‘Honoring Our Heritage, Positioning for the Future’

 

When people are asked what visual image comes to mind when speaking about The Collectors Club, our iconic building façade is usually front and center (no pun intended). However, when asked what our current conjoined ‘CC’ logo conveys, many are less certain.

Ideally, one’s logo expresses a sense of purpose along with a distinct identity. It is the public manifestation of what we are distilled into a succinct package. One glance should serve to both identify an entity and convey its mission or key purpose. Though having served us for many years, our current ‘CC’ falls short in conveying a sense of purpose.

As noted in earlier letters, we unearthed several iconographic items from our past during the most recent renovation, which included various documents and building fixtures. The first fruits of these discoveries were the recently distributed membership certificates, whose central globe image is mirrored in the recently recovered and remounted center hall light fixture near the meeting room entrance.

During this period the Board was actively exploring various ideas to connect with our heritage, convey our mission, and present a uniform image across all platforms. We noted that with time there has been a gradual divergence of image between print, electronic, and other outreaching efforts, due in part to a continued evolution of technology and communications not even anticipated when the current logo was first employed.

These goals, to create an updated image of who and what we are and to unify our message across platforms, involve a process which, in an ideal world, would seem straightforward, but which actually isn’t. After Board approval, this important project was spearheaded by Matthew Healey. A series of working sessions in conjunction with past Governor (and design specialist) Niko Courtelis produced, after much discussion, a globe image representing the worlds of collecting and knowledge. Work on unifying design elements continues–compare the visual appearance of this journal issue with those from a few years ago.

Our new logo will be formally introduced at the 2019 Annual Dinner on May 8th. It is only fitting that as we honor our awardees we also look forward to our approaching 125th anniversary in 2021. Over time the web site, stationery, outreach materials, and branded items (ties, pins, other items) will reflect the design that we will proudly present in May. We expect this image to convey what we are about and to unify our message throughout the CCP, the website, and outreach materials, with our ultimate goal being to exceed member expectations.

–Mark Banchik

‘On the Road Again’, and a ‘Mea Culpa’

 

Let’s start off with the mea culpa. Generally these missives are written several weeks prior to the issue’s cover date. This means that sometimes comments about some activities or results are based on ‘best knowledge’ or ‘project timelines’ which usually are pretty close to how things usually pan out. Thanks to the good graces of our Editor, I can usually slide these writings in after his preferred deadline which helps to minimize unplanned differences between what is written and what actually occurs.

Thanks to a series of deferred promised delivery dates combined with my overly optimistic view of technology, I had publicized the ‘go live’ for the searchable online ‘Collectors Club Philatelist’ before it was actually possible. Now that our technical gurus have completed the actual scanning, conversion, and uploading processes we are very close (if not already live) to fulfilling the promise. Yes, the CCP will be available in a searchable format on our website (www.collectorsclub.org) in the very near future!

I take full responsibility for the premature setting of expectations. My hope is that the final results exceed expectations in usability and ease of function. The Board of Governors has decided that more recent content (both journals and videos) are best placed in a ‘members only’ area with older material freely accessible to all. This is a prerogative of membership, yet allows reasonable access for others to enjoy past material.

Only a few short weeks ago The Collectors Club participated at the Sarasota National Stamp Exhibition (SNSE). A number of our members live and vacation in Florida, and several were able to help staff our table.

Turnout for the Club meeting/presentation was better then expected with several new faces in the audience. The overriding theme was ‘How the Post Office handles major change’. It was noted in the introduction that the Post Office could be both the most traditional, and yet most progressive of organizations. For example, without Post Office support our air transport system would have developed much differently (if at all). I started off with ‘How the Mexican Post Office made the transition from collect to mandatory prepayment of mails’. Wade Saadi then continued the theme by demonstrating how both changes in technology and demand for services drove stamp production as demonstrated by evolution of the U.S. Liberty Series. Larry Haber concluded the program with an insightful presentation on how the British Postal Service dealt with the conversion from Sterling to decimal currency. Each short presentation was self contained, yet demonstrated how a government entity dealt with, and ultimately succeeded in dealing with major change.

Several new and reinstatement membership applications were received, and many old friends stopped by our table. A great thanks goes to the SNSE show committee for hosting us, and the volunteers who put their best foot forward during the show. The exhibits were a marked highlight with Dr. Daniel Knowles (U.S. Classic), Larry Haber (U.S. Modern), and Sandeep Jaiswal (Foreign) winning the Collectors Club Multi Frame awards. Please join us at our Annual Awards Dinner on May 8, 2019 at The Cornell Club to congratulate them, and our other deserving awardees.

–Mark Banchik

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

What have you done for your Club…Today?

 

We are fortunate to have a wonderful building which houses our award winning library, meeting rooms, and like minded organizations. France and Colonies, NY Chapter of the US Philatelic Classics Society, British Empire Study Group, and the Philatelic Foundation among others all call 22 East 35th Street home.

Managing the Collectors Club and maintaining the physical plant takes the dedicated support of many people. Yes, there are compensated support and maintenance teams (Irene Bromberg (Executive Secretary); Andrea Matura (Library Associate); Parras Cara and Anthony Taylor (Facilities Maintenance), and Wayne Youngblood (CCP Editor).

However, volunteers make up the backbone of the Club. Without the Board of Governors and dedicated Committee chairs/volunteers our Club would be a mere shadow of what it now is. There are 15 Governors, and each and every one supports the Club in varied ways. Besides the basic time commitment for meetings and general oversight, each Governor oversees committees which are essential for Club function. As part of their responsibilities they also provide needed financial support at various levels for both routine and special programs.

There are other dedicated members who volunteer their time, efforts, and resources to better the overall experience. Club members are invited to volunteer to help us fulfill our mission, and maintain our historic home. Opportunities exist in many areas such as:

– Youth Stamp Club and Adult Beginners (Debby Friedman)
– House Committee (Larry Hunt)
– Library Committee (Bob Gray)
– Outreach (Wade Saadi)
– Program (Steve Reinhard)
– Meetings and Single Frame (Lou Pataki)
– Development (Larry Haber)
– CCP Editorial Board (Wayne Youngblood)
– Technology Committee (Joan Harmer)
– Membership (Larry Hunt)
– Hospitality (Mark Banchik)

The Club is always seeking to recruit volunteers in various areas. Please consider giving back to the Club so that we can continue to meet, and exceed your expectations! Contact us at info@collectorsclub.org with your thoughts, and desires to contribute going forward. If you perceive a particular need, or can offer assistance not noted above please feel free to explore opportunities with me at your convenience.

I look forward to seeing you at a meeting, NY Holiday reception, on the road (Sarasota, February 1-3, 2019), or wherever we can meet.

Until then,

Respectfully submitted,

–Mark Banchik

Treasurers From the Attic..

 

While relocating library materials from areas now occupied by the Philatelic Foundation we came across several examples of formally issued Collectors Club documents. These engraved Membership, Award, and Presentation certificates printed on heavy stock have a gravitas not often associated with contemporary documents.

Concomitantly with this find a recently elected member contacted Executive Secretary Irene Bromberg to enquire on the status of his membership certificate. Yes, the Club had issued membership certificates upon election to membership in past years. I personally am not sure when this practice faded out, but it is probably more than twenty years ago.

Discovery of these documents combined with an expectation for recognizing the special recognition conferred by Collectors Club membership suggested a course of action: issue updated membership certificates!

There were not enough original documents to satisfy our needs so we decided to have the image scanned, cleaned up, and reproduced on a heavy cream stock. We are proud to announce that all members will be receiving a new personalized membership certificate beginning with the most recent members. Several Governors were instrumental in getting this project off the ground.

In the course of library reorganization we have noted an occasional discrepancy between our library catalog (both books and periodicals) and materials present. Items may have been borrowed, and for various reasons not returned as expected. We would appreciate return of any overdue items either in person or by third party to allow others access to the resource. As cleaning and reshelving of library material progresses we are continuously impressed with the depth of our collections.

Members are our greatest treasures! Our dedicated library volunteers Alan Hoffman (current periodicals), Miklos Pinther (basement archives), and Bob Gray (catalogs) have performed minor miracles on a regular basis. Please visit and explore the library at your convenience.

We continue to receive recognition in the media and from our peers. Local news channel NY1 recently interviewed several Officers, volunteers, and members for an upcoming cable TV broadcast. Debbie Freidman and the Youth Stamp Club feature prominently on page 4 of the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors July 2018 issue of ‘The Philatelic Exhibitor’.

Club members are well represented in internationally recognized philatelic awards: Cheryl Ganz (recent program presenter and Lichtenstein Award recipient, now RDP) signed the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists. John Barwis (recent program presenter) and Wayne Youngblood (CCP editor) along with Denise Stotts received APS Luff Awards this August at their Columbus Ohio annual meeting.

Now that Summer is over we have several exciting events coming up: Besides our regular meetings (see our web site for up to date information) we are participating at NOJEX/ASDA the weekend of October 19-21 with presentations and a dinner. Thanks to Bob Rose and Wade Saadi for extending the invitation and making arrangements. Our Single Frame competition coordinated by Lou Pataki is scheduled for Wednesday, November 7, 2018. Entry information will be released shortly. Our Sarasota, Florida meeting at SNSE is scheduled for February 1-3, 2019. Exhibit space is usually oversubscribed, so early entries are encouraged.

The CCP has been undergoing gradual change under Wayne Youngblood’s editorship. Please let us know what you like, and what you would like to see going forward. Feedback helps us to better serve our readers and advertisers.

Respectfully submitted,

–Mark Banchik