MY CANDIDACY: PART 2

In addition to what I already mentioned in my Statement included in the most recent edition of the Casino Collectible News, I want to formally request your vote for me as Vice-President of the , a position I have been honored to hold for the most recent two terms.

Before retirement in 2008, I owned and operated my own company in Illinois: providing test-preparation courses to students seeking admission to colleges and universities. Being in business for myself, I relied on my skills of communication, active listening and keeping an open mind for building rapport with counselors, parents and school administrators. I always tried to think of ways TO DO something rather than come up with reasons why they couldn’t be done!

For more than 30 years, I was an active member of many professional organizations not only located in Illinois but also nationally and I held offices at each level. I have always believed in giving each person respect, whether I agreed or disagreed with their particular positions. Although cohesiveness within an organization is important, differences among members must be considered and honored and each member must feel that they contribute to the whole and are important to the organization.

Through the years, I have heard many comments regarding the perception that this Club is run by “cliques.” I believe each member – not just a few – should have a voice and should feel like its club officers care about them, want to know them, want to hear their thoughts and pay attention to their concerns. This club is made up of people from many walks of life. Just because we are members of a “collectibles club” doesn’t mean that we are going to be best friends or that we are going to go into business together– but it SHOULD mean that we give and are afforded respect and are appreciated for our enthusiasm for our hobby, commitment to ethical practice and respectful dealings with each other.

I value performance over promises, function over form and cooperation over divisiveness. I am proud to say that I have never turned down ANY request by ANY member of the Board for ANYTHING! I have willingly participated in all of the activities requested of me – and then some! I have never refused ANY request to represent our Club in ANY forum, including doing Public Relations statements, participating in blogs, and making personal appearances all for the benefit of our Club. Most recently, I was asked by our President to participate in a late night SKYPE interview in his place and also agreed to assume the duty of sending out reminder postcards at the request of our Membership Chair who was unable to do so and I was pleased to help out with both requests – not only in a spirit of cooperation but as a way of advancing the interests of our Club so that, as a whole, we prosper and expand.

As a member of our Club’s Board of Directors over the past four (4) years, I have worked to be the voice of those who don’t have a voice otherwise. I have been direct and clear in my pursuit of excellence for our Club and I have been privileged by the many who have voiced their approval of my service. I have not asked for endorsements for my candidacy (and, in fact, discouraged many from doing so) as I believe that our members are savvy enough to know and appreciate my efforts on behalf of our Club. But, I do want to take this opportunity to thank those who were quick to endorse me and to all of the Club members who will give me the endorsement that counts the most – YOUR VOTE! THANK YOU!