If you were running for a position on the ANA Board of Governors...

MrEureka · May 18, 2013 5:26AM

What would you promise?

What else would you say?

How would you differentiate yourself from the other candidates?

ColonelJessup · May 18, 2013 5:51AM

I'm thinking this is about numismatic and business experience, previous service work, long-range planning, knowledge of those in the hobby/industry for networking, marketing/merchandizing, as well as previous knowledge across a broad range of the current ANA demographic and its concerns. Numismatic talent would be close to the bottom of my list.

Oh yeah, and a respect for the opinions and sensibilities of others who may not be in alignment with one's own.

Just a wish list

Not a platform

Kove · May 18, 2013 5:53AM

bidask · May 18, 2013 5:57AM

First thing I would promise is full disclosure to ANA members of the rationale behind all decisions made by the board regarding personnel and programming ...

I would also focus on building membership by having more programming at the local club level.

illini420 · May 18, 2013 6:01AM

Major involvement with small coin clubs.

As president of a local coin club (Glendale, CA), I don't even know what our club membership in the ANA really gets us (other than library access). I know maybe only 25% of our members are ANA members. I think in Larry's article, he mentioned only about 8% of folks that join local coin clubs are ANA members. There is a huge group of people that care enough about coins to pay dues and/or attend local meetings, but the huge majority will not join the national organization??? Doesn't seem right and seems like an obvious pool of interested people that the ANA should target aggressively. Much more so than YNs and much more so than trying to find new members elsewhere.

Zoins · May 18, 2013 6:13AM

<< First thing I would promise is full disclosure to ANA members of the rationale behind all decisions made by the board regarding personnel and programming ... >>

This might be difficult since it seems that before you can accept a position as Governor, you have to sign a confidentiality agreement.

bidask · May 18, 2013 6:14AM

<< 

<< First thing I would promise is full disclosure to ANA members of the rationale behind all decisions made by the board regarding personnel and programming ... >>

This might be difficult since it seems that before you can accept a position as Governor, you have to sign a confidentiality agreement. >>

I would run to change that policy.

CoinRaritiesOnline · May 18, 2013 6:28AM

<< in Larry's article, he mentioned only about 8% of folks that join local coin clubs are ANA members. There is a huge group of people that care enough about coins to pay dues and/or attend local meetings, but the huge majority will not join the national organization??? Doesn't seem right and seems like an obvious pool of interested people that the ANA should target aggressively. >>

I've heard this before and found it shocking. If these people actively engaged in numismatics do not find it worthwhile or necessary to join the ANA, something is wrong and needs to be fixed.

MrEureka · May 18, 2013 6:57AM

<< in Larry's article, he mentioned only about 8% of folks that join local coin clubs are ANA members. There is a huge group of people that care enough about coins to pay dues and/or attend local meetings, but the huge majority will not join the national organization??? Doesn't seem right and seems like an obvious pool of interested people that the ANA should target aggressively. >>

I've heard this before and found it shocking. If these people actively engaged in numismatics do not find it worthwhile or necessary to join the ANA, something is wrong and needs to be fixed.

Seems to me that of the 92% of local club members that have not joined the ANA, some must be CU Forum members. I'd like to hear from them why they have not joined the ANA, and their thoughts on what it would take to get them to join.

CoinRaritiesOnline · May 18, 2013 7:17AM

<< << in Larry's article, he mentioned only about 8% of folks that join local coin clubs are ANA members. There is a huge group of people that care enough about coins to pay dues and/or attend local meetings, but the huge majority will not join the national organization??? Doesn't seem right and seems like an obvious pool of interested people that the ANA should target aggressively. >>

I've heard this before and found it shocking. If these people actively engaged in numismatics do not find it worthwhile or necessary to join the ANA, something is wrong and needs to be fixed.

Seems to me that of the 92% of local club members that have not joined the ANA, some must be CU Forum members. I'd like to hear from them why they have not joined the ANA, and their thoughts on what it would take to get them to join. >>

And if we then get their wives to join too, well then, the sky's the limit.

coinkat · May 18, 2013 7:31AM

I do not want to join the ANA. I have made that clear many times on this forum. This is a hobby and is something that collectors should enjoy. Look at the ANA budget and how resources are used. I am unable to endorse the ANA business plan, their legal budget or how they use their resources.

My point is simple- it is time for a new organization for collectors.

ColonelJessup · May 18, 2013 7:37AM

<< 

<< 

<< First thing I would promise is full disclosure to ANA members of the rationale behind all decisions made by the board regarding personnel and programming ... >>

This might be difficult since it seems that before you can accept a position as Governor, you have to sign a confidentiality agreement. >>

I would run to change that policy. >>

That's the only plank in your platform?

Have you read the By-Laws? What is necessary to change them? Vote of the board, or of the membership. If membership, simple majority or majority of ALL members?

I actually have no idea of the answers. If I liked this idea, what else would you contribute? Is this the only thing that you think needs improvement?

My (very cynical) thinking: if coin club members cared, they'd already be in. Only 10% of members vote in elections so it seems they don't care or are satisfied with the services they already receive.

New modes of outreach and different target groups? Yes.

What is ANA going to do to the benefit of collectors of, for instance, Moderns?

Zoins · May 18, 2013 7:59AM

<< My (very cynical) thinking: if coin club members cared, they'd already be in. Only 10% of members vote in elections so it seems they don't care or are satisfied with the services they already receive. >>

There's another (even more cynical) possibility - that some part of the 90%, who don't vote, actually care but don't believe their vote will have any effect....

I'd be more interested in the ANA if it engaged in some activities I cared about more:

(1) Protecting collectors and making the hobby safer through more activity against doctored coins, counterfeit coins, and counterfeit slabs. I think it's somewhat regrettable that people know who doctors are but nothing can be done and they continue to doctor, harming collectors and TPGs. I think the counterfeit classes are good but working with the US against counterfeit trafficking would be good as well.

(2) Making the research library available online and searchable. The research library is one of the great strengths of the ANA but it seems like it could be modernized. This would be like the Google Books scanning / OCR project but I wouldn't mind a membership paywall.

(3) More present-day Mint collaboration like the ANA of yesteryear, which was involved with the Mint in making new decisions in production techniques etc. It would be good if people from the ANA were involved in the concave baseball dollar. Original articles from people working directly with the Mint would be interesting. I find Daniel Carr's posts on striking, luster, flow lines, etc. very interesting. I wonder if anyone on the ANA staff or Board has as much experience with minting as Daniel.

(4) Moving society forward by working with Congress to eliminate the cent and paper dollar. Also working with Congress to come up with new coin designs and proposals. It would be neat if the ANA would send ideas for annual commemoratives to Congress.

I'm not sure the ANA can accomplish any of the above but I'd like to see Laura try with #1.

Some of these ideas would be similar to what the Sierra Club does in terms of both catering to hikers that just want to hike as well as lobbying for a better environment for all hikers.

bidask · May 18, 2013 8:01AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< First thing I would promise is full disclosure to ANA members of the rationale behind all decisions made by the board regarding personnel and programming ... >>

This might be difficult since it seems that before you can accept a position as Governor, you have to sign a confidentiality agreement. >>

I would run to change that policy. >>

That's the only plank in your platform?

Have you read the By-Laws? What is necessary to change them? Vote of the board, or of the membership. If membership, simple majority or majority of ALL members?

I actually have no idea of the answers. If I liked this idea, what else would you contribute? Is this the only thing that you think needs improvement?

My thinking: if coin club members cared, they'd already be in. Only 10% of members vote in elections so it seems they don't care or are satisfied with the services they already receive. >>

Colonel, these are ideas off the top of my head from a spontaneous question posted
on this message board..... I have never given thought to running.
Besides, your the insider......

But to elaborate more about gaining new members at clubs to me
it is more about the ANA making outreach efforts to local clubs
and coin collectors than the other way around.

In person visits and talks, dedicated Internet communications to members
and non members alike, sponsorship contests for new members, maybe giving
away some free tables to some deserved local clubs
provided they include YN's......

How hard is it to brainstorm meaningful programs
to get new members?

Caleb · May 18, 2013 8:02AM

<< 

<< 

<< First thing I would promise is full disclosure to ANA members of the rationale behind all decisions made by the board regarding personnel and programming ... >>

This might be difficult since it seems that before you can accept a position as Governor, you have to sign a confidentiality agreement. >>

I would run to change that policy. >>

Can someone please show me where in the Bylaws it says that Board of Governors have to sign a "Confidentiality Agreement"? Just because some says so doesn’t mean that it is so

Trust but verify

Zoins · May 18, 2013 8:07AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< First thing I would promise is full disclosure to ANA members of the rationale behind all decisions made by the board regarding personnel and programming ... >>

This might be difficult since it seems that before you can accept a position as Governor, you have to sign a confidentiality agreement. >>

I would run to change that policy. >>

Can someone please show me where in the Bylaws it says that Board of Governors have to sign a "Confidentiality Agreement"? Just because some says so doesn’t mean that it is so

Trust but verify

>>

This is a good point. It would be interesting if Governors were asked to sign one but one wasn't actually required by the Bylaws.

nags · May 18, 2013 8:15AM

Seems to me that of the 92% of local club members that have not joined the ANA, some must be CU Forum members. I'd like to hear from them why they have not joined the ANA, and their thoughts on what it would take to get them to join. >>

I've been collecting for a couple years now. I am not a member of the ANA. I know absolutely nothing about what the ANA does, what potential benefit I would receive by joining, or how joining would benefit/improve the hobby. Either would likely make me join.

I have purchased coins from several auction sites and a few dealers. I have received no correspondence from the ANA.

coinkat · May 18, 2013 8:27AM

In an effort to offer something that might be viewed as more constructive, and this is not new as I have suggested the concept her before-

Coins and collecting has a rich history. There needs to be a connection- a new connection for the younger generation in a format they can relate to that is inviting, relevant and exciting. The ANA needs to fund a documentary to bring people in based on the stories. I am sure several people must have seen the Film Ray- Well, Ray Charles recorded Country & Western because of the stories and it worked. It worked well.

Coins have stories and those stories need to be told in a format that grabs people. Why can't the ANA do something big... really big? So much has been done with other subjects- Ken Burns has done the Civil War, Jazz, Baseball, WW II with success because of the stories and placing compelling stories in a format to reach and connect with people.

Before money is spent for local coin clubs, there has to be a broader and bigger vision to get the connection for people to even consider joining a coin club.

SethChandler · May 18, 2013 8:42AM

Great questions, and I am sure we all have our own ideas on what to fix.

But if I was running for the Board, I'd have a multiple step due diligence process, similar to my work. The first responsible step I would take is to meet with current and respected former board members, and past presidents. I would have a long list of questions, mostly circled around what happened, how do we make this organization better? Then, I would jump on a plane and visit the headquarters of the ANA and sit down with each employee and ask the same. Obviously my conversations with veteran employees would be much different than new employees. But I'd want to listen to all people at the ANA on every level.

Thats Step 1 of many, many steps.

Once I've executed my due dilli process, I would incorporate my research into my own thoughts (of which I have many) into a platform that I would share with as many people as possible in order to get support to help make the ANA better.

ColonelJessup · May 18, 2013 9:27AM

<< (1) Protecting collectors and making the hobby safer through more activity against doctored coins, counterfeit coins, and counterfeit slabs. I think it's somewhat regrettable that people know who doctors are but nothing can be done and they continue to doctor, harming collectors and TPGs. I think the counterfeit classes are good but working with the US against counterfeit trafficking would be good as well. >>

Counterfeit coins and slabs are already a matter of great concern to the hobby and, especially, the TPGs. The government is more interested in intellectual property theft via DVD's than fake slabs. Per John Albanese, the value of over-graded coins is "orders of magnitude" higher than from doctored coins. 2 orders of magnitude is 100 times as much. And I'm not saying it's not a problem.

<< (2) Making the research library available online and searchable. The research library is one of the great strengths of the ANA but it seems like it could be modernized. This would be like the Google Books scanning / OCR project but I wouldn't mind a membership paywall. >>

How many pages in the research library? What is the cost?

<< (3) More present-day Mint collaboration like the ANA of yesteryear, which was involved with the Mint in making new decisions in production techniques etc. It would be good if people from the ANA were involved in the concave baseball dollar. Original articles from people working directly with the Mint would be interesting. >>

For coin designs, there is already an advisory panel. With today's federal budgetary restrictions, you're expecting the Mint to do what?

(4) Moving society forward by working with Congress to eliminate the cent and paper dollar. Also working with Congress to come up with new coin designs and proposals. It would be neat if the ANA would send ideas for annual commemoratives to Congress.

Eliminating denominations of coinage is not a numismatic issue, but a commercial one.

<< I'm not sure the ANA can accomplish any of the above but I'd like to see Laura try with #1.

Some of these ideas would be similar to what the Sierra Club does in terms of both catering to the average hiker and lobbying for a better environment for all hikers. >>

Negative SOB, aren't I?

Keep the auction companies in line by withdrawing egregious examples of over-graded or doctored coins? Auction companies represent sellers. Buyers are foolish enough to buy from pictures? Won't pay an agent for an in-hand opinion?

Quality coins are a sight-seen market. A little due diligence from the buyers please. Get someone to squeeze the cantaloupe if you can't

Virtually everyone agrees on "A" coins. For arguments sake I'll say the "B+" almost as well. Though "+" coins at one service sometimes won't cross or CAC. "B" coins are just OK. Let's leave it at that. One person's "B" is sometimes another person's "C". One person's "C-" is often another person's "D". I'd like better descriptions as to grade-limiting detractions. But go too far and customers may walk. One service's "details coins" are gradable at the other's. Or at the same service the next week. What's going to happen when an outside agency tries to impose its standards on what is, effectively, taking a coin off the market? Where's the mandate? Where's the leverage?

There are, at present, only two auction companies capable of running an ANA sale. Lately, with Stacks-Bowers having the contract, Heritage has put on their own Platinum night outside the show very successfully. What's to stop S-B from doing it too?

I wish I had positive answers.

It's not about ethics. It's not about moral suasion. It's about money.

The doors are very much more closed than they were for crap to get through. There's more crap (in someone's opinion) out there. Where's the line between schlock and dreck? It's virtually a given to buy the coin not the holder.

And obviously, per Messrs. Townsend and Daltrey "We won't get fooled again".

I hate to say it, I hate to quote it (Ellsworth Toohey, villain in Ayn Rand's "The Fountainhead"), "I deal in the stock market of the soul, and I only sell short". I don't want to totally believe it, but I've seen it. This is American capitalism. This is the free market. This is the lack of regulation so many want.

Zoins · May 18, 2013 9:44AM

<< 

<< (1) Protecting collectors and making the hobby safer through more activity against doctored coins, counterfeit coins, and counterfeit slabs. I think it's somewhat regrettable that people know who doctors are but nothing can be done and they continue to doctor, harming collectors and TPGs. I think the counterfeit classes are good but working with the US against counterfeit trafficking would be good as well. >>

Counterfeit coins and slabs are already a matter of great concern to the hobby and, especially, the TPGs. The government is more interested in intellectual property theft via DVD's than fake slabs. Per John Albanese, the value of over-graded coins is "orders of magnitude" higher than from doctored coins. 2 orders of magnitude is 100 times as much. And I'm not saying it's not a problem. >>

That may be, but it just seems interesting that here's a problem where "everybody" "knows" who the doctors are but nothing can be done about it. It's an interesting comment on the hobby.

By the way, the 2 orders of magnitude only works if you're using base 10 math

<< 

<< (2) Making the research library available online and searchable. The research library is one of the great strengths of the ANA but it seems like it could be modernized. This would be like the Google Books scanning / OCR project but I wouldn't mind a membership paywall. >>

How many pages in the research library? What is the cost? >>

I'm guessing the IT Committee may be able to handle this but, if cost is an issue, I'm guessing Google will do it for free however the ANA would need to accept the terms (likely free publication by Google).

<< 

<< (3) More present-day Mint collaboration like the ANA of yesteryear, which was involved with the Mint in making new decisions in production techniques etc. It would be good if people from the ANA were involved in the concave baseball dollar. Original articles from people working directly with the Mint would be interesting. >>

For coin designs, there is already an advisory panel. With today's federal budgetary restrictions, you're expecting the Mint to do what? >>

Be creative. My understanding is that the ANA used to have closer ties to the Mint and somewhere along the way those were lost.

<< 

<< (4) Moving society forward by working with Congress to eliminate the cent and paper dollar. Also working with Congress to come up with new coin designs and proposals. It would be neat if the ANA would send ideas for annual commemoratives to Congress. >>

Eliminating denominations of coinage is not a numismatic issue, but a commercial one. >>

It's one for the greater good. I don't mind supporting the greater good in an area where people have expertise.

<< 

<< I'm not sure the ANA can accomplish any of the above but I'd like to see Laura try with #1.

Some of these ideas would be similar to what the Sierra Club does in terms of both catering to the average hiker and lobbying for a better environment for all hikers. >>

Negative SOB, aren't I? >>

Not really. Though I find it curious you feel you have to explain what an order of magnitude is. Perhaps that is somewhat negative

<< Keep the auction companies in line by withdrawing egregious examples of over-graded or doctored coins? Auction companies represent sellers. Buyers are foolish enough to buy from pictures? Won't pay an agent for an in-hand opinion? >>

The issue is that doctored coins fool even the TPGs so an in-hand opinion won't always work with techniques like lasers, fake heads, putty, etc. I do think the fact that people "know" who the doctors are and nothing can be done is a sad statement for the hobby. While I don't know any collector that wants to perpetuate the situation with doctoring, I do know many people prefer the status quo, which is one reason why I support Laura. She fights for the collector and for the betterment of the hobby.

ColonelJessup · May 18, 2013 10:57AM

I was talking hexadecimal, you bright disrespectful young snip

Want to worry about doctoring technology? Lex Luthor, or his spiritual grandchild, Cody Wilson, may be figuring out how to fabricate counterfeit slabs with a 3-D printer as we type.

Zoins · May 18, 2013 11:29AM

<< I was talking hexadecimal, you bright disrespectful young snip

>>

Gotcha. Just finishing my 0xDEADBEEF dinner

<< Want to worry about doctoring technology? Lex Luthor, or his spiritual grandchild, Cody Wilson, may be figuring out how to fabricate counterfeit slabs with a 3-D printer as we type. >>

Doctoring and counterfeiting both need solutions which is why I mentioned these as part of my top interest.

For 3D printing, I agree this issue is on the horizon and I view this threat as an extension of the pre-existing counterfeit slab threat. The same solution that solves the existing counterfeit slab issue may likely also solve the 3D printing issue. I'm not actually sure what a solution would be here but I'm very interested to find out what happened to Prova Group (Dallas, TX) which had authenticated about 4,000 athlete autographs with RFID tags back in 2007. They disappeared for a while which makes me wonder what happened with their program. Their website lists a 2013 copyright, street address and says "Stay tuned" so I'm hoping we'll hear more from them again. Whatever the solution for counterfeit slabs is, I'm hoping the TPGs introduce one soon.

ColonelJessup · May 19, 2013 11:03PM

Using radix 37 you get the full complement of both Arabic numerals and our Western European alphabet.

And thusly get to describe your DEADBEEF as PRIME. If you like au jus you will additionally note I've just "double-dipped"

ricko · May 20, 2013 12:18AM

<< If you were running for a position on the ANA Board of Governors... >>

The short answer is "I would not." The organizational management is immature and without business perspective. Until a massive change is made, it will continue to degrade and have silly political upheavals. Very sad. Cheers, RickO

Sonorandesertrat · May 20, 2013 12:23AM

I rejoined the ANA last year, only because I wanted to attend the Summer Seminar last summer. Otherwise, I have no real use for the organization---I don't need to use the ANA library, for example. Its membership includes collectors and dealers (and others), who do not always have interests that are well aligned. Things that LS has identified---selling marketing rights to a grading firm, permitting known coin doctors to teach at Summer Seminar, etc., are problems in my book too. Why did I exit the ANA after decades of membership? I realized that there was a lot of talk but not much follow-through regarding consumer protection. Staying silent about First Strikes was the last straw for me.

Courses at Summer Seminar are fun, educational, but not nearly enough to avoid being taken to the cleaners. Laura's suggestion that perhaps the ANA should institute a type of dealer certification has merit. And it will never happen.

MrEureka · May 20, 2013 1:17AM

Laura's suggestion that perhaps the ANA should institute a type of dealer certification has merit.

If "dealer certification" is meant to ensure that dealers are sharp enough to correctly second-guess the TPG's, I have three questions. First, who will do the certification on behalf of the ANA? Second, even if a dealer is sharp enough to become certified, how can we be sure that he will sell only the best coins to his clients? And third, rather than demanding the certification of dealers, should the ANA simply insist that its dealer members sell only CAC-approved coins?

AMRC · May 20, 2013 1:26AM

The ANA Governor I would favor would have the following positions:

1. Outreach to collectors by proposing value propositions that include Free education and assistance

2. Focus on listening to existing members and remind them "they" are the ANA and have them drive the direction of the organization

3. Be the Organizer around research. The ANA, through its Library and "Scholars" should be maintaining several "Reasearch Roadmaps" and fund that research

4. Promote the hobby outside of normal coin channels. Mandate should be: Increase the number of collectors!

Sonorandesertrat · May 20, 2013 3:08AM

<< Laura's suggestion that perhaps the ANA should institute a type of dealer certification has merit.

If "dealer certification" is meant to ensure that dealers are sharp enough to correctly second-guess the TPG's, I have three questions. First, who will do the certification on behalf of the ANA? Second, even if a dealer is sharp enough to become certified, how can we be sure that he will sell only the best coins to his clients? And third, rather than demanding the certification of dealers, should the ANA simply insist that its dealer members sell only CAC-approved coins? >>

Of course not. 'Dealer certification' would more importantly cover ethics. There are many dealers who have no problem burying their customers in overpriced junk or getting a rip when buying from an heir, for example. A dealer friend once ruefully told me that coin dealers are on a par with used-car dealers in the eyes of the general public, with good reason. This is precisely why beginning collectors need to figure out who the good dealers are ASAP.

ColonelJessup · May 20, 2013 3:12AM

How will this affect Ebay transactions and listing?

Here's the problem as I see it. There is no global solution. Per Aristotle (or Plato or... ) "The perfect is the enemy of the good".

You want slabs? You've abdicated your leveraging much of your personal skill set in performing due diligence to the TPG's. Use what skills as you might that can aid you and either contract or expand your activities based on the intersection of the two or three paradigms.

DeliaBug · May 20, 2013 3:15AM

I am a former member and I would want someone to be able to answer 'Why should I join the ANA?'

I'm not at all familiar with how the internals of a non profit function but my P&L is over $6m and I answer to one person. Seems like their org structure is extremely top heavy.

Technology wise, they are in the stone age. The mind set has to change to cater to what will be a tech-savvy user base. Zoins bought up a good point about digitizing books. That would be a good step. A collector showcase where TPG or raw is irrelevant, just a place to show off ones collection would be nice. What do the members want? Has there been a poll performed?

The technology that businesses rely upon in five years hasn't been invented yet, so whatever they do needs to be flexible and capable of integrating that technology.

It seems there a lot of trust issues between the membership and the management team that need to be addressed.

My 2¢

Kove · May 20, 2013 3:16AM

<< How will this affect Ebay transactions and listing? >>

eBay currently displays a PNG logo for members of that body. If an ANA-certified dealer was rigorous enough to mean anything, perhaps a similar "ANA-Certified" dealer logo on eBay.

MrEureka · May 20, 2013 3:18AM

'Dealer certification' would more importantly cover ethics.

How would that work?

Sonorandesertrat · May 20, 2013 3:23AM

<< 'Dealer certification' would more importantly cover ethics.

How would that work? >>

Each dealer would be assigned a talking parrot who would monitor all face-to-face transactions.
For sight-unseen sales, an intelligent dog with curly hair might do (so you're covered) as long as it couldn't be bribed.

ColonelJessup · May 20, 2013 3:28AM

<< 

<< How will this affect Ebay transactions and listing? >>

eBay currently displays a PNG logo for members of that body. If an ANA-certified dealer was rigorous enough to mean anything, perhaps a similar "ANA-Certified" dealer logo on eBay. >>

I wonder what percentage of listings have a PNG logo. I wonder what the dollar volume of consummated transactions, gross and as a percentage of total Ebay numismatic (non-bullion) sales, this represents.

Sonorandesertrat · May 20, 2013 3:40AM

<< 

<< 

<< How will this affect Ebay transactions and listing? >>

eBay currently displays a PNG logo for members of that body. If an ANA-certified dealer was rigorous enough to mean anything, perhaps a similar "ANA-Certified" dealer logo on eBay. >>

I wonder what percentage of listings have a PNG logo. I wonder what the dollar volume of consummated transactions, gross and as a percentage of total Ebay numismatic (non-bullion) sales, this represents.

>>

I wonder what the real value of a seller's PNG membership is to a buyer.

PTVETTER · May 20, 2013 3:41AM

there is NO way I could run for the board. I am NO way politically correct.
There is TOO much BS going on behind the closed doors.
Just look at this fact.. How many run the FUN show and how many are needed to run the ANA shows.????
Both are non profit org. and I bet the ANA spends SOOOO much more on support personal than the FUN.

The ANA is having problems of their own making and can't get it solve them because the are self made.

Just wait till Laura or someone like her gets in and the war of words will start.

Let me say this I do not like those that are users and then step on the ones they use like trash.

IrishMikey · May 20, 2013 4:52AM

Put me with the "No Way" group. If I woke up one day and found out that I was running for
governor (or worse, I had been elected) I would go back to sleep until it all went away.

The main question I think all governors should be able to answer is "Why should I join the ANA?"
"What value is there in an ANA membership?"

shorecoll · May 20, 2013 5:39AM

I likely wouldn't do it either, but I would:

Have a national outreach campaign to teach collectors about the various quality levels (as Col.Jessup outlined) and if dealers can't be certified (and they can't) teach people about finding a quality dealer and teaching them that ANA members can be coin doctors, etc.

Sponsor a full-time Secret Service position to prosecute eBay counterfeiters (and any other venues, but start with eBay). These small-timers aren't worth the USSS' time, but if we sponsor the position it might be. I'm not talking about some schmuck with a single fake coin but fronts for the Chinese. I'd also like to see them take on the "country auctioneers" who disclaim responsibility for counterfeits. How exactly do you "disclaim" responsibility for a felony?

Sponsor a prize for convicting coin doctors for fraud (or whatever). This is pie in the sky, but nothing else has worked...sponsor the ANA prize for the first lawyer or law-firm to successfully put someone in prison for coin doctoring.

Do the IT stuff suggested.

You need to show that the ANA still matters and that it cares about collectors, it may be too late, but maybe not.

renomedphys · May 21, 2013 5:06AM

I would fire all of my support staff at least twice just to let the ANA that I mean business

TwoSides2aCoin · May 21, 2013 9:28AM

You know I'd be running from, not for a position on the ANA Board of Governors, Andy. I promise.

ColonelJessup · May 21, 2013 10:13AM

1)

2) Take the cog railway ride up Pikes Peak.
3) Scatter my ashes. Maybe some will land on ANA headquarters.

MrEureka · May 21, 2013 11:10AM

For sight-unseen sales, an intelligent dog with curly hair might do (so you're covered) as long as it couldn't be bribed

Assuming the non-existence of bacon, I agree.

golden · May 21, 2013 12:25PM

I would not file for any reimbursement of expenses to travel to board meetings. Those who are on the board travel to the large conventions,where meetings are held, anyway. Most collect travel expenses. ( I believe Greg L. does not take any money and Don Kagin did not take any money when he was on the board. ) Years ago there was a member who was on the board for decades and collected thousands of dollars from the ANA. I just do not see how anyone can SERVE on the board and collect expenses.

giantsfan20 · May 21, 2013 3:58PM

How about FREE!

Admission for all at ANA conventions like in the past or if not feesable how about one admission good for all 3 days!Might generate greater crowds in any case.

Spend some $$ on advertisements at the local level for the shows. Was it well publiczed general press for recent ANA shows. The one in Sacremento CA not on ad did i see for the show in the SF bay area and thats where the population base is.

Greeniejr · May 22, 2013 1:33AM

Actually reckoning back to a few years back when I was going to run (I had all the signatures and endorsements) the major platform I had revolved around youth education. I am saying youth education not YN education because the latter refers to kids who already have a connection to the hobby. While the ANA has extensive resources and curriculums the utilization is next to nil. Most schools somewhere in their curriculum in 1st-3rd have lessons on money and basic coins. This is a perfect to chance to teach children about the history of coins and about the fact that people collect them. I give a presentation every year at a school and invariably 20%+ of the kids end up saying "well my mom, dad, uncle, aunt, grandparent, somebody they know collects coins." I am sure there is a significant number of people within the ANA with school age children who can volunteer to give these types of presentations. If we could get into 500 schools across the country and approach them and do the work for them, imagine the number of seeds we can plant for the future of the hobby. While many of these kids will not come of age during our careers, think about all the work that was done 20-30 or more years ago to introduce you to coins. The heart of platform was, collectors are born and not created. People who are collectors will collect something whether it be coins, rocks, guns, cars or ex-wives (or a combination thereof). Collectors tend to think back to their youth when they finally have the resources to collect. That is why I refer to this as planing seeds.

ColonelJessup · May 22, 2013 8:40AM

<< How about FREE!

Admission for all at ANA conventions like in the past or if not feesable how about one admission good for all 3 days!Might generate greater crowds in any case.... >>

If this occurs, table dealers will be up in arms unless they get free hotdogs with, as has been hopefully telegraphed, MUSTARD!!!

I can't wait for the resultant controversy

EagleEye · May 22, 2013 10:47AM

I think that the resources of the ANA should be directed toward the internet.

1) website redesign, allocate at least $500,000 and have a running allocation of $200,000 per year for content and advertising.

2) outreach to members clubs and their membership through the website. Make the District Rep program a web-based message board-style environment.

3) Sell advertising on the web site once it is a worthwhile place to visit.

4) Have staggered term for Governors - 4 years terms for governors, 2 year terms for President and VP.

EagleEye · May 23, 2013 1:20AM

5) create an ANA expert panel for confirming counterfeits on eBay and elsewhere.

6) create a counterfeit image database

7) have dealer membership category with tough requirements on ethics, which incorporates coin doctoring, anti-fraud and grading knowledge requirements to maintain the status.

tcmitssr · May 23, 2013 2:45PM

<< I'm thinking this is about numismatic and business experience, previous service work, long-range planning, knowledge of those in the hobby/industry for networking, marketing/merchandizing, as well as previous knowledge across a broad range of the current ANA demographic and its concerns. Numismatic talent would be close to the bottom of my list.

Oh yeah, and a respect for the opinions and sensibilities of others who may not be in alignment with one's own.

Just a wish list

Not a platform

>>

You still can't handle the truth, IMHO.

tcmitssr · May 23, 2013 2:47PM

<< << in Larry's article, he mentioned only about 8% of folks that join local coin clubs are ANA members. There is a huge group of people that care enough about coins to pay dues and/or attend local meetings, but the huge majority will not join the national organization??? Doesn't seem right and seems like an obvious pool of interested people that the ANA should target aggressively. >>

I've heard this before and found it shocking. If these people actively engaged in numismatics do not find it worthwhile or necessary to join the ANA, something is wrong and needs to be fixed.

Seems to me that of the 92% of local club members that have not joined the ANA, some must be CU Forum members. I'd like to hear from them why they have not joined the ANA, and their thoughts on what it would take to get them to join. >>

The only reason I've maintained my membership is for the inexpensive coin insurance available to members. Otherwise, the ANA as it currently exists provides little to no value for me.

If you were running for a position on the ANA Board of Governors...

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