Once in a while, I get the urge to dust off the old blog and compose something. Well once again, I'm inspired to write, and I'm pretty sure that the advent of the fall season has done it. This time of the year we feel the need to nest, to "cozy up to the fire" so to speak. Nothing like a comfy couch and a down throw. Mmmm. Part of being inside brings more indoor activities, like philately. Summer and all it brings makes us forget about our stamps for a little while. But fall reminds us that they are still there, waiting for us to work on them.
Last weekend, we had the opportunity to "kidnap" the daughter of a friend of ours. Ashley is a delightful 13-year-old. She's a good person, doesn't follow the crowd, is very smart, and is very inquisitive (a quality I find pleasing in youth). After church, we took Ashley out to breakfast with us (and about 50 other crazy St. Mary choir members/spouses/others/groupies. Then we took her to visit Tim's mom with us. She still hadn't had enough of us fogies by then, so we took her home with us. She learned a little about football (and why Tim's veins bulge out during it). But, she also learned a little about stamps. Aha!
The aha moment hit me, and I realized that one of my secrets to a happy marriage also applies to philately. Share something you love with others and they'll learn to love it, too. We showed Ashley all sorts of samples of the kinds of things that people can collect, such as stamps, covers, countries, topical interests, etc. Tim gave her an album of first day covers, that contained one cover postmarked in each state with that state's animal featured. Well, Ashley being the animal lover that she is, accepted the gift with excitement. I spoke about our club, West Suburban Stamp Club, and she was ready to sign up right then. I told her to hang on to the $1.50 dues (I know, isn't that a ridiculous amount??) until she saw the club in action. So, we're going to pick her up next Friday and take her. We'll see what happens.
Why don't you think of something you love and share it with someone. Until next time, happy stampin'!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
C'mon People
Please pardon me for bringing up a matter about which I am very enthusiastic, and not reluctant at all. I feel that one should be involved in any organization one is associated with. In other words, if you belong to a club, get off your duff and contribute. There are several members of the West Suburban Stamp Club that contribute in very important ways. They go over and above and take their duties seriously. These people are the heart and soul of the club, and as long as they are around the club will remain a viable one. However, there are a lot of people that do not go over and above, if fact they make no contribution whatsoever. They feel that their $12.00 annual dues is their contribution. If these individuals receive a mailed vs. e-mailed monthly newsletter, the $12.00 does not even cover the cost of printing and mailing it. Since they do not contribute in any other way, they could be considered a drain on the club. These are also the same people that seem to stir up trouble and gripe a lot.
Why do I bring this up and why am I so fired up about it? The club is in the midst of its annual elections, and once again we managed to get enough people to run for office to present a ballot to the membership. Every year there is not more than one person listed for any position. The Election Committee, although serious about their duties, cannot seem to find people to want to run for office. The offices of President, Vice President, Junior Vice President, and two trustees must be voted on each year, and no one can hold these offices for more than two consecutive years. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer also must be voted on each year, but do not have term limits for consistency sake. The Secretary and Treasurer are jokingly referred to as Secretary for Life or Treasurer for Life. That's okay with me, because I like being Secretary and I feel our Treasurer is top notch.
Why is it so difficult to get people to run for office? Or maybe the question should be why don't people WANT to run? I like my position, but I would welcome a little healthy competition. If we had at least two people run for each office, I think we could get more people to vote. More importantly, I feel that the true wishes of the club would be expressed by putting officers in place they feel are worthy of each position.
What do you do in other clubs you're involved with? Do you have this problem? What ideas do you have to motivate members to become more involved? I welcome your feedback.
Why do I bring this up and why am I so fired up about it? The club is in the midst of its annual elections, and once again we managed to get enough people to run for office to present a ballot to the membership. Every year there is not more than one person listed for any position. The Election Committee, although serious about their duties, cannot seem to find people to want to run for office. The offices of President, Vice President, Junior Vice President, and two trustees must be voted on each year, and no one can hold these offices for more than two consecutive years. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer also must be voted on each year, but do not have term limits for consistency sake. The Secretary and Treasurer are jokingly referred to as Secretary for Life or Treasurer for Life. That's okay with me, because I like being Secretary and I feel our Treasurer is top notch.
Why is it so difficult to get people to run for office? Or maybe the question should be why don't people WANT to run? I like my position, but I would welcome a little healthy competition. If we had at least two people run for each office, I think we could get more people to vote. More importantly, I feel that the true wishes of the club would be expressed by putting officers in place they feel are worthy of each position.
What do you do in other clubs you're involved with? Do you have this problem? What ideas do you have to motivate members to become more involved? I welcome your feedback.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Countdown Mode
The hard working Show Committee for the Plymouth Show will be busy this week putting the finishing touches on this year's show. Since I have been a part of the West Suburban Stamp Club, I have marveled at the way this show comes together every year. There is a core group that plans the the show, and everyone in the group has various areas they are responsible for. And of course, the membership of the club comes out in full force during the show to assist with set up, tear down, refreshments, etc. It's the proverbial, "many hands make the work light." It is with both sadness and excitement that we know this is the show's 42nd year, and its final one at our current venue, Central Middle School in downtown Plymouth, Michigan. Due to rising costs, the committee needed to find a new venue that wouldn't "break our bank." Next year, we will be at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Westland, Michigan, not far from the current venue.
The show will take place on Saturday, April 30 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday, May 1 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. There will be many things to do at the show, but one of the features that will be much different this year is our youth area. The old way was that we dumped bags and bags of stamps on a table for youth to sort through and they could take a bag of stamps home with them. What usually happened was that old folks sat around the table picking through stamps, which was not a very enticing prospect for youth. This year, there will be no stamps strewn about the "mature" juniors to peruse. The program will take on more of a seminar format, much like the American Philatelic Society's Stamp Saturday. There will be adult and junior volunteers who walk the participants through the basics of stamp collecting. They will leave the experience with the basic knowledge, the basic tools of the hobby (tongs, magnifiers, etc.), AND a certificate worth $5.00 that they can spend at any of the 40 plus dealers at the show. If you have children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or friends under the age of 18 that have any interest in stamp collecting, please e-mail us for further details. I would like to personally thank club members Rich Potchynok, Joe D'Onofrio, and Tim Strzalkowski for pushing this idea forward. Way to go, guys!
So, if you have some spare time this Saturday or Sunday, come on down to the show. Look me up and I'll show you around. I'll either be at the club table or walking around with a walkie-talkie strapped to my waist. The reluctant philatelist never rests........
Friday, March 4, 2011
The Really Reluctant Philatelist
Okay, I admit it. I've been a really reluctant philatelist lately. Part of that is due to have a bout of a seasonal illness, part of it is feeling couped up inside, and finally because it seems like I have way too much to do lately. That being said, I'm still a philatelist. My enthusiasm for the hobby usually beings to increase during this time of the year. I think the biggest reason for that is that my local club, West Suburban Stamp Club is in its final planning stages of our annual show, The Plymouth Show. I realize I'm rather partial, but I think this show is one of the best that I go to throughout the year. It's like a well-oiled machine and we are fortunate that our members come out to help; from stuffing envelopes for mailings, to set up and tear down, to cooking hot dogs. Never been to our show? Don't miss out this year. It will be held Saturday, April 30 and Friday May 1 at Central Middle School in downtown Plymouth, Michigan. Hope to see ya'all there. Until next time!
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