Does Anyone Know Anyone At Ata?

Based on perusing their website and on the recommendations of several folks in this forum, I took a leap of faith and signed up as a member of the ATA recently. Since I paid my money over to PayPal two weeks ago, I have been unable to get a response to multiple emails inquiring as to how I get access to the sections of the ATA website that require a password.

I assume that the ATA has a very small staff, if at all, so I appreciate the need for patience. However, it's only reasonable to expect some type of response at some point, particularly for a new member who is slowly losing his enthusiasm for this whole thing. What has other folks' experience been? Does anyone know someone at ATA that I could direct an inquiry to rather than going through their generic email?

Thank you.

I think two weeks is a little early to start getting worried!

Peter

Also, the big APS show was last Thursday through Sunday, in CT. I would imagine at least one or more of the officers were there, so that could explain some of it, too. I imagine they took publications with them, so, between set-up, tear-down, and travel, it may be that you just happened to submit your membership at a particularly demanding time for them. (Probably second only to the annual national show they put on.)

Their website does list a phone number. Perhaps on Tuesday you could give them a call.

http://americantopicalassn.org/contacts.shtml

When I REALLY want to get someone's attention, I send a fax.

Your eMail might also have ended-up in their spam box; have you got another address from which to send?

My first choice, of course, would be to send them a nice postcard.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

OldFaithful, I think Philatarium has a great suggestion. Give them a call on Tuesday.
Please keep in mind that most stamp clubs are run by volunteers. I myself volunteer for a club, and sometimes there is so much work things will get on the back burner!

Peter

Vera Felts, the executive director (or one of her staff) are normally very good at responding to e-mail or phone messages, and I'm sure, as was mentioned, APS' Stamp Show is the primary cause for any delay. I would try the phone number listed on their site as well (if nothing else, if you get an answering machine, it may provide a clue as to where they are).
Past issues of 'Topical Time' are available via a password, and as far as I know, each new electronic issue gets its own password at the same time as the hard copy comes out (you end up with both versions). These passwords are usually transmitted to the members via e-mail as soon as the issue is ready.
Hang in there...it'll be well worth the wait. ATA Telephone & fax: 618.985.5100

Thank you to all for your thoughtful replies. docgfd - appreciate the info on how the password mechanism works for the electronic issues. Is there a way to access the past issues that are posted on the website or, as a new member, am I restricted to just the issues going forward?

Thanks again.

When I receive the password via the ATA e-mail, I may or may not look at the electronic version (I prefer the hard copy and simply wait for it to appear in my mailbox; I have a regular column in the journal, so sometimes I can't resist peeking to see how the layout ended up looking like). Now I wish I kept some of the codes so I could pass them on to you. My guess is once they get around to responding to you, Vera or one of her staff would be more than glad to provide you with past codes, although I have no clue how far back one can go having never had a need to. I'll take a ride over to another message board to see if any ATA members there might have any codes written down and if so, I'll get them to you (assuming I can do so by PM since they're for members only)

docgfd -

Vera did reply overnight and noted how backed up they were due to the reasons folks cited in earlier posts. She provided a very detailed description of the process for accessing past electronic issues as well as the codes, so I am all set. Guess I need to calm down a bit and not be so overeager as a new collector - as I told her, though, I looked over some past articles and was just very anxious to read more of this good stuff.

Thanks again to you and others for taking the time to help me along.