For Lack Of Needed References

I wanted to join The U.S. Philatelic Classics Society today but when I submitted my application, even though I supplied my old (expired) membership #s of
APS
Western Cover Society
Bureau Issues Assoc. (called something else now)
U.S. Cancelation Club
all in good standing, all 10+ years.. just got ill
they still required references.
Trouble is, I don't really know anyone, haven't bought at auction since 2005.
Any ideas?

I would just contact them (http://www.uspcs.org/contact-us/) and explain the situation (illness vs recovery) and see what they say.

You know all of us ( sort of ). Does that not count for something?
Oldguy is correct, just Email them and explain. It would not hurt to have your old membership number(s) handy - I had to do the same thing some 15 years ago after a battle with cancer. Everything went fine! Good luck,

Peter

Thanks. I'll email them.

I'm happy to see that you want to join the USPCS. I'm sure that you will resolve this just via talking with them. Having formerly worked in the capacity of membership admittance, I can tell you that stamp societies want members such as yourself. You just need to remind them of that.

The journal of the Classics Society is without peer, if that is what interests you.

This issue has come up for me recently. A lot of societies are in a time warp. Predominately older membership with seemingly little understanding that today many of us no longer buy from established dealers but on ebay or other platforms. I applied to a group earlier this year and had the same problem; they wanted two 'commercial references' and suggested a bank or 'department store' as examples. Talk about stuck in the past!

What does a bank or department store have to do with stamp collecting?
Crazy. And why does one need references unless you are a dealer or bidding on something.
I guess ebay sellers could be references but do we want to go down that road.
This is all stuck in the past.

Unfortunately, if the organization you are attempting to join have, as part of their offerings, a sales circuit section, they are just covering themselves. If you do not have references, why should you be able to obtain 1000's of dollars worth of material to view and pick from at home? Some of the organizations actually do a credit check on the individual. Sometimes if you really want to join, you gotta play the game.

It has worked out. A member here offered to be my reference, and said if I needed more than just his name that he's locate others. The Vice president offered his help. :)