I've finally done it. I've become a Tiffany donor. And I want to encourage you to do so, too.

The John K. Tiffany Program of the American Philatelic Society was born in 1995; the result of my recommendation several years earlier that the Society develop a more efficient and effective fund raising effort, and intensive concept and development work on the details to make the Tiffany Program a reality by past-President Randy Neil, and Vice President Peter McCann.

When unveiled, Randy sent an announcement letter to many in the Society in which he said, "Never in our lifetimes - and never in the history of the American Philatelic Society - has an endowment been created whose sole purpose is to develop a fund that will be exclusively devoted to building our hobby for its future, and making certain that our Society is financially powerful enough to aid the cause that will assure this future... This bold and imaginative project is the greatest opportunity in history for you to give something back to a pastime that has brought you so many, many pleasures."

The APS greatly values the many members each year who donate $5 to $15 to the Society and appreciate the support that signifies. The Tiffany Program, however, has been a success in broadening the methods of donations. Individuals have become Tiffany Donors not only by cash donations, but through Planned Giving alternatives, matching donations, participation in the Estate auctions, and outright gifts of philatelic material. And you can too!

Any of these methods can be used by a member to qualify for special recognition in the form of the beautiful cloisonne pin which identifies you as one of our most valued supporters, and listing as a Tiffany Donor in our annual recognition issue of The American Philatelist.

To qualify, a contribution on any of the four levels noted below may be made at one time or in regular annual installments of at least $250. Using the latter method, a member is recognized as a Tiffany Donor upon receipt of the first donation.

The levels of support are:

• Donor ($1,000-$4,999) - Silver
• Sustaining Member ($5,000-$9,999) - Gold
• Patron ($10,000-$24,999) - Ruby
• The Tiffany Club ($25,000 and above) - Diamond

Well, this is 1998, and the Program, which I had a hand in starting, dates from 1995. Why am I a new member, not one who joined immediately upon its announcement? That's a fair question, and the reasons are probably the same as the reasons many of you have not previously become members.

First, I had just finished putting four children through college, and was hardly awash in spare money. Secondly, though I had philatelic material that could have been donated, I was so far behind in sorting that I couldn't identify it. Third, I tend to be a cautious cuss, and I wanted to see how the process would actually work in practice. I was also worried that the Tiffany Program would become some sort of exclusive group that would distance the average collector member (which I am) and create some sort of aristocracy.

I'm pleased to report that the latter has not become reality. The many giving alternatives have resulted in over 230 Tiffany Donors; many of whom are long-time collector friends of modest means who want to show their support of the hobby and the Society's work to preserve and promote it. I have also been encouraged by the fact that I can target a specific use for the money (be it the Library, Expertizing equipment, the Youth Program, or something else of special interest to me) or contribute to the Endowment; which will generate interest income to support the Society over the long run.

So, reevaluating my situation, and the looking at what the Program has already done for the Society, such as enable us to purchase the forensic light source to allow additional scientific basis for our expertizing opinions, I've decided to make my commitment to the Society's future. And I'd ask that you look at your situation and see if you might join me in supporting the Society in this way; a good thing to do for yourself too as you do end of the tax year planning!