Why should I join

There is no entry fee for the show, just some of the seminars.

 

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Two years and I'm done too.... It's kinda like the magazine "Astronomy." Twelve months is enough for all the yearly information you'll ever need. After that it's the same old stuff over again...

 

My ballot for the new Board of Governors, which has to be signed to be counted, made the decision for me. No way do I renew membership in an organization without a secret ballot!

I belong to other national professional and hobby organizations, and all of them handle mail ballots the same way my local county Registrar of Voters does for absentee ballots:

• You sign the envelope that your ballot goes in.
• You put your voted and unsigned ballot inside, seal it, and mail it in.
• The tabulating authority (Voter's Registrar, independent CPAs, etc.) verifies your envelope signature, then opens the envelope and puts the actual ballot without any identifying marks in a ballot box.
• The ballot box is opened and the ballots are counted

 

WOW!

I thought I was being negative by just stating my opinions based on actual experience and first hand observations. The ANA is not for everyone no matter how wonderful you might think it is.

I'm more convinced now that it is nothing but politics and I hate politics and most politicians.

Follow your own rules and ignore those set down. We already have that in the White House.

Guess it will be a long time before I even CONSIDER joining the ANA again.

 

I agree with Doug. It does no good to complain about the problems of the ANA if you are not a member. I feel that the collectors should join to show their support for the organized group of numismatists. If the collectors are unhappy about the organization that represents the collecting interest, they need to step up and make it known.

 

No, they did not buy my vote at all. I was already going to join. However, they did do some nice things to encourage a beginning YN. Many of the YN programs are great, and help to get and maintain the interest of youngsters in the hobby.

Sure the ANA has problems. But, even with the opportunity to be out here this summer as an Intern, they have not "bought my vote" in any way. I recognize many of the problems (better now that I have been around them). To be honest, the Executive personell at the ANA would not be happy if they saw the ballot I turned in or the comments I made in regards to the bylaws proposal. I want the ANA to be a better organization for collectors and its membership, and I will be as proactive as possible in sharing my ideas on how the ANA can be a better organization. But, I will remain a member, because I support what the ANA should represent.

 

I really don't think that we are "complaining" about the ANA that much. We CHOOSE not to be members because of what we see and have experienced. It's an informed choice on our part.
We are voicing opinons as to why we choose NOT to be ANA members.

For many ANA is a great place to be depending on your interests and time you have to spend. For me it was a waste of money and I"ve already commented/responded on some of those issues.


Hey, if the ANA works for you fine but make sure it does before you lay down the money. ANA may seem to be the COIN GODS to many but not to me.

 

I'm not saying that nonmembers shouldn't step up and say why they are not in....they certainly should. The ANA needs to realize the potential membership they are not gaining and the membership that they are losing.

I was just saying that I feel the best way to help fix the ANA is to be a member, be involved, and voice your opinion.

I respect that the ANA may not be for everyone, especially with the recent turn away from collectors that they have taken. I just hope that changes very soon.

 

When are the elections??? Looks like they missed sending me a ballot...

 

Funny thing Shortgapbob but we were responding to different posts at the same time.

We obviously have our differences on this issue. Oh well, that's what makes it intereresting now isn't it?

Naturally, I'd like the ANA to be a better place as well. Like one that I'd like to be in but this is not the case.

You recognize many of the problems now that you've been around them. Do they have any solutions?

Remaining a member is your choice as not being one is mine. Good enough.

As for your being "proactive as possible" and what the ANA "should represent" I wish you well.

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

It sure does, and there's nothing wrong with that. Differences in opinion generate interesting discussion, and at least an important problem (the ANA) is being discussed openly.

 

I certainly have enjoyed my membership so far. I know they have had some internal problems, but I'm just in it for me, just like everything else I do. I would, however, like to see some better U.S. coin related articles in the magazines. They generally have some interesting stories, but I want more more more.

 

I agree, I also enjoy the magazine. Its packed with alot of interesting information, but, like you, I'd like to see alot more U.S. coin related articles. I really enjoyed reading of the Boy Scouts involvement in numismatics in the last issue. I enjoy being a member, for the magazine and to support the YNs.

 

In the current issue I count three major US-oriented stories and 1 on British coinage related to the Boy Scouts as featured articles, and 13 "Departments", none of which relate to world coins!

If you believe there's a shortage of US coinage articles, how do you think we world collectors feel about the magazine content?

 

ANA = American Numismatic Association. Thats why. There are other clubs that specialize for world coin collectors.

 

Personally not familiar with ANA or any other coin organizations. Joining any type of coin organization or club that sends out mail to my home is just not my thing. If your in an area of high crime rates it is never advisable to have any mail sticking out of a mail box that says you have something to steal. I have numerous hobbies where memberships are available but in my area, none are to wise to join. Of course if you have a post office box or are in an area of little crime, can't beat any info on coins sent to your. Magazines, booklets, pamphlets, etc are always important for anyone that wants to learn anything. At coin shows there are occatioinally such magazines on a table and free so I always grab those. naturally they are there as an attempt to intice people to subsribe. Regardless of any complaints about ANA people may say, the ability to have additional coin info available is always good.