As I write this report, in June of 2002, I feel that the ACPS is at a crossroads. Many of our long time members, and some of our older members, have quit the society due to ill health, lack of interest, or frustration with the Postal Service’s decision to use the generic programs at first day ceremonies. From feedback from many of you, it is obvious that you are displeased with the new ceremony programs. There are some members who feel that the ACPS is not meeting their needs and have decided against renewing their membership. Whatever the reason, it is plain that we have lost a good many members.

On the other hand, the ACPS web site (www.webacps.org) has been a great benefit to the society’s membership and ceremony program collecting. We have Director Scott Pelcyger to thank for this. His establishment and running of the web site have educated many on the finer points of program collecting. News on upcoming ceremonies, useful terminology with regards to ceremony programs, a bulletin board, and a chat room are found on the web site. Thursdays at 10 PM Eastern Time (7 PM Pacific) is the official time hosted by the society in the chat room. You can usually find one of the board members in the chat room at that time. There is also a membership application on line through the web site. With this, we have acquired a few new members.

Other ways we have picked up new members is through recruitment at stamp shows and stamp ceremonies. Eight new members were signed up at the 2001 AMERICOVER show. Coverage of the ACPS in the philatelic media has been another way for the ACPS to gain recognition, inspiring many to join our society. Currently, our membership count stands at 175. Unfortunately, 21 of these are members whose dues are six months in arrears. My next report, to be given at AMERICOVER 2002 (AMERRYCOVER) will probably show many of them as dropped from the society for nonpayment of dues. If you have any questions about your membership, please feel free to contact me. My mailing address, phone number, and email address are printed in the masthead of this issue. Following are the membership changes since July 2001:

Bill Bishop #697, Flagstaff AZ (Topicals-Grand Canyon, Colorado River, Scouting)

Randall Sherman #698, Chicago IL (All Programs, Autographed, Extra Cancels/B-AC)

Jim Tatum Jr. #699, New York NY (Topicals-Space/B-T-AC)

William R. Geijsbeek #700, Redmond WA (Postal Stationery/B)

Tom Harris #701, Wilton CT (All Programs, Commemoratives, Postal Stationery/B-S-T-AC)

Lee S. Waterman #702, Harpswell ME (Tie-in material for mostly contemporary stamps/T-AC)

Dr. Joel B. Alperstein #703, Alexandria VA (Autographed Programs, Extra Cancels/B-T-AC)

A.Dennis Padwater #704, Cromwell CT (Autographed Programs/B-S)

I.M. Robinson #705, Staten Island NY (All Programs/B-AC)

George E. Franzen #706 Bellflower CA (All Programs, US Mint Singles/T-AC)

Alvin D. Schaffer #707, West Orange NJ (All Programs, Commems, Defin, Postal Sta/B-AC)

Donald M. Poduska #708, Cleveland Heights OH (All Programs/T)

Elena Cornejo #709, Santa Ana CA (All Programs/B-AC)

Marjorie Durkee #710, Independence MO (Auto’d Programs, Commems, Postal Stationery/B)

Christie Speight #711, Phoenix AZ (Commems, Definitives, Postal Stationery, Topicals/B-S)

Chuck Coleman #CM30, Redondo Beach CA (March 2002)