tomiseksj
Moderator 
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,269 
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Feb 29, 2024 17:18:25 GMT
Yesterday I received the below mailing, which seeks donations for The Mighty Buck Club. I will be making a personal donation; however, as an APS Chapter, I thought it might be appropriate for the Forum to donate as well. Rather than making an arbitrary decision to expend Forum funds, I thought it best to ask the membership to weigh in. Specifically, the poll asks whether or not a donation should be made and, if so, in what amount. In responding to the poll, those in favor of making a donation should place a check next to "Yes" and whichever dollar amount is considered appropriate. Those opposed to making a donation only need to place a check next to "No." For those who may not be aware, an accounting of the Forum's finances is available here. The only forseeable expense we have at this time is the $11.50/month paid to keep ads off of the Forum. This poll will remain open during March and I encourage all of our members to express their view by making selection(s) on the poll.  |
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vikingeck
Member 
Posts: 3,269
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on Feb 29, 2024 17:38:01 GMT
Whilst the Forum may be affiliated to APS, there is a large number of us who are not American and have no loyalty to APS .
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,408
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Feb 29, 2024 18:54:06 GMT
Oh boy, this could cause problems. If forum members want to make a donation in the forum’s name, then host a fundraiser where it is very clear how the funds would be used. Previous donations were made to the forum with the understanding that the monies would be used for forum expenses only. This is not a forum expense. It does not benefit ALL members.
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,914
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Feb 29, 2024 21:25:35 GMT
I agree with both members above,
yet personally, when I see "Digital Archives" as being part of the societies regime, I am all for it.
I would not be against a donation, and as such voted yes with an amount.
The democratic voting should settle the matter.
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
Posts: 5,659
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Feb 29, 2024 22:00:50 GMT
This is not a forum expense. It does not benefit ALL members. Thanks for your post, Terri. I understand your comment, but I think it is not 100% accurate. While it is true that not all Forum members choose to take advantage of the benefits that our APS membership gives us, those benefits are, to my understanding, available to all TSF members. In fact, not too long ago, one of our international members (one living in Europe) asked me how to get access to the APS periodicals using the Forum's status, and working with Steve ( Admin ), we were able to help him do that. The list of club benefits may be found here: stamps.org/community/club-benefitsAll of that said, I can understand and appreciate the opposing points of view in this case, and I am also willing to wait and see how the vote goes. |
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salmantino
Member
Posts: 266
What I collect: Specialised UK and overprints, Ireland, Netherlands, Spanish permanent stamps.
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Post by salmantino on Feb 29, 2024 22:20:20 GMT
The majority of those benefits have zero use if you live in Europe.
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,408
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Feb 29, 2024 22:28:15 GMT
I do see your point, Chris. I have nothing against the APS - I’m a member and admire their programs. I simply don’t feel comfortable redirecting funds for a different purpose other than what people thought they were giving to. Those donations were made with the understanding that they would pay for ad-free and photo hosting. This is divisive - People who don’t want to donate to the APS may hesitate to make future donations. And looking at the list of contributors (a very small percentage of our membership), only a few of them are Americans.
I’d be happy to host a donation auction or auctions to offset the amount chosen if the membership votes to do that if the club would agree to not use previous donations.
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,914
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Feb 29, 2024 22:43:42 GMT
philatelia I’d be happy to host a donation auction or auctions to offset the amount chosen if the membership votes to do that if the club would agree to not use previous donations. And I would be happy to make up any shortfall, from that auction (providing it is not an outrageous sum  ) Query: how can there be 20 votes from 14 members?
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,269
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Feb 29, 2024 22:44:42 GMT
... The democratic voting should settle the matter. Regardless of how this vote turns out, should anyone who has donated funds to this Forum since I assumed the Admin role in April 2018 be displeased with the manner in which funds are being spent, send me a PM and I'll gladly refund the donation(s). |
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vikingeck
Member
Posts: 3,269
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on Feb 29, 2024 22:58:07 GMT
Query: how can there be 20 votes from 14 members? it seems “yes” voters can evidently get 2 votes,! Yes + amount suggested. “No” voters get one vote. Now 21 from15 …….increase by 1 suggests the last vote was a “no”? |
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,408
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Feb 29, 2024 23:10:32 GMT
philatelia I’d be happy to host a donation auction or auctions to offset the amount chosen if the membership votes to do that if the club would agree to not use previous donations. And I would be happy to make up any shortfall, from that auction (providing it is not an outrageous sum ) Query: how can there be 20 votes from 14 members? Thanks, Rod! |
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Post by daniel on Mar 1, 2024 0:31:53 GMT
When we joined the Forum we should have been aware that it was an affiliate of the APS. If Steve is keen to make a donation then I trust him and fully support a donation and I have voted accordingly  Daniel |
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Post by viking1234 on Mar 1, 2024 19:27:51 GMT
philatelia I’d be happy to host a donation auction or auctions to offset the amount chosen if the membership votes to do that if the club would agree to not use previous donations. And I would be happy to make up any shortfall, from that auction (providing it is not an outrageous sum ) Query: how can there be 20 votes from 14 members? How do presidents in some countrys get elected with 99.9% of the voters |
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djcmh
Member
Posts: 773
What I collect: Worldwide
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Post by djcmh on Mar 11, 2024 5:54:03 GMT
As an APS affiliate I think it would be more than appropriate to donate to the APS once in a while, and the Mighty Buck program is a perfect time to show our solidarity with APS.
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Admin
Administrator 
Posts: 2,644
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Post by Admin on Apr 1, 2024 11:07:45 GMT
The membership has spoken and a donation will be made.
Should anyone who has previously donated to the Forum object, send me a PM and I'll refund your donation.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,269
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Apr 20, 2024 23:19:18 GMT
For any who may have wondered, the Forum's donation has been received by the APS.  While the preponderance of its membership is US-based, there is a fair amount of international membership. These figures were recently provided to me by APS at my request: - There are 389 clubs, 11 are in Canada and 4 are in other countries
- There are 180 affiliates, 7 are in Canada and 10 are in other countries
- There are 22,780 regular members, 503 are from Canada and 633 are from other countries (total reflects drops for unpaid 2024 dues)
APS is extending a special offer to members of our Forum who are not yet APS members. New members who list The Stamp Forum (APS Chapter 1591) as a sponsor can join anytime in 2024 and save $10. For each member who joins APS, the Forum will receive $5 in recruiting credits If you would like to take advantage of this offer, apply online and use the coupon CLUBS. Don't forget to list the Forum as your sponsor. |
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