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A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT:

RUTH M. PHILLIPS C. S. N. A. LM 22-3 (559) 252-3825 rmphil@msn.com

I have just returned from Concord where the very successful CSNA's 110th Semi-Annual Convention and Coin Show was held. It was hosted by the Diablo Numismatic Society with Mike Stanley acting as the General Chairman, and ably assisted by Michael Turrini. What a great job they and all the members of the Society did! Congratulations for a job well done!

I was delighted to see so many members wearing their navy jackets with our logo on them. I wanted to get a picture of everyone but we were all so busy, I could not get everyone together long enough to take one!

Upon arriving home, I was informed of the death of Former Mint Director Mary Brooks whom I had the pleasure of working with on the restoration of the Old San Francisco Mint when I was President of the Pacific Coast Numismatic Society in 1972. It hardly seems possible that all that happened 30 years ago. Mrs. Brooks was a delightful lady who was dedicated to furthering the numismatic hobby and even though she has not been active recently, will be sorely missed. It is not often that someone of her caliber comes along to inspire us all to go the extra mile. I will miss her, as I am sure everyone who knew her will, too.

Our CSNA Librarian, Terry Woodward, has informed me that he can no longer continue in this position and I have reluctantly accepted his resignation. He has done an admirable job for the association in this capacity and we all owe him a great deal for all the work he and his wife, Sandy, have done to save the Library. I am converting a room in my home to house the library and will act as the CSNA Librarian for the next few years, while I modernize and computerize it so that it will be utilized more efficiently by the membership.

My plea for bids from our member clubs to host our conventions has fallen on deaf ears. This lack of response from the clubs will force us to review our modus operandi for future conventions. I suggested that the northern shows adopt the same form that has been used in the south, by forming a permanent convention committee made up of officers and board members from each district. But I would like to see the conventions moved to about 5 prime state locations in each district, north and south, not go to the same location every year. Our next northern convention will be a test of this suggestion. It's too bad club's don't participate more in the state-wide program because we all lose in the end.

It's not too late, however, if a club wants to step forward and volunteer to help. Hosting a state convention could act as a catalyst for a club with a declining membership because hosting CSNA showcases the local club as well as CSNA.

The "CSNA COMMUNIQUE" that I have been mailing to member clubs has also failed to generate the desired interest of non-members to the numismatic hobby. I had hoped clubs would use this communication tool by copying it and mailing it out with their newsletters to members, but this has not happened. There is an old saying, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink," and this has proven to be the case with our member clubs. The "CSNA COMMUNIQUE" was designed to provide non-club members with the same information that CSNA members enjoy through "CALCOIN NEWS". Apathy wins out again and we are all the losers.

I am happy to report that the Pacific Coast Numismatic Society will once again host our CSNA Northern Symposium later this year. Eight PCNS members, led by their President, Michael Wehner, attended the CSNA board meeting in Concord to offer their support for this very worthy educational program and were granted the monies they requested to cover their expenses. Dr. Thomas Fitzgerald, CSNA Director of Education, requested and was granted a like sum for the Southern Symposium program. Numismatic education is the objective of these programs and those of you who take advantage of these programs emerge the winners!

I have appointed a Nominating Committee to choose officers and board members for 2003 and 2004. If you are asked to step up and serve CSNA, it means that your abilities are respected and needed by your state organization. Your participation is needed to further the cause of numismatics in the state. Join us in making CSNA a truly great association!