ANA sets new course

On Friday afternoon, the American Numismatic Association board of governors took another step forward in its process to renew the organization.

To determine what its vision of the future is, the board held a computer video and telephone conference to review and revise a draft of a 2012-2013 Strategic Plan prepared by a committee.

The board hopes the final document will be approved during its meetings at the May 10-12 National Money Show in Denver.

By the end of this week or early next week, the revised draft document will be posted online at the ANA’s website at www.money.org for member review and input.

It is hoped that when the final plan is approved, it will provide guidance to the next executive director. The search to find a replacement is still ongoing.

President Tom Hallenbeck with the help of the board and senior staff has been skillfully steering the process that began in essence from the moment the board voted to put on administrative leave and then ended the employment of prior executive director Larry Shepherd last year.

Review of applications for the position of executive director began at the Florida United Numismatists convention in January.

What should the relationship be between the next executive director and the board?

What should the relationship be between senior ANA staff and the board?

These are among the core considerations being focused on.

Externally, what kind of future will there be for the organization’s shows and programs?

Last year the ANA expanded its National Money Shows from one to two and began the process of anchoring the World’s Fair of Money in Chicago.

Is this path one that the ANA will want to continue to walk down?

At the end of the day, all of these issues ultimately are reduced to the single question: How can ANA members be served better to get the maximum benefit from their memberships?

The board is taking a methodical and unrushed approach in this transition period.

Making this possible is the repaired state of the organization’s finances. This is the first transition of the 21st century where a yawning gap between available funds and incoming bills hasn’t played a significant role.