United States Stamp Society
General Membership Meeting Minutes, May 30, 2004
NOJEX - Secaucus, New Jersey

President Nick Lombardi called the meeting to order at 1 PM.  He welcomed those present and then asked attendees to introduce themselves briefly - name and collecting interests.

Jeff Shapiro moved to waive the reading of the minutes of the November 21, 2003 meeting in Arlington Heights, IL, and to approve them as published in the January, 2004 issue of The U.S. Specialist.  Second, Scott Pelcyger.  Passed.

Treasurer David Sugar announced that preliminary reports for 2003 show a profit of $4,000 for the General Fund and $500 for the Publications Fund.  The budget for this year indicates a smaller profit, but is still positive.

Len Piszkiewicz reported that The Specialist can always use articles by members.  He could especially use three to four page articles, and articles about more modern material.

Executive Secretary, Larry Ballantyne, reported that membership at the end of 2002 was 1,878 and at the end of 2003, it was 1,811.  Membership continues to drop about 2 to 3% a year.  Larry attributed most new members to Rod Juell who sends an application to APS members who indicate an interest in collecting U.S. material and to Mike Lampson who operates the website.  Larry suggested that USSS members could recruit at shows and talk with their local club members about USSS.

Nick mentioned that USSS usually has a formal presence at the show of its Annual Meeting, the two MEGA shows in New York, and at StampShow.  To help give more visibility at other shows, a ribbon was created to be placed on the exhibit that wins the Society's Statue of Freedom Award.  Previously, announcement of the award was made only at a show's banquet.  He added that if anyone would like to staff a table at some other show, even a local or regional show, contact him and he will see that supplies and/or helpful hints are provided.

Nick announced that a copy of the committee reports that were submitted to the Board can be perused at the Society table.  New committee chairs are: Kent Wilson - 1^st Bureau Issues; Doug D'Avino - Marginal Markings; Eliot Landau - Registered Mail.  At present the Dummy Booklet Study Group does not have a chairman, but Nick hopes that position will be filled soon.

The next Annual Meeting will be in Indianapolis, at INDYPEX, in July, 2005.  The 2006 meeting will be held in conjunction with the international show in Washington, DC.  Tentative plans for other years are: 2007, Dallas; 2008, Boxborough; 2009, St. Louis.

Nick then reported on the progress of several publications.  He stated that a high point at this show was the appearance of U.S. Booklets and Booklet Panes, Volume I: Flat Plate Regular Issues, a project that was envisioned by Bill Bush, started by Don Littlefield, and completed after Don's death by Sam Frank.  Sam added that this first volume benefited from peer review.  There will be two more volumes, one for the rotary issues and another for the airmail issues.  Sam said he will work on the airmail issues next as there should be only ten chapters, since there were only ten issues.  He asked that those who have material or expertise to share for the airmail volume contact him.

Nick stated that the next Durland is in progress and should be ready in 2005.  The process was slowed due to the Durland editor's health problems and because of a change in technology.  Nick also reported that Mike Perry is working on a revision to the Booklet Cover Checklist.  Nick added that over the next few years a series of publications will be produced by the Society.  New members will see that USSS is an active group that continues to study and provide references.

The Encyclopedia of United States Stamp Collecting is due to be ready for the show in Washington, DC in 2006.  Several chapters have been published in The Specialist.  The entire volume will have 60 to 61 chapters.  Authors are committed for all but one of these.  Rod Juell, the coordinator, gave a comprehensive report to the Board on the progress.  Steven Rod will help with the final editing.  Roger Brody added that the cost to prepare and print this book will be higher than costs for other publications, as it will be a reference as opposed to a specialized publication, like The Prexies.  The book may have a print run as high as 4,000 copies; its appeal may be not only to members but also to libraries.

Roger reported that he attended the banquet at the National Postal Museum where members George Brett and Barbara Mueller were given the Smithsonian Institution's Philatelic Achievement Award.  Roger accepted the award for George who was unable to attend.  A filmed acceptance by George from Spirit Lake, Iowa, was shown at the dinner.  This is the second year that these awards have been given and three of the six recipients are members of USSS.  Many of Barbara's contributions to this Society were cited at her presentation.

Nick stated that he hoped to have a series of seminars at Washington 2006, and he asked that those interested in making a presentation contact him.  This would be similar to the series that the Society presented at Pacific 97.  Roger added that there may be a variety of events involving the Society at the 2006 show; he suggested that when/if events are announced, that interested persons sign up early.  Nick added that since the INDYPEX show would be the 75th anniversary of the Society that persons interested in making a presentation there contact him.

The most prestigious awards given by USSS are the Southgate, for 19th century material, and the Hopkinson, for 20th century material.  At the Board meeting, criteria were recommended for awarding these trophies. When finalized, these criteria will be published in The Specialist.  Denise Stotts, the Awards Chair, added that any local club can apply for the silver President's award.

A copy of Patrick Murphy's 1¢ Washington-Franklin exhibit will be added to those in Bob Toth's photocopy service.  There are presently thirteen exhibits offered.  Nick asked that when one is planning to dispose of an exhibit, or break it up, that a copy of the exhibit be made for the service.

Ken Zierer inquired about the current print quality of The Specialist and Len Piszkiewicz responded that the matter is currently under review and will be improved.

Committee chairpersons who were present at this meeting encouraged members to sign up for committees in which the member has an interest.  Nick added that a major benefit of belonging to the Society is the opportunity to participate in the various committees.

Eliot Landau moved to adjourn the meeting.  Second, Howard Lee.  Passed.

These minutes will be presented for approval at the General Membership Meeting in July, 2005, at INDYPEX.

Board Meeting Committee Reports