Washington 2006 Board of Governors Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the United States Stamp Society Board of Governors was held at the International Philatelic Exhibition, Washington 2006 on Monday, May 29th.  After the minutes of the July 9, 2005 meeting in Indianapolis were approved, Executive Secretary Larry Ballantyne reported on membership, dues and donations.  Ballantyne presented an analysis of the past five years.  While average membership has fallen from 1905 members in 2000 to 1723 this past year, the generous support of the membership was also noted.  During that same period, Patron, Contributor and Sustaining member contributions rose from a total of 155 members to 211, representing 12.2% of our membership.

Chairman Roger Brody reported on the past year's activities, highlighted by the dedication of the USSS room at the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte, PA this past November.  The attractive room on the second floor of the Education building displays plaques honoring winners of the Society's literature and exhibiting trophies.  Recipients of the Century of Service award, recently renamed in honor of past Chairman Emeritus George W. Brett, are also honored.  One of the most important features of the room is the Hall of Fame wall.  Photographs of eleven individuals are prominently displayed in tribute to their induction into the USSS/BIA Hall of Fame.  Chairman Brody also reported that five Society publication titles were accepted for sale at the National Postal Museum Book Store in Washington, DC.

President Nick Lombardi reported on Committee activities and the Society's representation at national shows sponsored by the American Philatelic Society.  He also reported on the new Statue of Freedom and President's award medallions as well as the USSS award contributed to the Washington 2006 exhibition.  That award, a Remington bronze, "Trooper of the Plains," was subsequently awarded to Steven Walske for his exhibit "Special Postal Routes during the American Civil War." Lombardi also reported on the selection of a Nominating Committee for the election of Governors and Officers this Fall.

Treasurer David Sugar presented a strong financial report for the year 2005.  The Society enjoyed an operating cash flow of $5000 before our contribution of $25,000 to the American Philatelic Society to support the Society room at Bellefonte, PA.  The Society ended the year with unrestricted net assets of $280,000.  The 2006 budget was presented and approved.  Notable features for the current year will be the increase production costs for colorizing The Specialist and the impact of production costs and related sales revenues for the Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting.  The conservative budget for 2006 reflects a $3,000 deficit.

Editor Len Piszkiewicz reported on the introduction of color on the cover and inside pages of The United States Specialist.  Rates for black and white and color have been raised to offset color production costs.  An advertising campaign will be initiated to attract important dealers and auction houses that will benefit from color exposure in the monthly journal.

Webmaster Mike Lampson spoke about features of our website, www.usstamps.org.  Lampson will be exploring the introduction of PayPal services for online publication purchase and possible future dues payment.

Several topics under the heading of Old Business were discussed.  They included an update on the production and distribution of Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting.  The book, formally introduced at an opening ceremony on Saturday May 27th at Washington 2006, received wide acclaim.  Other publications discussed included the fifth in our reprint series, the 1847 Issue, and the in-process work on updating the USSS/BIA Booklet Cover Checklist.  The Board approved moving forward on a 2008 edition of the Durland Standard Plate Number Catalog.  Also approved was the purchase of a complete run of The United States Specialist for use by the journal Indexer.  The Board confirmed the schedule for annual meetings for the next three years, 2007 TEXPEX, Dallas; 2008, Philatelic Show, Boxborough; and 2009, St. Louis Stamp Expo, St Louis.

Under New Business, the Board approved a motion to offer $2,500 of financial support to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum to help fund the publication of the NPM Revenue Stamp Catalog.  The proposed publication will detail all aspects of the revenue stamps donated to the Smithsonian by the Internal Revenue Service.  The six million stamps were the subject of considerable publicity in 2005 surrounding the auction of rarities and discussion of subsequent plans for disposition of remainders.

After remarks about the USSS Banquet and the tour of the Historical Resource Center at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the meeting adjourned.

- Roger S. Brody
Chairman