Coin Club Ideas?

fcloud · November 25, 2012 5:28AM

I will start my role as President of the Racine Numismatic Society in Januay 2013. I just completed two years as Vice President.

Please share any ideas you may have to make coin club meetings more exciting. I see the grade your coin club thread, and it looks pretty much like they are all the same.

We have done coin grading testing with NGC, ANACS, and PCGS holdered coins. We get the usual show and tell and so on.

I'm looking forward to your helpful suggestions.

savoyspecial · November 25, 2012 5:38AM

a good mix of educational programs and show and tells are always good....i have been the program director of a couple of local clubs for the last 12 months and i like to remember that coins are tactile objects.....doesnt have to be valuable, just bring something that can be passed around the table.....i always felt like if we had a meeting and no coins made there way around the table, then we were no different from a Kiwanis or Rotary Club meeting (no offense to either of those fine organizations)

Also, one month we announced that at the next meeting we would be having an "Ugly Coin" Contest......holed, bent, boogered up; whatever...just bring your ugliest coin and then everyone voted on their choice......it was fun and I think by doing an ugly coin contest (as opposed to 'nicest' or 'highest grade') we avoided the deep pockets pi$$ing match that sometimes breaks out when you try to compete going up the scale

just my take on it! good luck

fcloud · November 25, 2012 6:34AM

Greg,

I really like the idea. I January I'll ask the to bring stuff in for our February meeting.

Thanks,

Tony

Rampage · November 25, 2012 6:38AM

When I was president of a coin club in Georgia, I tried to do educational programs (how to spot fake and altered coins; session on dollars; errors; notes; etc). Also did a round of trivia each meeting with a prize to the winner.

keyman64 · November 25, 2012 6:38AM

If you gave away 1916-D Mercury Dimes in PCGS EF or better to drive up membership, that might be good?...for the new members.

ambro51 · November 25, 2012 7:00AM

I don't know but all coin clubs should write it into their bylaws that ALL club officers shall be capable of listening and responding to club members, they must be able to be communicated with without resorting to physically blocking their path and saying "LIsten,,, wait stop talking,,,listen to me !"

fcloud · November 25, 2012 7:03AM

<< <i>I don't know but all coin clubs should write it into their bylaws that ALL club officers shall be capable of listening and responding to club members, they must be able to be communicated with without resorting to physically blocking their path and saying "LIsten,,, wait stop talking,,,listen to me !" >>

Good point, but I don't think I have that problem. I like to learn stuff, too.

illini420 · November 25, 2012 8:13AM

Having a decent program is important to get folks to attend. Reach out to people you know that might be able to talk for 15-20 minutes or so... any longer and you'll start losing some of the crowd. Also, contact your state numismatic association (if any) as they may maintain a list of people in your area willing to speak. The ANA library also has lots of DVDs of past presentations if you can get a live speaker.

We do an auction at each meeting as well. Each member can bring a few items (max 10-15), they place them on a table when they arrive and everyone has lot viewing before the meeting starts and during the break. then at the end of the meeting, the auction goes on. Lots of stuff doesn't sell because of too high reserve prices, but enough sells to make it fun for the members I think. Our club takes no buyer's/seller's premium, but I've seen other clubs charge the seller 5-10% as a way to raise money.

Door prizes and raffles are also fun, and if done right the raffle can also make the club money.

We also do show and tell at every meeting. Not everyone brings something, but we usually have 8-10 people bring something to show off and talk about for a minute or so.

All that said, you should really be asking your club members what sort of stuff they want at the meetings since they are the ones attending. What works at one club, may not work at another.

I might use that ugly coin idea sometime for our club though

robkool · November 25, 2012 8:22AM

<< <i>Having a decent program is important to get folks to attend. Reach out to people you know that might be able to talk for 15-20 minutes or so... any longer and you'll start losing some of the crowd. Also, contact your state numismatic association (if any) as they may maintain a list of people in your area willing to speak. The ANA library also has lots of DVDs of past presentations if you can get a live speaker.

We do an auction at each meeting as well. Each member can bring a few items (max 10-15), they place them on a table when they arrive and everyone has lot viewing before the meeting starts and during the break. then at the end of the meeting, the auction goes on. Lots of stuff doesn't sell because of too high reserve prices, but enough sells to make it fun for the members I think. Our club takes no buyer's/seller's premium, but I've seen other clubs charge the seller 5-10% as a way to raise money.

Door prizes and raffles are also fun, and if done right the raffle can also make the club money.

We also do show and tell at every meeting. Not everyone brings something, but we usually have 8-10 people bring something to show off and talk about for a minute or so.

All that said, you should really be asking your club members what sort of stuff they want at the meetings since they are the ones attending. What works at one club, may not work at another.

I might use that ugly coin idea sometime for our club though

>>

That's pretty much what our club does every month...

fcloud · November 25, 2012 9:31AM

Thanks all for the ideas. We do many of the things mentioned already, but I know I will be able to add some value to each meeting.

Tony

RedTiger · November 25, 2012 11:25AM

Just some general comments from me: Keep it light, keep it fun. Too serious, too much about coins is for grumps. Like I said, my local club has seen more attendance after dropping the educational program segment. Sad to say, but at least at my club, better snacks drives more attendance, more than educational programs.

Petty disputes destroy many a small group. Be prepared to be the bigger person and give in and apologize at times. Coin folks often have terrible people skills, so having a thick skin helps. Lower expectations, and look at the positives. Humor is a big ally in this task. There is no need to disparage or make fun of any members or the coins anyone might collect. Coin folks tend not to like change, so major changes are unwelcome. Giving lectures on getting more help or more input from the membership tends to be pointless. Most volunteer groups have 10% or 20% that do all the work, and the rest are along for the ride.

Don't try to please everyone. Listen, but if a leader follows the advice of the chronic complainers, the group will likely decline. In my experience, the complainers rarely want to contribute in any positive way, but will talk your ear off on what is wrong and needs to be changed. Avoid letting controversial topics (religion, politics are the top two) dominate meetings. Some discussion is fine, especially if there is news, but heated discussions on controversial topics tends to attract certain people and drive many good people away.

DaveG · November 25, 2012 12:14PM

Spend as little time as possible (in meetings) on club administrative business.

Try not to let any one of the "old geezers" (or young geezers) dominate the conversation.

Keep the meeting moving - don't spend a lot of time on any one topic (unless it really is important).

Try to spend as much time as possible on coins and let the guys who really know what's going on talk (or encourage them to talk).

WTCG · November 25, 2012 1:53PM

Talk about subjects that the majority of the attending members are interested in and can relate to. No more half hour lectures about tokens from obscure places nobody has ever heard of or bother to care about.

jayPem · November 25, 2012 3:01PM

ambro51 · November 25, 2012 10:37PM

<< <i>Talk about subjects that the majority of the attending members are interested in and can relate to. No more half hour lectures about tokens from obscure places nobody has ever heard of or bother to care abou >>

. Yup. How True. Put away the true educational stuff from qualified collector members. Yell everyone to sit still and be quiet for an hour and watch a DVD intended for grammar school children.

Coin Club Ideas?

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