You may want to check out the USPS Facebook page for interesting information and news from our nation’s postal service. Seems like it is a good way to stay current on the latest news releases from the government, as well as helpful tips for mailing.
There is also another USPS just for stamp issues that is worth checking out as well. Includes not only new issues but ones from the past.
See the inverted Jenny
WESTPEX 2012
April 27-29, 2012
Friday 10AM – 6PM
Saturday 10AM – 6PM
Sunday 10AM – 4PM
$5 Admission good for all three days
Children under 15 free with adult
Join us at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront for WESTPEX 2012.
Visit http://westpex.org/ for more details
The British North America Philatelic Society (BNAPS) is pleased to announce a new contest for youth ages 6 – 18. Stamp as well as cash prizes will be awarded. Teachers, scout and stamp club leaders, as well as any adult who works with youth and the stamp collecting hobby are invited to share the contest information.
Youth are asked to find one or more stamps that are a meaningful symbol of their country. Examples include flags, monuments, and other objects of historical significance. The stamp(s) will be affixed to the page along with an essay of less than 250 words. The written article should explain why the (flag, monument, historical item) is an important symbol for their country. The essays may be handwritten or typed, double space is preferred. The essay must be the original thoughts of the entrant.
Prizes will be awarded by age group: 6 – 8, 9 – 11, 12 – 14, 15 – 18. Monetary awards of $25, $10, and $5 will be awarded respectively to first, second, and third place winners in each age group. Winners will also receive a philatelic prize. The first 100 entries will receive a free packet of stamps.
Only one entry per child. Each entry should include the name of the child, complete mailing address, age as of January 1, 2012, and a brief description of their collecting interest.
Entries may be submitted electronically to nrdyer@comcast.net or by mail to Bob Dyer, 1708 Granada Court, Petaluma, CA 94954. (A photocopy may be sent – color preferred.) The entries become the property of the British North America Society and will not be returned. BNAPS reserves the right to publish entries on its website. The contest is open to youth of any country.
Deadline for contest entries to be received is May 15, 2012. Direct any questions to Bob Dyer. http://www.bnaps.org/index.htm
Congratulations to the new Sequoia Stamp Club lifetime members:
L To R Jim Giacomazzi, Kristin Patterson, Darlene Hickok, Ed Rodriguez
Dear Sequoia members and friends:
The vote on the changes to our by-laws is scheduled to be held at the regular Sequoia Stamp Club meeting on February 28. If passed, the new rules will bring about a major change in the manner in which our Governing Board members are selected. In the past, two individuals were appointed by the club president to serve on the executive board as members at large along with the elected and appointed officers. Under the new system, the club members will elect three members at large to join the four elected officers to make up the newly revised Governing Board. The by-laws revision committee felt strongly that these changes were necessary in order to create a governing body that was more efficient and more responsive to club members.
In the event that the vote on the changes to the by-laws is favorable, a special election has been scheduled for that same evening for the election of the new Governing Board members. The nominations committee has met and selected six club members to be placed on the ballot to vie for the three positions. They will be announced at the meeting on February 14 and nominations will also be taken from the floor. The nomination committee feels strongly that all candidates need to understand the responsibilities of the job, meet the basic requirements of the position, and express a willingness to accept the nomination.
This election may prove to be very instrumental to the future operation of our club and members need to be very thoughtful in carrying out their voting responsibility. There will be some very important decisions to be made this year, and the Governing Board members will be resolving very important financial and legal matters. We will need leaders who are experienced and are familiar with the operation of the club who can communicate and work well together to oversee club activities. This is one of the first elections in the history of the Sequoia Stamp Club that I can recall where members had a real choice in their selection of leadership. Use your votes wisely!
The Sequoia Stamp Club offers much for local collectors from auctions, presentations, local news, and question answering opportunities. Included in this monthly news eBlast are the upcoming Sequoia Stamp Club activities and area stamp shows.
2012 Schedule:
February 14 – The Story of the U. S. Playing Card Company – Kristin Patterson (mtg until 9:30 pm)
February 28 – Cover Sale – Jim Giacomazzi [6:30 pm Executive Board Meeting]
March 13 – Swap Meet – Gil Goodrich
March 27 – Mail Service with Strings Attached – Ed Rodriguez
Look forward to seeing you at an upcoming meeting.
Jim Giacomazzi, Sequoia Chair, sequoiastampclub@yahoo.com
Please forward this to anyone who might be interested in attending a Sequoia Stamp Club meeting.
This news blast is brought to you by www.penpex.org. If you wish to receive or be removed from these email blasts, please email penpexredwoodcity@yahoo.com with your request and we will add or remove your name from future emails
President’s Message:
Included with this edition of the Stamp Chatter, you will find a copy of the Sequoia Club by-laws with some proposed changes. These changes were recommended by the recently formed by-laws revision committee made up of Hank Shoolman (chair), Henry Washauer, Ed Rodriguez, Gil Goodrich, and myself. The revisions to the by-laws suggested by the committee were unanimously endorsed by the Sequoia Club Executive Committee at their November meeting.
The major revision involves changes in the make-up of the Executive Committee. The current body is made up of the four elected officers, two directors at large, a librarian, a sales manager, an auditor, and the chairmen of the program and membership committees. This creates an eleven person executive board where the majority of the members are appointed by the president.
The original by-laws were written when the club was first established. In 1989, the club applied for and was granted corporate status, and was designated as Sequoia Stamp Club, Inc. The revisions to the by-laws that are currently being recommended will allow the club to be run more efficiently and more like other corporate bodies.
The proposed changes in the new by-laws reestablishes the Executive Committee into a more effective Governing Board. The new Board will be a seven-member body made up of the four elected club officers and three elected directors at large. The reduced number on the Board will make it more efficient, and the fact that all members will be elected by the club membership will make it more democratic. The appointed officers and standing committee chairs that are appointed by the president will not be Governing Board members, but will make regular reports to the Board to assist in the decision making process. Governing Board meetings are to be open meetings with all members having the right to attend.
Please read over the proposed changes carefully. At our regular meeting on February 28, a discussion and vote by the membership will be held on the amended by-laws. If the proposed changes pass by a two-thirds vote of the members present, the changes can go into effect. A special election will later be held to select the three directors at large who will join our elected officers to make up our new Governing Board. The by-laws revision committee has put forth much thought and effort to come up with their recommendations. The current Executive Committee and the newly elected officers both recommend an affirmative vote on the proposed changes. Please help us in our effort to establish a better foundation for our club in order to make it more effective and more responsive to its members.
Jim Giacomazzi
President,
Sequoia Stamp Club