tomiseksj
Moderator 
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,263 
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 Dec 18, 2013 19:14:48 GMT
In a recent offline discussion, JerryB brought to my attention that the ages of new applicants for APS membership published in the December 2013 edition of the American Philatelist (AP) were predominantly in their 60s, 70s or 80s. He also noted that the APS needed to do something in order to attract younger members.
Jerry's point caused me to look at the APS membership trend over the last five years. Below is a comparison of membership data published in the December issues of the 2008 and 2013 APs, respectively. The data reflects a decline of almost 19% over the five year period.
 The December 2013 data shows a slight uptick for the month, but total APS membership is down from prior year (total membership as of Oct. 31, 2013 was 33, 611). I'd like to pose a few questions for discussion by our membership: - What steps can be taken by APS to increase its membership base?
- How can APS make membership in its organization more appealing to younger collectors?
- Are there things the APS is currently doing (e.g., programs, policies, etc.) that discourage application for membership?
By extension, each of these questions also applies to our forum and its ability to grow its membership so the opinions and recommendations of APS members and non-members alike are encouraged. While I have no empirical evidence, my suspicion is that the questions also apply to other philatelic organizations.
If you have other questions or concerns not directly related to membership, please start another thread in this board.
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Zuzu
Member 
Inactive
Self-Proclaimed Black Belt in Google Fu
Posts: 768 
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Post by Zuzu on Dec 19, 2013 4:12:50 GMT
I consider myself a "younger" collector and certainly a novice. I guess maybe a trial membership would entice me to check out APS. Just reading the list of member benefits on the website doesn't convince me; I need to actually get in there and see what the benefits and resources are and use them. As it is now, I'll probably give myself a "trial" membership in July when it costs the least. :/
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I.L.S.
Departed
Rest in Peace
I am in Clearfield, Pa. I love US Classic covers!
Posts: 2,113
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Post by I.L.S. on Dec 19, 2013 5:37:57 GMT
Yes a 30 day trial period might garner some great results. I'm only in my early 40's so I consider myself a young collector but it's will be an uphill battle getting today's youth involved and competing against video games for their attention.
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Post by Perfs14 on Dec 19, 2013 6:03:29 GMT
I find it a bit hard to come to any conclusions with just two year picked at random. A graph showing a 20 or even 10 year trend could be more informative. In any case the hobby as a whole is a dying hobby IMO. As ILS said it is hard to compete with all the electronic stuff out there. Also life in general is faster and people tend to seek quick satisfaction rather than a long term one. All this coupled with the fact that most Issuing Bodies are putting out a heap of rubbish, just to make money off collectors, does not improve the image. APS is a large body and one thing they could do is sponsor in-school courses on postal history and stamps in general. They could run competitions aimed at junior and high school participants where real prizes are offered...if you can't convic'em, bribery might work  |
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Dec 19, 2013 10:06:56 GMT
Hi
APS has a new program which is called "Stamps Teach" which combines stamp collecting with classroom instruction. The program was created by the National Postal Museum and is administered by the APS. The trial run was well received and the program got a grant. The APS is now working on rolling it out. There is also the "Junior Philatelists of America" program.
At this time I will mention that the "American Philatelist", the APS journal, is well worth the APS dues alone. There is something for everyone. For Instance, over the past few months some major articles have been:
Generations: Baseball on U. S. Postage Stamps
The Mystery of Mejujaim
Postal Strikes - Creating a Philatelic Exhibit
Earle Ovington and the First Air Mail Flight
South Sudan; Nation Without Postcards
Ramon Magsaysay; A Champion of Liberty
The 'Barquitos' Stamps of Buenos Aires
The 1945 Third Reich Wehrmacht Essays
France's Sinking Fund Issues of 1927-1931
A great benefit is access to the APRL library. Books and articles may be 'checked' out either by direct contact with the library or by the Library Interloan System. I have used the library a couple of times.
Another great benefit is the thousands of world-wide stamps in the "StampStore" where you can buy and sell stamps and also have the backing of the APS if there are any problems.
Steve has mentioned the APS Insurance program. This insurance is much more comprehensive than insuring your collection via a homeowners "collectible Rider'.
A few have mentioned "trial" memberships. As far as I know there is no such thing. However, the dues are relatively inexpensive. I have had someone tell me that the APS dues, $45 at this time, are too much of a financial burden. This is the same person who will buy a stamp for a few hundred dollars.
Jerry B
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Dec 19, 2013 14:46:01 GMT
I may be alone but I would much rather spend $45 on a needed stamp than the same buck on a membership.If I joined all those organizations that support stamp collecting just to access their libraries I would have no budget left for stamps.I don't have an interest in exhibiting or expanding into a w/w collector so have little use for another shopping store.I would love to see disclosure of salaries paid to these people. Maybe Jack should get some fraction for promoting the hobby?? Just saying.....
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,263
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 Dec 19, 2013 15:21:24 GMT
I find it a bit hard to come to any conclusions with just two year picked at random. A graph showing a 20 or even 10 year trend could be more informative. Alex, I only had data going back to 2007 so I chose a 5 year spread. Here is a graph showing the annual September 30/October 31 data. To me it shows an downward trend that had begun before global economic downturn. I'd be interested in seeing if other fee-for-membership organizations, both philatelic and non-philatelic, are experiencing similar declines.  |
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Zuzu
Member
Inactive
Self-Proclaimed Black Belt in Google Fu
Posts: 768
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Post by Zuzu on Dec 19, 2013 16:25:43 GMT
I'd be interested in seeing if other fee-for-membership organizations, both philatelic and non-philatelic, are experiencing similar declines. I imagine they are. I'm an active member of a service club, and the decline in (and increasing average age of) membership has been an ongoing area of concern. In regard to both, I think this can be explained in some part not just by the abundance of organizations (see Mr. Frog's previous comment) but the abundance of easily-available information and materials. I don't want to say it's technology's fault, but, well... Why pay $$ to join a service club when there are myriad opportunities to donate or volunteer being constantly "advertised"? Why pay $$ to gain access to something when there's a good chance you can find it online? This brings me back to my previous comment about a trial membership. I have to say I appreciate James comments and list of "American Philatelist" articles, and I plan to view the sample issue that Steve posted in another thread, but if I do decide to become an APS member, I still think I will hold off until this summer when the fee is graduated to a lower amount. |
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Post by Perfs14 on Dec 19, 2013 20:21:09 GMT
Thank you for the data tomiseksj. The trend is obvious, but it may have been coming down from an 'artificial high' in the late 90's. Trends are often difficult to explain:  maybe we should be aiming at the fair sex for membership... |
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,263
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 Dec 19, 2013 20:39:13 GMT
Good point. I just did a very unscientific assessment of the 179 applicants listed in the December AP and counted only 22 with names that were obviously female. Come to think of it, we need to be doing the same here at TSF! |
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Post by Perfs14 on Dec 19, 2013 20:44:41 GMT
I totally agree! |
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Dec 20, 2013 5:04:23 GMT
membership in EVERYTHING is declining I was a volunteer firefighter til six years ago.When I joined we had thirty five members when I moved we numbered just eighteen active members.Many of us were past our forties.I see signs everywhere members needed big promotion ongoing now "Is there a fire in you?"
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Admin
Administrator 
Posts: 2,637
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Post by Admin on Dec 20, 2013 5:17:30 GMT
Frog that's why I feel it's important that we keep promoting the hobby. If not then people won't take it up . So many people that have returned to stamp collecting did it by the internet online forums online auctions probally has done more to save the hobby in the last 10 years then we know..
Sit at home in your pjs chat with other collectors, buy stamps at the comfort of your chair the world has change . In this day and age stamp collecting really has a place. I can see it staying strong
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Dec 20, 2013 13:56:26 GMT
WOW!!!!! I am even MISTER FROG.May have to celebrate today.Thanks Zuzu, only the kids here call me that.Somehow, mister and frog never go together.Even Mom just calls me froggy or is it froggie not sure now.My family roots go back to namesake Wensleydale in Wales,home to great cheese.At the Plymouth Rock museum I found listed a Sarah Wensley on the second voyage of the Mayflower.
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