This is a guest post from Roger Brody, President of the APRL Board of Trustees.
Vote Early and Often
This is an election year for the Trustees of the APRL. To be clear, I’m not suggesting that we stuff the ballot box by using the phrase “vote early and often” but rather advocating for participation in the selection of those who will be charged with making important decisions about our future. As for the “often” part, let’s just say that APS and APRL members have the opportunity to exercise the franchise every three years under the recently passed By-laws. Participation in the process is important. Now I’m not saying there is any truth to the story that a former New Jersey Governor was quoted as saying “When I die, I want to be buried in Jersey City so I can keep on voting.” I’m only suggesting that members invest some time to read about the candidates and cast their ballots at election time.
As mentioned in the previous message, under the new By-Laws the size of the Board of Trustees will be reduced from nine to eight members. This year’s election will serve as a transition during the change in the election cycle from two years to three. To accomplish the transition only two Trustees will be elected this year by the APS membership. One Trustee term will be for a full six year term, the other for a three year term. We are fortunate to have several candidates running for these Board position and I urge readers to familiarize themselves with the candidates and participate in the voting.
Managing our Affairs
Four years ago the APS and APRL created a long term plan to bring economic and operating stability to the American Philatelic Center (APC). Over the last few years, many important, and in some cases difficult changes have been implemented. As a result, not only have we continued to develop and enhance the APC, but we have also dramatically improved the financial status of the Society.
In an effort to continue to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of the headquarters staff, enhance member services, and complete the development of the APC, the APS Board has recommended expanding the Society’s leadership.
During the past year, the APS Board of Directors requested the Personnel Committee (APS President Wade Saadi, APS Immediate Past President Janet Klug, APRL President Roger Brody, APRL Immediate Past President Ken Grant and Steven Rod) to provide the Board recommendations regarding executive staffing needs of the Society. The Personnel Committee considered the performance of the executive staff, and the present and future needs of the Society as outlined in the Society’s Long Range Plan.
With these requirements in mind, the Personnel Committee recommended the addition of a senior leadership position, the Chief Executive Officer, to whom the Executive Director will report. The Personnel Committee additionally recommended that the Executive Director position be offered to Kenneth P. Martin, with revised responsibilities focused on enhancing operations and member services.
Over the ensuing months, the APS Board of Directors worked with the Personnel Committee to define the job descriptions for the two executives. In December, the Board approved the formation of a Search Committee, chaired by John Barwis and otherwise comprising the Personnel Committee. The Board and the Search Committee have met several times to finalize the job description, requirements and timeline.
In early March of this year, Wade Saadi, Janet Klug and Steven Rod met with the APC staff announcing and explaining the new CEO position and fielding their questions and comments. On March 8 the APS issued a press release announcing that the APS was seeking a Chief Executive Officer and on March 13 a posting on the APS website described the description and qualifications for the CEO position.
The APRL Board of Trustees did meet to discuss how, if any changes in the APS By-Laws would affect the operations of the library. As of this report, the Trustees suggested no APRL By-law changes, and plan to assess the yet to be approved changes in the APS By-Laws to accommodate the implementation of the new APS management structure.