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ANA Board of Directors Election - Which qualificantions would best serve the ANA?
Boosibri
Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭✭
I received my electronic ballot today and in reading the bios I am surprised at the focus on numismatic backstories and the love of the hobby (which is all well and good) and a considerable lack of detail, in some cases zero, on the candidates professional qualifications in running non-profits, business management, financing and capital structure, education, project management (nod to Greg Lyons).
Seriously, I really wonder how many industry insiders the board needs versus seasoned business professionals who know how to run a company or non-profit. That is the skill set I would vote for.
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... and know how to avoid expensive lawsuits.
I would vote for someone with solid ideas on getting more people (specifically YNs) into the hobby. I am a big fan of Ralph Ross (and also partly Greg Lyon, as he used to be a prominent YN and could have more ideas).
Fan of the Oxford Comma
CCAC Representative of the General Public
2021 Young Numismatist of the Year
Backgrounds in Digital marketing, Organizational Communication and Executive leadership seem like the qualities/qualifications the head honchos should have.
From what I've heard about the ANA and seen myself they need to get a plan together and execute it and that hasn't happened in a while.
I have no idea what their mission or goals are as a trade organization and I'm a member
. After signing up and getting a notification for the new monthly issue of the numismatist, they don't seem to communicate or do much with members.
There should be more targeted communications that affect collectors:
I agree, to an extent, with the OP.
I would also believe it to be important to have a mix of geographical candidates. Up here in Washington State, I have pretty much always felt left out.
I think the BoD, VP, and Prez are all good and all, but have always tended to focus on the locations they have known and not tried very hard to grow the hobby in other regions.
I've been an ANA member a couple of times, but there isn't much push to retain people and there isn't much (seeming) desire to grow the ANA in regions where the elite aren't represented. Elite meaning those that are elected.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
They should screen the candidates better. Ask any dealer about Hendelson. He is a habitual check bouncer and many other things. I know he is banned from doing biz at least one auction co . Does the ANA really want people like that on the board?
This is why the ANA will remain in limbo ad die a slow death
I got my ballot today. I also got the May Numismatist magazine today. The magazine has 9 members running for the seven governor positions on the board. My ballot has 8 members running for the board.
QUESTION: Is MITCHELL ERNST from Omaha Nebraska OFFICIALLY RUNNING IN THE ELECTION? He is a contributor on this board and I was one of several posters here who sent official nominations for Mitchell to the ANA.
Thanks for any update.
Steve
My Complete PROOF Lincoln Cent with Major Varieties(1909-2015)Set Registry
I thing the more important question is which ones will best serve the membership not and ANA.
The ANA should serve the hobby in general! This is done with Education programs for the members not a money making event.
It is becoming way too expensive to attend ANA money show for both dealers and collectors and that is a fact.
I voted just now on-line. These nominees are very experienced and all worthy of election to the post they are running for. One of my votes was for Colonel Steven Ellsworth (Butternut).
As can be seen from this thread, everyone has particular ideas about what the ANA should be doing. Their resources are limited and they can only do so much. Between divergent membership objectives and two-year board terms, it's tough to get anything done.
I do agree with the OP that non-profit administrative experience should be strongly considered, in addition to the usual numismatic bona fides.
I believe he withdrew.
Partner @Gold Hill Coin
Got the ballots today.
I still have not gotten a ballot as of today
I am a 48 year ANA member. Today I spent an hour and 47 minutes, on line, watching the Candidate Forum at the Orlando show. It was an eye opener. I now know for which candidates I will cast my vote. If you have time please watch the video and cast your vote.
There are two candidates for President and I'm voting for Gary Adkins because I've bought a number of coins from him and have always been happy with them.
There is only 1 candidate for VP.
For Governor, there is a list of 8 candidates and you can vote for up to 7.
So it seems there isn't much interest.
I guess I'd vote for someone who's top priority is to bring YN's into the hobby. That's where the future will be.
My question is less about priorities but the lack of demonstrated capabilities to deliver results or manage an organization. The focus of all the bios seems to be on the collecting history or dealer history vs. the competencies that actually matter for an ANA governor.
Latin American Collection
Gary Adkins may be a good candidate but running the ANA and selling coins seem like very different activities.
Do these position recieve a salary? or just travel expenses when they meet 0r something else?
I did while ago and it was very useful.
Fan of the Oxford Comma
CCAC Representative of the General Public
2021 Young Numismatist of the Year
Too many candidates receive votes because they sell nice coins or simply have name recognition (according to my conversations with voting members over that past dozen years or so). Very few have any experience serving on a non-profit board, let alone a board for a national organization. Many of the elected Governors think they are supposed to "manage" the organization, which is not the Board's role. The Board is to provide vision, leadership and guidance for the membership and empower the staff to fulfill the ANA's mission. They should also be actively engaged in fund development (philanthropy) to support for the Association.
The ANA is managed by the staff at headquarters and without Board interference, they do a good job for the members.
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
I'm a director on three boards and chairman of two.
I like to see diversity in expertise on our Boards.
You need a mix of:
The technical types, in whatever the organization is. Coins in this case.
The financial people. Invaluable.
Political. I've enjoyed having a politicians staff member as a fellow director. They have lots of connections and has proven to be a great asset.
And any number of other types....
I think like @astrorat that a Board should provide stable leadership and guidance and let the staff do their jobs.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
I am a big fan of the ANA. As a board member of both a local club and a regional club I have front row seat to many of the great things they do. But "they" are not the board, "they" are the staff.
Sadly, the ANA Board elections have been a popularity test for decades. And an effective board is essential to the success of any organization. As others have stated we need a mix of talents, the least of which is a coin dealer IMO. And as others have stated the board exists for leadership, ideas, and setting the path. Once the board sets the objectives it is critical that they get the heck out of the way and let the staff get the job done. Honestly, we should know more about the executives and staff members in the ANA than the Board Members. But generally the Board is too busy sucking all the oxygen out of the room.
Oh, and if we really want some results we need to get rid of the ridiculous two year terms. How about 4 or 5? That makes a lot more sense for a board that formally meets only a few times a year.
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
Mailed my ballot.
I tried to to get the computer link to work and failed five times. I can't get the site work. All I get is links to a Sierra Club vote or a labor union on the West Coast.
What's wrong with the ANA? They can't even do this right.
I want to vote for Gary Adkins, so I imagine I'll mail in the ballot. As for the rest, there are some good guys on the board vote. I'll leave it at that.
I called the "help" line and they sent me an email with link attached. The link had a slash (/) at the end of it which was not on the ballot instructions. I don't know if that made a difference, but if you can't get in, call the help line.
So ... 8 governor candidates for 7 positions ... this fact alone speaks volumes about the existing apathy toward the ANA. No one is fighting over these positions, that's for sure! I wonder if the ANA actually had to recruit governor candidates to ensure they had enough? Hmmm, has there ever been an election when there weren't enough candidates? Who is going to be the one poor soul that doesn't get picked this year? I'll bet that is going to feel pretty crappy.
The perception I hear from many is that the Presidential candidates are just looking to add the job to their resumes (I could name a few of these over the past 20 years) or follow in daddy's footsteps, the VP candidates are just posturing themselves to run for President next time, and the governors are generally good folks and idealists (at least when they start) with good intentions who quickly figure out their ideas either fall on deaf ears and/or they are powerless to do anything significant by themselves (shout out to Laura), their 2-4 years are quickly up, their 15 minutes of fame over, and they bail.
Finally, I don't mind giving some props to Greg Lyons here. I do not know him personally, but he has resiliently hung around the BOG for awhile now and keeps trying to communicate with the membership (and non-members too) and contribute where he can. He is the ONLY ANA governor of which I'm aware that posts here or ATS (where are the others?!) and he takes his fair share of abuse on behalf of the ANA because of it (sometimes from me), for which I give him credit. He got one of my votes -- it was the least I could do haha.
I'd better get back to work now....
ANA LM
USAF Retired — 34 years of active military service! 🇺🇸
Running for ANA governor is a commitment. You have to travel out there. If you have a job with only two or three weeks vacation, that can be very hard. I don't know when they hold their meetings, but if it's much into the cold weather period, watch out for snow!
Many of the people who run are looking to put it on their dealer resumes.
I know they usually meet during their major shows, which the Board members usually attend anyways. For other meetings, I do not believe travel to Colorado Springs is mandatory as appearing telephonically at the meetings would probably work in most cases.
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
Pick the one with the most vowels
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
I only go to FUN and Baltimore, and my travel to Baltimore is going to be less as I scale back my want lists. I've been to Central States only once and have not gone to the big ANA show in years.
Important to consider and somewhat ominous for our hobby given current discussions.