Anyone who was on this board in 2002-5, roughly, should know why this hobby needs to do something. Back then, the place was teeming with collectors, new ones showing up all the time. There was a ton of trading (newer collectors get more out of trading). Now, I think twice before picking up traders. Back then, people collected anything and everything. Enthusiasm was very high. Collectors expanded their collecting areas. The club had a lot more members and there were a ton more non-members enjoying the hobby. I see no sign of John Benedict is saying. We used to have new books coming out about specialty areas. No more. I can tell you that my area, Caribbean casinos, has really dried up. There are only a few of us left actively collecting. We had enough to start a Caribbean club. That would not be viable now. I have seen the same for a number of geographic areas. I don't know if an Executive Director would help, and yes, it would be a very hard sell to get the majority of collectors to pay more than double in fees, even if only for a year. I believe, however, that doing nothing will just see us shrinking by attrition as us collectors get older and older, until there are no people left to sell our collections to. Just look at who we lost this year! Something has to be done and it is certainly possible that the ED suggestion is our best plan of action. I would like to see detailed proposals from some potential ED's before this is rejected out of hand. How can anyone reject this idea without some concrete research? It seems to me that some radical thinking is necessary right now. Declaring that this hobby is in the best shape it's ever been in just seems like deluding ourselves and putting our heads in the sand. I don't see any evidence to support it. Before some better idea comes along, I think the ED proposal should be seriously and exhaustively explored, in the same way the MOGH sought help from a consultant. Not sure if it led us anywhere (the MOGH is pretty quiet), but at least they were trying.

In any case, respectful discussion is always the best course of action.

JMHO.

Michael Siskin