The American Numismatic Association Club Representative Program "is to work directly with collectors and clubs to promote and expand the numismatic experience through the services and programs offered by the Association."

My name is Eric Holcomb. Some of you already know me well, others perhaps not. The American Numismatic Association (ANA) Club Representative Program has been restructured into nine U.S. regions, and I have volunteered to serve as Regional Coordinator for Region 9 (Northwest), which includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. Previously, up until about four years ago, I had served as Regional Coordinator for Oregon and Washington. Along with the ANA, I'm looking forward to getting the program going again, and helping to support the program mission statement (see above).

I would like to cordially everyone to attend an ANA Club Rep Program Roundtable meeting at the upcoming PNNA convention in Tukwila, Washington. The convention is scheduled for April 16-18, and you can find more information at http://www.pnna.org/convention/convention.html. The roundtable meeting will take place at noon on Saturday (April 17), and will be co-hosted by myself and ANA Governor Walt Ostromecki, who serves as "governor oversight" to the club rep program. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about the program restructure, and to ask questions about how the program can benefit your numismatic club(s). If you are unable to attend, you may submit your questions, comments and suggestions to me in advance, and you will receive a response soon after the convention.

Also, after the convention, I will publish a list of club and district representatives within my region. Club reps are encouraged to periodically notify their district reps about club activities (especially those that pertain to the ANA or to membership recruitment and retention), and district reps will need to briefly report what's happening in their district, preferably on a quarterly basis. District reps should also attempt to visit clubs within their district at least annually, although the large geographic size of the Northwest can sometimes make this difficult.

The club rep program is intended to benefit ANA member clubs, ANA individual members and the ANA itself. Part of my job is to make sure that clubs are aware of the ANA resources available to them. If you have any questions about ANA individual or club member benefits, don't hesitate to ask.

Thank you, and I hope to see some of you in Tukwila!

Eric also serves the ANA Rep program as editor of the MintMark. You can view the MintMark online on the ANA website (see below).

ANA Web Site – The ANA web site, redesigned a few years ago, is operational at http://www.money.org/. In addition to presenting an attractive design, the current site allows convenient access to information such as membership, “explore the world of money,” numismatic events, ANA communications and shopping at the ANA Money Market. There is also a “members only” area that can be accessed with a user name (often your ANA membership number) and password. If you are an ANA member and did not receive an e-mail from the ANA with this information, please see the ANA website for instructions, or e-mail membersonly@money.org to verify that you are registered. A valid e-mail address on file with the ANA is required for use of the “members only” site.

If you are interested in serving in the ANA Club Representative Program, or if your coin club is interested in joining the ANA or getting the most out of a current ANA membership, please contact Eric, or contact the ANA directly. If you already belong to an ANA member club, your ANA club representative can help you take advantage of the services and programs offered by the ANA.

Sample of ANA membership benefits for clubs:

• Subscription to The Numismatist.

• Free web site hosting (domain name registration required).

• Use of ANA library (including materials suitable for club meeting programs).

• Discounts on certain ANA services for club members.

• Opportunity to participate in competitions for best club newsletter, best promotion of National Coin Week, etc.

Sample of ANA membership benefits for individuals:

• Subscription to The Numismatist (revamped to appeal more to the average collector). ANA members now have online access to this excellent publication, and can reduce their annual dues by subscribing online only, rather than receive a paper copy each month.

• Use of ANA library.

• Discounts on certain ANA services, including educational programs and ANA Mediation Service.

• Opportunity to purchase collection insurance, and certain other kinds of insurance such as major medical, at reasonable group rates.

• Opportunity to participate in competitions for best promotion of National Coin Week, best exhibit at ANA conventions, etc. Also free admission to the two annual ANA shows / conventions.

If you would like more information, please contact your ANA club representative and/or visit the ANA website.

Limitations: The ANA Club Representative Program is NOT intended to provide you with numismatic services such as appraisals and buying/selling/trading coins. Please see the ANA Dealer Directory or contact the ANA directly for a list of ANA dealers in your area. Although ANA representatives may also act as dealers, they do so on their own and NOT as representatives of the ANA. You are advised to consult more than one dealer before agreeing to any major numismatic transaction.

See ANA convention reports by PNNA members. | See the PNNA Young Numismatists activities page.