Welcome to Our Newsletter
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The 90th Royal/Royale- Thanks to the Volunteers!
It is time again on June 22-24 for the Society’s 90th annual convention-Royal/Royale 2018. I and the Board of Directors are excited about the events at the event. My thanks to the St Catharines’ club and to all the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make this a successful event. Special thanks to Rod Paige, the Society’s former Vice President, Victor Potter, Les Molnar, Jim Glen and Stuart Keeley, our Board member.
Exhibits and the Jury
Those attending will see outstanding exhibits that will be evaluated by a group of experienced jurors led by Dr. Joel Weiner. Other jury members will be
Stéphane Cloutier FRPSC, Ottawa Ontario, Robert (Bob) Anderson, Brantford Ontario,
Robert (Bob) Hohertz, Northfield Minnesota (APS reciprocal judge) and David Collyer, Gladesville, New South Wales (Australian Philatelic Federation reciprocal judge).
Confirmed Dealers
There will be many notable dealers in attendance. Special thanks to Roy Houtby for his fine efforts as Dealer liaison. Enjoy shopping for hidden treasures at the tables! Confirmed dealers with specialities and emails are:
Hugh Anderson
Supplies & Topical
Bill Barrell
Great Britain
Stephane Bilodeau Stamps
Canadian Stamps
Canada Stamp Finder
Canada, BNA
City Stamp Montreal
Canada, BNA
William Coates
Canada, BNA
Greenwood Stamp Company
Postal History
- Frank Hoyles
WW, Post Cards
Hugo Deshaye (Philatelist) Inc
Postal History
Chris Green Stamps
Canada & Br. Comm
Lighthouse Canada
Supplies
Longley Auctions
Postal History
Nigel J. Mackey
Worldwide
Maddy’s Philatelic Service
Worldwide
Medallion Stamps
USA & Canada
Royal Williams Stamps Ltd.
Canada, BNA
Roy’s Stamps
Canada & Br. Comm
Spinks
Auctions
Taylor Stamps
Canada, BNA
Trajan Publishing
Supplies, CSN
Vance Auctions Ltd.
World Wide
E.S.J. Van Dam Ltd.
Revenue Stamps
Seminars and Workshops
Attendees will also be able to attend and listen to excellent speakers at the following seminars on various philatelic subjects :
Friday
11:00 – 12:00 GB: Postal Reform 1837-1840 -Tom Slemons
13:00 – 14:00 Fun of Topical Collecting -Larry Davidson
14:30 – 15:30 Understanding the Machin Series – A Primer
Saturday
11:00 –12:00 Getting Started with Thematic Exhibiting – Dawn Hamman
13:00 – 14:00 GB Postal Reform to Modern Machins –
14:30 – 15:30 ATA Roundtable – latest news from ATA
15:30 – 16:30 A Show & Tell of Unusual Canadian First Day Covers -Andrew Chung
Sunday
1:00- 2:00 Judging – Treatment & Importance – Dr. Joel Weiner
RPSC Table
My hope is that attendees will visit our Society’s table and say hello to me or others involved in the Society, including our esteemed editor, Herb Colling.
Board of Directors Update and the Strategic Plan
At the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors and the Society executive will unveil its strategic plan for the Society. The Vision Statement and the Objectives of the Society were passed at a Board of Directors Meeting on April 29, 2018.
My special thanks to Lloyd Field and Sam Chiu for their leadership with me on the plan and to the other board members and valued members such as Garfield Portsch and past presidents Charles Verge and George Pepall for their insightful comments. My hope is that volunteers will work with members of the Society to implement the plan to improve our Society. In the upcoming months, I will write or speak about various aspects of the Strategic Plan and look forward to discussing aspects of it with many of you.
Speaking of the Board of Directors, the Society will have 13 board members from across Canada. They are all accomplished people in their own right and all have the best interests of the Society and philately at heart. The Board has had regular teleconference meetings every few weeks to discuss and implement decisions pertaining to matters of interest to the Society and its members. My thanks, on behalf of the Society to all of you, and to Robert Pinet, our Society secretary, who is retiring from our Board.
Mission and Vision Statement of the Strategic Plan
- To take a leadership role in promoting and encouraging “stamp collecting”(which includes the collection of topicals, thematics, postal history, aerophilately, and the use of postcards and other ephemera) for Canadians of all ages, genders and ethnicityand to be an inclusive not exclusive organization. Our audience would include the public, beginning collectors, specialists and the philatelic community at large;
- To offer educational programmes to the public which enhance the pleasure and friendliness of “stamp collecting” as described above;
- To promote and encourage volunteerism in “stamp collecting” (as described above), philatelic exhibiting and philatelic judging;
- To represent residents of Canada in worldwide philatelic exhibitions and in worldwide philatelic organizations ; and
- To be the Canadian centre of excellence for collectors, philatelic exhibitors and philatelic judges .
Proposed Objectives To Fulfill the Mission and Vision Statement
Publications
Encourage the preparation of presentations and monographs, books and other educational material for the public, including all those who are engaged in philatelic activities. The publications would include material that can be used in various places to attract members – for example, stamp shows, coin shows, postcard shows, antique shows, libraries, community centres and schools;
Seminars and Courses
Develop materials and deliver seminars/courses to all levels of collectors, philatelists, exhibitors and judges in Canada on topics of relevance to them
Exhibiting at all Levels (including exhibits of topicals, thematics, ephemera and postcards)
Develop and deliver educational materials/programmes on exhibiting to encourage exhibiting at all levels and classes;
Mentoring of Individuals and Groups
Develop a mentoring program for beginning hobbyists of all ages using RPSC Fellows and other qualified individuals (including exhibitors and judges)
Fundraising
Raise capital for charitable(tax deductible) and non-charitable activities through fund raising campaigns . Integrate RPSC Foundation and TAPE activities in a rational and coordinated way . Seek “charitable organization” status for the RPSC from the Canada Revenue Agency;
Relationships and Partnerships with other Philatelic Organizations Including Canada Post and Dealers Inside and Outside Canada
Regularly establish and enhance relationships with Canada Post, the Canadian Stamp Dealers Association and other philatelic organizations to attract more people to the hobby, and to ensure working efficiencies. Appoint persons to act as liaisons with each organization’ Maintain excellent working relationships with FIP, FIAF and other organizations such as the American Philatelic Society;
Promote and Sponsor Joint shows/exhibitions (coins, postcards, ephemera)
Establish and maintain a show/ exhibition/conventions committee to liaise with RPSC chapters and to develop and follow consistent guidelines to create a first class experience for those attending the shows and exhibitions. One or more RPSC board members would be actively involved in this process;
Insurance Benefits for Members
Continue to offer insurance benefits to members as is the current practice;
Promote and Encourage Volunteerism
Find, encourage and publicly acknowledge volunteers who help the RPSC in administration, clerical work and fund-raising. Promote, encourage and publicly acknowledge volunteer participation in philatelic organizations other than the RPSC (clubs, shows, publications);
Brand The Canadian Philatelist as the Premier Philatelic Publication in Canada
Make the content and direction of this publication consistent with the above objectives and statements so that it is widely viewed as the premier philatelic publication in Canada. The Editorial Board and the Editor ( in consultation from the Board of the RPSC) must promote, encourage and publish articles and other material consistent with the above objectives and statements ;
Attract New Members and Maintain Existing Memberships Whenever Possible and Strengthen Relationships with RPSC Affiliate Chapters
Use RPSC affiliate chapters to recruit new RPSC members. Create RPSC regional liaisons in provinces to attract new members and promote the above objectives; and
Enhanced Promotion, Marketing and Branding of the RPSC By Various Means Including Traditional and Social Media
Create an awareness that the RPSC stands for The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada, that the RPSC has a long and storied history and tradition and that it is an inclusive and not exclusive organization that someone will be excited to join. Use our existing Facebook page and RPSC Website to get our messaging across on a timely and broad basis.
Member Sales Circuits
Offer members the chance to sell or buy one anothers’ stamps through a carefully managed sales circuit under contract with a reliable and conscientious individual or party.
Please Volunteer and Help the RPSC
These are truly exciting times for our Society! Please help the Society in any way you can. Recruit new members! Please find a little time in your busy lives to volunteer for Society committees or at your local club or show to advance and promote the interests of our Society . See you in St Catharines!
Best Regards
Ed