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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;The Penny Lady®, post: 2524279, member: 16948&quot;]The next day, we all met at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum in Vallejo for our presentations.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2009%20Vallejo%20NCNA%20Symposium/IMG_6802_zpsgp7wcyea.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2009%20Vallejo%20NCNA%20Symposium/IMG_6803_zpsslv1yn2t.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2009%20Vallejo%20NCNA%20Symposium/IMG_6805_zps3qhqifop.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>These are more of the NCNA patrons</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2009%20Vallejo%20NCNA%20Symposium/IMG_6572_zpsty7irw0m.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>During the preparation of my talk, I was concerned that my remarks would overlap with the other presenters’ talks, so I decided to gear my presentation towards why more women aren’t involved in the hobby and how we can introduce and encourage young girls and women to be a part of numismatics.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>The gist of the talks included of course, how to engage our youth to participate in numismatics.&nbsp; There are no single answers but everyone agreed that technology plays a heavy part in numismatics and will only play a stronger part in the future, that dealer and club websites need to be up to date to include modern technology and information with quality photographs.&nbsp; We talked about that, unless the aging club members learn to engage youth and meet them at least halfway by somehow including technology in their club meetings, it will be very difficult for these clubs to keep functioning.&nbsp; And even with that, our youth are more interested in using online forums as a way to discuss numismatics rather than meet in person in a club setting.</p><p><br /></p><p>Scott, the stamp guy, talked about how the stamp market is struggling with aging membership but that they are trying to embrace more technology by even having an online club where young members can use Facetime or Skype to meet and discuss their collections, etc.</p><p><br /></p><p>Steve, the Canadian numismatist, had similar issues as U.S. clubs and with less attendance at shows and auctions due to people using computers to buy from dealers online and online auctions.</p><p><br /></p><p>Jeff Shevlin challenged each of the audience members to declare one thing that they will do to help numismatics, then to report back to him once they have done it so he can include it in an article he will write.</p><p><br /></p><p>We also discussed how there may be too many small coin shows and clubs (particularly throughout Northern California) and that perhaps they should try and combine shows and clubs so as not to dilute the regional market with too many small shows.&nbsp; However, we discovered that too many club members are entrenched in their “own” turf and don’t really want to “share” their shows or hold them in another club’s venue.&nbsp; Unfortunately, it’s this way of thinking that will eventually end some of these smaller clubs.</p><p><br /></p><p>I specifically discussed different ways I thought we could market numismatics more to women (which also applies to our youth) by welcoming them at shows and clubs, helping to mentor them, engaging them, making them feel less intimated, introducing them to other forms of numismatics that they may find more appealing such as love tokens, encasements, penny teapots and charms, pop outs, elongates, etc.&nbsp; The main theme of my talk involved being a mentor as I feel that after getting new collectors in the door, in order to keep them engaged and interested, we need to make sure they have someone they can turn to, ask questions of, and not feel intimidated by who will help guide them as they grow their passion and collection.</p><p><br /></p><p>After the four speakers were finished, we had a panel discussion where we all took questions from the audience.&nbsp; There were almost 50 people in the audience, many of whom had various questions about how we can make the hobby better.</p><p><br /></p><p>After the seminar ended, we went back to the hotel to freshen up before the banquet.&nbsp; Then we all met at a wonderful Italian restaurant along the harbor for dinner which was entirely and generously sponsored by James Laird.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2009%20Vallejo%20NCNA%20Symposium/IMG_6798_zpsoevsiwo4.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Coincidentally, during my talk, I showed photos of some of my exonumia, including a 1900 celluloid encased Indian cent political charm with a photograph of Roosevelt and McKinley on the other side of the charm.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2009%20Vallejo%20NCNA%20Symposium/Encased%20Celluloid%201900%20Political%202-19-14_zpsxm1fomfa.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>After my presentation, James walked up to me and showed me a very similar charm he had in an airtight container attached to an original red ribbon bow hanger.&nbsp; This had belonged to James’ grandfather and had been handed down to him.&nbsp; I had never seen this charm with the original hanger before and was so very pleased to see one.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2009%20Vallejo%20NCNA%20Symposium/IMG_6796_zpsxix2sf0p.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/2016%2009%20Vallejo%20NCNA%20Symposium/IMG_6794_zps8tdxqrai.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>I must say that I have never enjoyed a symposium as much as I enjoyed this one.&nbsp; Everyone was so completely kind, generous, engaging, welcoming, and gracious to each of us presenters.&nbsp; Not even counting the Napa/Jelly Belly tour, if every numismatic speaker was welcomed even half as much as we were, I don’t think any club would ever have any problems finding speakers!&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you so much Michael, James, Lloyd, Xan, Fred, and all the other patrons and benefactors for one of the most fun and memorable numismatic experiences I’ve had!&nbsp; I am grateful to you for all of your hospitality and am honored to have been able to spend time and get to know each of you.&nbsp; Thank you!![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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