United States Stamp Society
Annual Meeting Minutes, January 20, 2001
ARIPEX - Tucson, Arizona

President Jay Stotts called the meeting to order at 1 PM.  He then asked those present to introduce themselves.  Jay encouraged those present to stop at the society table to view materials, sign in, and chat with other members.

Kim Johnson moved to have the minutes of the annual meeting held June 3, 2000 at NAPEX in Tysons Corners, approved as published in the journal, August, 2000.  Seconded; passed.

Jay stated that the big news in the past year has been the name change from the Bureau Issues Association to the United States Stamp Society.  The Board is in the process of switching operations from the BIA to the USSS but still keeping the BIA as a subsidiary.  Because the BIA is such a credible organization with a great history, it is worthwhile to keep that association.  From a legal standpoint there are reasons to do that also; so the Board is developing a set of by-laws for the USSS which will be ratified by the Board of Governors.

There has been a personnel change in the position of Executive Secretary; Larry Ballantyne assumed those duties late in 2000 replacing David Lee who passed away in July, 2000.  Roger Brody had filled in during the search for a new Executive Secretary.

Mike Lampson, the webmaster, commented on the contents of the web site.  He said that there is news of society events, a list of publications, and the index of The Specialist for 1999; there are search capabilities and links to other web sites.

Jay added that in addition to receiving The Specialist, there are other services provided by the USSS.  Members can purchase research papers and reprints of some of the articles that have been in the journal.  There is a service whereby members can receive copies of exhibits by other members to study or to use in preparing a new exhibit.  Back issues of The Specialist may also be purchased.  Recently all of the inventory that had been stored by Bill Schuman has been moved and is now being stored at Subway.

Gene Paquette was appointed chairman of the Luminescent Study Group.  Gene has contributed several articles on luminescence to the journal.  He gave a talk on this subject earlier in the day.

Jay stated that he heard many positive comments about the journal and its contents during the show.  He added that Len Piszkiewicz certainly deserves a "pat on the back" for his efforts as editor.

Progress on a book about booklets originally started by Don Littlefield is continuing under the direction of Sam Frank.  This may be ready in the first quarter of 2002.

Jay stated that the BIA die with the Statue of Freedom head is going to be redone probably with the help of Bureau of Engraving and Printing personnel.  Roger Brody added that the new seal will incorporate facets of the present seal, the PPNA (Philatelic Plate Number Association) and the BIA, and will add the USSS.

As a point of information, Roger stated that some changes over the past years have been very beneficial for the society.  For example, last year for the first time in quite a few years, the society operated in the black.  He added that the new Recruiting Chairman, Rod Juell, is helping to build the membership roll.

In response to a question about The Transports book, Roger stated that probably over 400 copies have been sold; some were to the American Air Mail Society.  Jay offered to take some books to the Cleveland show in March; the American Air Mail Society is meeting there.  Ken Lawrence also suggested that when people are posting covers on online sales and auction sites with Prexies and airmails, they could make a hypertext link to the society's web site.  Larry suggested that Len write a paragraph that would encourage members to do that.  Another suggestion was to have someone contact dealers who sell on eBay and other sites and ask those dealers to include a society application and/or a page advertising the materials sold by the society.  Jay said there are probably many ways to involve dealers in promoting the society.  Another suggestion was to have members send an application to persons from whom they buy on eBay.

Jay asked the group if there was any feedback regarding the content of the journal.  Jay added that he felt content is slightly slanted to postal history; Roger stated that he would like to see more on stamps but that is up to those who contribute articles.  He encouraged members to submit articles, especially on modern material. Len has offered to help if one needs/wants assistance in putting an article together.

A question was raised about a possible inconsistency on pricing of plate blocks in the Durland, especially where there is only one plate block reported.  Jim Cochrane, who is the coordinator of sheet stamp numbers, is used as a resource on common commemoratives.  Further discussion included rarity, marketability, and stamps that are not priced in the Durland.  It was suggested that the questioner get together with the editor of the Durland, Kim Johnson, to discuss this further.

There being no other questions or comments, the meeting adjourned at 1:50 PM.

The Minutes for the Annual Meeting presented above will be submitted for approval at the 2002 Annual Meeting.

Board Meeting Committee Reports