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Glossary of Terms |
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USSS General Membership Meeting Minutes President Nick Lombardi called the meeting to order at 2 PM. He welcomed everyone present and thanked them for attending this meeting. He then asked all to introduce themselves by stating name, where from, and collecting interests. The minutes of the General Membership Meeting held in Indianapolis, July, 2005, were printed in the August, 2006 issue of The United States Specialist. Wallace Cleland made a motion to accept the minutes as printed. Second, Mike Perry; passed. Nick then gave a brief review of the activities of the Society for the past year. First he mentioned that the 2005 edition of the Durland Standard Plate Number Catalog was presented at the INDYPEX show in July, 2005. The Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting was introduced at this show on Saturday, May 27th. It has been selling well. At the end of show hours Sunday, the 28th, about 100 copies had been sold; this did not include preorders. USSS has had a presence at many major shows this past year including INDYPEX, Stampshow in Grand Rapids, and the spring and fall Mega Shows in New York City. If anyone would like to staff a USSS table at a national show, let Nick know and he will provide the necessary materials. He stated that it may entail long hours, but is worthwhile in publication sales and gaining new members. Every national show has had the Statue of Freedom Award available to present to a winning exhibit. He added that the President's Award may be given at local and regional shows, if requested. Contact Denise Stotts, the Awards Chair, and she will be provide the award. The Specialist is moving more and more to the inclusion to color. Problems that were first encountered have been corrected. This, however, means an increase in cost. A black and white edition of the journal cost about $2,600 an issue; with the addition of color, that cost has increased about 40%. An attempt has been made to turn the black and white advertising into color advertising; this has pretty much been accomplished. But more color advertising is needed; Nick encouraged those present to point out to dealers that color advertising is available in the journal. Although USSS membership had been declining, from May, 2005 to May, 2006, the Society membership is up. Nick expressed hope that the Encyclopedia would help to increase membership. As of this meeting, about 20 new members had been added at this show. Nick reported that various committee reports were presented at the Board of Governors meeting held in the morning. Nick said that a copy of the reports would be available at the Society table and will be published in The Specialist, probably in the August issue. Treasurer David Sugar stated that the Society had another good year; there was a small loss primarily due to the $25,000 contribution to the American Philatelic Society for the USSS room now located at the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte. Due to the time frame of the meeting and his departure after the meeting, David suggested that if anyone has questions to contact him via email or write him. Nick reiterated two items mentioned by David: (1) Financially, the Society is in good shape, and (2) the USSS room at APC is ready for use. Nick added that the contribution made by USSS for its room turns out to be a bargain. He stated that due to a big fund-raising project by APS to get monies to finish the complex, USSS would at this time have to pay almost triple what was paid for the room the Society now has. Steven Rod, the fundraising chair for APS, said that there are still a few room-naming opportunities left if any are interested. Al Parsons commented that the USSS has a nice room and encouraged the USSS membership to visit. Steven added that Roger Brody, the Chairman of USSS, has personally taken on the task of decorating: stocking, storing, and placing the awards. The room is a repository for Society books and various Society awards. Roger added that in the 80 years of the organization this is the first time that the Society has a place to keep materials, as well as to honor the members who have served the organization and/or earned awards over the years. Nick mentioned that, although the Century of Service Award has existed for several years, this past year the Board of Governors unanimously renamed the Award as the George W. Brett Century of Service Award in honor of George and his contributions to the Society.
Last year the Board authorized a special award that the Society would donate to be presented at Washington 2006; the award is a Remington sculpture called "Trooper of the Plains." The Society has no control over to whom it goes or for what category it will be used since this is an international show. Normally at the USSS Annual Meetings the Hopkinson and Southgate Awards for exhibits are awarded. However, because this is an international FIP show, the awards will not be given at Washington 2006. Nick then asked Richard Hall to come forward. Nick presented Richard with a plaque in appreciation for his diligent service as Indexer of The United States Specialist for the past 15 years. Roger stepped forward to present the Hopkinson Literature Award to Nick for his 2005 article about registry labels, which appeared in the July issue of The Specialist. An update to the article was added in the November issue. The Hopkinson Memorial Literature Award is an annual award for an article or series of articles determined by the three most recent recipients to be the best article printed in the journal in the past year. Roger added that a plaque with Nick's name on it will be added to the ones presently on the wall at the USSS room at the American Philatelic Center. In his report on publications, Nick pointed out that those who are benefactors or who have prepaid for the Encyclopedia can pick up the copies at the Society table. Nick emphasized that two copies of the book are being signed by the various authors; one will be donated to the American Philatelic Research Library, the other will be placed in the USSS room at the APC. Nick mentioned that the 2005 Durland is out and the 2008 edition was authorized by the Board this morning. There will be some changes in the 2008. The next version will be an 8½ by 11 format. Included in the Board authorization for the next edition was an allotment of $500 to upgrade the software; this will enable the editors to produce better illustrations and a better quality product. The Board previously approved the production of Reprint #5. This is a reprint of the article titled "The 1847 Issue" by Harvey Mirsky, which appeared in The Specialist in March, 2006. It is available at the Society table or by mail. There is a 16-page Society frame on the floor of this show. Committee chairs were asked to contribute a one-page example of scanned material to illustrate the committee's interests. Nick asked those present for feedback about the frame; it may be moved to the Society room at the APC and/or copies might be made to use at various shows where USSS has a presence. Regarding USSS presence at shows, Nick mentioned that the Society will be at Stampshow in Rosemont, Illinois (Chicago) in August and will also be at the fall and spring Mega Shows in New York. Annual meetings for the next few years are as follows:
Nick said that USSS is open to invitations to shows after 2009. Show committee members can contact him if there is an interest in having USSS at a future show. Since this is an election year, there will be an announcement in The Specialist when a nominating committee has been appointed. If anyone is interested in serving the Society in some capacity, contact the nominating committee. For many years Bob Toth has provided a photocopy service that allows exhibitors to share their exhibits with other interested members. In coordination with that effort, Frank Braithwaite is now providing CD copies of some exhibits. Nick added that in the future some exhibits might be bundled; for example, Jeff Shapiro's Prexie exhibit might be bundled with another exhibit. Frank offered to help with scanning if members want assistance. Two tours are scheduled for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing Historical Resource Center on Wednesday, May 31st. Cecilia Wertheimer, the curator of the center and a member of USSS, advised those present about the current restrictions when entering and attending the resource center. Cecilia added that there are various exhibits both in Washington, D.C. and in the facility in Fort Worth. Nick encouraged those present to attend the USSS dinner at the National Postal Museum on Tuesday evening. A docent tour of the early part of the Benjamin Miller collection will be available before dinner is served. Wallace Cleland made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Second, John Larson. Passed. Meeting adjourned at 3 p.m. These minutes will be presented for approval at TEXPEX 2007.
- Joann Lenz
Board Meeting Committee Reports |
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