January 29, 2004
Norfolk, Virginia
Called
to order at
2:52 p.m. EDT
Present: Janet Klug, President; Ken Lawrence, Ada Prill, George Fekete,
Vice Presidents; Lloyd de Vries, Secretary; Nicholas G. Carter,
Treasurer; John Flannery, Ron Lesher, David Straight, Stephen
Washburne, Directors-at-Large; Peter P. McCann, Immediate Past
President.
Robert
Lamb, Executive Director; various staff and members came and
went during course of the meeting.
Proposed: To
accept Jim Dempsey of A&D Stamps & Coins, of Walnut
Creek, Calif., as the Dealer
Liaison to the Board. Moved by Prill, seconded by Carter;
passed unanimously.
Shows:
February
2007:
Ken
Martin, Director of Shows & Exhibitions: All the 2003-6
shows are in the East or South. He was looking for a western
location for February 2007. He offered a chart of Dallas, February
23-25; Los Angeles (Airport), February 16-18; and Riverside,
Calif., February 9-11.
None
is ideal, and it is unlikely a better location will come along.
He can also offer Dallas two weeks earlier.
Dallas
and Los Angeles would be in hotels. If a hotel is chosen, including
meetings, he probably would require dealers to use that hotel.
If the show is held in a hotel and the room quota is not filled,
there are huge penalties. These hotels also have not-inconsiderable
parking costs.
There
are a number of hotels in Los Angeles and Dallas that would
require 500 or 1,000 room nights, which Martin did not think
was feasible.
For
Los Angeles, the APS might be able to use to use the SESCAL
frames, saving on shipping APS' frames.
Straight:
Is there the same advantage to Riverside?
Martin:
Yes.
Texpex
is in April, two months later, a slight disadvantage. Local
members would like to have an August show there, but even for
2009, Martin does not yet have a good proposal for Dallas.
He is looking at Dallas and Houston for future shows.
He
doesn't think the APS could break even in Riverside, because
there is not enough dealer space.
Lamb:
How much did APS lose at Riverside the last time?
Martin:
Thinks it was about $12,000. People loved the Mission Inn last
time (2002), but the room rate in 2007 would be $30 a night
higher.
McCann:
He has been to SESCAL at the Los Angeles Radisson, and it is
an airport hotel; it has absolutely no charm.
Straight:
Like Riverside better; it has opportunities for non-collecting
spouses. At the LAX Radisson, they're stuck at the hotel.
McCann
moves to go back to Riverside; Straight seconds.
Lawrence:
Asks about again incorporating the winter meeting into a World
Series of Philately show.
Martin:
There are few shows in the time period needed -- Aripex,
Sandical, Sarasota, maybe St. Louis -- and most are too
small to afford APS the meeting rooms and other space to make
its winter shows/meetings special. At Sarasota, 200 frames
is the absolute maximum and about 30 dealers is the absolute
maximum. Sandical doesn’t have much space, either, and
is going to two days on an experimental basis.
He
expects a small profit from AmeriStamp 2004, and believes the
winter shows can break even.
Lawrence:
Asks about St. Louis.
Straight:
The city won't give a commitment more than 12 months in advance
unless the group takes the entire convention center.
Klug:
Asks about Bellefonte.
Martin:
Doesn't ever expect the American Philatelic Center to have
enough space: It will have 8-10,000 square feet of exhibition
space. In Norfolk, the APS is using 56,000 SF. The hotel shows
proposed would take 40-45,000. He feels the maximum show at
the APC ever will be 10-12 dealers and 80 frames.
De
Vries: Points out the motion on the floor is about Winter 2007,
not the future of the winter shows in general. In the chart,
Riverside has a maximum of 200 hotel rooms; the other two had
minimum numbers that have to be taken. How many rooms does
the winter show normally take?
Martin:
The Mission Inn has 200 rooms, but there is another hotel across
the street. Altogether, Riverside has about the same number
of rooms as the other two cities, about 400 rooms available.
In Norfolk, the APS is filling fewer than 200 rooms.
Carter:
Wants a discussion of the uses of the Match Factory at some
point.
Washburne:
Has serious doubts there will be a winter show in 2007. Doesn't
think the size of the facility is a consideration; financing
any show then will be, because he doubts there will be enough
bourse dealers by 2007 anywhere.
Carter:
Disagrees with Washburne.
Martin:
Disagrees also, says he's not that pessimistic. Doesn't have
a number for Stampshow 2004 yet, but so far, there are dealers
inquiring who have never done an APS show before.
Prill:
How much will decorating add to Dallas' cost?
Martin:
It could add $5,000. Without competition, it's hard to know,
and there won't be a contract three years in advance.
Lawrence:
Why not Arizona?
Martin:
The winter show was there in 2001. There are only two metro
areas, Phoenix and Tucson. No hotel would make a reasonable
offer for that time of the year. The one that has space wanted
$179 per room per night. It's the prime season there. Rates
are much more reasonable for Arizona in August.
Klug
asks Dempsey for his opinion.
Dempsey:
He likes Riverside. The show there was good and he hasn't heard
any dealers complain about it. The show can draw on a large
local population. Asks if the cost of the hotel is a factor.
Martin:
It's not a factor, because the APS would not be getting the
space free in exchange for filling a certain number of rooms,
so the room costs are much cheaper.
Dempsey:
Los Angeles has two shows a weekend and that is too much. He
would recommend Riverside.
De
Vries: Asks Martin for his recommendation.
Martin:
Was leaning toward Los Angeles, but doesn't disagree with anything
that has been said. There is nothing in the area around the
hotel except the airport. The only restaurants are in the airport
hotels.
In
favor: Lawrence, Prill, Fekete, de Vries, Carter, Flannery,
Straight, Washburne, McCann.
Opposed:
Lesher.
Passed
9-1
August
2009:
Martin:
Presented Detroit as an option, but doesn't think it is competitive.
Says chart is inaccurate, Pittsburgh is closer to Baltimore
and Washington than Detroit. After Pittsburgh's bid failed
a year ago, the city came back with a better offer; it obviously
wants APS' business.
Milwaukee
and Pittsburgh are both very affordable cities. There is a
stigma against Milwaukee from Stampshow 1997, but he thinks
that's undeserved; it was too soon after Pacific 97. He thinks
downtown Milwaukee is nicer than downtown Pittsburgh, and safer.
Milwaukee's convention center is brand-new; Pittsburgh's is
pretty new, too. The one that APS used in 1994 has been demolished.
Within a few blocks of the Milwaukee convention center are
two public museums and quite a few restaurants.
However,
he is leaning toward Pittsburgh.
Flannery:
Would there be a cruise again?
Martin:
There is no longer an opening reception.
McCann
moves for Pittsburgh, seconded by Carter.
In
favor: Lawrence, Prill, Carter, Flannery, Lesher, Straight,
Washburne, McCann.
Opposed:
Fekete and de Vries.
Passed
8-2.
Carter
requests that next time Martin provide a list of where shows
have been held.
Executive
Director's Report:
Lamb:
Thinks last year was a very important year for the APS. The
operating surplus was about $48,000 ($47,664). Virtually every
activity made its financial goals last year.
The
Sales Division, in particular, made a turnaround. Three years
ago, it was predicted that it would soon be out of business,
bankrupt. It's as strong as it's ever been, and much more efficient
with half the staff. With the increased automation, the division
is getting circuits out at a strong pace. The Internet Sales
Unit had its best year ever but the growth was not what had
been expected: A gross of $1.2 million.
In
the first month 2004, the APS is running ahead of projections.
The star performer is "Shows." The Columbus show (STAMPSHOW
2003) was one of the best the APS has ever had, possibly the
biggest show in the world until Washington 2006.
Lamb
praised the USPS for its assistance with STAMPSHOW 2003. Dave
Failor and his staff are as sensitive to collectors as anyone
Lamb has worked with in that position.
There
are 70-71 dealers for Norfolk, making it break even, plus eBay
is subsidizing Family Day.
American
Philatelist advertising revenue is up $20,000. Lamb believes
the journal is finding its niche. It's a tough advertising
market, but AP is recognized as the best place for prestige,
and getting many European advertisers. The decision by the
Board to go to full color was a good one.
The
only major program behind projections was Expertizing, down
$19,000. All expertizing services were, probably a function
of the economy. APEX is the top service with collectors, not
as much with dealers. Expertizing Director Mercer Bristow has
written to the 700 full-time dealer members offering them a
special promotion. His appearance at the APEX booth in Columbus
boosted business. He is also at the Norfolk show.
Lamb
said he is pleased to report the APS realized gains on its
investments, $75,000, last year.
The
Bellefonte building project is moving extremely well. The old
building sold September 2. Despite bad weather, Phase II is
ahead of scheduled. A Request For Proposal (RFP) has been given
to movers, to be opened March 1. The relocation should occur
May 31, with the dedication Saturday, June 26. . That's the
Saturday before Summer Seminar begins on Sunday. It's also
the weekend of the Mount Nittany stamp show SCOPEX. Bellefonte
is trying to organize an event, and invited the woman in charge
of the Pennsylvania Historic Museum Commission to dedicate
a highway marker in commemoration of the Match Factory. That
will also be done the same time.
There
are two spaces still to rent in the Building 18, but the APS
had a small operating profit which Lamb terms "a bit of a fluke," but
it shows the long-term viability of the project.
The
cold weather is not conducive for obtaining rental tenants,
but the APS is negotiating with one prospect, and gave a set
of floor plans to a second. Developer George Lulos expects
an answer in 7 to 10 days.
Lulos
would like to wait until there is at least one more tenant
before the APS applies for permanent financing because the
rates would be better from the banks. The bigger the income
from the rentals the better the terms for the loan. The APS
has have enough cash for the project until at least the end
of March, then will need the loan."
Washburne:
With what types of businesses have you negotiated?
Lamb:
The prospective tenant is a clinic. Talks with traffic court
magistrate fell through; the plans were very expensive, like
a courtroom. The APS started negotiating with the county administrators
but the county administrators and county commissioners changed,
so that whole process has gone back to square one.
Klug:
How long will it take to send a RFP for a loan?
Lamb:
He thinks about 30 days. There are discussions with banks right
now.
Klug:
You are looking at a no later than March 31 deadline.
Lamb:
No, the APRL doesn't run out of money until May, but the APS/APRL
doesn't want to run past the end of April because it wants
that one-month cushion. He said he is not losing sleep over
it yet.
There
are fairly large payments coming up, in six figures, to builders,
architects. "All you have to do is delay one or two of those
bills and you are buying yourself more time." He again says
the APS is fine.
De
Vries: Asks what sort of clinic is considering the rental space.
Lamb:
It's a counseling service. No procedures are performed on the
site.
The
results from the largest fund raising program in the Society's
history are good, bringing in $487,000 last year, including
the Horace Harrison bequest. The APS received $147,000 in December
without any big bequests: It was essentially money from the
members.
Carter:
Asks if that was cash or pledges.
Lamb:
Yes, just cash, not pledges. There was also an increase in
pledges.
Straight:
Does APS track pledges and remind those who make them?
Lamb:
Yes, letters are sent out in December.
Washburne:
How is philatelic material that is donated valued?
Lamb:
The appraised value of philatelic material donated to the APS
last year was over $1 million, and has consistently been over
a million dollars, but the realized amount when the material
is disposed of in two years will be considerably less. Bristow
gets first choice for the reference collection of anything
donated, and much of it goes to the youth program.
He
notes that Bristow is even working on the reference collection
on weekends, and is starting to get some South American material.
Bristow:
Notes that there is an eBay live auction at the show Saturday
where some of the donated material will be sold. He passed
out a catalog.
Lamb:
Everything in the auction belongs to either the Society or
the APRL. Klug spent part of the Christmas holidays on the
phone asking for donated material and that resulted in "some
very nice stuff. "
The
picture is not so bright in membership. The APS lost 1900 members
in 2003, less than expected, but that is small consolation.
It is still too many. It was due to the increase in dues and
loss [from aging] of the membership boom in the 1970s. Historically,
many people who drop out because of a dues increase come back
the following year.
The
APS still hasn't found its "killer application" that will lure
new members. There is much emphasis on the Internet, as the
biggest group of untapped collectors, and which can be used
less expensively than other media.
Straight:
He says he is on eBay most days and doesn't ever see the APS
mentioned in the "pop-up." Asks what the APS needs to do in
the relationship with eBay to become more visible?
Lamb:
eBay has agreed but has not worked out the banner ad yet. eBay
did agree to feature the APS in its next electronic newsletter.
They publicized this auction.
De
Vries: Lamb's name was mentioned in eBay's "Sellers' Flash" newsletter
in December.
Lamb:
The only thing he recalls in December was this eBay auction,
or the most important thing. The APS told eBay it was having
trouble getting auctioneers at the show and eBay suggested
an eBay live auction. It put the APS in touch with LiveAuctions,
Inc. There is still a commission paid for everything that's
actually sold in this auction of 5% paid to the company, but
if it is sold on the floor there is no commission.
Klug:
Inquires about costs vs. benefits regarding the eBay relationship.
Lamb:
The costs are about $6,000 but APS is covering its costs. There
is a small fee paid to the reviewers. He and Director of Administration
Frank Sente put in a lot of time on it.
Washburne:
That is about half what was projected.
Lamb:
Asks how his time can be priced.
Announces
APS has founded a replacement for Ted Bahry in his Major Ted's
Stamp Talk Internet radio program. Bahry had found that the
program was taking too much of his time. The headquarters staff
thought that the presence on Web radio was important, and it
could be continued without much cost to the APS. WS Radio kept
asking for a replacement, and the APS found Nancy Clark as
the new host. She is more aware of what is involved than Bahry
was. The APS has spent about $100 so far on equipment for Clark.
Regarding
the eBay relationship, the APS wasn't quite sure what it would
be. After six months, he believes the relationship is making
a very positive contribution to the hobby. He is a much bigger
supporter now.
The
APS looks at only a small portion of what is listed, only what
is referred by the Stamp Community Watch Committee. "Our guidelines
are: to protect ourselves, we do not raise a question with
a seller unless there is a high degree of certainty that the
stamp is not what it is supposed to be."
It's
surprising what you can tell from a scan. The APS asks sellers
about approximately 60% of the material referred to it. He
believes 60-70% of that is removed from sale voluntarily by
the sellers. Many apologize. Some are belligerent and threaten
to sue.
Eisenstein:
Her concern is to make sure that the APS was not implicated
when buyers get material that turns out to be bad. She went
on eBay and tried all the links, and nowhere does it say that
the APS is standing behind the material or warranties it. The
only links to the APS are on the stamps page, and it is just
general information about the APS. The Code of Ethics comes
up in the Information for Sellers section, and it specifically
says to the sellers that they are expected to abide by the
Code of Ethics.
She
doesn't think a disgruntled purchaser could put blame on the
APS very easily.
However,
she does see a widespread belief that APS is standing behind
material on eBay somehow. She thinks that should be clarified,
has talked to Lamb about that, and he will address it in his AP column.
Lawrence:
Ever since eBay's interview with Lamb, this remains an issue
in one chatboard. There is the belief that if you complain
about a stamp, the APS would look at it, but it's not so.
"I
reported a stamp last week that was offered by a dealer for
$15,000 in an area where I am an expert, I know this is a fake.
If it comes to me [for expertization] I am the first guy who
is going to sign on it. I tried to get the dealer to take it
down. He was surly. I filed a complaint with eBay. Signed it
Ken Lawrence, APS Vice President and I said in my complaint
, I am the guy who is the expert on this stamp. Nothing happened."
The
perception is that the APS told people something would happen,
and it doesn't happen. There are not even acknowledgements
of complaints. The APS is making eBay look good, but the perception
is that nothing is happening. The APS should go back to the
drawing board on this. If people are not getting action, the
APS has to say that the chances are nothing will happen.
Lamb:
eBay is swamped with complaints, in every sales category. Many
of them are from people who claim to be experts in their field.
It had always planned to limit referrals to the APS. The APS
is just not equipped to deal with that volume of traffic.
Some
members do complain directly to the APS. In those cases, the
APS refers the stamp to the Stamp Community Watch Committee.
There
is a problem in that the Committee is a very U.S.-oriented
group. The skills available to eBay have to be broadened.
He
is not sure what the solution to the perception is. Ebay can't
open the door to everyone who says he is an expert.
Lawrence:
Doesn't think eBay sending APS 1 out of 99 complaints is adequate.
He says that 1% makes eBay look good and it is a bad deal.
Straight:
Cites example of member from St. Louis who is looking for a
way to report bad lots and is not getting responses. He thinks
eBay should recognize certain names.
Lamb:
Lawrence should just forward what he spots to Lamb.
Straight:
For how many people is Lamb willing to extend that offer? It's
hard to find the link to use to report bad lots.
Straight
and Lawrence call for a public meeting.
Lamb
notes that eBay is holding a seminar on Saturday.
Klug
suggests a telephone conference.
Washburne:
It is important that the APS not "beat up too much on eBay." eBay
is going to be a positive force for the APS, and "you don't
want to scare them off to where they are going to say they
will find somebody else."
Lawrence:
The problem is that the somebody else they went to before they
came to the APS choked exactly on that point, that eBay would
pick which stamps to send to him.
Washburne:
That was the head of PSE (Professional Stamp Experts).
Straight:
Don't want to beat up on eBay, do want to work with them. It's
in their best interests, because right now, eBay is not the
market for certain classes of material. Cleaning up the market
will allow eBay to sell a higher caliber of material.
Washburne:
Says the problem is that people buy fake stamps, thinking they
got abargain, and the APS appears to be the guarantor of the
material. He does not know a solution.
Flannery:
Asks for an executive session to discuss contracts and agreements
with eBay.
Lamb:
Concludes report, saying "it has really been a pleasure working
with such a well motivated, energetic, and unified Board" and
Klug is "doing an excellent job." It has made a difficult year
easier.
Lawrence
moves to accept the Executive Director's report; Fekete seconds.
Passed unanimously.
Klug
thanks Lamb for balancing the budget.
Society
Attorney's Report:
Eisenstein:
There is only one matter of litigation outstanding: Case against
the APS. It is on appeal to Pennsylvania Superior Court after
the APS won locally. Mr. Case appealed, briefs have been submitted
and we are awaiting the court's decision.
Lawrence:
Will there be oral argument?
Eisenstein:
There is not going to be any oral argument.
Prill
moves to accept the Society Attorney's Report; seconded by
Lesher. Passed unanimously.
Affiliate
Applications:
Lamb:
Recommends that the Chile Specialist Association be accepted
as an affiliate; it is a "high quality" group.
Straight
moves to accept the application; seconded by Lawrence. Passed
unanimously. (McCann not present.)
Treasurer's
Report:
Carter:
We're back in the black.
Carter:
Expected $35,000; did much better than that.
Carter:
Are these figures coming down because of eBay?
Carter:
It was a good year for the Sales Division.
Carter:
The key to last year was Internet Sales, which did well, and
Shows, which did especially well.
Lawrence:
The APRL liquidated the Cryer Fund into the Match Factory fund.
Carter:
500 members dying every year is not new. However, the APS is
not getting new members.
Carter
asks that as many of the Board as possible attend the Finance
Committee meeting the next day.
De
Vries moves to accept the Treasurer's Report; Flannery seconded.
Passedunanimously.
Irving
Miller, former Dealer Liaison to the Board, congratulates Dempsey
on his election, thanks the Board for allowing him to serve.
He is happy six candidates ran for the position. Now that the
Dealer Liaison is elected, the Bylaws should be amended to
allow the dealer representative to vote.
Washington
2006:
Michael
Dixon, president of Washington 2006, Inc.: It's an APS show.
The APS got a bid from the International Federation of Philately,
and then granted the rights to put on the show to a Washington
company. This is the first opportunity that company has had
to give the Board a progress report. There are 847 days to
go to Washington 2006. He emphasizes that the APS has no financial
exposure, no risk, for this show.
Carter:
APS contributed money to purchase frames.
Dixon:
Wouldn't APS have purchased the frames anyway? Washington 2006
gave APS $40,000 to purchase the frames.
He
makes PowerPoint presentation, and fields some questions during
and after it:
De
Vries: Expresses surprise the Red Roof Inn is more expensive
than the Wyndham.
Gordon
Morison, Washington 2006 Chief Executive Officer: The Red Roof
Inn is closer to the convention center than the Wyndham.
Dixon:
Will have to make sure to release the hotel rooms. That's where
the other show got caught.
The
Queen's Collection material at Washington 2006 will not be
the same as is being shown at the National Postal Museum.
The
American First Day Cover Society is getting 50 frames, and
there are 50 frames for other societies.
Stephen
Luster, Vice President and General Chairman, Washington 2006:
Some dealers have already said they don't want chairs in front
of their booths.
Carter:
Do the Washington 2006 financial statements go just to the
President?
Dixon:
No, he believes they go to the entire Board. Several directors
agree.
There
is going to be a bulletin with an article about the postal
history of Washington DC, the postmarks of Washington DC and
the program itself. All the exhibits, their titles, the exhibitors,
etc., must be listed. It is compulsory.
Washington
2006 inherited $0 from Pacific 97, $0 from Chicago (AMERIPEX
'86).
Dixon:
Not getting any frames from Baltimore (BALPEX). However, CAPEX
has decided to dispose of its 900 frames, or scrap them.
Carter:
Dixon mentioned Baltimore is missing from the places lending
frames. What about Philadelphia, New York, Rochester? You are
close to filling frames without needing them.
Dixon:
Carter is correct, and Washington 2006 may be able to obtain
another 300 frames during the show, but there is a cost involved
in going to all these different places to pick up frames. People
are used to the CAPEX style of frames, and when the show is
over, the only transportation cost is to take them to the Montgomery
County dump.
Lawrence:
One of the consequences that affects Washington 2006 is about
an exhibit that did not qualify for its 8 frames because it
was disqualified by Valencia and there is no other place to
qualify between now and then. There is no other way. Does Washington
2006 have the authority to grant 8 frames to a previously qualified
exhibit?
Dixon:
No, that's just against the FIP rules. The show can't take
an exhibit that hasn't qualified.
Lawrence:
Strongly urges Washington 2006 to take this up now before it
reaches the crisis stage.
Dixon:
Asked Lawrence to drop him an email and he will pursue.
Rob
Haeseler, Linn's Stamp News: What was the size of Pacific 97
in square feet and Ameripex 86?
Dixon:
They were smaller than this.
Washburne:
The number of booths includes both UN and postal administrations?
Dixon:
Yes, but not Societies.
Dixon:
The show organizers are not allowed to talk to the postal administrations,
only the USPS can talk to other postal services. The USPS did
so six months ago, a little behind schedule.
WSP
Shows Exhibition Rules
Lawrence:
About half the World Series of Philately Shows are doing well,
maybe 15 really well, the other half are on the ropes. One
reason is that philately overall isn't successfully bringing
in new people and constituencies. He proposes allowing stamp
societies who are APS affiliates, and there are about a dozen
with between 1,000 and 2,000 members, to hold their own WSP
shows, if they meet certain criteria, instead of holding their
conventions at existing shows.
That
criteria (as proposed by Klug) would include 80 frames, 3 APS
qualified judges approved by the committee and so forth. The
medals for those exhibits would earn national recognition and
specifically that means that the vermeil medal awarded to any
exhibitor would qualify that exhibit or entry in international
competition and that the exhibitor earning the vermeil medal
would qualify to become an apprentice in a national exhibition.
Ann
Triggle, chair, Committee on Accreditation of National Exhibitions
and Judges: Since the Board's last meeting, CANEJ got a chance
to look at the proposal in its present form, and felt more
comfortable with it.
De
Vries: Would each application have to go through the Board?
Klug:
Yes, but it's only a few shows. That's the normal procedure
for WSP accreditation.
Straight:
If winning exhibits would not be eligible for the Champion
of Champions competition, what's the attraction to a specialist
society?
Lawrence:
That part of the original proposal met the greatest resistance,
so it was dropped. However, the Board can and has granted a
special dispensation for a show of this type to participate
in the Champion of Champions.
Washburne:
He was in favor of that rule in the original proposal, and
agrees with Straight about the lack of appeal. Without the
C of C possibility, why would a specialist society need this
accreditation for its show. A national-level vermeil doesn't
set the bar very high.
McCann:
Medals.
Lawrence:
Some societies like what they're doing now and can stage their
own shows. Others don't want to. Those societies can continue
what they're doing under this plan. He thinks the grand-award
winning exhibits at some specialist shows are just as good
as those at WSP shows, but is willing to put that issue aside
for now.
Flannery:
Why is CANEJ apprehensive about the C of C part?
Triggle:
There was mixed feeling on the committee. The major feel there
is not sufficient selection, too few judges, too few frames,
versus 300 frames at a present WSP show.
Klug:
Several months ago, CANEJ felt it would lower the standards
for WSP shows.
Flannery:
Would it hurt to allow these specialty shows into the C of
C?
Washburne:
This proposal would hurt many of the weaker national shows,
since they would not get exhibits. When the Philadelphia show
hosts specialty societies, it has great exhibits; when it doesn't
host one, it has poorer exhibits. The Revenue society could
easily put together a 100-frame show with only revenue dealers.
But if shows can't get exhibits, they will be hurt significantly.
Lesher:
Thinks the APS should try this. He agrees with Washburne, but
from a slightly different perspective: He doesn't think the
APS should further the specialization in shows. He thinks the
broad range of interests within philately is a strength of
the hobby. Instead, philately should reach out to closely-aligned
fields, such as the postcards at this show. However, he thinks
this is a worthwhile experiment, and in three years it should
be evaluated. He also thinks the Grand Award winners should
be eligible for the C of C.
Lamb:
Says the proposal is very exciting. The APS has been approached
by a specialist society that wants to have an exhibition at
the Match Factory, with a black-tie dinner, to build interest
in its specialty, but wouldn't want to do it every year. He
thinks the option should be offered
Prill:
It's not the weaker shows that would be hurt, but the medium-
and top-level shows, because societies don't go to the weaker
shows. The winners of these specialty shows should be encouraged
to go on to national shows.
Fekete:
Agrees with Washburne. Asks what the average number of frames
is for a WSP show?
Triggle:
About 250.
McCann:
Recommends approving the proposal, without the C of C, but
stipulating that the CANEJ chair goes to the first of these
shows to see what the quality of exhibits is like, and then
possibly asking that the C of C be added to the proposal.
Washburne:
Few people have the C of C as their goal. Those who do have
to enter a large number of shows to attain it.
Carter:
NAPEX sees a strong difference when it has strong societies
versus weak: This proposal will make a difference. Asks whether
these specialty societies should be required to be affiliates.
Klug:
That can be done administratively.
Proposal
moved by Carter, seconded by Lesher, passed unanimously.
Heavy
Creative Presentation
Jerry
Shapiro represents the advertising agency.
Shapiro:
Trying to build a unique brand-name for the APS. Heavy Creative
believes there are about 250,000 active stamp collectors in
the U.S. HC wants to reach out to the other 200,000 and get
them to join APS.
HC's
first overall objective was to develop a fresh, clean, classic,
consistent striking campaign look for all the APS' marketing
communications efforts. When something arrives in the mail,
a postcard, they go to a show, they see a booth, it's a consistent
look for all the efforts and the people say "that's the APS,
that's something I'd like to be a part of."
HC
also wanted to capture the emotional component of APS membership.
He cites Howard Dean's Democratic presidential nomination campaign.
HC
has revised the Lady Philately logo, and wants to develop a
compelling theme line, "We Share Your Passion," emphasizing
the fun, and utilizing the brick color of the Match Factory
in organizational stationery and mailing pieces.
Another
goal was to keep production costs near zero. HC only charges
for any outside vendors it uses, then turns the project over
to APS staff for production.
In
emphasizing "passion," the goal was to get people to contribute
initially to the Match Factory restoration fund but even more
importantly going on to become members and more-active members
of the organization.
HC
did an e-mail survey, with a 20-25% response. APS members are
very interested in restoration, as HC had expected.
Delineates
some of the ads Heavy Creative has produced for the APS. The
ads have run in outside publications, as well as American
Philatelist. HC also developed a series of Match Factory
brochures as well as a direct mail solicitation package, a
letter and a brochure that will be soliciting funds from members
and non-members as well in the hopes to raise money for the
Match Factory. The brochures included an 800 [toll-free] number.
De
Vries: The APS has an 800 number now?
Shapiro:
Yes, but just for this.
Lamb:
It wasn't publicized.
Shapiro
showed some of HC's APS brochures. HC also redesigned the APS'
business-reply postcards, stationery and a trade show poster.
Carter
points out an error in the poster, which Shapiro says was probably
caught when APS put it into production.
De
Vries asks where the poster is used; Lamb says it is used at
the APS booth at APS shows, although it can be taken to other
WSP shows.
Shapiro:
In the future, HC will look toward helping with the APS Web
site. Although HC thought it was very functional, it did not
think it was very appealing to someone who did not know why
they were there already, for example, contemplating membership.
There would be no charge for the copy, and the consulting fee
would be very low compared to the other costs in revamping
the site. He suggests a firm that might help with the revamping.
HC
is also looking at other online marketing opportunities for
the APS. He cites a statistic from Sente that more than 50%
of new APS members come from the Internet, and Internet marketing
is cost effective. It's also looking at traditional mailing
lists.
One
of the things HC does before it does a direct mailing is to
get some idea of "lifetime value" of a customer: How long will
a person remain a member and how much dues will that member
pay, and therefore how much would it be worth to recruit that
person to become a member of the organization? APS membership
tends to be about 10 years, and people pay $330 over those
ten years to be members, which is a very long span, by the
way. The APS has a 90% renewal rate, which is fantastic, most
organizations would die for that. So the APS doesn't have a
problem with retaining members, it has a problem acquiring
members.
As
a result, HC is looking at an appropriate premium to offer
free with membership.
HC
has talked to some public relations people about getting the
APS and the Match Factory placed in some non-philatelic magazines
such as Preservation; the PR firms are taking this on a trial
basis. HC is also looking into a high-profile event honoring
someone or something that would bring people to the site and
perhaps entice them into paying a higher-than-usual ticket
to the event.
Flannery:
Are there demographics for that 250,000 target audience?
Shapiro:
Doesn't have the numbers yet, but HC is very interested in
comparing the demographics of that 250,000 with the 50,000.
Flannery:
Are there other groups with overlapping interests where advertising
might be effective, such as American Numismatist? Some
of the people already belong to both, but they have the same
drive as stamp collectors.
Shapiro:
May do a mailing-list test with numismatists. Cited a project
he once worked on that found that people who bought fitness
equipment were likely to have a strong religious affiliation.
His firm didn't get into why, just that the relationship was
there.
Lesher:
Some APS dealers have explored other marketing and places for
marketing some of the stamps, just for an example: There were
some automobile tax stamps issued during World War II. Somebody
ran an ad in an antique car magazine and found a whole new
market that had not been targeted.
Shapiro:
There are lots of possibilities like that; the problem is money
and resources. But HC will keep them in mind.
Washburne:
Shouldn't Vitetta (the Match Factory architect) share in the
cost of placing a Preservation magazine article? Most of the
articles in there, frankly, seem to be puff pieces from architects
and developers, builders and contractors.
Lamb:
There is a consultant working on it, but it is not a lot of
money.
Are
there versions of these ads that members can put on there personal
sites?
Shapiro:
These are jpeg and pdf files as well. So if APS wanted to give
permission, HC can distribute them to anybody.
Lawrence:
Does Preservation magazine have a history of running such pieces?
Shapiro:
Yes. Also, HC is trying to get APS vendors at the lowest possible
prices, at zero as often as possible.
Lawrence:
Suggests Pennsylvania Heritage magazine.
Klug
thanks Shapiro for his presentation.
Document
Retention Schedule:
Lamb:
APS has to do some housekeeping before it moves into the Match
Factory. Stamp Collectors don't like to throw away anything.
Lamb wants guidance on this.
Straight:
The APS should keep the architectural drawings of all its buildings
forever. Drawings of properties are historically significant.
Lawrence:
In most cases, the buyers want the drawings, so what Straight
is saying is that he wants the APS to make copies for its files?
Eisenstein:
Went over the proposed schedule with Lamb, changed some things,
and the Library section still needs tweaking.
Lamb:
That's not being submitted for approval because that's for
the library Board to decide.
Eisenstein:
Agrees there are problems with building projects records.
De
Vries: Did the magazine staff say they wanted to keep things
3½ years?
Eisenstein:
No, that's the statute of limitations on libel laws. In Pennsylvania,
it's one year; in other states, as much as three. There have
also been cases allowing suits to be brought in the jurisdiction
where the person feels liable as long as there is distribution.
Carter:
Shouldn't financial records be kept longer?
Lamb:
Accounting records don't take up much space but they do require
maintaining old technologies. He suggests 20 years.
Straight:
Historically how money is being spent is always of interest--
not check-by-check but the larger papers.
Carter:
Just overviews are necessary.
Klug
invites motion.
De
Vries asks what the amendments are to Lamb's proposal.
Lamb:
We are going to keep budget sheets, audit statements and balance
sheets and recommend to the Library board to keep copies of
record drawings forever.
Moved
by McCann, seconded by Prill, passed unanimously.
Fakes & Forgeries:
Washburne:
Cites the four draft motions recommended by the Committee.
APS
can't do anything immediately with the eBay situation; that
is not part of this discussion. The committee's focus is what
should be sold on StampStore for StampStore to continue to
be effective to be profitable. His feeling is that StampStore
should not try to compete with eBay because eBay is going to
win that competition. StampStore should try to compete with
the major respected auction houses. StampStore should feature
quality material, accurately described. We should try to minimize
the amount of material which is returned for whatever reason,
because returns cost everyone, buyers, consignors, and StampStore
itself. Bad material turns off buyers. Buyers don't like slogging
through bad material. He theorizes the drop-off in StampStore
material may be that the good material has already sold, but
bad material remains on the market forever.
Lamb:
APS is getting 500 new things a day and is shipping back the
stuff that's been up there too long.
Washburne:
Not as part of the motion but he suggests that many people
feel that two years is too long that six months with either
appropriate reduction or new round of listing fees would be
appropriate. But that's aside from the motion.
Dealers
and collectors feel that either forgeries should not be sold
at all, or they feel the forgeries which are collectibles in
their own right, the classic forgeries which are in all cases
worth far more than the stamps that they are copying, should
still be sold. That is the first motion, which is essentially
the same motion that was proposed in August.
The
second motion addresses the Hialeah forger or others. The committee
would like to see all the Sales Divisions not allow listing
of any sort of photocopies of philatelic materials. Many of
the committee feel that regummed stamps should not be sold
unless they are offered as such and don't mention catalog value
for original-gum stamps. The same thing goes for repaired and
altered stamps: The committee feels strongly that those just
clog up the Sales Divisions. The APS should not accept any
material without verifying the description.
The
committee feels the key is that material that is offered in
the Sales Division should be expertized. In other words, there
should be no question that something is a Sperati forgery or
a particular Fournier, and included in that should be counterfeits
of classic U.S. locals and Confederate stamps, Confederate
Provisionals, provided they can be expertized, that they appear
in some handbook or some guidelines.
The
third motion is that a system of fines be established for Internet
sales similar to those used by the Sales Division. The Sales
Divisions reserve the right to reject any material that they
don't want to sell for whatever reason. If the Sales Divisions
administrators say they don't want to sell Fourniers, that's
the Sales Division's decision.
The
question of fines again is an administrative decision. There
is far too much of people getting cheap expertizing, submitting
something to the Sales Division — the most it is going
to cost you is $2.00. So Washburne would like to see a system
of fines and suggests 10% of the sale price up to a maximum
of $20.00, the cost of a certificate, for fines. Of course
fines can be assessed or not assessed at the discretion of
the Sales Division.
The
fourth proposal is going to require a little more work. It
has already been started in the AP with the checklist of stamps
that are questionable. There should be lists of three kinds
of material. The first is only safe to buy with certificate,
second one is "purchaser is strongly advised to obtain a certificate," and
a third group is material which is always other than what it
claims to be. (He thanks Lawrence for the third group's description.)
Prill:
Asks Eisenstein whether it is legal to sell forgeries.
Eisenstein:
Former Immediate Past President John Hotchner said at the last
meeting that the Postal Inspection Service is not enforcing
this law. In 1941, the 56th APS Convention condemned such sales.
(See Standing Resolution 3.7, www.stamps.org/almanac/alm_standingresolutions.htm#3.7)
That is in effect until the Board overrides it.
Lawrence:
Selling a counterfeit is only a crime if it defrauds a government.
Washburne:
It's forgeries in quantities that are used to defraud the government.
The present APS prohibition on the sale of forgeries means
that such material is sold through firms such as Jacques Schiff
or [Irwin?] Siegel. The APS should be trying to attract this
material for StampStore.
Lesher:
On the first motion, he would prefer to leave it more open,
because there are some revenue counterfeits that were intended
to defraud both the government and purchasers during Prohibition.
Using the word "counterfeit" will embrace both postage and
revenue stamps.
Washburne:
All such items should be expertized, but some of the stuff
sold on eBay is offered as "propaganda forgeries."
Motion
#1:
The
APS Sales Divisions allow listing and sale of Properly and
Accurately Described Philatelic Material only. This includes:
