President Nick Lombardi called the meeting to order at 1 PM.  Nick welcomed everyone and then asked all to introduce themselves by stating name, where from, and collecting interests.

The minutes of the meeting held at NOJEX, May 24, 2008 were published in the July 2008 issue of The U.S. Specialist.  Wallace Cleland made a motion to accept the minutes; second, Kim Johnson.  PASSED.

Nick then gave a brief review of the Board meeting held at 8 AM this morning.  The Board approved a nominating committee for the election that is due to be held later this year.  Denise Stotts will chair, with David Eeles and Bob Rufe also serving.  Between now and August 1st, the committee will accept nominations for the positions of officers and Board members.  Those who would like to nominate someone or run for any office themselves should contact a member of the committee.  Details will be published in The U.S. Specialist.  Once the slate is complete it will be submitted to the membership with dues renewals.

Larry Weiss stepped down after 25 years as chairman of the Washington-Franklin Committee.  Paul Bourke has replaced him.  Ken Lawrence has asked to be replaced as chairman of the Official Mail committee.  Thirteen chairs submitted written reports, which will be published in The Specialist.

Nick reported that the Durland was published in 2008, spiral and perfect bound; the spiral bound has been out-selling the perfect bound.  Len Piszkiewicz’s new book on Supplementary Mail was released yesterday at this show and has received positive responses.  Steven Belasco’s book on Vending and Affixing Coils is expected to be released at the April Mega Show in New York.  Ken Zierer from New Jersey has taken over the project to finish the booklet panes books started by Sam Frank.  Ken has recovered all of Sam’s material, so he can continue the project.  The Society has sold about 7000 copies of the Encyclopedia, which went to a second printing of 3,000 books; we probably have about 600-700 books left from both printings.  A company called Easton Press, which publishes leather bound books, bought 1,100 copies of the Encyclopedia, removed the covers, and rebound them with leather covers; they planned to sell them to their membership subscribers at about $110.  Rod Juell added that if anyone knows a library that does not have a copy of the Encyclopedia, one can be donated to that library.

Treasurer David Sugar reported that the Society is in good shape financially; there was a profit in 2008 and the 2009 budget will be balanced.

Larry Ballantyne, Executive Secretary, stated that over the last few years membership is declining at the rate of about one to two per cent per year; the Society lost a number of overseas members mostly because of the substantial raise in mailing costs.  There was a good response from members donating at the patron, sustaining and contributing levels.

The first USSS–Barbara R. Mueller Award funded by USSS was given at StampShow in Hartford, August, 2008: authors Steven J. Berlin and James W. Milgram won for their piece, “Early Mail Robberies in the United States.”  The 12-page article appeared in the November, 2007 American Philatelist.

Last year membership recognition pins were given to those who have been members 15, 25 and 50 years; about 800 pins were given out that first year.  Seven 50-year pins will be given this year.  Twenty-one 25-year pins will be given this year and 34 15-year members will receive pins; Rod Juell was present to receive his pin. 

The Hopkinson Literature Award committee picks the best article that appeared in The Specialist each year.  The committee consists of the three previous award winners who this year were Nick Lombardi, Wallace Cleland and Bob Rufe.  The 2008 winner of the award, which consists of a plaque and honorarium, is Larry Weiss.  In the past the honorarium had been $200; one of the actions of the Board this morning was to increase that to $500.  Roger added that the Board learned that one person, Wallace Cleland, had not received the honorarium when he last received the Hopkinson.  At the Board meeting, Wallace donated that honorarium to the Society.  Nick encouraged others to write for The Specialist, especially if there are areas that have not been covered previously. 

Roger Brody announced that the Board of Governors unanimously voted to induct Wallace Cleland into the USSS Hall of Fame; he read the inscription on the plaque, and then presented the award to Wallace.  Wallace’s name and picture will be added to the Hall of Fame in the USSS Room at the American Philatelic Center (APC) in Bellefonte, PA.  Wallace Cleland is known as the Editor of the all-color 2008 Durland Standard Plate Number Catalog; he has also served the Society as a member of the Board, and as President and Chairman of the Board.  He is a prolific writer, often having material illustrated on the cover of The Specialist.  He recently was awarded the prestigious Philatelic Achievement Award by the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.

Roger also announced that the Board of Governors voted to award Joann Lenz the George W. Brett Century of Service Award for her dedicated service to the Society.  The tribute to Joann is noted on page 153 of the April issue.

Nick then mentioned that besides the table at this show, USSS had representation at  other shows throughout the year, namely the New York Spring and Fall Mega Shows and APS StampShow in Hartford.  The Society will have a presence at StampShow in Pittsburgh.  Volunteer help is always appreciated.

Annual Meeting Sites:

• 2010  Philadelphia National Stamp Exposition, Oaks, PA
• 2011  ROMPEX – Rocky Mountain Stamp Show, Denver, CO
• 2012  NAPEX – McLean, VA
• 2013  CHICAGOPEX – Chicago, IL
• 2014  Philatelic Show – Boxborough, MA
• 2015  WESTPEX – California
• 2016  International Show – New York

Nick commented that the Society has a beautiful room at Bellefonte, PA.  He recommended that all members try to visit.

In response to a question regarding Society archives, Roger responded that some are presently at Bellefonte; other items will be stored there in the future.

Nick suggested that as members traverse the show that they thank any dealers who advertise in The Specialist.  He added that the CD project of making copies of the entire run of The Specialist is moving along, but with a new supplier of scanned images on the project.

Richard Spiek made a motion to adjourn; second, Dan Pagter.  PASSED.  The meeting adjourned at 2 PM.

— Joann Lenz, Secretary to the Board