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Contact: Connie Swartz,
Member Records Secretary 814-933-3803 ext. 201 Chapter Application available: .pdf format or Online Application |
Join the Leader!
The American Philatelic Society, founded September 14, 1886, is the oldest and largest national organization of stamp collectors in the United States. Initially termed "branch societies", Chapters have been an integral part of the APS since its founding. Now more than 525 local stamp clubs in the U.S. and several other countries are APS Chapters. Membership dues for an APS Chapter are the same as for an individual member of the Society. With a nucleus of just three individual APS members, your own club may become an APS Chapter and benefit from the many services offered to clubs by the APS. As you read below you will see how becoming an APS Chapter will aid your club in planning interesting programs, recruiting new members, and providing more philatelic enjoyment to your current membership.
To Become a Chapter
Complete a chapter application on-line or send in the .pdf application. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Connie Swartz
The APS Supports Its Chapters by Offering:
Chapter Activities Committee
The APS Chapter Activities Committee (CAC) serves as the focal point for most services to APS Chapters. Chapters looking for advice on how to publish a newsletter, draft bylaws, run a show, or "how-to-do-it" information on any number of local functions may find assistance. The Committee offers a robust website offering clubs a variety of resources. Visit www.stamps.org/CAC.
Chapter Newsletter Contest
The Chapter Newsletter Contest is run in a critique format to provide club newsletter editors with expert advice about their product as well as award recognition. Clubs also may request assistance in starting a newsletter at any time from the Committee members experienced in writing and editing. The CAC also operates a club newsletter exchange that allows clubs an opportunity to receive sample newsletters produced by other clubs.
Monthly Journal
For the benefit of all Chapter members, The American Philatelist, the Society's official monthly journal, also is sent to each Chapter. Regular features include new discoveries, specialty columns, "how-to-do-it" articles, original research monographs, and feature stories by outstanding philatelic writers. Also members as well as your club memberships can view The AP online!
Show Calendar Listing
APS Chapters may publicize information about their sponsored exhibitions in the special "SHOW TIME" section of our monthly magazine and in our online show calendar. Click here for Show Calendar details.
Stamp and Cover Sales Circuits
Upon request, sales circuits containing stamps and covers based upon the collecting interests of the members of each individual chapter, are sent as often as once a month. They are shipped to arrive just prior to the Chapter's scheduled meeting date and may be retained for 30 days thereafter. See the Sales Division online information for more details.
Slide Programs
APS slide programs are one of the most popular Chapter services. More than 140 programs are available for rent and several are being converted to a DVD format for purchase in our DVD Shop. The DVD’s are easier to use by clubs without a slide projector. All slide programs are available with a cassette tape recording and script, with a running time varying from 20 minutes to 1 hour. A list of current slide programs with instructions on how Chapters may participate is available online. A few programs for rent are offered only in VHS cassette or DVD formats. Be sure to view the list of available programs and rent one for your next club meeting.
Accredited Judges
The APS has an established exhibition judging program. Nearly 125 accredited judges are available to serve at Chapter exhibitions. Most Chapters like to use APS-accredited judges for their exhibitions, with local members serving as apprentice judges and thereby gaining valuable experience and competency toward meeting the APS judging accreditation requirements. Click here for Accredited Judges
Research Library
An APS Chapter and all its members are entitled and encouraged to utilize the vast resources of the American Philatelic Research Library. A nominal fee is charged to cover the costs of book loans and photocopies of short articles. The Library publishes a quarterly journal, Philatelic Literature Review, to which APS Chapters may subscribe. Any requests for book loans by non-APS members must be through an APS member in good standing who will be responsible for return of the borrowed materials or via inter-library loan. Visit the Research Library
Awards and Medals
Medals of Excellence and Research Award - available to WSP Shows.
Chapter Exhibition Medals - available for Chapters to award as they wish at their own philatelic exhibitions.
Club Sparkplug Awards - recognize those members who provide the energy that keeps your club moving!
Mailing List Discounts
Special pricing available to clubs to purchase mailing lists to promote membership or invite local APS members to your next show.
One eBlast per Year
Send out one e-mail message per year for any World Series of Philately show, chapter or affiliate per the guidelines.
