Maximaphily activity reports per country in 2009 and 2010. I am trying to promote maximaphily worldwide, as you may have noticed :)

2009 Maximaphily activity reports per country:

Excerpt:
"48. UNITED STATES: (Terry WATSON)

2009 was not a productive year for Maximaphly within the United States.  
The U.S.’s Maximum Card Study Unit (MACSU) has been only minimally functional during this year.  
MACSU membership has declined.  
Interactions between club members have not been as strong and the MACSU Journal has not been issued. 

- There are plans to revive MACSU in 2010 with a membership drive and by moving to publishing an on-line journal (in color) that will include articles written by a variety of collectors.

- We are not aware of any new Maximaphily Exhibits, National Level Exhibitions, nor participation in International Exhibitions by United States collectors.

- On the positive side, a small number of United States Maximum Card collectors continue to realize Maximum Cards following the FIP rules for their personal collections, to exchange with other collectors, and to sell in such venues as ebay.

- In 2009, the USPS (US Postal Service) issued 79 stamps ( part of 9 sets of stamps and 14 individual stamps), on the ‘Flags of the Nation’ series, the ‘Lighthouses’issue, ‘Early TV Memories’,  the ‘Pacific Kelp Forest’ issue etc. From these stamp issues, we estimate that about 60 different Maximum Cards were created in the USA.

- Also our member Dorin Cojucariu [Cojocariu] has a web site, where he promotes Maximaphily exchanges on his main topic of MC on wild animals. Another member Sun Yu went to ITALIA 2009 and attended the Maximaphily Seminar there. He is also working on preparing Maximaphily Exhibits on his topics on Sculpture and Paintings."

===============

2010 http://www.fiaf-filatelia.com/commission/fip_maximaphily_report_2010.html

48. UNITED STATES  (Terry WATSON) 
- For the past three years, the official maximum card club of North America MACSU (Maximum Card Study Unit) has not been functional.  
However, as the end of 2010 approached there was movement to resurrect the club.  
Recently a new Board of Directors was established, a business license was applied for and received, a bank account established, and the first Journal in three years will be ready for publication in early 2011.  
This journal will be published “on-line”, thus saving paper, printing, and postage costs.  
Membership dues will be cut to only $12 annually for collectors who can receive the Journal electronically.  
Anyone interested in joining the reconstituted club can contact the new Treasurer, Gerry Marandino at brooklyngerry@gmail.com  
- There are other small, but positive signs for Maximum Card collecting in the USA.  
Communication between maximum card collectors in the USA is growing as email addresses are shared between collectors.  
Recently, all of the known maximum card collectors in the USA were contacted and asked to submit their best 2011 maximum card realizations and a vote was taken for the USA’s entry into the Best Maximum Card of the Year Contest.  
Mr. Sun Yu’s realization of Winslow Homer’s painting of “The Boys in the Pasture” was the winner and will represent the USA in contest OR in the 'World Competition of the Best Maximum Card created in 2010', that will be held later on this year. 
This communication was the first attempt to reach all USA collectors via the internet.
- Another positive indicator regarding maximum card collecting in the USA is that several American collectors have received some success in selling maximum cards at internet auction sites such as eBay.  
Often, these “entrepreneurs” sell duplicate cards that they have realized.  
Several North American maximaphilists are also actively exchanging cards with one another, yet another sign of growth of the hobby.  
- The United States Postal Service has not issued Official Maximum Cards in decades, and only one small stamp company is known to produce any USA maximum cards and these are produced in small quantities and do not meet FIP criteria. 
Thus, the overwhelming number of USA maximum cards of recent years are collector-realized cards, usually realized in small numbers.  
While the number of maximum card collectors is small, these collectors used over fifty (50) different 2010 USPS stamp issues to realize over an estimated 1000 MCs.  
Several maximum card collectors in the USA also enjoy creating non-traditional maxicards, with over 100 of these types of cards being created in the past year.
- The author is unaware of any exhibitions, exhibits, seminars, or other events that featured maximum cards in the USA in 2010.  
These are issues that the newly reorganized North American Maximum Card Study Unit will need to address in coming years if the hobby is to grow in the USA.  
-  Last year, the USA took part in the"World Competition of the Best Maximum Card created in 2009', with the Maximum Card 'Surfer & Out-Rigged Boat, Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii' created  by  Terry Watson. 
This competition was on Oct. 7, 2010 in Lisbon.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CEOs, PIGS... DIY do-it-yourself dorincard kit #1. Not yet a maximum card maxicard maxi card.

- Condition: uncirculated DIY do-it-yourself dorincard kit. Not yet a maximum card, maxicard, maxi card.
- Year: stamp from 2008, postmark from 2008 (if you want me to postmark it) or whenever you postmark it (if you want to have it postmarked later).

This dorincard kit is comprised of:
- BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Pigs -  commercially available postcard.
- BLANK customized postage, mint, valid for postage.

Optionally, I can do the postmarking on a transparent rectangular mailing address label over the postcard.
This way, you have a clear, sharp postmark that is not smeared on the glossy surface of the postcard or the stamp.

- Condition of the stamp: MNH; large size (more expensive to produce)!  2.5x1.5 inches (63x38 mm)
- Year: 2008
- Catalog value: I ordered only 20 stamps; 3 (at least) I keep, 17 (at most) still available.

Zazzle: customized postage, personalized stamps, personalized stamp, personalised stamps, personalised stamp.

The stamp is valid for postage as such, blank as it is (only one postal use, please).
If you don´t intend to use it as postage, then you can further decorate it any way you want, for your own enjoyment.  Notice the large area, without any border.
You can even write text on it, with fine tip permanent marker.
You can temporarily or permanently attach an image.  Just try not to offend anyone...
Scan several versions of it.  Remember: you cannot and may not use duplicates as valid postage.  Each zazzle stamp has a unique ID code, valid one-time only.

Please visit my delcampe store to see many unusual items!

"Established in 1949 [put a COMMA here, I might recommend :) ] the American Topical Association [ ATA ] is the largest philatelic society devoted specifically to topical stamp collecting. Serving members in over 90 countries, we pride ourselves in being the best source of information, fellowship and authority in this field."

Please visit and join:  http://www.americantopicalassn.org/ 

American Topical Association ✆	4:18 PM (3 hours ago)
to me

To: Mr. Dorin Cojocariu, ATA 49811 [See? I am a member! :) ]

ATA NewsFlashForward – Jan 6, 2012

BEST WISHES FROM YOUR ATA FOR A HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!!

TOPICAL TIME

The Nov-Dec issue was mailed yesterday. Allowing for the nine business days in which the USPS expects delivery, US members can expect to receive their copy by Jan. 17. This information is regularly posted on our website. Your copy will be encased in plastic rather than a paper cover--saving both trees and dollars.  Wayne Youngblood is working hard playing major catch-up with the Jan-Feb issue.  We thank all our members for their patience.

This issue of Topical Time was mailed to 41 more ATA members than the previous issue!  ATA is making progress on its membership goals; thanks to all who are promoting Topical Time and ATA membership.

The Nov-Dec issue includes interesting lead articles by two of our UK members (Barry Floyd and Jeff Dugdale) on "African Art on Stamps" and "Life in the Colonial Bush." And there is a prepublication offer you won't want to miss for ATA's upcoming book, Handbook of Disney on Stamps. Watch for your copy soon!

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE    www.americantopicalassn.org 

•  Press Release: ATA Certifies The Disneyana on Stamps Society (DoSS) as a Study Unit

•  National Topical Stamp Show (NTSS) 2012 - Lancaster, Pa.

-          Initial venue information

-          Exhibit Prospectus

-          Official Exhibit Entry Form

•  Link to APS Manual on Judging:  www.americantopicalassn.org/exhibiting.hmtl

•  Updated Checklist and Archived Articles listing.  Checklist page now includes info on lists available from ATA Study Units

•  Press Release: ATA Releases Two New DVDs: Scouts on Stamps and Nursing on Stamps

•  Press Release: ATA Names New Director of Chapters: Tonny Van Loij

We hope you didn’t miss the selection of 200 holiday stamps rotating through the ATA main web page in December.  Do stop by the site often and see the wonderful improvements that ATA Webmaster Sean Lamb is making!

NOMINATIONS FOR 2012-2014 TERMS of BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Nominations for ATA officers to serve from June 2012-June 2014 are officially open. They may be made in writing by any ATA Chapter or by any ten ATA members in good standing. All nominations, including a brief biographical sketch, must be received no later than January 31, 2012, by the ATA executive director.

Officers to be elected are president, first and second vice presidents, secretary, treasurer and between four and nine directors.

A ballot with biographical sketches will be published in the March-April issue of Topical Time. Deadline for receipt of ballots is May 31. Results will be announced and the elected officers and directors will be installed at the ATA business meeting during our next National Topical Stamp Show (NTSS) scheduled for June 22-24, 2012, in Lancaster, PA.

REMINDER

Our ATA founder, Jerry Husak, and his wife, Sally, now reside in an extended care facility. They would enjoy hearing from you.  Updated contact info:

Freedom Inn

13810 West Sandridge Drive - Apt 304

Sun City West, AZ 85375-4473

Sally’s phone: 623-546-8376 (same as before);   Jerry’s phone: 623-214-5699

BUCK THE TREND APPEAL UPDATE  - WE MADE OUR GOAL!!  

This report includes gifts through Dec. 31, 2011.  The chart in the Jan-Feb issue of Topical Time shows numbers at the time the issue went to press on Dec. 15.

2011 BTTF Campaign—FINAL REPORT
GOAL OF BUCK THE TRENDAPPEAL	$50,000
Reported received in last TT issue	31,274
Received since that last report	22,539
TOTAL TO DATE	$53,813
EXCEEDED OUR GOAL !!	$ 3,813

A RECORD 404 MEMBERS CONTRIBUTED – UP 10% FROM LAST YEAR.

A BIG A THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED!!

ATA AMBASSADORS…

…are usually trained by Executive Director Vera Felts to help staff ATA tables at stamp shows and events.  Theypromote the ATA and its resources as well as encourage showgoers to become members.

NATIONAL POSTAGE STAMP SHOW, New York - Oct 13-16. New members: 4

Ambassadors: Caroline Scannell, Allan Fisk, Fred Skvara

AAPEX, Michigan - Nov 4-6. New members: 4

Ambassadors: Sandra and Andy Lingler.

CHICAGOPEX, Illinois – Nov 18-20. New members: 7

Ambassadors in Training: Agbenyega Adedze, Roger Ashley, Roland Essig, Eliot Landau, Bob Mather, Sadruddin Noorani , Bob Pechinski, Van Siegling, David Witkosky

Plan to attend APS AMERISTAMP in ATLANTA, Jan. 27-29?  Please volunteer for ATA's Ambassador-In-Training program at that show!  Choose the day (Fri/Sat/Sun) that you could meet for the "training" from 9:15-10 a.m.  You'll then help staff the ATA table for a couple of hours during the show at a convenient time for you.  We'd love to have you as a new Ambassador for ATA!

WANTED –

Contact Jack Denys if you are interested:  Jdenys@verizon.net

▪    AWARDS CHAIR FOR ANNUAL SHOW (NTSS)

Purchases, organizes, transports, coordinates and helps distribute exhibit certificates and awards for NTSS 

	National Topical Stamp Show Lancaster, Pennsylvania June 22-24, 2012 www.americantopicalassn.org/shows.htm
Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center, 2300 Lincoln Highway East Lancaster  PA  17602

Designed to draw attention to the wonders of the United States, this international rate stamp shows the glories of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, with one of its beautiful, iconic farmsteads set amid gently rolling hills. Known for its breathtaking rural scenery, agricultural bounty, and small towns with evocative names like Bird-in-Hand and Paradise, Lancaster County is perhaps most famous as part of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. The Amish, with their horse-drawn buggies, one-room schoolhouses, and traditional lifestyle, give the county a traditional, Old World charm. Their pristine family farms, surrounded by neatly cultivated fields, offer visitors a glimpse of another century and a quieter way of life. From: http://www.beyondtheperf.com/2012-preview/#stamp-lancaster-county-pennsylvania First Day of Issue:  Jan. 20, 2012, Lancaster, Pa. (no ceremony)

__

Vera Felts
Executive Director
American Topical Association
PO Box 8, Carterville, IL 62918-0008
americantopical@msn.com
http://www.americantopicalassn.org
Phone/Fax: 618-985-5100

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CEOs, ASSes - I could make this into dorincard kit#3.

This is a postcard available commercially, as you can see from the backside.

It's supposed to be a visual metaphor, is it not?

Leaders of all sorts come in all types, colors and values. Some are good, some are bad.

Your preferred negative example of a leader might deserve an AVATAR like an ass (or mule?) from the postcard.

Are those entities in the above image...asses (donkeys)? Mules? Horses? Zebras?

Don't ass-ume that you can horse around, walk on zebras and kick ass - it may be hazardous.

"Mules are generally less tolerant towards dogs than horses are.^{[citation needed]} They are also capable of striking out with any of their hooves in any direction, even sideways if needed.^{[citation needed]}

Mules exhibit a higher cognitive intelligence than their parent species - horses and donkeys. This is believed to be the result of hybrid vigour, similar to how mules acquire greater height and endurance than either parent. ^[8]

Mules are highly intelligent. They tend to be curious by nature. A mule generally will not let the rider put it in harm's way. However, the stereotype of the mule as being stubborn is somewhat unfair and inaccurate."

I hope you know an ass when you see it. I mean a donkey.

But do you know the difference between all of them, especially between a mule and a hinny?

[Can't you go to wikipedia.org by yourself? Why am I doing this?]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mule

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinny

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CEOs, FROGS... DIY do-it-yourself dorincard kit #2. Not yet a maximum card maxicard maxi card.

- Condition: uncirculated DIY do-it-yourself dorincard kit. Not yet a maximum card, maxicard, maxi card.
- Year: stamp from 2008, postmark from 2008 (if you want me to postmark it) or whenever you postmark it (if you want to have it postmarked later).

This dorincard kit is comprised of:
- BOARD MEETING TODAY, Frogs - commercially available postcard.
- BLANK customized postage, mint, valid for postage.

Optionally, I can do the postmarking on a transparent rectangular mailing address label over the postcard.
This way, you have a clear, sharp postmark that is not smeared on the glossy surface of the postcard or the stamp.

- Condition of the stamp: MNH ; large size (more expensive to produce)!  2.5x1.5 inches (63x38 mm)
- Year: 2008
- Catalog value: I ordered only 20 stamps; 3 (at least) I keep, 17 (at most) still available.

Zazzle: customized postage, personalized stamps, personalized stamp, personalised stamps, personalised stamp.

The stamp is valid for postage as such, blank as it is (only one postal use, please).
If you don´t intend to use it as postage, then you can further decorate it any way you want, for your own enjoyment.  Notice the large area, without any border.
You can even write text on it, with fine tip permanent marker.
You can temporarily or permanently attach an image.  Just try not to offend anyone...
Scan several versions of it.  Remember: you cannot and may not use duplicates as valid postage.  Each zazzle stamp has a unique ID code, valid one-time only.

Please visit my delcampe store to see many unusual items!

Keith Olbermann Reads The Statement Released By The Wall Street Protesters - 2011-10-05

Please watch this summarizing, very meaningful clip:
http://youtu.be/N8o3peQq79Q

http://occupywallst.org/

Read this again, about some banksters and other$:

http://dorincard.blogspot.com/search?q=board+of+directors