Near and Far

Those whom live in the New York Metro area, or visit are welcome to take advantage of the Clubhouse and it’s varied activities. When located further away, the connection is via the Collectors Club Philatelist (CCP), video meetings/web site, and our various outreach activities.

Recently we completed the labor intensive project of producing and mailing membership certificates for the entire membership. Many have expressed thanks to Irene and the leadership team for this unexpected bonus. While Resident members said an occasional ‘thank you’, it is our non-resident member base who penned (or emailed) the most heartwarming responses. Several expressed delight with the feeling that they are indeed a part of our family. Though separated by distance, they feel that our efforts make them feel ‘at home’, or ‘included’ enhance the perceived value of CCNY membership. A sense of being included is behind our outreach efforts.

Continuous upgrades/enhancements of the web site (www.collectorsclub.org) [whether visible of behind the scenes] are performed on an ongoing basis. Our goal is allowing members and visitors to enjoy a Collectors Club experience wherever they may happen to be.

Please share thoughts and suggestions for website, CCP, and other outreach activities with us so that we can better meet expectations is a changing environment.

This May we will honor our Chris King, 2019 Alfred P. Lichtenstein Award recipient at our annual Awards Dinner. Details will be shared shortly. (See related item in this issue).

We will also honor Robert P. Odenweller, RDP by naming our annual ‘Best Article in the CCP’ award in his honor. Bob is probably the main force which brought the CCP to it’s level of recognition. Besides having been a past CCP editor, Bob currently is a member of the Editorial Board. As past Collectors Club President, Board member, author, presenter, and ambassador at large, Bob has contributed greatly to enriching the Collectors Club (and philately as a whole) experience.

Please join me in congratulating our ‘near and far’ members, award recipients, and volunteers. Opportunities to help us go forward take many forms; leadership, volunteering, financial, and support in kind.

Best for the the new year,

–Mark Banchik