Ben Franklin once said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Every stamp collector has an expensive story to tell. Somewhere in our collection is at least one lesson learned after we made a purchase. In time, we know how to value our stamps better and build a collection, but that takes research, mentors, and education.
More than 40 years ago, the APS introduced Summer Seminar, a week-long learning event bringing together stamp collectors and knowledgeable instructors to learn, not just in that week, but to develop relationships that would help them grow in the hobby. Unfortunately, we have had to cancel the in-person Summer Seminar for the past two years due to the pandemic, but we are already planning the Seminar for June 2022.
In 2017, we surveyed former, current, and potential members of the APS on several subjects. The highest priority across all segments of those surveyed was online and on-demand educational opportunities. That is why we launched the Collecting and Connecting Central Academy (C3a) in 2019 to bring more online courses to members and non-members.
Through C3a, we welcomed more than 1,000 attendees for two Summer Seminar Online learning events, the first in 2020 and again this past June. We also offer live virtual courses, either discounted to APS members or free of charge, throughout the year. All sessions are recorded and available for viewing in the learning portal for those who could not attend live. As of this writing, more than 2,300 users (1,800 APS members) have registered to use the site to access more than 1,000 different learning elements. We have had nearly 2,900 registrations for live learning events through August of this year, and with upcoming courses, we will reach more than 3,000 before the end of the year.
With your help, we can grow C3a to reach even more collectors and make it another powerful recruiting tool for the APS. That’s why we’re promoting C3a in November through a campaign to increase the learning opportunities for 2022.
National Postal Museum Curator Dan Piazza leads a class on research in Summer Seminar 2019.
National Philanthropy Day (November 15, 2021): Calling All Educators
Each November 15th, we celebrate National Philanthropy Day by recognizing the outstanding contributions of donors and supporters of a given program. This year, we honor the educators who give their time and knowledge to help educate fellow collectors. Our education programs rely on volunteers who take the time to teach courses and become friends with and mentors to the collectors they meet. With the APS, you have the benefit of teaching a class, and we preserve the course and the knowledge for years to come. Our community of educators can never be too big. If you have ever thought about teaching a class on your favorite philatelic subject, now is the time to answer the call.
Giving Tuesday (November 30, 2021): An Investment in Knowledge
Giving Tuesday is an international giving campaign on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, aimed to help transform communities. In past years, hundreds of generous supporters have contributed to Stamps Teach and Adopt-a-Book. This year, we are focusing our efforts on growing the C3a platform. We want to create a more significant learning community by adding leaderboards, certificates of completion, and social forums to continue the conversation after the class is over. You can learn more about our campaign at stamps.org/giving-tuesday.
We aim to bring more live virtual learning and on-demand learning events to you so that you can learn from the comfort of your home and on your own time. We are honored to have so many of you actively participating in our learning community and invite you to join us there.
If you have not used the C3a platform, you can visit our website at aps.buzz/C3a to register. APS members should be logged into the website to enjoy all the member benefits of the online learning platform.
If you have suggestions for courses or ways to improve our online education efforts, please contact the APS Education Department at [email protected]. And please join us in growing our education mission this month by supporting C3a.
Upcoming 2022 APS Elections: What You Need to Know |
The elective officers of the Society – President, three Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, and four Directors-at-Large – are elected by the members of the society by ballot every three years. At the same time the APS membership also elects two members for the American Philatelic Research Library Board of Trustees. APS Elections: President, Board of Vice Presidents (Slate of three), Secretary, Treasurer, Director-at-Large (Four seats) APRL Elections: Trustee (Two elected at-large and one elected by Founder/Patrons/Fellows) Timeline of 2022 Elections November 1, 2021: Nominations/Seconds officially opened. The APS website has details about election procedures and nomination applications/forms at stamps.org/election. December 31, 2021: Deadline to participate in joint candidate mailing to APS Chapters. January - April 2022: Candidates will be listed in The American Philatelist. Mid-January 2022: A joint mailing will be sent to chapters. January 30, 2022: Election Review Board will be appointed. March 1, 2022: Deadline for candidate statement copy to The American Philatelist. March 15, 2022: Online candidates forum. March 31, 2022: Nominations/Seconds officially closes. May 2022: Election Ballot included in The American Philatelist. June 11, 2022: Voting closes at noon. June 14, 2022: The results will be tabulated and announced on Society website and by electronic mail. August 27, 2022: Installation of officers following the General Membership Meeting at the Great American Stamp Show 2022, Sacramento, CA. |