<< <i>And if I need to run next time I will. And I might bankroll two or three more like minded candidates. The time of the good old boy network is over. >>
I like this attitude... That kind of thinking is what wins revolutions
Erik >>
I wonder how $50,000 worth of direct mail would change the mix >>
Being the collector you are I hope you do it !
If healthy change occurs I think you will look back in your older age and say to yourself it was as good if not better than buying a coin for 50k.
I manage money. I earn money. I save money . I give away money. I collect money. I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
Actually, yes I do get to mock him. It's driving the point home. No one is perfect. It's laughable to chide someone over a spelling error and then commit one oneself.
<< <i>Why is it that people "don't have a clue". I wonder... >>
Something of a cheap shot. I'm guessing a majority of people who come here shooting from the hip aren't particularly conversant with the documents made public by the ANA. He cited specific examples bearing that out. >>
Not a cheap shot at all.
You can check out the ANA web site, the proposed budgets for each year has a line item for legal counsel but no such line item on the finished or audited yearly budget. Why the lack of transparency? The proposed line item is roughly $140,000 per year, if the actual spending has been $500,000 - $270,000 - $425,000 – for the past two year under $200,000:
Why cook the books and just have a line item in the proposed budget for $140,000 if from past history the Board of Governors knows it is going to be more.
You can call it want ever you want Greg but a sub contractor position, part time at that, whether it is one person continuous or a replacement during the past six months, who’s position has been milking the ANA for the past several years of on average ¼ million dollars a year, I call that a “Gravy Train”.
All I saw was one yapping on chatroom joking how he'll raise his salary. So guess what folks-BUSINESS AS USUAL.
I think Laura took a harmless joke by GregL out of context here. Board Members do not have a salary, they get $0.00 salary. GregL's joke was, so yea, go ahead and pay them double. Will her readers get that? I don't see how.
I find it ironic that people in the dark, who are asking for more transparency from the ANA, are attacking Greg. He is an ANA Board Member who is, quite level-headedly, providing the transparency you so desire.
He is a regular voice on ANA issues here, and provides first-hand knowledge on ANA Board matters if you ever have a question for him. Clearly, he is willing to respond in as much detail as is permissible. I'd say that's a pretty good resource, no?
Despite problems in recent years, I challenge ANYONE in numismatics to find a better value for $46/yr (cherrypicks aside ) than an ANA membership. If you sit back and simply receive your Numismatist magazine each month then so-be-it, but if you actually apply yourself then the number of resources, amount of support, and the community you can find through the ANA is tremendous.
<< <i>All I saw was one yapping on chatroom joking how he'll raise his salary. So guess what folks-BUSINESS AS USUAL.
I think Laura took a harmless joke by GregL out of context here. Board Members do not have a salary, they get $0.00 salary. GregL's joke was, so yea, go ahead and pay them double. Will her readers get that? I don't see how. >>
I don't think it's out of context. It may be funny to Greg but I think she meant it should not have been joked about in the first place by a re-elected governor given the current state of the ANA.
I manage money. I earn money. I save money . I give away money. I collect money. I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
<< <i>I find it ironic that people in the dark, who are asking for more transparency from the ANA, are attacking Greg. He is an ANA Board Member who is, quite level-headedly, providing the transparency you so desire.
He is a regular voice on ANA issues here, and provides first-hand knowledge on ANA Board matters if you ever have a question for him. Clearly, he is willing to respond in as much detail as is permissible. I'd say that's a pretty good resource, no? >>
I agree. At least Greg has the guts to come here and take a bunch of flak from people. I don't personally know anybody involved and have no real basis to judge the ANA, but some flak is probably justified and some is not. Time will tell how all this plays out.
<< <i>Funny - I never heard of him until about a month before the election. Transparency? Most of what I heard was " I just can't say because of counsel" >>
Then you must not have paid much attention in the last couple elections. If your interest in the organization is only as deep as your associate's involvement then that is fine and perfectly understandable, but it would probably not be a good reason to run for the Board yourself.
Greg has been an absolute fixture of the YN program at the ANA for decades. I would argue he has done more to help develop young collectors than anyone in his age bracket, and perhaps anyone living in numismatics all together (I can elaborate on this if you would like).
Yah, everyone is all about the YNs. I once donated $10k that I won in the PCGS grading contest to the YNs. They told me they really didn't need any more funds for the YNs as it was everyones favorite cause. Been there, done that. Next?
<Greg has been an absolute fixture of the YN program at the ANA for decades. I would argue he has done more to help develop young collectors than anyone in his age bracket, and perhaps anyone living in numismatics all together>
Yah, everyone is all about the YNs. I once donated $10k that I won in the PCGS grading contest to the YNs. They told me they really didn't need any more funds for the YNs as it was everyones favorite cause. Been there, done that. Next?
TDN - Any way I read this, I'm pretty much horrified.
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Time will tell, i am less than impressed so far i would have thought she would have been to a meeting or two before posting her "hot topic". One desruptive soul will not get much done. I am glad she won a seat, just hope some good comes from it.
Mark NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!! working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
If Laura had bothered to even read the ANA press release, she would have found that under 21,000 members were eligible to vote this year -- due to changes in how long you must be a member to vote and YN voting age
Sounds like a good place to start changing the rules if you ask me.
Rather than be confident of "winning" the lawsuits against former Executive Directors, the better course is not to get into those disagreements in the first place.
I am a little surprised that Laura came out with guns blazing rather than to spend the first few weeks/months in more a fact finding/bridge building mode. There's plenty of time to burn bridges if other methods don't work.
<< <i>Yah, everyone is all about the YNs. I once donated $10k that I won in the PCGS grading contest to the YNs. They told me they really didn't need any more funds for the YNs as it was everyones favorite cause. Been there, done that. Next? >>
The honest truth is that the one area of the ANA's work that is NOT hurting for funds are the YN programs. There is currently over $500,000 in reserve funds that have been donated to be used on YN activities, with well over $50,000 donated each year just at the YN Auctions at Summer Seminar. Just about all YNs at Summer Seminar attend on scholarships and significant money is spent on other YN programs throughout the year.
One member of this board has contacted me asking why we don't have adult scholarships for Summer Seminar. That would be a great idea. In fact, a scholarship fund for adults to attend Summer Seminar was created several years ago. In all, it has received under $5,000 in donations since being established.
Whoever responded to your donation offer did not (in my opinion) respond in the most tactful way, but may have been trying to explain that there are areas other than YN programs which are in greater need of funding. The ANA is always happy to take donations whether they be for a specific cause or not.
Greg
Greg Lyon, ANA Board of Governors 2011-2017 -- The views represented here are my own personal opinions and do not represent those of the American Numismatic Association.
<< <i>Despite problems in recent years, I challenge ANYONE in numismatics to find a better value for $46/yr ... >>
What is not well understood by the membership is that the membership is a loss-leader for the ANA (at least it used to be, as I don't know the current figures). In 2005, the total cost of a new member was $53 (when annual dues were $36). The cost of an renewing member was less (I forget the number), but still more than the annual dues. Yeah, it's a good value, but the reality is that it is draining the financial resources of the organization. Why not price membership so it is at least revenue neutral? The answer returned is always "we will lose members." The ANA doesn't need more members, it needs more engaged members. The difference seems to be too subtle for many of those responsible for policy decisions.
Numismatist Ordinaire See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
<< <i> The ANA doesn't need more members, it needs more engaged members. The difference seems to be too subtle for many of those responsible for policy decisions. >>
This is the exact reason I cringed when one candidate (who did not get elected), when asked "What should the ANA do to increase membership?", replied "Get everyone to sign their spouse up." *sigh*
Greg
Greg Lyon, ANA Board of Governors 2011-2017 -- The views represented here are my own personal opinions and do not represent those of the American Numismatic Association.
Start having contests, scholarships, events, giveaways for the YNs! You could pay for an entire family to come to Colorado for a week and not even put a DENT in that. The interest would probably cover that
USE IT to build your base or the ANA will become even more irrellevant if that's possible.
5,600 people voting! You and every single board member should be embarrassed at that stat. That is nothing short of pathetic. As are the legal expenses and the crap that has taken place.
I blame those numbers on something like is currently going on with our High School. We have about 145 kids per graduating class. They instituted a new method of "teaching". Everyone is up in arms over this but refuses to say anything or do anything but a handful of us because they know that ultimately the school board simply does not care what its constituents want or think unless they have a levy on the ballot. The administration knows that parents are removing kids from the district and is aware that others are planning on it prior to this fall but do not care. Sad but VERY true.
<< <i><Greg has been an absolute fixture of the YN program at the ANA for decades. I would argue he has done more to help develop young collectors than anyone in his age bracket, and perhaps anyone living in numismatics all together>
Yah, everyone is all about the YNs. I once donated $10k that I won in the PCGS grading contest to the YNs. They told me they really didn't need any more funds for the YNs as it was everyones favorite cause. Been there, done that. Next?
TDN - Any way I read this, I'm pretty much horrified. >>
Point being that being a fixture in the YN program says nothing about one's ability to lead the entire organization. Everyone supports the YNs - it's like world peace at a beauty pageant....
5,600 people voting! You and every single board member should be embarrassed at that stat.
I am not so sure about that. I'd bet half of the "active" members are dead or on life support and the member list just has not been purged. If the ANA can't keep track of coins in their care, they can keep track of their members?
Start having contests, scholarships, events, giveaways for the YNs! You could pay for an entire family to come to Colorado for a week and not even put a DENT in that. The interest would probably cover that
<< <i>Start having contests, scholarships, events, giveaways for the YNs! >>
Umm... we do. I would estimate that about 50 YNs come out to Summer Seminar each year on scholarship -- and that's out of under 1000 YN members. Realize that there are many YNs who either can't (too young, have summer jobs or summer school, etc) or aren't involved / interested enough (some members sign up their grandkids at birth and don't become interested in numismatics).
Before you suggest offering MORE scholarships realize there are two problems in doing so:
1) There is a limit on the number of YNs you can bring out each session based on dorm accommodations and adult supervision. 50 may not sound like many but, having been a Summer Seminar chaperone for more than a decade, it's not a number you could easily double.
2) There is a point at which you run out of YNs who will truly benefit from a scholarship and are instead just going to Colorado Springs for a week of vacation. This happened far more when I was a YN and the ANA did not allow YNs to win scholarships in multiple years. The group of YNs in 1989 were a real doozy.
On top of Summer Seminar, we have the YN auction at the summer convention (including a mail bid component for those who don't go to the convention!), Your Newsletter, the Ancient Coin Project, the Early American Copper Coin Project, Coins for As, YN Literary Awards, Treasure Trivia at conventions, a new "Kids Zone" at the Money Museum, and sponsorships for local school districts to visit the Money Museum. Bet you didn't know about all of those!
Just giving away coins to kids won't make them collectors! As a result, we have a series of programs to get kids involved and further their interests once they are involved. Of course additional suggestions are always welcome!
<< <i>5,600 people voting! You and every single board member should be embarrassed at that stat. >>
I'd love to see everyone vote -- just as I would in all elections. However, you can't make people vote. When there is a reason to vote, you see higher turnouts. The contested presidential election in 2009 resulted in almost 9000 people voting. Even the "throw the bums out" election of 2007 had only 7100 votes cast.
<< <i>As are the legal expenses and the crap that has taken place. >>
Do you realize how much of our legal expenses since 2007 are from the Chris Cipoletti lawsuits? He challenged his dismissal -- through arbitration and then through the courts -- and lost, resulting in a settlement for the ANA. Should that not have been defended? As I've stated before, we can't control who sues us. We try to minimize the possibility of that taking place, but can't prevent that from happening.
Greg
Greg Lyon, ANA Board of Governors 2011-2017 -- The views represented here are my own personal opinions and do not represent those of the American Numismatic Association.
Start having contests, scholarships, events, giveaways for the YNs! You could pay for an entire family to come to Colorado for a week and not even put a DENT in that. The interest would probably cover that.
>>
Interest? I remember interest. Don't think anybody pays it anymore.
Numismatist. 54 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Also won the PNG's Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
<< <i><< Point being that of the thousands of votes Laura received, many were for just her and not the incumbents. Those happy with the status quo voted elsewhere. She has the duty to represent those who voted for her - those who want change. It is not her job to fit in. Deal with it. >>
I'm sorry, but your math is plain wrong.
5542 ballots were received -- meaning a possible total of 38,794 votes for individual governors.
If you sum up the total number of votes cast, 33,023 votes were cast (or an average of 5.96 votes per ballot.
Laura received 2,569 votes. If even 1,000 of those votes were ONLY for Laura, that would have the possible total number of votes cast would be 32,794 -- less than what was actually cast. >>
There's nothing wrong with the original math, although the wording might not have been the best.
The incumbents received between 2723 and 3220 votes. Laura received 2569 votes. The math allows for there to have been:
2723 ballots voting for all incumbents but not Laura 250 ballots voting for 1 or 2 incumbents but not Laura 247 ballots voting for Laura and 1 or 2 incumbents 2322 ballots voting for Laura but no incumbents ----- 5542 total ballots
I'm sure that's not what happened, but if you're going to argue math, that's what the math allows.
There HAD TO BE 247 ballots that voted for both Laura and Gary Adkins, the top incumbent vote-getter.
<<<Greg has been an absolute fixture of the YN program at the ANA for decades. I would argue he has done more to help develop young collectors than anyone in his age bracket, and perhaps anyone living in numismatics all together>>>
<<Yah, everyone is all about the YNs. I once donated $10k that I won in the PCGS grading contest to the YNs. They told me they really didn't need any more funds for the YNs as it was everyones favorite cause. Been there, done that. Next? >>
<TDN - Any way I read this, I'm pretty much horrified. >
Point being that being a fixture in the YN program says nothing about one's ability to lead the entire organization. Everyone supports the YNs - it's like world peace at a beauty pageant....
Understood, and no problem. However, I apparently need to clarify my point. That is, as generous as your contribution was, it pales beside the efforts GregL has made over the years with the YN program. And FWIW, note that the first quote above is from a very qualified source: 2008 YN of the Year Will Robins.
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Start having contests, scholarships, events, giveaways for the YNs! You could pay for an entire family to come to Colorado for a week and not even put a DENT in that. The interest would probably cover that.
>>
Interest? I remember interest. Don't think anybody pays it anymore. >>
<< <i><<<Greg has been an absolute fixture of the YN program at the ANA for decades. I would argue he has done more to help develop young collectors than anyone in his age bracket, and perhaps anyone living in numismatics all together>>>
<<Yah, everyone is all about the YNs. I once donated $10k that I won in the PCGS grading contest to the YNs. They told me they really didn't need any more funds for the YNs as it was everyones favorite cause. Been there, done that. Next? >>
<TDN - Any way I read this, I'm pretty much horrified. >
Point being that being a fixture in the YN program says nothing about one's ability to lead the entire organization. Everyone supports the YNs - it's like world peace at a beauty pageant....
Understood, and no problem. However, I apparently need to clarify my point. That is, as generous as your contribution was, it pales beside the efforts GregL has made over the years with the YN program. And FWIW, note that the first quote above is from a very qualified source: 2008 YN of the Year Will Robins. >>
I am sure it does. And yet, that fact changes nothing. It doesn't automatically make a great governor nor does it mean that Laura's job is to sit down, shut up and fit it. She ran on a platform and was elected on that platform. She has an agenda and is going to follow it.
Okay - seriously - who at the ANA discouraged donations to the YN program?
There should be no limit, ever. I can just imagine: "Sorry Paul Allen, we can't use your $100 million donation to the YN, since we have enough money for that".
<< <i>Point being that being a fixture in the YN program says nothing about one's ability to lead the entire organization. >>
No it does not, but before joining the Board, I had been an active member of the ANA -- as a volunteer, exhibitor and judge for many years. I'd have been to ANA headquarters almost 20 times (and I'm not referring to just the public portions of the building). I knew the majority of ANA staff. I had read the ANA's financial reports and balance sheet. I knew of many concerns and issues raised by the members. Even with all of that, there was A LOT to learn once I joined the Board.
But being a very vocal person who, as Laura stated at the candidate's forum (again paraphrasing), "hasn't been involved to know what the problems are" also says nothing about one's ability to lead the organization. I'm fairly certain I knew more about how the ANA runs on a daily basis when I was elected to the Board than Laura does today.
She's calling for sweeping changes before she even knows what really has happened. I'm not asking her to put aside the parts of her platform which she knows more about than I, such as coin doctoring, but she really needs to learn a little about things she doesn't know before believing she had the ideal solution to problems with may not exist.
Greg
Greg Lyon, ANA Board of Governors 2011-2017 -- The views represented here are my own personal opinions and do not represent those of the American Numismatic Association.
<< <i> Point being that being a fixture in the YN program says nothing about one's ability to lead the entire organization. Everyone supports the YNs - it's like world peace at a beauty pageant.... >>
In all fairness to Greg, he is more then qualified to serving on the Board of Governors, no one Governor leads the entire organization, and they only lead when acting as a “unit” (the totality of a quorum). Each member brings their own strengths and weakness to the Board of Governors.
If all of the members of the Board of Governors thought and felt the same on each and every issue then we wouldn’t need any more then “one”. A healthy debate of opposing viewpoints is good for any organization to make sure the issues are fully discussed and vetted.
I do question Greg’s willingness to go alone with the lack of transparency within the Board of Governors. While some issues need to be discussed in private i.e. personnel issues, contracts and legal matters etc, any motion made or action taken by the Board of Governors should only be voted on in public after the debate, discussion or hearing has been concluded in order to maintain the elusion of transparency to the membership. The Bylaws of the ANA should be amended to accomplish this.
The abuse of the legal fees that the ANA are paying needs to be address also. There is just no reasonable justification for this amount being paid.
As far as Greg’s comment:
<< <i> She's calling for sweeping changes before she even knows what really has happened. >>
Why doesn’t she know what really has happened? Could it be from lack of transparency, something the Board of Governors seems to promote and is in need of a “sweeping change”.
<< <i>... I am sure it does. And yet, that fact changes nothing. It doesn't automatically make a great governor nor does it mean that Laura's job is to sit down, shut up and fit it. She ran on a platform and was elected on that platform. She has an agenda and is going to follow it. >>
But it does not make him a bad governor either. He has decades of experience within the organization and knows many many employees. Perhaps there's no opportunity for osmosis in the ivory tower.
I've spent 5 years teaching at Summer Seminar and know many of the staff as well as having written for The Numismatist. While not your stated position, I see you have not repudiated the ignorant trolls who want to fire everyone. As Laurie's mouthpiece here, do you think you are encouraging and enabling hysteria?
So tell us all TDN, ANA non-member that you are.... Other than implications, pseudo-factoids and ignorant and ill-informed rhetoric, watcha got ?
Or bloviate on....
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - Geo. Orwell
I have not called Greg a bad governor. I am simply saying Laura was elected by a constituency that expects certain actions - and those actions are not to sit down and shut up.
As far as bloviation goes, I'm certainly guilty sometimes - doubt this is one of them, tho
looks like we're all in trouble and i'm not even a member anymore.
If a picture wasn't going very well I'd put a puppy dog in it, always a mongrel, you know, never one of the full bred puppies. And then I'd put a bandage on its foot... I liked it when I did it, but now I'm sick of it.
Norman Rockwell
Not bad, just continued strong suggestions that his experiences are "probably" inadequate.... The general tenor of your remarks throughout this election have been rhetorical rather than factual.
Again, if you cannot disavow the trolls, you enable them. Any word on this subject? Rather, perhaps, you will continue your disingenuousness.
Having known Laurie for 35 years, I'm pretty sure I've seen her strengths and her weak spots. She refrains from mentioning mine (usually.... ). Some of her concerns have, to my view, more validity than others. Which is not to say that some do not have merit. However, serving on the ANA Board is a collaborative effort. Publically categorizing other candidates so negatively does not give her a good start in leveraging her ideals into action.
Could it not be said that her mandate as the candidate with the lowest qualifying total is exceeded by the mandates of everyone else successfully elected?
"We have to burn the village in order to save it" is soooooo Ted Cruz.
Only time will tell.........................
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - Geo. Orwell
With all due respect, Laura is not going off half coocked. She has already met with persons intimately familiar with the ANA and is meeting with more soon. By the time of the first Board meeting, she will be prepared to ask hard questions. I am quite certain the Board incumbents will commence with their point of view as well. My tone has been harsh because IMO the ANA is mismanaged. If you disagree, you are certainly welcome to your opinion - bloviate on...
<< <i>How far in advance do you have to join in order to vote in the next election? >>
You must be a member by March 31st of the year preceding the election. So for the 2015 election, you must be a member by March 31st, 2014.
Greg
Greg Lyon, ANA Board of Governors 2011-2017 -- The views represented here are my own personal opinions and do not represent those of the American Numismatic Association.
<< <i>Actually, yes I do get to mock him. It's driving the point home. No one is perfect. It's laughable to chide someone over a spelling error and then commit one oneself. >>
You made a spelling error. He made a typo. There was a possibility that his comment had educational value (for you and for others). The same cannot be said of yours.
I really think that you have stepped WELL over the line calling me a coward. I think an immediate apology and taking back the statement is in order. Your action and name calling is the hight of irresponsibility for which you will be held accountable for-
Before calling me a coward, did you even bother to search prior posts I have made on this subject and why I am not a member?
i AM NOT A MEMBER OF THE ANA BECAUSE OF THEIR LEGAL BUDGET. PLEASE LOOK AT THE ANA BUDGETS EACH YEAR FOR THE PAST 20-30 YEARS. I THINK YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE HERE WILL IN FACT BE STUNNED INTO SILENCE IF THEY KNEW THE AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES THAT HAVE BEEN WASTED. DO NOT CALL ME A COWARD BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THE ANA FOR WHAT IT IS AND REFUSE TO JOIN. THIS IS NOT MY BATTLE. THE COMMENTS MADE IN THE HOT, HOT, HOT TOPICS SEEM TO JUST CONFIRM MY THOUGHTS.
I would rather not post my thoughts in hope that the ANA can correct its problems - I am not able to do that for them.
Laura on the other hand, is exactly what is needed. >>
I don't think you're a coward, but I think the numismatic hobby is. Apparently, coin dealers spend the majority of their time trying to determine if they are being cheated, or how to cheat some unsuspecting consumer. It's no wonder the membership numbers are worse than abyssmal. And now, scores of phoney 'slabs', certifiable uncertified coins. It makes perfect kharmic sense to me, that the ANA should just go away. A long time ago, being a numismatist was a compliment, not so much anymore.
Start having contests, scholarships, events, giveaways for the YNs! You could pay for an entire family to come to Colorado for a week and not even put a DENT in that. The interest would probably cover that
USE IT to build your base or the ANA will become even more irrellevant if that's possible.
5,600 people voting! You and every single board member should be embarrassed at that stat. That is nothing short of pathetic. As are the legal expenses and the crap that has taken place.
I blame those numbers on something like is currently going on with our High School. We have about 145 kids per graduating class. They instituted a new method of "teaching". Everyone is up in arms over this but refuses to say anything or do anything but a handful of us because they know that ultimately the school board simply does not care what its constituents want or think unless they have a levy on the ballot. The administration knows that parents are removing kids from the district and is aware that others are planning on it prior to this fall but do not care. Sad but VERY true. >>
Good point. When you compare the budget to the number of people voting its a pretty dismal and expensive ratio.
I manage money. I earn money. I save money . I give away money. I collect money. I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
I guess I agree with the sentiments about the number of people who were complaining versus the number of people who actually bothered to vote, especially when those numbers were compared to previous elections. I also found it interesting that the YN program is well funded yet other areas are lacking. That makes me wonder a)if the YN program is not being pursued to its full potential or b) if the YN program is simply overfunded in relationship to the interest therein. Virtually any time I hear the words "ANA" and "donation" in the same sentence, it's usually the YN program that's being discussed- so I suppose I could see where this could be the case (overfunding vs. interest).
It also makes me wonder if there are some other areas that could be scaled back or cut if there is waning (or no) interest in them. In other words, are they funding the right things?
Edit to add: I don't know that I'd brag too much just yet about those declining legal costs, especially given recent events... just saying.
<< <i>I also found it interesting that the YN program is well funded yet other areas are lacking. That makes me wonder a)if the YN program is not being pursued to its full potential or b) if the YN program is simply overfunded in relationship to the interest therein. Virtually any time I hear the words "ANA" and "donation" in the same sentence, it's usually the YN program that's being discussed- so I suppose I could see where this could be the case.
It also makes me wonder if there are some other areas that could be scaled back or cut if there is waning (or no) interest in them. In other words, are they funding the right things? >>
When a donation is made to the ANA, the donor can request that it be targeted for a specific purpose (YNs, Bob Leece Memorial Fund, Library, etc.) or not. If the money is targeted for a specific purpose, the ANA must honor those wishes. Donating to support YNs is "sexy"... donating for, say adult Summer Seminar scholarships, is not.
As a result, YN activities can be mostly, if not completely, funded by the annual donations received for that purpose. This allows current revenues (dues, auction revenues, convention revenues) to be used for non-YN activities, similar to a way that most state lotteries say 100% of profits go to education -- true, except that means less general revenue will go to support education.
Believe it or not, the ANA runs a very lean ship. When you consider we have a $6 million / year budget which includes about 34 full time employees and must cover the costs of hosting two annual conventions, Summer Seminar and publishing a monthly magazine there's not a lot of fat on the bone.
What areas would members like to see cut back? Library? Museum? The Numismatist? Summer Seminar? Conventions? Our website.. oh wait, we don't put enough money into that already!
The ANA needs to improve it's fundraising -- we must provide potential donors with the belief their money would be used wisely, we need to provide concrete proof of what comes from those donations and we must make it easy to give. All three are being worked on today.
Greg
Greg Lyon, ANA Board of Governors 2011-2017 -- The views represented here are my own personal opinions and do not represent those of the American Numismatic Association.
When people think of the ANA, they usually think of coins. I would like to see a stronger emphasis put on currency. Afterall, currency is part of numismatics.
As for the $500,000 or so just sitting around for YN programs, how about expanding your educational programs to include online courses, more and better corresponence courses, perhaps even a "degree" in Numismatics?
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<< <i>
<< <i>And if I need to run next time I will. And I might bankroll two or three more like minded candidates. The time of the good old boy network is over. >>
I like this attitude... That kind of thinking is what wins revolutions
Erik >>
I wonder how $50,000 worth of direct mail would change the mix >>
Being the collector you are I hope you do it !
If healthy change occurs I think you will look back in your older age and say to yourself
it was as good if not better than buying a coin for 50k.
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
<< <i>
<< <i>Why is it that people "don't have a clue". I wonder... >>
Something of a cheap shot. I'm guessing a majority of people who come here shooting from the hip
aren't particularly conversant with the documents made public by the ANA. He cited specific examples
bearing that out. >>
Not a cheap shot at all.
You can check out the ANA web site, the proposed budgets for each year has a line item for legal counsel but no such line item on the finished or audited yearly budget. Why the lack of transparency? The proposed line item is roughly $140,000 per year, if the actual spending has been $500,000 - $270,000 - $425,000 – for the past two year under $200,000:
Why cook the books and just have a line item in the proposed budget for $140,000 if from past history the Board of Governors knows it is going to be more.
You can call it want ever you want Greg but a sub contractor position, part time at that, whether it is one person continuous or a replacement during the past six months, who’s position has been milking the ANA for the past several years of on average ¼ million dollars a year, I call that a “Gravy Train”.
I think Laura took a harmless joke by GregL out of context here. Board Members do not have a salary, they get $0.00 salary. GregL's joke was, so yea, go ahead and pay them double. Will her readers get that? I don't see how.
He is a regular voice on ANA issues here, and provides first-hand knowledge on ANA Board matters if you ever have a question for him. Clearly, he is willing to respond in as much detail as is permissible. I'd say that's a pretty good resource, no?
Despite problems in recent years, I challenge ANYONE in numismatics to find a better value for $46/yr (cherrypicks aside
<< <i>All I saw was one yapping on chatroom joking how he'll raise his salary. So guess what folks-BUSINESS AS USUAL.
I think Laura took a harmless joke by GregL out of context here. Board Members do not have a salary, they get $0.00 salary. GregL's joke was, so yea, go ahead and pay them double. Will her readers get that? I don't see how. >>
I don't think it's out of context. It may be funny to Greg but I think she meant it should not have been joked about in the first place by a re-elected governor given the current state of the ANA.
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
<< <i>I find it ironic that people in the dark, who are asking for more transparency from the ANA, are attacking Greg. He is an ANA Board Member who is, quite level-headedly, providing the transparency you so desire.
He is a regular voice on ANA issues here, and provides first-hand knowledge on ANA Board matters if you ever have a question for him. Clearly, he is willing to respond in as much detail as is permissible. I'd say that's a pretty good resource, no? >>
I agree. At least Greg has the guts to come here and take a bunch of flak from people. I don't personally know anybody involved and have no real basis to judge the ANA, but some flak is probably justified and some is not. Time will tell how all this plays out.
<< <i>Funny - I never heard of him until about a month before the election. Transparency? Most of what I heard was " I just can't say because of counsel" >>
Then you must not have paid much attention in the last couple elections. If your interest in the organization is only as deep as your associate's involvement then that is fine and perfectly understandable, but it would probably not be a good reason to run for the Board yourself.
Greg has been an absolute fixture of the YN program at the ANA for decades. I would argue he has done more to help develop young collectors than anyone in his age bracket, and perhaps anyone living in numismatics all together (I can elaborate on this if you would like).
edited for spelling
Yah, everyone is all about the YNs. I once donated $10k that I won in the PCGS grading contest to the YNs. They told me they really didn't need any more funds for the YNs as it was everyones favorite cause. Been there, done that. Next?
TDN - Any way I read this, I'm pretty much horrified.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!!
working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
RIP "BEAR"
Sounds like a good place to start changing the rules if you ask me.
Rather than be confident of "winning" the lawsuits against former Executive Directors, the better course is not to get into those disagreements in the first place.
I am a little surprised that Laura came out with guns blazing rather than to spend the first few weeks/months in more a fact finding/bridge building mode. There's plenty of
time to burn bridges if other methods don't work.
<< <i>Yah, everyone is all about the YNs. I once donated $10k that I won in the PCGS grading contest to the YNs. They told me they really didn't need any more funds for the YNs as it was everyones favorite cause. Been there, done that. Next? >>
The honest truth is that the one area of the ANA's work that is NOT hurting for funds are the YN programs. There is currently over $500,000 in reserve funds that have been donated to be used on YN activities, with well over $50,000 donated each year just at the YN Auctions at Summer Seminar. Just about all YNs at Summer Seminar attend on scholarships and significant money is spent on other YN programs throughout the year.
One member of this board has contacted me asking why we don't have adult scholarships for Summer Seminar. That would be a great idea. In fact, a scholarship fund for adults to attend Summer Seminar was created several years ago. In all, it has received under $5,000 in donations since being established.
Whoever responded to your donation offer did not (in my opinion) respond in the most tactful way, but may have been trying to explain that there are areas other than YN programs which are in greater need of funding. The ANA is always happy to take donations whether they be for a specific cause or not.
Greg
<< <i>Despite problems in recent years, I challenge ANYONE in numismatics to find a better value for $46/yr ... >>
What is not well understood by the membership is that the membership is a loss-leader for the ANA (at least it used to be, as I don't know the current figures). In 2005, the total cost of a new member was $53 (when annual dues were $36). The cost of an renewing member was less (I forget the number), but still more than the annual dues. Yeah, it's a good value, but the reality is that it is draining the financial resources of the organization. Why not price membership so it is at least revenue neutral? The answer returned is always "we will lose members." The ANA doesn't need more members, it needs more engaged members. The difference seems to be too subtle for many of those responsible for policy decisions.
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
<< <i> The ANA doesn't need more members, it needs more engaged members. The difference seems to be too subtle for many of those responsible for policy decisions. >>
This is the exact reason I cringed when one candidate (who did not get elected), when asked "What should the ANA do to increase membership?", replied "Get everyone to sign their spouse up." *sigh*
Greg
Why?
Start having contests, scholarships, events, giveaways for the YNs! You could pay for an entire family to come to Colorado for a week and not even put a DENT in that. The interest would probably cover that
USE IT to build your base or the ANA will become even more irrellevant if that's possible.
5,600 people voting! You and every single board member should be embarrassed at that stat. That is nothing short of pathetic. As are the legal expenses and the crap that has taken place.
I blame those numbers on something like is currently going on with our High School. We have about 145 kids per graduating class. They instituted a new method of "teaching". Everyone is up in arms over this but refuses to say anything or do anything but a handful of us because they know that ultimately the school board simply does not care what its constituents want or think unless they have a levy on the ballot. The administration knows that parents are removing kids from the district and is aware that others are planning on it prior to this fall but do not care. Sad but VERY true.
<< <i><Greg has been an absolute fixture of the YN program at the ANA for decades. I would argue he has done more to help develop young collectors than anyone in his age bracket, and perhaps anyone living in numismatics all together>
Yah, everyone is all about the YNs. I once donated $10k that I won in the PCGS grading contest to the YNs. They told me they really didn't need any more funds for the YNs as it was everyones favorite cause. Been there, done that. Next?
TDN - Any way I read this, I'm pretty much horrified. >>
Point being that being a fixture in the YN program says nothing about one's ability to lead the entire organization. Everyone supports the YNs - it's like world peace at a beauty pageant....
I am not so sure about that. I'd bet half of the "active" members are dead or on life support and the member list just has not been purged. If the ANA can't keep track of coins in their care, they can keep track of their members?
<< <i>Over 500K sitting there?
Why?
Start having contests, scholarships, events, giveaways for the YNs! You could pay for an entire family to come to Colorado for a week and not even put a DENT in that. The interest would probably cover that
>>
They do, they do, they do, they do, and they do.
<< <i>Start having contests, scholarships, events, giveaways for the YNs! >>
Umm... we do. I would estimate that about 50 YNs come out to Summer Seminar each year on scholarship -- and that's out of under 1000 YN members. Realize that there are many YNs who either can't (too young, have summer jobs or summer school, etc) or aren't involved / interested enough (some members sign up their grandkids at birth and don't become interested in numismatics).
Before you suggest offering MORE scholarships realize there are two problems in doing so:
1) There is a limit on the number of YNs you can bring out each session based on dorm accommodations and adult supervision. 50 may not sound like many but, having been a Summer Seminar chaperone for more than a decade, it's not a number you could easily double.
2) There is a point at which you run out of YNs who will truly benefit from a scholarship and are instead just going to Colorado Springs for a week of vacation. This happened far more when I was a YN and the ANA did not allow YNs to win scholarships in multiple years. The group of YNs in 1989 were a real doozy.
On top of Summer Seminar, we have the YN auction at the summer convention (including a mail bid component for those who don't go to the convention!), Your Newsletter, the Ancient Coin Project, the Early American Copper Coin Project, Coins for As, YN Literary Awards, Treasure Trivia at conventions, a new "Kids Zone" at the Money Museum, and sponsorships for local school districts to visit the Money Museum. Bet you didn't know about all of those!
Just giving away coins to kids won't make them collectors! As a result, we have a series of programs to get kids involved and further their interests once they are involved. Of course additional suggestions are always welcome!
<< <i>5,600 people voting! You and every single board member should be embarrassed at that stat. >>
I'd love to see everyone vote -- just as I would in all elections. However, you can't make people vote. When there is a reason to vote, you see higher turnouts. The contested presidential election in 2009 resulted in almost 9000 people voting. Even the "throw the bums out" election of 2007 had only 7100 votes cast.
<< <i>As are the legal expenses and the crap that has taken place. >>
Do you realize how much of our legal expenses since 2007 are from the Chris Cipoletti lawsuits? He challenged his dismissal -- through arbitration and then through the courts -- and lost, resulting in a settlement for the ANA. Should that not have been defended? As I've stated before, we can't control who sues us. We try to minimize the possibility of that taking place, but can't prevent that from happening.
Greg
<< <i>Over 500K sitting there?
Why?
Start having contests, scholarships, events, giveaways for the YNs! You could pay for an entire family to come to Colorado for a week and not even put a DENT in that. The interest would probably cover that.
>>
Interest? I remember interest. Don't think anybody pays it anymore.
<< <i><< Point being that of the thousands of votes Laura received, many were for just her and not the incumbents. Those happy with the status quo voted elsewhere. She has the duty to represent those who voted for her - those who want change. It is not her job to fit in. Deal with it. >>
I'm sorry, but your math is plain wrong.
5542 ballots were received -- meaning a possible total of 38,794 votes for individual governors.
If you sum up the total number of votes cast, 33,023 votes were cast (or an average of 5.96 votes per ballot.
Laura received 2,569 votes. If even 1,000 of those votes were ONLY for Laura, that would have the possible total number of votes cast would be 32,794 -- less than what was actually cast. >>
There's nothing wrong with the original math, although the wording might not have been the best.
The incumbents received between 2723 and 3220 votes. Laura received 2569 votes. The math allows for there to have been:
2723 ballots voting for all incumbents but not Laura
250 ballots voting for 1 or 2 incumbents but not Laura
247 ballots voting for Laura and 1 or 2 incumbents
2322 ballots voting for Laura but no incumbents
-----
5542 total ballots
I'm sure that's not what happened, but if you're going to argue math, that's what the math allows.
There HAD TO BE 247 ballots that voted for both Laura and Gary Adkins, the top incumbent vote-getter.
Since there is 5k for an adult scholarship, I'll take it for next year. PM me details.
Continue...
Nothing like a shake-down to drive up interest in a dead organization.
<<Yah, everyone is all about the YNs. I once donated $10k that I won in the PCGS grading contest to the YNs. They told me they really didn't need any more funds for the YNs as it was everyones favorite cause. Been there, done that. Next? >>
<TDN - Any way I read this, I'm pretty much horrified. >
Point being that being a fixture in the YN program says nothing about one's ability to lead the entire organization. Everyone supports the YNs - it's like world peace at a beauty pageant....
Understood, and no problem. However, I apparently need to clarify my point. That is, as generous as your contribution was, it pales beside the efforts GregL has made over the years with the YN program. And FWIW, note that the first quote above is from a very qualified source: 2008 YN of the Year Will Robins.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
<< <i>
<< <i>Over 500K sitting there?
Why?
Start having contests, scholarships, events, giveaways for the YNs! You could pay for an entire family to come to Colorado for a week and not even put a DENT in that. The interest would probably cover that.
>>
Interest? I remember interest. Don't think anybody pays it anymore. >>
[URL=http://media.photobucket.com/user/frankencat/media/misc/1557.jpg.html]
<< <i><<<Greg has been an absolute fixture of the YN program at the ANA for decades. I would argue he has done more to help develop young collectors than anyone in his age bracket, and perhaps anyone living in numismatics all together>>>
<<Yah, everyone is all about the YNs. I once donated $10k that I won in the PCGS grading contest to the YNs. They told me they really didn't need any more funds for the YNs as it was everyones favorite cause. Been there, done that. Next? >>
<TDN - Any way I read this, I'm pretty much horrified. >
Point being that being a fixture in the YN program says nothing about one's ability to lead the entire organization. Everyone supports the YNs - it's like world peace at a beauty pageant....
Understood, and no problem. However, I apparently need to clarify my point. That is, as generous as your contribution was, it pales beside the efforts GregL has made over the years with the YN program. And FWIW, note that the first quote above is from a very qualified source: 2008 YN of the Year Will Robins. >>
I am sure it does. And yet, that fact changes nothing. It doesn't automatically make a great governor nor does it mean that Laura's job is to sit down, shut up and fit it. She ran on a platform and was elected on that platform. She has an agenda and is going to follow it.
There should be no limit, ever. I can just imagine: "Sorry Paul Allen, we can't use your $100 million donation to the YN, since we have enough money for that".
- Ian
Owner/Founder GreatCollections
GreatCollections Coin Auctions - Certified Coin Auctions Every Week - Rare Coins & Coin Values
<< <i>Point being that being a fixture in the YN program says nothing about one's ability to lead the entire organization. >>
No it does not, but before joining the Board, I had been an active member of the ANA -- as a volunteer, exhibitor and judge for many years. I'd have been to ANA headquarters almost 20 times (and I'm not referring to just the public portions of the building). I knew the majority of ANA staff. I had read the ANA's financial reports and balance sheet. I knew of many concerns and issues raised by the members. Even with all of that, there was A LOT to learn once I joined the Board.
But being a very vocal person who, as Laura stated at the candidate's forum (again paraphrasing), "hasn't been involved to know what the problems are" also says nothing about one's ability to lead the organization. I'm fairly certain I knew more about how the ANA runs on a daily basis when I was elected to the Board than Laura does today.
She's calling for sweeping changes before she even knows what really has happened. I'm not asking her to put aside the parts of her platform which she knows more about than I, such as coin doctoring, but she really needs to learn a little about things she doesn't know before believing she had the ideal solution to problems with may not exist.
Greg
<< <i> Point being that being a fixture in the YN program says nothing about one's ability to lead the entire organization. Everyone supports the YNs - it's like world peace at a beauty pageant.... >>
In all fairness to Greg, he is more then qualified to serving on the Board of Governors, no one Governor leads the entire organization, and they only lead when acting as a “unit” (the totality of a quorum). Each member brings their own strengths and weakness to the Board of Governors.
If all of the members of the Board of Governors thought and felt the same on each and every issue then we wouldn’t need any more then “one”. A healthy debate of opposing viewpoints is good for any organization to make sure the issues are fully discussed and vetted.
I do question Greg’s willingness to go alone with the lack of transparency within the Board of Governors. While some issues need to be discussed in private i.e. personnel issues, contracts and legal matters etc, any motion made or action taken by the Board of Governors should only be voted on in public after the debate, discussion or hearing has been concluded in order to maintain the elusion of transparency to the membership. The Bylaws of the ANA should be amended to accomplish this.
The abuse of the legal fees that the ANA are paying needs to be address also. There is just no reasonable justification for this amount being paid.
As far as Greg’s comment:
<< <i> She's calling for sweeping changes before she even knows what really has happened. >>
Why doesn’t she know what really has happened? Could it be from lack of transparency, something the Board of Governors seems to promote and is in need of a “sweeping change”.
<< <i>... I am sure it does. And yet, that fact changes nothing. It doesn't automatically make a great governor nor does it mean that Laura's job is to sit down, shut up and fit it. She ran on a platform and was elected on that platform. She has an agenda and is going to follow it. >>
But it does not make him a bad governor either. He has decades of experience within the organization and knows many many employees. Perhaps there's no opportunity for osmosis in the ivory tower.
I've spent 5 years teaching at Summer Seminar and know many of the staff as well as having written for The Numismatist. While not your stated position, I see you have not repudiated the ignorant trolls who want to fire everyone. As Laurie's mouthpiece here, do you think you are encouraging and enabling hysteria?
So tell us all TDN, ANA non-member that you are.... Other than implications, pseudo-factoids and ignorant and ill-informed rhetoric, watcha got ?
Or bloviate on....
As far as bloviation goes, I'm certainly guilty sometimes - doubt this is one of them, tho
If a picture wasn't going very well I'd put a puppy dog in it, always a mongrel, you know, never one of the full bred puppies. And then I'd put a bandage on its foot... I liked it when I did it, but now I'm sick of it.
Norman Rockwell
Again, if you cannot disavow the trolls, you enable them. Any word on this subject? Rather, perhaps, you will continue your disingenuousness.
Having known Laurie for 35 years, I'm pretty sure I've seen her strengths and her weak spots. She refrains from mentioning mine (usually....
Could it not be said that her mandate as the candidate with the lowest qualifying total is exceeded by the mandates of everyone else successfully elected?
"We have to burn the village in order to save it" is soooooo Ted Cruz.
Only time will tell.........................
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
My sets: [280+ horse coins] :: [France Sowers] :: [Colorful world copper] :: [Beautiful world coins]
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<< <i>OMG
I don't know where to start and i think it just best for everyone that I write nothing. >>
<< <i>How far in advance do you have to join in order to vote in the next election? >>
You must be a member by March 31st of the year preceding the election. So for the 2015 election, you must be a member by March 31st, 2014.
Greg
<< <i>Actually, yes I do get to mock him. It's driving the point home. No one is perfect. It's laughable to chide someone over a spelling error and then commit one oneself. >>
You made a spelling error. He made a typo. There was a possibility that his comment had educational value
(for you and for others). The same cannot be said of yours.
Carry on.
<< <i>Turbo:
I really think that you have stepped WELL over the line calling me a coward. I think an immediate apology and taking back the statement is in order. Your action and name calling is the hight of irresponsibility for which you will be held accountable for-
Before calling me a coward, did you even bother to search prior posts I have made on this subject and why I am not a member?
i AM NOT A MEMBER OF THE ANA BECAUSE OF THEIR LEGAL BUDGET. PLEASE LOOK AT THE ANA BUDGETS EACH YEAR FOR THE PAST 20-30 YEARS. I THINK YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE HERE WILL IN FACT BE STUNNED INTO SILENCE IF THEY KNEW THE AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES THAT HAVE BEEN WASTED. DO NOT CALL ME A COWARD BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THE ANA FOR WHAT IT IS AND REFUSE TO JOIN. THIS IS NOT MY BATTLE. THE COMMENTS MADE IN THE HOT, HOT, HOT TOPICS SEEM TO JUST CONFIRM MY THOUGHTS.
I would rather not post my thoughts in hope that the ANA can correct its problems - I am not able to do that for them.
Laura on the other hand, is exactly what is needed. >>
I don't think you're a coward, but I think the numismatic hobby is. Apparently, coin dealers spend the majority of their time trying to determine if they are being cheated, or how to cheat some unsuspecting consumer. It's no wonder the membership numbers are worse than abyssmal. And now, scores of phoney 'slabs', certifiable uncertified coins. It makes perfect kharmic sense to me, that the ANA should just go away.
A long time ago, being a numismatist was a compliment, not so much anymore.
<< <i>Over 500K sitting there?
Why?
Start having contests, scholarships, events, giveaways for the YNs! You could pay for an entire family to come to Colorado for a week and not even put a DENT in that. The interest would probably cover that
USE IT to build your base or the ANA will become even more irrellevant if that's possible.
5,600 people voting! You and every single board member should be embarrassed at that stat. That is nothing short of pathetic. As are the legal expenses and the crap that has taken place.
I blame those numbers on something like is currently going on with our High School. We have about 145 kids per graduating class. They instituted a new method of "teaching". Everyone is up in arms over this but refuses to say anything or do anything but a handful of us because they know that ultimately the school board simply does not care what its constituents want or think unless they have a levy on the ballot. The administration knows that parents are removing kids from the district and is aware that others are planning on it prior to this fall but do not care. Sad but VERY true. >>
Good point. When you compare the budget to the number of people voting its a pretty dismal and expensive ratio.
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
I also found it interesting that the YN program is well funded yet other areas are lacking. That makes me wonder a)if the YN program is not being pursued to its full potential or b) if the YN program is simply overfunded in relationship to the interest therein. Virtually any time I hear the words "ANA" and "donation" in the same sentence, it's usually the YN program that's being discussed- so I suppose I could see where this could be the case (overfunding vs. interest).
It also makes me wonder if there are some other areas that could be scaled back or cut if there is waning (or no) interest in them. In other words, are they funding the right things?
Edit to add: I don't know that I'd brag too much just yet about those declining legal costs, especially given recent events... just saying.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
<< <i>I also found it interesting that the YN program is well funded yet other areas are lacking. That makes me wonder a)if the YN program is not being pursued to its full potential or b) if the YN program is simply overfunded in relationship to the interest therein. Virtually any time I hear the words "ANA" and "donation" in the same sentence, it's usually the YN program that's being discussed- so I suppose I could see where this could be the case.
It also makes me wonder if there are some other areas that could be scaled back or cut if there is waning (or no) interest in them. In other words, are they funding the right things? >>
When a donation is made to the ANA, the donor can request that it be targeted for a specific purpose (YNs, Bob Leece Memorial Fund, Library, etc.) or not. If the money is targeted for a specific purpose, the ANA must honor those wishes. Donating to support YNs is "sexy"... donating for, say adult Summer Seminar scholarships, is not.
As a result, YN activities can be mostly, if not completely, funded by the annual donations received for that purpose. This allows current revenues (dues, auction revenues, convention revenues) to be used for non-YN activities, similar to a way that most state lotteries say 100% of profits go to education -- true, except that means less general revenue will go to support education.
Believe it or not, the ANA runs a very lean ship. When you consider we have a $6 million / year budget which includes about 34 full time employees and must cover the costs of hosting two annual conventions, Summer Seminar and publishing a monthly magazine there's not a lot of fat on the bone.
What areas would members like to see cut back? Library? Museum? The Numismatist? Summer Seminar? Conventions? Our website.. oh wait, we don't put enough money into that already!
The ANA needs to improve it's fundraising -- we must provide potential donors with the belief their money would be used wisely, we need to provide concrete proof of what comes from those donations and we must make it easy to give. All three are being worked on today.
Greg
As for the $500,000 or so just sitting around for YN programs, how about expanding your educational programs to include online courses, more and better corresponence courses, perhaps even a "degree" in Numismatics?