Present: Bauer, Cali, Davison, Guenzburger, Hart, Lange, Nicholson, Parsons, Rowbottom, Tirums, Todaro
1. Compliments were given for the fine job that the Journal Editor, Drew Nicholson is doing as well as the Bulletin Editor, Glenn Estus. President Parsons also stated that sane volunteers for short articles (-one page or less) would be welcomed for the Bulletin, as well as for the Stamp Insider.
2. A summary of the Board's decision to initiate a limited number of color pages in the next Journal was discussed as well as the use of card stock for the cover and back. The initiation of a different ESPHS website, to be designed by Glem Estus, was announced as a board decision. A short discussion followed with no dissentions.
3. Nicholas Todaro stated that "We have way too much money in the bank. We should spend more in attracting members." He gave no specifics. Bill Bauer noted that the Colorado PH Society had placed several consecutive ads in either the Postal History Journal or La Posta with zero response. Secretary Lange agreed with Todaro's assertion; he noted though, that the cost of producing the Journal and Bulletin now exceeds the membership fees and that the ESPHS relies on interest income to make up the difference. There was no further discussion.
4. Bill Hart spoke about his "Study on NYS RFD"s. It is a work in progress. Considerations involved are updating Richow data & what is known and what should be there. Manuscript hand cancels + hand stamps will be incuded. The collection is primarily based on the 1907 Postal Guide; to date 45 incorrect entries have been noted in Richow's list. The primary sources used will be: (a) Postal Guides, (b) PM General reports and (c) Edith Doane's County RFD Systems.
5. This year there have been two regional meetings, Buffalo and Rochester. Last fiscal year @ Cover Mania in Albany, we also had a regional meeting.
6. The subject of a postal history competition at ROPEX 04, previously mentioned in the Board minutes was brought up. The Board's recommendation of no award to the "best society" received no dissent.
7. Drew Nicholson gave a talk on Dutchess Co. military camps in WWI, primarily on "Camp Whitman - Dutchess Co. N.Y. 1915-1917" Drew noted difficulty of obtaining covers as postal cards were the primary means of letter writing.
8. Kenneth R. deLisle Award for best four page eshibit of NYS postal History: The plaque (to be presented at the May 2, 2004 annual meeting) was won by Bill Hart's "Glens Falls Early Postal History." Other entries were "Seeing Stars in Bath, NY 1891 A year of transition" by Alan Parsons, "Early Saratoga County Stampless Covers" by John Lange, and "NY Postal Markings, Oswego, NY" by Nicholas Todaro.
John A. Lange, Jr.
Secretary/Treasurer, ESPHS
11/15/03