Arthur Fitts has thrown his hat into the ring for a seat on the American Numismatic Association board of governors after sitting out a term.
The Framingham, Mass., hobbyist and dealer said, ?I believe my four years of experience on the board, my years as an appointed officer of the ANA and my continuing involvement with and commitment to the ANA and to the hobby make me an outstanding contender for a board seat,? said Fitts.
?The association must move forward, building on its ongoing successes andexpanding its outreach to new collectors through greater use of the Internet and other media,? Fitts continued. ?Change is a necessary and inevitable component of progress. But it is essential that before changes or modifications can be made, they must be proposed to the membership for feedback.?
Fitts also said he believes communication between the leadership and membership of the organization is critical to its success.
?But good communication involves dialogue, the free and open exchange of ideas among the ANA board and its members,? Fitts said. ?Members have the right to actively involve themselves with questions and comments during the decision-making process, but they also have an obligation to listen to the feedback and other ideas. The fact that someone disagrees with a proposal does not make it right or wrong. There has been too much anger, too little questioning of unfounded and malicious rumors that currently circulate through the association.?
Over the last 35 years Fitts has been an instructor at ANA Summer Seminars, a presenter of educational programs at ANA conventions, an exhibit judge and columnist for the Numismatist. Among his other contributions are chairmanship of two ANA conventions, and service on the 1975 U.S. Assay Commission.
Fitts, a 52-year member of the ANA, has received the ANA Medal of Merit, Glenn Smedley Memorial Award, two ANA Presidential Awards, the Lifetime Achievement Award, Exemplary Service Award, and the Numismatic News Numismatic Ambassador Award.
His wife, Prue, currently serves on the board, but is stepping down.
