APS Financial Woes

APS is making cutbacks to save US$600,000

http://www.stamps.org/news/P1647.htm

KirkS

I'm glad that Janet Klug and her coworkers are making some of the difficult decisions necessary to get APS back on track.

I had originally dropped my APS membership after several years of disappointment. I finally reinstated my membership, not because I was happy with the APS, but because I felt that perhaps she was indeed the best opportunity in a while for the APS to regroup and refocus.

I sincerely hope she and her coworkers succeed! I have to admit, I've been more upbeat about the APS than I have in several years!

Please note -- I do not vote in the APS elections, so this is not a political comment, but a personal comment.

I'm starting to feel comfortable again about recommending collectors join APS.

Sorry, I should clarify. The current APS President is Wade Saadi. I am referring to the wonderful work started by Janet Klug as past president and that continues.

The success of APS is extremely important to the collecting community, for today AND tomorrow!

regarding the APS...they sure bought a white elephant with the match factory..when I saw it I was in shock..they have built a mini mall into the side of it and now they are in the landlord business...i am APS all the way..but somebody sure goofed on the matchfactory !! phil APS 070059 life member !!

I applaud you, Sir, for your support of APS and philately!

I was particularly upset about the matchbox factory, but I made the mistake of not making my concerns heard at that time.

I have no problem with the quality of the facility, the historical value, the philatelic significance of Bellefonte...

I just had serious doubts about investing so much in a wonderful facility that only a very very small fraction of the APS membership will ever be able to visit. Even if a good number of collectors were able to visit more than once, it didn't seem practical for attracting a lot of foot-traffic of non-collectors (which we need to generate new collectors).

I regard the matchbox factory project as the use of APS funds to achieve the personal pet-project of a small group of influential philatelists, and a lot of good sincere philatelists got caught up in the ride, contributing to the loss of focus by APS on the collecting aspects of philately.

Just my personal thoughts.

I have been a member of the APS for five years.

It's the best part of my stamp money I spend... a great value.

David Giles
APS No. 204340

It is certainly unfortunate that the APS is facing financial difficulties, but I don't suppose that it should be any surprise. I don't remember how much the APS put into the Match Factory but it was a ton of money. Was it worth it? I don't know myself, but it sure looks like it.

That said, I love the APS and what it does for the philatelic community. As long as I'm financially able I will continue to be a member.

Speaking of supporting the APS...

I got my May issue of AP today, with the included ballot. I have no idea how to vote -- don't know any of the people.

Would that be an appropriate discussion for this forum?

KirkS

Kirk:

If you go to the APS website, you can read the statememnts of the people running for office.

David

Hello to all Phil I've just joined the A.P.S. they asked for a reference so I gave them the SCF/PBxxxx (cart before the horse so to speak ).
So I really hope you don't mind if I dropped your name.
regards Harry

Maybe they can ask for some of Obama's bail-out money.

Bobgggg not a member, and never will be

Just waiting for my card now,my A.P.S number is #215854

Nuggethill
Congrats and welcome to the APS !1!

Just for the record Bobgggg, are you "anti-APS"? If so, why?

KirkS