The Central Oregon Postal Collective Stamp Club Is Underway!

The First meeting of the Central Oregon Postal Collective is in the books.
I made way too much coffee, and my wife made way too many cookies. But we were seven.
It went really well, there is a lot of enthusiasm as I have committed to them that for the time being I will make sure that future dates are arranged and the meeting place is secured. Which I have already done.
I have the Meeting room at the Library reserved once a month for the next 3 months. Cards and emails will go out this week to give folks an update and I will also send postcards to all the APS members that were not in attendance just because I'm that tenacious.
We discussed the membership status, which thanks to the success of this forum is modeled in the same way, as follows.
2. Here is the membership structure as I see it right now.
1. Members; Anyone that gives their contact information and attends at least 4 meetings a year. Pretty low requirements, and I have no idea how to keep track. Still working it.
2. Supporters; Those that contribute at least $5 annually to the cause.
3. Contributors; Those that contribute both financially as above and physically get involved.
4. Moderators; Open and close meetings, and keep them on course.

Of course it was met with smiles as being a member is free. Just show up.
I will be putting together a newsletter as to the events of today's meeting and will send it to that have email and mail a copy to those that don't.
It went so well, someone made a generous donation and one member gave every one a used $1 documentary R217

Pretty neat.
All are excited about the October 5th meeting. I think we'll auction off something to generate fundage for the club.

I will Post updates concerning the Club here.

Here is a copy of the agenda for today's meeting. I think in the future I will have any videos playing when the meeting starts so it can run in the back ground. I mean who really wants to sit and watch an hour of 1956 Post office education, when they could be talking about stamps.

COPC August 31, 2013 Meeting Agenda.

Thank Yous
Announcements
Small amount of Business
Video
Stamp talk

1. First, I'm Robert, I'm the one responsible for dragging you all to the library today. There is coffee and cookies if you haven't already found them.

2. Thank you all for joining me in the inaugural meeting of the Central Oregon Postal Collective. I hope this grows into a fun, warm and welcoming group of collectors for all ages to enjoy.

3. Please make sure that I have your contact information. Email address, and mailing at least so I can send out a reminder card for the next meeting which is scheduled for Oct 5 here at the library same time. There is a guest list near the coffee and cookies.

4. I would also like to thank a couple of organizations that helped me out tremendously. The APS of course, the Oregon Stamp Society, the Northwest philatelic Library; which has offered to come make a presentation at a meeting, and the StampFamilyCommunity.org website.

5. A quick note on membership: Basic membership will be free to all. Got an email address? Then you get an email about the next meeting.
1. Obviously I cant afford to do it all, so certain funds will have to come from some where. I have already had stamp donations to help out with postage. Fortunately It doesn't all have to be figured out now. If we keep the meeting places free, that helps.
2. Here is the membership structure as I see it right now.
1. Members; Anyone that gives their contact information and attends at least 4 meetings a year. Pretty low requirements, and I have no idea how to keep track. Still working it.
2. Supporters; Those that contribute at least $5 annually to the cause.
3. Contributers; Those that contribute both financially as above and physically get involved.
4. Moderators; Open and close meetings, and keep them on course.

6. I will welcome any and all help in the growing of this club. Let me say that it is not intended to be MY club. Sure I may have founded it, but you are the members. It will only work if we all work together. Keep it fun, keep it simple.

7. Now I f there are no objections; The APS has kindly lended us a video; "Men and Mail in Transit – the Railway post office", and the Library has lended us the equipment. The library has been kind enough to lend us their Scott's 2014 catalogs for the meeting.

GOOD LUCK....How was the turn-out in Central Oregon??

We had 7 people show for the first and 2 that I know of that will show on Oct. 5.

That's a 28% increase!

The key is persistence. I knew If I went into thinking, 'we'll see how it goes and take it from there, whether it continues or not', would utterly fail. But, I am committed to setting the dates and arranging the place. If only 2 peeps show; then we'll have an excellent conversation. If more show then there may be a few conversations. Its a win win. But there's already been talk in the one meeting of chartering with the APS and getting circuit books, holding auctions, have seminars on how to do stuff, etc.

I'm looking at some more free advertisement that I overlooked previously to boost interest.

How absolutely exciting!
Your committment is what will make the group actually work.
Many people are willing to be involved, but do not really want to do the grunt work.
Good luck and keep plugging away.
You are an inspiration to us all!

Congratulations and wishes toward continued success!

Thankfully most people have email. Makes it easier to get info out. Already got a couple commits from some new attendees for Octobers meet.