United States Stamp Society

I recently joined USPCS and I'm very impressed with their website and the vast wealth of information they have available online. I'm definitely going to renew my membership, which is also very easy to do ONLINE.

Members here have also recommended joining the United States Stamp Society (USSS). I wasn't as impressed with their site, but I use my Durland regularly and it does look like they have useful archives.

However, when I clicked on the "application" link I found an application that I need to print out and mail in with a check! I know some of you still pay bills by check, but I haven't had a checkbook for at least 10 years. Since I'm not (and will never be) an APS member, they also want personal and philatelic references with a name AND address, and the signature of a sponsor. Am I joining a stamp society or applying for a job?

If I could join online, pay with PayPal and use 1 or 2 people here as references, name only, I would be a member right now. As it is, I will have to pass. It seems to be another example of our hobby being stuck in the past.

I'm guessing a lot of these smaller societies' websites and renewal operations, etc, consist of a member doing it himself in his spare time, or some similar small-time operation. Membership dues probably don't bring in enough money to pay for designing and hosting a top-notch website. Though I prefer electronic payments as well, if there's value in membership, I wouldn't let a small hassle like a check get in the way.

One problem is that something I would value greatly in a prospective philatelic society is a really good website. Archives of the society's journal, ongoing member blogs, member-to-member interaction, and other services like that would be a big plus. In a perfect world, any given society's website would be THE place to go for that particular philatelic pursuit. All that would be nice but probably not very realistic given membership size, cash flow, and the lack of technical expertise of most members.

raymodj, many (all?) banks now have the ability to pay vendors via electronic check, usually at no cost (not even the postage required to mail it.) My guess is that USSS would accept your application with a note that payment is being sent separately via eCheck. I'm sure a quick email to them would confirm this is OK.

USSS is an excellent society and their publication is outstanding. I will gladly volunteer to be your sponsor if you need one. PM/email me if interested.

P.S. I agree with your general comments that societies need to get into the 21st century with their online application, payment, etc. capabilities, but don't let that deter you from joining this fine group. It's worth the extra effort IMO. When US collectors ask me which societies/groups they should join, USPCS & USSS are among the first ones I recommend.

Ray, as of the latest issue of the USSS journal, there are slightly less that 1400 member. Its a small group. Not a lot of funding from membership. Probably only a hand full of offices who are actively involved in keeping the society functioning as such. Not using that as an excuse; perhaps they will eventually be able to do membership and payments electronically at some point. There is access to a good deal of information on a variety of subject matter available through their archived journals. As mentioned, you have access to other members, especially those heading up specific study groups. I have recommended joining in previous posts here. I think its a good resource of information. It is well worth the effort to join. I will also sponsor you if you wish.

Why not contact the USSS before writing this post?

Perhaps Secretary could suggest how you can send payment. I know that I as a member can renew using Paypal.

I understand USSS is held in high regard among collectors, as they are often mentioned in the same breath as USPCS, which I have found to be outstanding. I'm not questioning USSS's many benefits or expertise, just their online presence.

I know my post was strongly worded, as at the time I was frustrated by yet more hurdles and outdated methods within the stamp collectors community. I didn't join USPCS for several months because I don't like asking for favors and didn't know one philatelic reference. USPCS wanted two.

Last night I found that USSS wants two references as well, and I need names AND addresses. I find that very off putting. I realize it's in their by laws, but it might help to understand why they need that information as well as a sponsor. Many collectors, including me, have resumed collecting after many years away from the hobby. We tend to buy stamps online, and haven't built that connection with other collectors, other than online forums.

I feel uncomfortable emailing a request for another way to submit my application and/or payment... I don't like asking for OR having to ask for special treatment. I also think that as they are actively recruiting new members, they should make it as painless as possible to join. They had a way for me to order and pay for my Durland online, and they have a webmaster as well as at least some tech savvy members. They may not have the financial support USPCS has, but with what they already have it shouldn't be too hard to get an online application and payment option.

I posted this here originally because it's been my experience that emails generally don't elicit change. An online discussion in a well respected forum may give the USSS impetus to change. Of course, they might find that members collectors are happy with USSS online presence as is.

USSS is worth joining.

I would also say USSS is worth joining. Incidentally, they do have an option for paypal renewal of membership dues, and the society's executive secretary will sign as a sponsor upon request.

Any organization that seeks to not only provide convenience to its members, but to attract potential new members, and especially younger members, would do well to have a strong and contemporary / updated website.

Most of the folks at the top of the USSS are not savvy on web design and aren't all that connected to people who are. It's the same deal even at the societies that can afford to pay to have it done (for a while). But eventually it will take some funds to keep it up, and without endowments or a well heeled and devoted membership, they will just have to shut it down again. How cost effective is THAT?

Of course, I'm sure that if the guys and gals on this list who are good with website development would volunteer their services, the problem would be solved.

I run into these same issues with the Germany Philatelic Society (GPS - the only society I currently belong to) as well. Mailing a check and providing references didn't really bother me, either for the membership application or for the items I've purchased from them. For whatever reason, they don't even sell their forgery manuals on CD ($30 for small section, $183 for a complete set) on ebay or BidStart, etc, where they'd get far more eyeballs almost certainly resulting in more sales and income. I'm a pretty new member and have had little interaction with them, but my impression is that it's run by a group of old men who don't understand the web. There are probably dozens of societies like that.

I enjoy their publication immensely, but I live two hours from the nearest chapter (and hence meetings of other members) so a good, useful website would be a huge plus for someone like me. I did make some suggestions along those lines and I think they would like to do something, but I'm guessing they don't know how or don't have the money. I'm guessing a lot of societies are in the same boat. It's a shame, really, because to attract new members they really need to do something online, but I'm not sure if some of them are willing and/or able.

As for references, the folks I use are auction houses or prominent dealers with whom I do business. They are glad to help out and don't mind passing on their business addresses.

More than a one-time web developer is needed, there needs to be at least one 'online champion' within the organization. This advocate keeps the online presence updated and pertinent, they drive the organization to keep its online presence as an ongoing priority and not let the site simply languish after being rolled out.
Don

As a pastor for many years of a small church I was the primary website guy. With limited knowledge, expertise and time it was a big job to keep information updated, not to mention when it came to keep the website looking and behaving correctly. Plus costly when it came to a website design overhaul in order to keep it contemporary and user-friendly.

I'm curious as to why most folks think web design is expensive. Take USSS for example. With 1400 members, as little as $2 each should get you a solid, modern, well designed, responsive website. This will probably be based on one of the open source CMS's, the big three being Wordpress, Joomla and Drupal. It will be based on a premium theme. It won't have an extensive library of content at this price point, but it will be able to be expanded and added to later. For as little as $5 each you should be able to have quite a library of content incorporated + some extra functionality and an upgraded hosting plan. You will need dedicated members to update the site, but any organization will need that. This is the online champion that Don mentioned. I've talked to business owners who will think nothing of recarpeting the office for 5k, or taking out a 5+ year loan for a new car to drive them to their business, but only want to spend $700 on their website, or $100 on their logo, etc. Nowadays, organizations are based on the web. Most dealers do not have a brick & mortar store. It comes down to a matter of priority. Is an robust online presence important? I would argue that for the organizations we are talking about it is. And a DIY mentality won't cut it for most.

Your point is well taken as to static content, which USSS already has, but the OP specifically wants to submit an application form and pay fees online, which requires more than you outlined. You need a database to store the forms; retrieval and update capabilities; password management functionality; a shopping cart and payment interface; a Visa/MC and/or PayPal merchant account, which are not free; a firewall and possibly a security audit because you are storing personal addresses so you are now subject to hacking; probably legal consultation to deal with regulations and state laws addressing storage of personally identifying information; and someone to administer all of it probably including a dbadmin. You cannot assume that Board members of these organizations are capable of administering all this stuff--an IT consultant is needed. So it begins to spiral out of control and instead of $2800, you're talking about $10K or more, plus annual IT support costs and merchant fees.