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 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,713 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3049 Posts |
So today I went to my first coin club meeting.. and there was some great things about it for sure.. but I also left a little bit disappointed.. I blame this site for being so awesome!
So I get there having never been to a coin club meeting in my life and not really sure what to expect... I walk up to one fellow who seems to know everyone and ask if the meeting is open to guests and if I can sit in.
The meeting had three distinctive phases.
Phase one: executive meeting. approval of the minutes, seconding the minutes... constitutional stuff and motions... (just my opinion but not really fun stuff and it seemed to take so dang long to get through stuff that was either insignificant or simple) .... (perhaps I should back up my statement that I have been on a few executive boards and associations in my time and while it feels good to create some change or make a difference the process has always bored me)
Phase two: presentation... This part I really liked. One member put together a presentation dedicated to the canadian flag. This was a coin and stamp presentation that featured the canadian flag, some of the proposals of the flag and some really cool "canadiana" pieces.
- The presenter did a great job but I was shocked there wasn't any questions afterwards... I had tonnes but didn't know if I should ask.
Phase three: Auction... This was fun a some people brought a few pieces to sell off. There wasn't a lot of action on many of the items most times the bidding was between one or two people.
I suppose as meetings go this is pretty general protocol.. and as far as coin clubs go.. this one has a pretty good history... I guess what I was disappointed about is that I really wanted to "learn" a whole lot more... seems that 1 hour reading on this site I learn sooo much it's hard for me as I held this meeting to the same standard....
Will I go back again... yes... and I will probably be a member of the club... and hopefully as I become a bit more experienced there will be more of an opportunity for me to contribute as well...
Just wanted to share.. in short... I LOVE this site... the meeting.. meh.. I never have enjoyed them as much.... but I will go back in hopes to learn more!
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
To attend a club regularly, you need to share the same numismatic interests as a lot of others within the club.
That way, you can connect with more members.
I get on great within the CCF because I enjoy posting on many forums. That is because I have very wide ranging numismatic interests. I can be interested in what a lot of other members have posted from their special interests, and I can continue to learn a lot from them. That is despite the fact that I have been interested in numismatics for more than four decades.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
576 Posts |
AgCoin, thanks for the info on the club. I've often wondered about going to one but my lifestyle is happily too hectic to allow me to go. I do enjoy coin shows when they come to my area but they are rare. Coin Community is the best answer / choice for me. There are several posters that I watch for. CC allows me to take my time to really dig into the stuff I am interested in, learn new things, and jump over items I am at least at this time, have no interest in.
Best wishes to all, AgCoin I hope you enjoyed your visit to Fredericton.
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
3049 Posts |
Liverpool: I would recommend that you at least try one out. For me it was at least great to be in a room of other people that are somewhat like minded. I think it would also be nice to make connections with others to help me with my collection and I get to help them with theirs.
I like the thought of like minded individuals getting together... I just didn't like enjoy all the "executive" stuff.
As for Fredericton.. I only wish I had more time to spend there. From the time I did have I really did enjoy looking around the town and going to the beaverbrook art gallery walking along the riverwalk and taking in a few of the restaurant and hospitality venues. The kids I took peformed well or at least to my expectations so all in all it was a success.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
532 Posts |
I don't get out much when I'm off work and to be honest I prefer the anonymity that CCF provides. It's not that I have a hoard or coins I just prefer to be low key. I have exchanged coins with one member here and purchased from a few through ebay. The information shared and acquired from this forum has far exceeded the average coin collector's knowledge base in turn making us all smarter collectors. Perhaps when I retire I'll consider a club but at the moment time off for me is better spent on a beach. Best of luck with your own club. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4867 Posts |
If there were a coin club in my area I doubt I'd fit in. I'm really into Canadian coins and I wouldn't have much to contribute when US coins would most likely be the area of discussion. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
677 Posts |
I belong to 2 coin clubs. One is ran in much the same way you talked about and the other use to be.
I agree the meeting is boring but to proceed forward in group decisions must be made.
It is true that one learns knowledge about coins but remember not everyone is interested in the same things.
Education, informative information and new topics hopefully keep them coming back.
The second coin club is more laid back.
Many of the topics do indeed come from this forum. New varieties are nice or tokens once in a while or maybe old notes seem to keep there attention.
It is always worth a listen to all the older collectors and many thanks to all the information they so generously give.
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Valued Member
Canada
496 Posts |
I belong to 3 clubs, here I have met some very knowledgeable
people and added tokens I would have never found at shows and
at very reasonable prices. Oh yes and made new friends with the
same interests
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
617 Posts |
Thanks for this post AgCoin I have been wondering what it would be like for quite a while now. I keep putting it off because its a good hour away for me.
And I was always worried that I would be way out of my league with my meager little collection.
The club near me is putting on a show for the public next month, I'm thinking this might be a good time to stop in and have a look.
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Valued Member
Canada
496 Posts |
North,it is too bad you don't have a club closer. I am fortunate
there is 4 within half hour drive. I do know people that travel
three hours to attend one (from Toronto to London )dedicated
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Pillar of the Community
United States
629 Posts |
When you attend a club meeting, do not feel bashful about asking questions, bringing up concerns, meeting new people.
Clubs are for everyone and bring together those people who have a desire to see others who share the same passion that they do.
I encourage members to participate not just by showing up but to offer ideas as to how the club could be better. Most times the members just come and expect to be entertained. Which we do our best to do.
How do we squeeze out of the members "knowledge" that can be used by everyone?
The real asset of the club is the older members who have knowledge about coins. How do we get them to share this information?
I as a collector think of the stories that go along with my purchases. Where, when, from who, why, value, etc - Perhaps I can have an open forum one month of people just talking about a particular experience they had with one of their favorite purchases.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
617 Posts |
sounds like a good topic idea Colhand
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Rest in Peace
United States
1729 Posts |
Our local club's meetings are organized along the same lines as AgCoinAu's. They are not optimized to appeal to the average 15-year-old, and in fact most of the members are probably older than, say, 50.
However, there are very educational presentations, sample grading sessions, and even alternate hobby presentations (I presented one on DX'ing and another on 45-rpm record collecting). In the three years or so that I've belonged to this club, I've learned a lot.
In short, one meeting is not enough to judge a club. Go to several; ask questions; approach those members - usually older - who seem knowledgeable. I think you'll find that they'll be delighted to answer questions from "new blood".
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Replies: 12 / Views: 2,713 |
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Posted 04/23/2015 06:43 am
