<< <i>As I've stated in previous threads, I am a 25-year-plus ANA member and I will NEVER vote for any of the current incumbents and I will be quite happy to support and work for any candidate who promises to fire Chris Cipoletti. I think that's pretty clear!! >>
You can count me in as one of those new candidates. ANA Reform NOW! >>
I may just rejoin the ANA myself just to have a vote again and participate in what I believe is going to be a very defining next ANA election. >>
If you decide to rejoin, I can mail you an application - just PM me your address and it'llbe in the mail this afternoon.
DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 2/26/2026 - Joliet, IL
<< <i>It is hard to know what the average ANA member feels about the organization. Only a small percentage are participating in online forums expressing their views or writing letters to the editor of Coin World and Numismatic News. It seems that anyone who is a member and an active collector (subscriber to CW or NN) has to know of the numerous controversies at least. A lot of people could be upset but will just keep it to themselves. >>
Michigan, I have to say that there are some of the membership who are content with the way things are. But when you think about it, I would bet that the average ANA member has a good idea about the controversies with the ANA and its board, and wouldn't mind some regime change and some much-needed reforms.
If more people would speak out about what is going on in the ANA, then we, as members, will feel "the winds of change!"
DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 2/26/2026 - Joliet, IL
Mike, I've been following this thread as well as others in the past year concerning our ANA. I think that a good majority of the membership, over 15 thousand are aware of the issues with the board and the ED. We all know that ONLY about 5 to 6 thousand of the members vote each year. If they had internet voting you can bet the members would throw all the current board out. You know the election rules and you know it will take extra effort for members to spend the 39 cents to snail mail their ballot. Given the controversy, I have no doubt that the powers in charge will do anything they can to assure their position and jobs are safe. I admire your willingness to get involved. Team up with Walt O and get a couple of others to join together to get on the board. There is no doubt that it will cost lots of money, but if you can get into Coin World and Numismatic News with publicity I do think you might have a chance. This forum can be of help also later down the road. Trying to identify which people are ANA members will be hard as many do keep their privicy. Bottom line is that I truely believe the general membership is upset and will act if their is a group who will lead. Good luck. Steve
<< <i>Mike, I've been following this thread as well as others in the past year concerning our ANA. I think that a good majority of the membership, over 15 thousand are aware of the issues with the board and the ED. We all know that ONLY about 5 to 6 thousand of the members vote each year. If they had internet voting you can bet the members would throw all the current board out. You know the election rules and you know it will take extra effort for members to spend the 39 cents to snail mail their ballot. Given the controversy, I have no doubt that the powers in charge will do anything they can to assure their position and jobs are safe. I admire your willingness to get involved. Team up with Walt O and get a couple of others to join together to get on the board. There is no doubt that it will cost lots of money, but if you can get into Coin World and Numismatic News with publicity I do think you might have a chance. This forum can be of help also later down the road. Trying to identify which people are ANA members will be hard as many do keep their privicy. Bottom line is that I truely believe the general membership is upset and will act if their is a group who will lead. Good luck. Steve >>
Steve, the powers that be can throw daggers at me all they want, but I know that, unlike them, I will still stand tall after everything is said and done. They (the powers that be) are scared of me and they know it, or I wouldn't have had problems with my last attempt to get onto the Central States board. I have done campaigning on a shoestring and it seems to work for me, and I feel that the issues are more important than "shock and awe". I feel that those members of the ANA who do not vote need to be convinced that the organization is in need of positive change and only they, the members, can make it happen. As far as Numismatic News and Coin World, I know Dave Harper and have had things submitted to him in the past without a problem. I have never dealt with Coin World but I know that their editor is very unhappy with the ANA over the Walt Ostromecki fiasco. And speaking of Walt, if he runs, then the election will be red-hot. I would be honored to team up with Walt and others in "throwing out the bastiges!"
DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 2/26/2026 - Joliet, IL
<< <i>I was considering joining, but maybe I'll wait.... >>
As I told the other gentleman in my previous post, if you're not a member, then you really can't do anything. Becoming a member can change all of that. >>
Well, maybe I'll take you up on that. The sight of George Patton makes me want to press and engage the enemy!
Patton: Fixed fortifications are monuments to the stupidity of man. If anything made by God can be overcome, anything made by man can be overcome. >>
For those who wonder why I picked WWII General George Patton, read his speech to his troops from 1944 (yes, its the one at the beginning of the 1970 film "Patton" but, unlike the movie, is the real, uncensored version) - Patton's speech to his troops in 1944 - Click Here! WARNING - Some of the language in the speech is very R-Rated. You have to like a guy who knows how to tell it like it is.
DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 2/26/2026 - Joliet, IL
<< <i>This, a quote from the article, sums up my thoughts thus far about the situation:
“As a nonprofit, you sometimes do lose money because your goal is to fulfill your mission, not make money at everything you do,” he said. >>
I would agree but this is a disturbing trend:
According to forms filed with the Internal Revenue Service, the ANA posted a loss of $1 million in the 2002 fiscal year. The deficit dropped to $975,000 in 2003 and $266,000 in 2004. Filings for 2005 have not been made, but estimates show a loss of $714,000 for 2005, nearly double the organization’s projections.
People have been laid off in the recent past and other belt tightening has been done but they still haven't gotten a handle on the situation it would appear.
Raising dues a few dollars would probably not help that much as you might end up losing more people than what you would gain from the dues increase. Do they have any duplicate coins from the museum that could be sold? That idea would probably not be well received however.
<< <i>This, a quote from the article, sums up my thoughts thus far about the situation:
“As a nonprofit, you sometimes do lose money because your goal is to fulfill your mission, not make money at everything you do,” he said. >>
Quite true, ANACONDA, but when you have a museum with paid employees and countless programs that are helping collectors, you have to make sure that the funds are there to do those things. You can spend money, yes - but spending it wisely is the key. Maintaining a conservative fiscal policy while still being a non-profit organization is not only possible but also essential. Ed Rochette stated in the article from the Colorado Springs Gazette regarding the ANA that during his tenture with the ANA that the organization did lose some money but not like whats happening now. What I (and everyone) is seeing is that the ANA is "spending money like a bunch of drunken sailors" or, as I put it "going through money like a bunch of drunken college kids at a frat house!"
DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 2/26/2026 - Joliet, IL
<< <i>This, a quote from the article, sums up my thoughts thus far about the situation:
“As a nonprofit, you sometimes do lose money because your goal is to fulfill your mission, not make money at everything you do,” he said. >>
I would agree but this is a disturbing trend:
According to forms filed with the Internal Revenue Service, the ANA posted a loss of $1 million in the 2002 fiscal year. The deficit dropped to $975,000 in 2003 and $266,000 in 2004. Filings for 2005 have not been made, but estimates show a loss of $714,000 for 2005, nearly double the organization’s projections.
People have been laid off in the recent past and other belt tightening has been done but they still haven't gotten a handle on the situation it would appear.
Raising dues a few dollars would probably not help that much as you might end up losing more people than what you would gain from the dues increase. Do they have any duplicate coins from the museum that could be sold? That idea would probably not be well received however. >>
Michigan, the trend is not only distrubing, but downright scary. As I told ANACONDA, a conservative fiscal policy would greatly lessen the spending issues that are being addressed. And I am against the raising of dues - why should the ANA membership get penalized because the board and the executive director can't say NO to excessing spending.
I think the ANA needs a big-time audit - but it'll never happen with the current leadership.
DORAN COINS - On Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), & www.dorancoins.net - UPCOMING SHOWS (tentative dates)- 2/26/2026 - Joliet, IL
Comments
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>As I've stated in previous threads, I am a 25-year-plus ANA member and I will NEVER vote for any of the current incumbents and I will be quite happy to support and work for any candidate who promises to fire Chris Cipoletti. I think that's pretty clear!! >>
You can count me in as one of those new candidates. ANA Reform NOW!
I may just rejoin the ANA myself just to have a vote again and participate in what I believe is going to be a very defining next ANA election. >>
If you decide to rejoin, I can mail you an application - just PM me your address and it'llbe in the mail this afternoon.
<< <i>It is hard to know what the average ANA member feels about the organization. Only a small percentage
are participating in online forums expressing their views or writing letters to the editor of Coin World
and Numismatic News. It seems that anyone who is a member and an active collector (subscriber to
CW or NN) has to know of the numerous controversies at least. A lot of people could be upset but
will just keep it to themselves. >>
Michigan, I have to say that there are some of the membership who are content with the way things are. But when you think about it, I would bet that the average ANA member has a good idea about the controversies with the ANA and its board, and wouldn't mind some regime change and some much-needed reforms.
If more people would speak out about what is going on in the ANA, then we, as members, will feel "the winds of change!"
I've been following this thread as well as others in the past year concerning our ANA. I think that a good majority of the membership, over 15 thousand are aware of the issues with the board and the ED. We all know that ONLY about 5 to 6 thousand of the members vote each year. If they had internet voting you can bet the members would throw all the current board out. You know the election rules and you know it will take extra effort for members to spend the 39 cents to snail mail their ballot. Given the controversy, I have no doubt that the powers in charge will do anything they can to assure their position and jobs are safe. I admire your willingness to get involved. Team up with Walt O and get a couple of others to join together to get on the board. There is no doubt that it will cost lots of money, but if you can get into Coin World and Numismatic News with publicity I do think you might have a chance. This forum can be of help also later down the road. Trying to identify which people are ANA members will be hard as many do keep their privicy. Bottom line is that I truely believe the general membership is upset and will act if their is a group who will lead. Good luck. Steve
My Complete PROOF Lincoln Cent with Major Varieties(1909-2015)Set Registry
<< <i>Mike,
I've been following this thread as well as others in the past year concerning our ANA. I think that a good majority of the membership, over 15 thousand are aware of the issues with the board and the ED. We all know that ONLY about 5 to 6 thousand of the members vote each year. If they had internet voting you can bet the members would throw all the current board out. You know the election rules and you know it will take extra effort for members to spend the 39 cents to snail mail their ballot. Given the controversy, I have no doubt that the powers in charge will do anything they can to assure their position and jobs are safe. I admire your willingness to get involved. Team up with Walt O and get a couple of others to join together to get on the board. There is no doubt that it will cost lots of money, but if you can get into Coin World and Numismatic News with publicity I do think you might have a chance. This forum can be of help also later down the road. Trying to identify which people are ANA members will be hard as many do keep their privicy. Bottom line is that I truely believe the general membership is upset and will act if their is a group who will lead. Good luck. Steve
Steve, the powers that be can throw daggers at me all they want, but I know that, unlike them, I will still stand tall after everything is said and done. They (the powers that be) are scared of me and they know it, or I wouldn't have had problems with my last attempt to get onto the Central States board. I have done campaigning on a shoestring and it seems to work for me, and I feel that the issues are more important than "shock and awe". I feel that those members of the ANA who do not vote need to be convinced that the organization is in need of positive change and only they, the members, can make it happen. As far as Numismatic News and Coin World, I know Dave Harper and have had things submitted to him in the past without a problem. I have never dealt with Coin World but I know that their editor is very unhappy with the ANA over the Walt Ostromecki fiasco. And speaking of Walt, if he runs, then the election will be red-hot. I would be honored to team up with Walt and others in "throwing out the bastiges!"
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I was considering joining, but maybe I'll wait.... >>
As I told the other gentleman in my previous post, if you're not a member, then you really can't do anything. Becoming a member can change all of that. >>
Well, maybe I'll take you up on that. The sight of George Patton makes me want to press and engage the enemy!
Patton: Fixed fortifications are monuments to the stupidity of man. If anything made by God can be overcome, anything made by man can be overcome. >>
For those who wonder why I picked WWII General George Patton, read his speech to his troops from 1944 (yes, its the one at the beginning of the 1970 film "Patton" but, unlike the movie, is the real, uncensored version) - Patton's speech to his troops in 1944 - Click Here! WARNING - Some of the language in the speech is very R-Rated. You have to like a guy who knows how to tell it like it is.
“As a nonprofit, you sometimes do lose money because your goal is to fulfill your mission, not make money at everything you do,” he said.
<< <i>This, a quote from the article, sums up my thoughts thus far about the situation:
“As a nonprofit, you sometimes do lose money because your goal is to fulfill your mission, not make money at everything you do,” he said. >>
I would agree but this is a disturbing trend:
According to forms filed with the Internal Revenue Service, the ANA posted a loss of $1 million in the 2002 fiscal year. The deficit dropped to $975,000 in 2003 and $266,000 in 2004. Filings for 2005 have not been made, but estimates show a loss of $714,000 for 2005, nearly double the organization’s projections.
People have been laid off in the recent past and other belt
tightening has been done but they still haven't gotten a handle on the situation it would appear.
Raising dues a few dollars would probably not help that much as you might end up losing more people
than what you would gain from the dues increase. Do they have any duplicate coins from the museum
that could be sold? That idea would probably not be well received however.
<< <i>This, a quote from the article, sums up my thoughts thus far about the situation:
“As a nonprofit, you sometimes do lose money because your goal is to fulfill your mission, not make money at everything you do,” he said. >>
Quite true, ANACONDA, but when you have a museum with paid employees and countless programs that are helping collectors, you have to make sure that the funds are there to do those things. You can spend money, yes - but spending it wisely is the key. Maintaining a conservative fiscal policy while still being a non-profit organization is not only possible but also essential. Ed Rochette stated in the article from the Colorado Springs Gazette regarding the ANA that during his tenture with the ANA that the organization did lose some money but not like whats happening now. What I (and everyone) is seeing is that the ANA is "spending money like a bunch of drunken sailors" or, as I put it "going through money like a bunch of drunken college kids at a frat house!"
<< <i>
<< <i>This, a quote from the article, sums up my thoughts thus far about the situation:
“As a nonprofit, you sometimes do lose money because your goal is to fulfill your mission, not make money at everything you do,” he said. >>
I would agree but this is a disturbing trend:
According to forms filed with the Internal Revenue Service, the ANA posted a loss of $1 million in the 2002 fiscal year. The deficit dropped to $975,000 in 2003 and $266,000 in 2004. Filings for 2005 have not been made, but estimates show a loss of $714,000 for 2005, nearly double the organization’s projections.
People have been laid off in the recent past and other belt
tightening has been done but they still haven't gotten a handle on the situation it would appear.
Raising dues a few dollars would probably not help that much as you might end up losing more people
than what you would gain from the dues increase. Do they have any duplicate coins from the museum
that could be sold? That idea would probably not be well received however. >>
Michigan, the trend is not only distrubing, but downright scary. As I told ANACONDA, a conservative fiscal policy would greatly lessen the spending issues that are being addressed. And I am against the raising of dues - why should the ANA membership get penalized because the board and the executive director can't say NO to excessing spending.
I think the ANA needs a big-time audit - but it'll never happen with the current leadership.