ANA Board Candidate Meet & Greet -- Greg Lyon
GregL
Posts: 470 ✭
While I’ve been a lurker on Collectors Universe for the good part of a year, I wanted to formally introduce myself as I am a candidate for this year’s ANA Board of Governors election.
A collector since the age of 6, I was fortunate enough to attend the late Larry Gentile’s Young Numismatist programs on the East Coast. Larry was a mentor to me – he taught me a great deal about numismatics, as well as the importance of giving back to the hobby.
An ANA member for 28 years, I joined the organization on my 11th birthday -- the minimum age for ANA membership in 1983 and have served as a volunteer for the past three decades – becoming an ANA certified exhibit judge in 1989 to assisting with YN activities at ANA convention since 2008. I am most proud of my time volunteering to chaperone Young Numismatists at the ANA Summer Seminar since 1998, where I have seen many of today’s young stars grow from being teenagers to the new crop of hobby professionals.
I have been honored by the ANA and other organizations for my involvement on numerous occasions – being named Outstanding Young Numismatist in 1989, Outstanding Adult Advisor in 2005, the recipient of an ANA Presidential Award in 2009, the recipient of the Florida United Numismatist’s Charles B. Fine Literary Award and the winner of 16 ANA Exhibit Awards, including two Charles H. Wolfe YN Best of Show Awards.
In addition to exhibiting at numerous local and regional conventions, I have given talks at organizations including the American Association of Young Numismatists, American Israel Numismatic Association, New England Numismatic Association, Great Eastern Numismatic Association and Garden State Numismatic Association. I have also had articles published in FUN Topics, The Clarion, The Centinel and First Strike.
My goals as an ANA Board member include:
• Improving communications to members and member clubs
In 2010, there was a lot of controversy regarding increased club dues – although a discount was set up for each ANA member in a club. I shared a banquet table at the ANA convention in Boston with two former ANA board members who were also members of the Numismatic Hall of Fame. Neither was aware of the discount given to clubs for individual ANA membership. If highly involved members such as these are not aware of such changes, how can we expect the average member to be?
• Growing membership
I understand and support the admission charge to ANA conventions for non-members. But, I believe we need to look at how we can encourage that group to become members. With the advent of basic memberships – providing online access to The Numismatist – the additional cost of new members has dropped significantly. If non-member attendees were given a six-month trial membership with their admission charge, I think we could see significant membership gains.
• Maintaining / improving member services
Several years ago, the ANA decided to outsource the Money Market. When that took place, ANA Life Members – the most dedicated group in our organization – lost a 10% discount they had previously received and now had to pay sales tax on any purchases. While the overall economic benefit to the ANA remains the highest priority on decisions such as this, we shouldn’t penalize members at the same time.
• Supporting a greater online presence for the ANA
The Internet has become a part of our daily lives but I don’t believe the ANA’s online presence has kept up. In addition to expanding online educational information and enhancing the online presence of the ANA Museum Collection, I’d like to see the organization add a National Coin Week award for the best online numismatic presentation – an award for online exhibits.
Additionally, I will promise to not request reimbursement to attend ANA conventions. I believe if someone is dedicated enough to serve on the ANA Board, they are likely to attend ANA conventions anyway. I will not ask the ANA to pay for me to attend these events if I am elected to the Board.
I welcome this opportunity to answer any questions or concerns. Please feel free to reply to this thread with questions / comments / ideas. I seek to be the candidate of ideas and openness. Your thoughts / comments / ideas are welcome now and – if I am elected – throughout my term in office. I will reply to all input / questions / comments I receive -- whether posted on the forums here or sent to me via email at GregL13@swbell.net
Sincerely,
Greg Lyon
A collector since the age of 6, I was fortunate enough to attend the late Larry Gentile’s Young Numismatist programs on the East Coast. Larry was a mentor to me – he taught me a great deal about numismatics, as well as the importance of giving back to the hobby.
An ANA member for 28 years, I joined the organization on my 11th birthday -- the minimum age for ANA membership in 1983 and have served as a volunteer for the past three decades – becoming an ANA certified exhibit judge in 1989 to assisting with YN activities at ANA convention since 2008. I am most proud of my time volunteering to chaperone Young Numismatists at the ANA Summer Seminar since 1998, where I have seen many of today’s young stars grow from being teenagers to the new crop of hobby professionals.
I have been honored by the ANA and other organizations for my involvement on numerous occasions – being named Outstanding Young Numismatist in 1989, Outstanding Adult Advisor in 2005, the recipient of an ANA Presidential Award in 2009, the recipient of the Florida United Numismatist’s Charles B. Fine Literary Award and the winner of 16 ANA Exhibit Awards, including two Charles H. Wolfe YN Best of Show Awards.
In addition to exhibiting at numerous local and regional conventions, I have given talks at organizations including the American Association of Young Numismatists, American Israel Numismatic Association, New England Numismatic Association, Great Eastern Numismatic Association and Garden State Numismatic Association. I have also had articles published in FUN Topics, The Clarion, The Centinel and First Strike.
My goals as an ANA Board member include:
• Improving communications to members and member clubs
In 2010, there was a lot of controversy regarding increased club dues – although a discount was set up for each ANA member in a club. I shared a banquet table at the ANA convention in Boston with two former ANA board members who were also members of the Numismatic Hall of Fame. Neither was aware of the discount given to clubs for individual ANA membership. If highly involved members such as these are not aware of such changes, how can we expect the average member to be?
• Growing membership
I understand and support the admission charge to ANA conventions for non-members. But, I believe we need to look at how we can encourage that group to become members. With the advent of basic memberships – providing online access to The Numismatist – the additional cost of new members has dropped significantly. If non-member attendees were given a six-month trial membership with their admission charge, I think we could see significant membership gains.
• Maintaining / improving member services
Several years ago, the ANA decided to outsource the Money Market. When that took place, ANA Life Members – the most dedicated group in our organization – lost a 10% discount they had previously received and now had to pay sales tax on any purchases. While the overall economic benefit to the ANA remains the highest priority on decisions such as this, we shouldn’t penalize members at the same time.
• Supporting a greater online presence for the ANA
The Internet has become a part of our daily lives but I don’t believe the ANA’s online presence has kept up. In addition to expanding online educational information and enhancing the online presence of the ANA Museum Collection, I’d like to see the organization add a National Coin Week award for the best online numismatic presentation – an award for online exhibits.
Additionally, I will promise to not request reimbursement to attend ANA conventions. I believe if someone is dedicated enough to serve on the ANA Board, they are likely to attend ANA conventions anyway. I will not ask the ANA to pay for me to attend these events if I am elected to the Board.
I welcome this opportunity to answer any questions or concerns. Please feel free to reply to this thread with questions / comments / ideas. I seek to be the candidate of ideas and openness. Your thoughts / comments / ideas are welcome now and – if I am elected – throughout my term in office. I will reply to all input / questions / comments I receive -- whether posted on the forums here or sent to me via email at GregL13@swbell.net
Sincerely,
Greg Lyon
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.
0
Comments
I realize I may be a late comer to the Collectors Universe forums, but I understand the need for the ANA to reach out to social networking such as this forum, Twitter and Facebook. I consider all of these areas as critical to the ANA's outreach to younger members of the numismatic community.
Greg
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Greg
A bright young face is a breath of fresh air in ANA politics.
Mark
Discover all unpredictable errors before they occur.
<< <i>I think I saw (and heard) you pressing the flesh at ANA in Sacramento.
A bright young face is a breath of fresh air in ANA politics.
Mark >>
Hi Mark!
Yes, I was in Sacramento and -- thanks to ANA Board Meetings -- was able to be the only Board Candidate on the bourse floor on Friday. I tried to meet with every table on the bourse floor and each club with a table in the club area. Additionally, I attended the candidates forum on Saturday morning -- the video of which should be available at www.cointelevision.com soon. I apologize if I didn't have the opportunity to talk with you personally, but I would be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you have on this forum or via email.
I appreciate your support!
Greg
to one dealer while I was looking at his coins. (Not interrupting.)
I've never heard a candidate go around and talk to people in person like that,
but I've never been to an ANA show before. No reason why you would have
taken initiative to speak to me in person, and if I wanted to know more than
what I was hearing, I would have asked.
Thanks,
Mark
Discover all unpredictable errors before they occur.
<< <i>
I've never heard a candidate go around and talk to people in person like that,
but I've never been to an ANA show before.
Thanks,
Mark >>
As a collector myself, I felt that it was important to reach out to the dealers at the show as they are also an important part of the ANA.
There is a great divide among the ANA membership between collectors and dealers. The reality is both groups are important. The ANA's primary focus -- as it's Federal Charter indicates -- is education, a key aspect to collectors. At the same time, dealers provide a significant portion of the ANA's income. Convention revenue is over 40% of the ANA's budget. Without dealers, there would be no conventions and, very likely, not much of an ANA.
While I will admit I'm not an expert on the full realm of dealer concerns, one of my goals as a Governor will be to do my best for ALL ANA members -- dealer or collector.
Greg
Welcome Greg!
About time another G. L. stopped by to say hello 'n stuff!
I've known Greg since we were both kids (he's a few years older than me, but don't tell him I told you). I've seen Greg in leadership positions as a YN and, more recently, as a volunteer at ANA Summer Seminar and ANA conventions. He cares more about ANA than any 10 people I know and would make a great governor. He works his tail off but without the snobbery that sometimes seems to come naturally to people that run for national office.
Greg -- I'm glad you're here. A lot of folks here need convincing about why the ANA matters and why it's important that they be members. If you can convince the doubters about the value of our national coin club, it won't be hard to convince the folks that support the ANA no matter what that you're the right man for the job.
Betts medals, colonial coins, US Mint medals, foreign coins found in early America, and other numismatic Americana
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 4, 2011
CONTACT: Jay Beeton
Telephone: 719-482-9864
E-mail: pr@money.org
ANA Announces 11 Candidates for Nine Positions on 2011-13 Board of Governors
Eleven members of the American Numismatic Association have submitted completed
nominations for the 2011-13 Board of Governors election, Executive Director Larry Shepherd
has announced.
One candidate is running for President; two for Vice President and eight for seven Governor
seats. Each Board member serves a two-year term, and all are elected by the ANA
membership on an at-large basis. Nominations closed on March 31; candidates have until
April 7 to accept or decline their nominations.
ANA Vice President Tom Hallenbeck of Colorado Springs is running unopposed for President.
Arthur M. Fitts of Wolfeboro, NH and Governor Walter Ostromecki of Panorama City, CA are
running for Vice President.
Candidates for Governor are (listed alphabetically):
· Gary Adkins of Minneapolis, MN
· Michael L. Ellis of Camilla, GA
· Jeff C. Garrett of Lexington, KY
· Greg Lyon of St. Louis, MO
· J.P. Martin of Englewood, CO
· Clifford Mishler of Iola, WI
· Scott Rottinghaus of New London, CT
· Wendell A. Wolka of Greenwood, IN
Election ballots, as well as candidate photographs and biographies/platforms, will be sent
by the independent auditing firm of BiggsKofford, P.C., to eligible voting ANA members. The
envelope, with a BiggsKofford return address, will indicate that a ballot is enclosed. Ballots
will be mailed by June 15 and must be returned to the auditing firm by July 15. Election
results will be announced on July 27 with the new Board of Governors sworn in at the ANA’s
World’s Fair of Money convention banquet in Chicago on August 20.
Nine of the candidates attended an open candidates’ forum during the National Money
Show in Sacramento; a video of the event will be posted in April at www.money.org and on
www.cointelevision.com. Candidates also will answer an election questionnaire, with
responses published in the June issue of The Numismatist and posted in May at
www.money.org.
The American Numismatic Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating
and encouraging people to study and collect money and related items. The ANA helps its
members and the public discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of
programs including its education and outreach programs, museum, library, publications,
conventions and seminars. For more information, call 719-632-2646 or visit www.money.org.
<< <i>You get my vote for the most effective use of a first post on the PCGS U.S. Coin Forum!
Ditto
I have known Greg since he was a YN. His dedication to chaperoning YN's at the Summer Seminar along with his integrity is second to none. If he were elected as a governor, Greg would be a tremendous asset to the ANA. I say this as a 25-year member.
Respectfully submitted,
Greg Heim
Welcome to the Board! I wish you the best on your election and I hope you do well (you have my vote). I appreciate your dedication to the Association and how passionate you are about its success.
I do have a serious question. Your four-point platform (below) is essentially the same platform that candidates have been running on for years. What new ideas can you bring the Association? I also have added some more specific questions below:
• Improving communications to members and member clubs - Q: What would you propose to "reactivate" the various ANA committees that have been woefully dormant over the past couple of years (e.g., Education Committee)? Such interactions and committee activity certainly can lead to improved communications and not the sense that the ANA is just trying to run the organization without member support.
• Growing membership - Q: Rather than focusing on "growing" membership, wouldn't it be better for the Association to begin "growing" membership by focusing on getting the current members more actively engaged? For example, Summer Seminar, the hallmark educational program of the ANA, only serves about 3% of the membership. What can be done to increase its reach to the rest of the membership?
• Maintaining / improving member services - Q: What member services can be eliminated?
• Supporting a greater online presence for the ANA - Q: Other than adding more "coin info" (which had been the ANA's mantra for the past 7-8 years) what can be done to provide an interactive presence for younger collectors while not leaving the "seasoned" collectors (who are the great majority of our membership) behind? Understand that as of a few years ago, many of our members had only scant computer access (I am not sure how much this has changed today)
Thanks, Greg, and best of luck to you!
Lane
Edited for formatting...
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
What do you feel is the appropriate role of the ANA in the deceptive alteration (i.e.: “doctoring”), and counterfeiting of coins by both foreign and domestic crooks?
Should the ANA be reactive, proactive or inactive?
- Ian
Owner/Founder GreatCollections
GreatCollections Coin Auctions - Certified Coin Auctions Every Week - Rare Coins & Coin Values
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
"Greg,
What do you feel is the appropriate role of the ANA in the deceptive alteration (i.e.: “doctoring”), and counterfeiting of coins by both foreign and domestic crooks?
"Should the ANA be reactive, proactive or inactive?"
<< <i>No reply?
"Greg,
What do you feel is the appropriate role of the ANA in the deceptive alteration (i.e.: “doctoring”), and counterfeiting of coins by both foreign and domestic crooks?
"Should the ANA be reactive, proactive or inactive?" >>
I will be replying to all the questions asked. Unfortunately, this has been a very busy week at work and I've had to finalize my candidate's statement to be published in The Numismatist and sent with ballots. I hope to catch up by this weekend.
Greg
Do you prefer the current policy, if so why or why not?
Or the old more liberal policy..... and if so why or why not?
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
This could get messy - most large convention centers have a few birds inside, and it seems cruel to admit them, just so someone can stand on them and squish their insides out. I realize that the cost of hot dogs has increased, but….
...or is it because they might poop on the coin cases?
Funny, I don't see anything on the ANA web site about it. LINK
<< <i>"In 2010, there was a lot of controversy regarding increased club dues – although a discount was set up for each ANA member in a club."
Funny, I don't see anything on the ANA web site about it. LINK >>
That's a point I raised during the Candidate's Forum in Sacramento -- There is absolutely nothing regarding the club dues structure posted on the ANA website.
Aside from the website being slow and not very user friendly, the amount of out-dated or missing information is quite large. The "Legislative Update" section recently started off with "As of August, 2008..." and the most recent information on the Board of Governors was the agenda for the board meeting last summer in Boston. After my comments on those two topics in Sacramento, the Legislative Update section was removed and the Board section has been updated to include minutes from Boston and New York City along with the agenda for Sacramento.
While it would be nice to immediately redesign the website, that obviously is a longer term project. At the least, the content available needs to be kept up-to-date and informative.
I hope to reply to earlier questions starting this evening.
Greg
I think I know where you stand on this, but do where do you stand on allowing YN's to vote in general elections?
Referencing my previous post:
As a dealer, I believe we need more input in the organization, but I don't believe that the current full-time dealers in the organization are doing justice to the ANA...
YN Votes count too!
I have a question about your statement:
<< <i>If non-member attendees were given a six-month trial membership with their admission charge, I think we could see significant membership gains. >>
Can you quantify that? I'm just curious to know if you have data or case studies that lead you to that conclusion.
Mike Marotta (webmaster of the Michigan State Numismatic Society) recently noted that he stopped his subscription to the print-version Numismatist to save money on his ANA membership dues. As a result (unintended), he stopped reading the magazine.
Mike is very active in the hobby, and he's obviously not a technophobe. If he stopped reading The Numismatist online ("The online presentation is clunky," in his words), will newcomers read it? Or will they delete the reminder email and gloss over it?
<< <i>I find it amazing that an organization as large as the ANA only has 11 people running for 9 positions. >>
I think there are a couple of reasons for this.
In the past two elections there were a large number of candidates running for the 7 governor positions -- 14 in 2009 and 16 in 2007. Why so many then and so few now? In 2007, there was the desire to remove Chris Cipoletti from office. In 2009, the on-going legal battles drew a lot of attention. People were unhappy and they wanted to change things. Now that the legal issues have been resolved and the organization is returning to it's focus -- numismatics -- the desire for wholesale change isn't there.
Over the past two years it was easy to find reasons to run and develop a campaign platform ("Get rid of Cipoletti" and "Resolve the legal issues"). Now we have to focus on improving the organization and it's harder to come up with ideas to do that.
The other reason I think we see so few candidates is the commitment required. You now have to attend three annual conventions plus additional board meetings throughout the year. I have given in to the fact that I will be committing most, if not all, of my vacation time for the next two years (or longer) to the ANA. It's obviously a little easier for dealers who attend ANA conventions to serve, as they are already going to be there. But even for them, it involves significant time away from their business.
rays said
<< <i>This post reminded me to finally reactivate my ANA membership. So I did it. >>
Thank you! If my posts here have regained a member, I consider it a success!
NebuchadnezzarTheGreat said
<< <i>I think I know where you stand on this, but do where do you stand on allowing YN's to vote in general elections? >>
I believe YNs should have a right to vote. Having said that, I think an age limit is appropriate. I am good friends with Scott Rottinghaus and we discussed this in Sacramento. Even before he mentioned the age limit he proposed (13), that was the suggestion I made to him.
When I became a member, the minimum age was 11. (Years before you had to be 18 to join!) As a YN, I took interest and voted in elections. Once the age limits on membership were eliminated, I think it did create a problem. Obviously, a toddler isn't going to be able to cast his or her own vote -- in effect giving the parent, assuming they are a member, multiple votes. As a result, I think there is the need for an age limit, but I don't think it should be 18+.
NebuchadnezzarTheGreat said
<< <i>As a dealer, I believe we need more input in the organization, but I don't believe that the current full-time dealers in the organization are doing justice to the ANA... >>
Do you mean the dealers who are currently on the board? What issues do you have with their involvement? Maybe this is a reason you should consider running in the future!
More to come...
Greg
<< <i>First, Greg, thank you for your past and current service to the hobby, and for stepping up to run for the board.
I have a question about your statement:
<< <i>If non-member attendees were given a six-month trial membership with their admission charge, I think we could see significant membership gains. >>
Can you quantify that? I'm just curious to know if you have data or case studies that lead you to that conclusion.
Mike Marotta (webmaster of the Michigan State Numismatic Society) recently noted that he stopped his subscription to the print-version Numismatist to save money on his ANA membership dues. As a result (unintended), he stopped reading the magazine.
Mike is very active in the hobby, and he's obviously not a technophobe. If he stopped reading The Numismatist online ("The online presentation is clunky," in his words), will newcomers read it? Or will they delete the reminder email and gloss over it? >>
First of all, let me say that I have kept a print subscription of The Numismatist. Call me old fashioned, but since I have close to a 30 year collection so far, I want to keep it going. My point wasn't necessarily that the online version of The Numismatist is going to entice people to join the organization.
Rather, we have a group of people who have taken the initiative to attend an ANA convention and pay an admission charge to get in. By doing that, these people have shown an interest in numismatics and, to some degree, the ANA. Instead of just taking their $6, let's see if we can entice them to become members by giving them a trial basic membership.
In the past, this would have been cost-prohibitive as the printing and mailing costs of The Numismatist would go far beyond the $6 they paid. But with the online version of The Numismatist, the cost of a membership to the ANA drops significantly and it may be almost cost-neutral to offer a 6 month trial membership to these individuals.
I will admit I don't have the cost details of doing this, so it's possible it's not cost-effective. I won't know that until I am on the ANA Board and I can ask those questions of staff. But rather than the generic "We need to recruit more members to the ANA" that almost every governor candidate suggests, I wanted to offer a specific idea that I think is workable.
Greg
I am a lifetime ANA member and I'm glad to hear new ideas on developing membership.
The Numismatist is terrific publication. Has the ANA considered placing extra copies of past issues at coin shows, as freebies? Or does the ANA print very few beyond what they need for subscribers?
Lance.
<< <i>Relative to members where do you stand on the earlybird admitance issue?
Do you prefer the current policy, if so why or why not?
Or the old more liberal policy..... and if so why or why not? >>
Let me start off by saying I don't know all of the thoughts and opinions on this issue. (Imagine that, a politician admitting he doesn't know something!)
One major issue I've heard with the early bird badge system was that dealers were not happy with people coming to their tables (and in some cases rummaging through their inventory) before they were completely setup. Obviously this presents a security issue which I don't think anyone finds acceptable. At the same time, my understanding is that the number of early bird badges bought was rather low, so this was not a major money-maker for the ANA -- and reducing the number of people buying tables to some degree.
I want to learn more about this issues -- both from the side of the dealers on the floor and the collectors / dealers who would purchase early bird badges. Your input is definitely welcome on what you would prefer. Would you purchase an early bird badge if the price was higher -- if so, what's the most you would pay?
One thing I did learn from talking to the dealers in Sacramento is there needs to be a better means of gathering feedback from dealers at ANA conventions. I heard a number of issues regarding setup in Sacramento, opinions on early bird badges, etc. I'd like to see a "customer satisfaction survey" for each convention so the ANA can get concrete, timely feedback from each convention.
An aside -- for those thinking I'm looking out for dealers over collectors -- I'm not, I'm looking out for the ANA. The bourse fees collected from ANA conventions is a major part of the ANA budget. Keeping our customers satisfied is the key to ensuring these conventions -- and in turn, our education programs continue.
Greg
<< <i>Has the ANA considered placing extra copies of past issues at coin shows, as freebies? Or does the ANA print very few beyond what they need for subscribers? >>
I do not know, but that is something I would be happy to look into as Governor.
Greg
<< <i>What do you feel is the appropriate role of the ANA in the deceptive alteration (i.e.: �doctoring�), and counterfeiting of coins by both foreign and domestic crooks?
Should the ANA be reactive, proactive or inactive? >>
I think the ANA's role should be what it's Federal Charter sets out for the organization - Education.
My biggest fear is that if the ANA takes too active of a role, it will result in endless (although probably frivolous) lawsuits which will bleed the organization dry. The last five years is a clear cut example. How much more good would the ANA have been able to do if we had not spent millions of dollars fighting lawsuits we could have avoided in the first place?
One aspect of education is clearly working to involve government -- whether it is enacting new laws or getting them to crackdown on already illegal activities.
DaveE said
<< <i>This is all nice, but how about a little protection for us collectors??? Its time for the ANA to take a stand. >>
Can you be a little more explicit in what you are asking for?
Greg
P.S. I think this catches me up on all the questions posed, except one set. Lane -- I will get to you as soon as I can!
OK, so you support the "head in the sand" or "inactive" approach?
Good luck and I hope someone is elected with at least a passing interest in true improvements and not just "business as usual".
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
<< <i>What do you feel is the appropriate role of the ANA in the deceptive alteration (i.e.: “doctoring”), and counterfeiting of coins by both foreign and domestic crooks? Should the ANA be reactive, proactive or inactive?
OK, so you support the "head in the sand" or "inactive" approach? >>
From one Greg to another, welcome to the boards! It is nice to see you reach out to the Collectors Universe side. That being said and in reference to the above question and your answer - I understand that the ANA is focused on education, which is great but the answer you provided to RWB sounded politically soft of which I am not a fan. I am a firm believer that there is a lot more the ANA can do short of involving itself in millions of dollars worth of lawsuits. With the proper plan and organization I think this can be done. The question is, will you be the person to help draft and implement a proper plan to protect collectors while educating them at the same time? At this point, it just doesn't sound like it. Thanks for your time here,
Greg
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
<< <i>OK, so you support the "head in the sand" or "inactive" approach? >>
Let me ask you this: "What do you think the ANA should do?"
If the ANA is involved in "naming" coin doctorers or counterfeiters, it has opened itself up to lawsuits -- whether there is any legal merit to those lawsuits or not.
If that happens, the ANA will be spending sigifnicant amounts of money on legal fees, rather than education, conventions or whatever else. While I don't have the specific numbers at hand, the ANA has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past three to five years on legal matters which it should not have been involved with in the first place.
When a non-profit organization has an annual budget of $5-7 million per year, does spending a $500,000 a year in legal fees make sense? I don't think so. That money can be put to better use.
I'm not someone where I want (or expect) everyone -- or anyone -- to agree with me all the time. As a Governor, my role would be to ensure the stability of the organization and ensure it will be around for another 120 years. Opening itself up to frivolous lawsuits doesn't achieve that goal.
Greg
<< <i>A nice addition for the conventions would be kiosks that would allow Dealer/members and collector members to leave their thoughts for improvements in policy, attendances, fee structure, and various proposals. In a short period of time, actual members would have a stage to voice their concerns while at a convention and perhaps on the last day, an actual meeting of minds could take place---horrendous idea I am sure. Regardless of costs, the ANA must stand behind its members wishes or it is merely a profit oriented business with no regard for its membership. Obviously, it cannot immediately attack its members as a police force, but could be quite a lot more forceful in its reaction or even proaction to unsavory practices of some of its members.
Good luck and I hope someone is elected with at least a passing interest in true improvements and not just "business as usual".
Jim >>
Jim,
Thank you for your comments. On my campaign literature, I have included my personal email address -- which I would be more than happy to share with anyone here, although I'd prefer not to post it on an random internet forum to prevent millions of pieces of spam email. I invite anyone and everyone to contact me with ideas, thoughts, suggestions and will take them all seriously.
There are town halls at each ANA Summer Convention and this is something which should be looked into for other conventions as well. At the same time, in Sacramento, there were a total of about five individuals who attended the Candidates Forum, outside of ANA Staff and Numismatic Press, so I don't know if in-person forums are the best outlet for input.
As I've asked others, what would you like to see the ANA do regarding unsavory business practices?
Greg
<< <i>From one Greg to another, welcome to the boards! It is nice to see you reach out to the Collectors Universe side. That being said and in reference to the above question and your answer - I understand that the ANA is focused on education, which is great but the answer you provided to RWB sounded politically soft of which I am not a fan. I am a firm believer that there is a lot more the ANA can do short of involving itself in millions of dollars worth of lawsuits. With the proper plan and organization I think this can be done. The question is, will you be the person to help draft and implement a proper plan to protect collectors while educating them at the same time? At this point, it just doesn't sound like it. Thanks for your time here,
Greg >>
Hi Greg! (There seem to be a lot of us here!)
I am definitely not advocating the ANA starting lawsuits against coin doctors or counterfeiters. The issue I am concerned about is that if the ANA were to "blacklist", name or otherwise identify individuals or firms without overwhelming evidence of illicit actions, it could face defending itself in lawsuits which likely may have no merit. That is not something which provides any benefit to the organization or members but rather takes money which could be used for productive means and puts it in the pockets of a lawyer.
As I've asked other people: "What would you like to see the ANA do in this situation?" I'm open to ideas... I just don't want to waste money defending the organization in lawsuits.
Greg
OTOH, you are the only/first person to do so for this election so I welcome you and I hope the others will come in as well.
I have one question for you. I think it encompasses everything I, and others, need to know about you.
Who do you support for ANA Vice President? If you are for Walter, then I believe you are for the ANA progressing and moving forward. If you are for Arthur, then IMHO, you are for returning to the days when the ANA Board was swept out of office completely with a broom because they forgot who elected them. If you don't provide an answer, I'll have strong doubts as to whether you can make the hard and necessary decisions or not as a Board member.
I look forward to your reply.
Sorry, Greg. You are the one who wants to be in a position of influence, and the question is for you to answer, or at least ponder.
My question was not intended to be confrontational, but informational. Please approach it with that perspective and with the possibility of thinking about the problems more deeply than the responses given thus far.
Did I miss your answers to the questions I posed back on page 1?
Lane
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Welcome to the boards. I am a 25 year member of the ANA and I can see by the last three questions here that people have put you in a tough position. But that is the way it is when you seek a position on the ANA board. I'm sure you are well aware of the 2007 elections. You are also well aware of things like you just stated: "Only five people attended the candidates forum". It is easy for us non active ANA members to sit here on the keyboard and put people like you on the spot. I'd suggest you just keep doing what you are doing and believe in yourself and what YOU think is right for the organization. Trying to please everyone is foolish. But remember, if you make it onto the board you will in fact be part of a team. You will have to accept some compromise or you will make very little progress. Key to the ANA in my opinion is to grow the membership. To do that means to RETAIN current members first. Think of this CU board. Ever wonder how many potential members are right here? Ever wonder why this board is so popular and the ANA site hardly gets any traffic. Wouldn't it be something if ANA could "partner" with PCGS and even NGC on this? Of course it can't happen, right. ANA is being paid to partner with NGC right now. Yes, Greg. It is all about the MONEY. Even as it relates to running for office at the ANA. I wish you luck.
Steve
My Complete PROOF Lincoln Cent with Major Varieties(1909-2015)Set Registry
<< <i>Sorry, Greg. You are the one who wants to be in a position of influence, and the question is for you to answer, or at least ponder. >>
I'm sorry you feel that way. As a governor, my job would be to represent the members and wishes of all ANA members. I have given my opinion on the issue and you did not seem to like my response. In turn, I asked yours (and others). It's very hard to represent those who refuse to share their opinions.
tcmitssr said
<< <i>Who do you support for ANA Vice President? >>
I think I'm about to give another (honest but) unpopular answer. I honestly don't know who I will vote for yet. I know both Arthur and Walt personally and both have served the ANA in many ways for many years. Most likely my decision will be based on their candidate's statement and their answers to the questions posed to each candidate which will be published in the June issue of The Numismatist
Greg
<< <i>RWB said
<< <i>Sorry, Greg. You are the one who wants to be in a position of influence, and the question is for you to answer, or at least ponder. >>
I'm sorry you feel that way. As a governor, my job would be to represent the members and wishes of all ANA members. I have given my opinion on the issue and you did not seem to like my response. In turn, I asked yours (and others). It's very hard to represent those who refuse to share their opinions.
tcmitssr said
<< <i>Who do you support for ANA Vice President? >>
I think I'm about to give another (honest but) unpopular answer. I honestly don't know who I will vote for yet. I know both Arthur and Walt personally and both have served the ANA in many ways for many years. Most likely my decision will be based on their candidate's statement and their answers to the questions posed to each candidate which will be published in the June issue of The Numismatist
Greg >>
Your answer, to me, is honest and it is unpopular with me. I think it will also be unpopular with a large number of others who remember what was going on 4-6 years ago with the ANA Board. Who was on that Board that went along with who was then, Executive Director, before Shep cleaned up that mess since he got that job? Who were the Governors who forced Walter out during that same era? Vox populi....hardly!
Let's put the cards on the table Greg. Whoever is elected VP is, likely, going to be President in two years. If you favor Fitts, then in my opinion, whatever your reasons....you favor the past. You won't have my vote and I will vote for the people who I believe have the best chance to defeat you. It's bad enough that in doing that, it would mean having Herbert back on the Board because he was, IMHO, I think another member of that 2007 and thereabouts, group. However better him with people who know him than an unknown who thinks someone who was there and involved, should even be considered as VP....that's my two cents.
I'm not sure you've really thought your candidacy through with care. It seems like you are trying to walk the middle so as to lose as few votes as possible while taking as many safe stands as you can on easier issues. That may make you a capable enough politician, I think, but as for making/creating you as a new leader.......I'm uncomfortable with you in such a position as a result.
Leadership means making hard calls and taking stands. I think if you want the large majority of this board to vote for you (and there are a lot of voting members here IMHO) then you really need to search this boards records, read and feel how strongly we felt about THAT board and removing all of them. Ask yourself if putting someone aligned with that group in as VP, and potential future President, is the path that I, and perhaps this group but I don't speak for them.....is how you want to campaign by trying to strattle the line between an Old Guard and members who want and favor....the reforms of Barry and Cliff as President with Larry as Executive Director?
If you do publicly embrace the reformers of the past four years and publicly support Walter over Fitts, and appear sincere, you'll get my vote. If not, and you keep up this tightrope campaign, well....I'd rather have Herbert because his term limit clock will keep on ticking until we're rid of him because he will be term limited out. By that time, other reformers like Scott Rottinghaus will step-up and continue the work of the past four years rather than turn the clock back to the days of Fitts, Herbert, Cipoletti et al.
Again, all of this are my opinions only. I make no accusations about anyone. I'm stating my opinions based on the facts as I interpret them.
How you respond, and the longer it takes for you to make your decision, will impact whether you get my vote. I suspect others may feel the same way but the ballot box will, ultimately, decide that.
<< <i>it would mean having Herbert back on the Board >>
Alan Herbert is not running for re-election.
Greg