Upcoming ANA Election

Hi ND,
I really like it when you get on your soapbox about numismatics. You're expressing some of my frustration at the ANA that I felt wasn't fair for me to express. But here it is- I joined the ANA at the end of March-signed up online. I haven't received a single thing from the ANA- not a confirmatory letter, nada. Did get an email receipt on joining, with passcode (I think-I'd have to search).
As a member of numerous nonprofit organization similar to the ANA, I've got to say that so far, this organization does the least with it's members money.
Some contrasts- as a runner, although no longer active, I joined USA Track and field (it was required for a race I usually run although no longer required). You were automatically enrolled in your local chapter-in my case the Pacific division. They have an easy to access website with a calendar, names and news. Snail mail newslatter came right away, along with the magazine.
Even better, AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) is outstanding. They offer many services, and more importantly INFORM the membership of their services. They have a great webpage and update it daily- post aviation news, lobby for GA, educate members on airspace changes (I wonder if that clueless pilot that wandered into the DC restricted airspace is an AOPA member). AOPA put an ad in USA today out after that airspace incursion saying essentially- one clueless wonder doesn't represent the more than half million GA pilots who take care in flight planning. And Phil Boyer, AOPA head, answered reporters question about airspace, the aircraft involved, etc for the press. Has the head of the ANA done the same regarding "coingate"? If he has I'm not aware fo it- which is part of the problem. AOPA has a phone number for members to call with questions- and they actually research the answers.
ANA needs to get off its tail and advocate for numismatics!

PS would appreciate input as to your take on folks running for ANA offices.
Don

Their website was highly touted for the year or two it was in the works but it is not very good, in my opinion. It is actually less than what it was. The online educational displays are even gone. The old site was outdated and hard to navigate but it had more stuff up there. I don't even think they put up press releases any more and they were quite a ways behind in their Numismatist magazine postings. And, in this day and age, why do they not have a forum?

Several years ago, I asked about having all the old Numismatist magazines sold in CDRom format and was told it was in the works, etc. Still haven't seen them put out issue one. A private collector has managed to put a number of the old ones on CD (I assume the issues that were in teh public domain by now). It is sad when just a regualr colletor can trump a whole organization.

I think a bit of youth and vigor and technology is missing from the board in general. Of course, it would be tough for many (younger) people to be able to afford to serve on the board, I would imagine. And, it is a bit difficult to even get someone new on a ballot. So, we pretty much get the same old same old.

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Originally posted by Mike

SFDukie, your story sounds like mine! Do you get the magazine? I never got one! Mike

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Got the ballot in the mail today. It is the only item I've received other than the email with my password. No magazine yet-it has been about two months since I paid my membership fee online.
Don

The ANA membership offers the member to directly submit to NGC, but does not offer any discounts.
As far as enforcing rules, that is what the ANA wants to do. It would be fine if they would do it equally. A perfect example are their conventions. According to the bourse contract, dealers are required to operate their tables unitl close of business Sunday. Well all shows are like a ghost town on Sunday. At of 400 or 500 dealers scheduled, there may be 50 to 60 on Sunday afternoon. The ANA has "fines" in place for dealers who leave early, but it seems as if this only applies to the smallest of dealers.

I haven't even received my ballot yet. Though I did get an email with a sign-on and password. That got me as far as the "Members Only" page. Once I clicked on "continue" it logged me out. I am seriously considering letting my membership with them lapse.

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Originally posted by national dealer

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Originally posted by Connecticoin

ND, do you have any recommendations as to who we should vote for?

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Check out the official site. http://money.org/Content/Navigation.../default.htm

It would not really be appropriate for me to make public recommendations.

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I figured you would say that, but thought I would take a shot anyway. I will vote based on the bios and whatever other info I can find readily in public forums.

However, can you answer this: given what you know about the candidates, do you think it makes any difference who we vote for anyway?

Well, just to poor some salt into the wound--Listening to yawl is somewhat depressing considering that it took me 1-2 months to get a response from them after I signed up to be a member. As a new member it took them weeks to get to me to pay my dues--then it took a longer time to be able to sign in--At that point I was figuring that perhaps this outfit is totally disorganized--not being run very well and certainly is lacking major leadership and direction----I do not know if I will do however, what Susan is saying, letting my new membership expire and die off after 1 year, but if this fine organization cannot get there sheet together, our hobby would be in some trouble I believe--AND that of course would be very sad--I did however receive my members kit which loaded with interesting stuff--So some of the sections are functioning, but perhaps not up to our standards, also I received an e-mail, many many days later after I sent 2 emails telling them I could not log on to members section--(It was because it took weeks for them to activate my account--

It is sad though, they are running there site as bad if not worse than those IT idiots working at the US Mint's web site, which is another thread all by itself--

Received my voting ballot today from BiggsKofford, PC--I am looking if over closely. I do not know any of these people, but looks like many have been involved for a long time with ANA & perhaps is is those who are stagnate, as least as ANA memebers. I do plan to vote--BUT I am now starting to do my homework. Those that have been there awhile are doing a lousy job (by reading all the posts here and other forums)--So my vote is going to go for "some new blood"--I hope others do the same--This organization is in need of its cage to be "Rattled"--IMHO--Once it hits bottom, it can only go up--