always be (I hate to use this word) Babysitting my grandchildren during the summer months, so I could never come to the APS to take a course in the summer. But, I would do online classes. Yes, you can push the extra money into reducing the new building’s mortgage time it is early paid off, and by then the membership will be so low you can sell it mortgage-free. Reinvest in helping to do anything to keep the downward slide from growing. Offer members who like me, who cannot make it to APS to take a course for a few weeks. Add another benefit to members who may have a hunger to learn more about the hobby. Or pay off the mortgage early so it can be advertised as Mortgage free, it’ll sell better.

    • Very similar to my thoughts…. way behind the curve on online services other than paying dues.

      • Scott English pretty much agrees with you guys. Based on discussion today with other APS staffers, I believe online courses are right around the corner.

        I was hoping to catch Scott for a one-on-one interview with more details, and I have to rush out now, but I really will write up my notes from the meeting later.

        However, Scott’s final comment in the Q&A session after the meeting was, “By the end of the year, you won’t recognize the APS.”

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