Stamp Clubs?

To tell the truth I have never belonged to any type of hobby club. I have a few hobbies and the only one I ever considered was a local train club.

However I am getting a strong urge to look for a stamp club to join. I have found one in Johnstown, Pa and another that meets at Subway in Altoona on Sundays.

I guess I don't know what to expect if I decide to attend one of these meetings. I'm looking to make a few friends who of course have an interest in stamps along with possibly trading and upgrading my collection.

Of course history is another factor along with learning about stamps. Maybe traveling together to a large stamp show would be another thing.

The only thing I'm worried about is my actual collection while it is priceless to me is probably on the small size.

So can anyone tell me about their club experience?

MK:

As Vice-President of the Ottawa Philatelic Society, your local club experience, like mine, will be grand.

You will meet like-minded individuals who are actually interested in what you collect, and will be more than happy to help you. You will meet older members with lots of experience, and you will be exposed to many different types of collecting. Who knows? You may see something that may tickle your fancy, and you;ll start to collect it.

You will meet new friends and a whole new social group.

I guarantee it will enhance your collecting pleasure.

David

My club meets about once a month an hour drive from me. I enjoy it, we have about a half an hour to an hour of trading and someone will bring up a discussion topic. Then any club member can bring about 5 lots for a club auction, that lasts about a hour. I am in my 40's and I am considered the youngster of the group.

I have been attending the Springfield Va club which meets weekly, I have not been going long but as a member in my late forties I am also considered a youngster. No one has ever ask me how large or small my collection is, just what I collect. The older members with their years of experience are great to sit and talk to and pick their brain. One or twice a month there is a club auction with good deals to be had. A local dealer attends and will bring any material you are interested in to look through. The club sponsors a large show every year so I am looking forward to getting involved in that side of the hobby as well. It has been a great experience I encourage you to attend a meeting of your local club(s) if you can

I live in the desert and there are not any stamp clubs within hours of here. I envy those of you that have clubs nearby and are members. This forum has become my stamp club.

I would love to have a real local club. There are a few guys and gals that meet at the PO about once a month, but all they do is go through a pile of covers to see if there are any issues they don't have. It's not really a club in the traditional sense.

I used to drive 2 hours one way to attend club meetings at the next city over, but time and the cost of gas have put a stop to that. They hold auctions, have presentations, and little mini-shows. There is a lot to learn from groups like that.

I am a member of the club in Springfield IL for a few years now. We meet once a month. We have silent auctions a couple times a year, APS slide presentations regularly, club blue books, a nickel box, and an annual stamp show. There are members whom have been in the club since I was born ;) I am the youngest member in my early 30's.