Like the Postal Service, neither rain, nor cold, nor Texas tornadoes kept your Board of Governors from holding a very successful Annual Meeting in Dallas hosted by the Southwest Philatelic Foundation, April 13-15, 2007. In addition to the presentation of officers’ reports, the Board took action on several important proposals.

Executive Secretary Larry Ballantyne reported that, for the first time in several years, declining membership has abated. His report also indicated strong membership financial support with record donations received with the recent dues mailing.

Treasurer David Sugar’s report showed a positive cash flow for 2006 and noted that the financial assets of the Society are at an all time high thanks to donations, bequests and strong publication sales led by the Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting.

President Nick Lombardi reported on Society stamp show participation, the awards program and committee activities, which were reported in the May issue.

Specialist Editor Len Piszkiewicz discussed the successful expansion of color in the journal. While Len’s production schedule has been on target, the Postal Service’s delivery has frequently undermined our goal of having the issue delivered within the first week of the month.

Webmaster Mike Lampson announced a pilot program to offer the payment service PayPal for online purchase of the Society’s publications through our website.

Durland editor Wallace Cleland reported that the 2008 Durland Standard Plate Number Catalog production is on schedule. The greatly expanded publication is scheduled to be produced in an 8½ by 11 inch format.

Encyclopedia editors Rodney Juell and Steven J. Rod reported that sales of the Encyclopedia have exceeded expectation and the initial printing of 5,000 copies is almost sold out in its first year. That makes the book the second best selling philatelic book ever published, second only to Pat Herst’s Nassau Street, a book that has been on the market for over forty years. A motion to print a second printing of 3000 was authorized by the Board.

In addition to two future volumes of U.S. Booklets and Booklet Panes and a revised Plate Number Checklist, several other publications are being considered for publication by the Society. The Board also agreed to finance a project to digitize the complete volumes of The United States Specialist.

The Board also approved a motion to donate $25,000 to the American Philatelic Society to support an annual award for the best article in the American Philatelist and that the name of the award would be the United States Stamp Society - Barbara R. Mueller Award. Announcement of the award is reported below.

Due to a schedule problem with the Annual Meeting site in 2008 in Boxborough, MA, the Board agreed to relocate to NOJEX, in Secaucus, NJ, May 23-25, 2008.

-Roger Brody, Chairman