Recruiting And Fundraising Be A Requirement For APS Board?

The question is that since the new APS strategy relies heavily on fund raising, should board members be expected to do more to raise money from possible donors?

You hear the words "governance" when discussing a board member a lot as an oversight role (review/advise/approve staff plans). Only one candidate I heard actually commented on his ability to recruit members but none mentioned they would personally tackle fundraising. It may be in part because they are often members of many boards with obvious divided loyalties.

Al

Al: it's pretty typical for those who serve on boards of directors of .501(c)3 educational non-profits to be engaged in fundraising. One of the duties for service on the board of a .501(c)3 is to sustain and enhance the financial viability of the organization. I currently serve on three different .501(c)3 boards; only one with professional level staff. I'm the board chair of one of the others, which makes me the primary fundraiser.

I haven't followed the APS election thus far very close. Hopefully all prospective directors will be aware of their obligations in development. I wouldn't automatically assume that there exists a situation of "divided loyalties" with any of the candidates. In my case, I'm able to separate what I do rather easily due to the different missions of the three organizations. As a side note, one of the three is a foundation that handles the endowment for a parent organization; so not a lot of development work there. Steve

My divided loyalties comment was fundraising for two similar (competing) organizations.

For example, one may have a choice to raise money for the Collectors Club of NC or APS and was a board member in both organizations.

I do not see sending out a Tiffany dinner invitation or just causal postings like in a publication as the kind of fund raising.

I do not recall any of the candidates mentioning this in the forum. One would expect board members names to be on the higher recruiting list. The top position is held by a dealer.

Al

Al --

The new strategy is focused on four areas of sustainability, education, accessibility, and membership. With regard to sustainability, fundraising is aimed at accelerating debt repayment held by the APRL. On our current track, the debt will be eliminated in 20 years and we propose cutting that time in half to free up the $420,000 paid to bank mortgage annually and avoid as much as $1 million in interest payments in the second decade.

We are also working aggressively to refine and increase our education programs, increase online accessibility to materials for APS members and collecting to the non-member community, and improve member services and recruitment.

We have restarted the Campaign for Philately again, which had gone silent for about 14 months, to help raise money. We would welcome any strong advocate for the APS to the cause of raising funds to support member services and promoting philately.

Scott

Scott, do you think the board members are actively recruiting (data should be available for this) and identifying leads that provide donations? I know there is a formal campaign for donations but we know the personal contact is usually likely to give the best results.

For example, do you discuss with members individually about considering a donation?

Al

If a member enrolls and identifies a particular person, then we can track the data. As you may note in The American Philatelist, Don Sundman of Mystic Stamps is the number one APS recruiter every year.

The formal campaign is premised on personal contact. So we have developed opportunities and each member of the Campaign for Philately accepts responsibility for making personal contact. Fundraising for large amounts of money is a longer lead time and requires several contacts before getting to closing.

In other cases, we make direct appeals to the membership for programs either through mailings, email, or in person asks.

Scott,
Speaking of recruiting….
I was an APS member back in the 1970s and 1980s. When I became reengaged in the hobby about 6-7 years ago I contacted APS and inquired about rejoining. I also asked about getting back my original APS membership number but was told that unless I was willing to pay for the 'missed' years that would not be possible. I did not pursue this and just moved on.

Why would APS not follow-up with me and others like me? Are former members who have dropped from the ranks not considered 'low hanging fruit' in the membership pursuit? Seems to me that contacting former members, perhaps with a special offer, would send the message that APS would like to have them back.
Don

Don --

I've heard similar stories about old member numbers before. That said, if you rejoin the APS, we will make sure you get your original member number again. I just completed a visit of several stamp clubs and shows and we added several members to the APS, including 5 members that left four or more years ago.

Over the years, I understand we have sent letters to former members asking them to come back, including discounts, giveaways, etc., so I am a little surprised you have not received anything.

Of course, I would welcome you back with open arms and can arrange that today. You can reach me at 814-933-3814 or scott@stamps.org.

Scott

Scott,
Last night I sent in my PDF application attached to an email to your address listed above. It bounced back as an 'Invalid recipient'.
Don

the "mailto" instruction caught the period at the end of Scott's sentence. Try it without the period. (and Don, welcome back to APS. We're glad to have you!)

Don: welcome back also from me (member since February, 1974).

Al wrote: "do you discuss with members individually about considering a donation?" I can relate only to my own experience as I do not belong to any of the clubs here on the Front Range of Colorado, other than the Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library. I'd rather be hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, doing trail work, etc., than sitting in stamp club meetings.

I do get to the annual Rocky Mountain Stamp Show in May, but that's about it. No one has ever approached me about giving. I was privileged to attain 40 year member status two years ago and no longer have to pay annual dues. So, I upped my annual contribution into low range three figures. Since I have no direct heirs, I also have listed APS as one of the charity beneficiaries in my will.

Thanks paperhistory, good eyes and nice catch! And thanks Steve, BillW fussed at me for along time about rejoining. I hope he is looking down now and is smiling.
Don

Don --

Welcome back to the APS! I received your email and responded in kind. Yet another long gone member back on our rolls this month - definitely an exciting development. I will learn to start with the email address and end with the phone number so folks can click and email me directly.

And to paperhistory and Climber Steve: thanks for being a great support crew for the APS and recruitment. I've enjoyed seeing the exchanges in these threads and really appreciate our members!

Scott

Hmmm odd that point about not reinstating members whose membership has lapsed with their previous member number. I reapplied earlier this year after a good decade-plus absence from the APS, noted that I had been a member in the 1990s and early 2000s, and I was reinstated as a member with my old APS member ID, no issues or requests for "back payment" whatsoever.

We're glad to have you back!

RE: APS Member Numbers. At one time, it was an APS policy to require "catch up" payments for lapsed members. That policy was eliminated about 10 years ago and we now reinstate without issue. It has come up with former members from time to time and it's great to share they can get their old number back.