This non-copyrighted article may be reproduced in any philatelic publication as long as the author's name, original source publication and the CAC's on-line web address is listed.

Thou shall not let educational programs fall by the wayside, and neither should you leave the planning and execution of such programs to just one individual. Prosperous clubs endorse this doctrine; those who ignore it, often dwindle into non-existence.

To ease the burden of program planning, try making it an annual collective effort. May and June are popular months for elections, with the club activity year beginning in September. This makes the slower summer months a prime time for planning sessions among new officers and/or the program committee. After brainstorming topics for the year, divide the task of immediately lining up speakers, slide/video programs, etc., among members of the planning group. By holding your planning session no later than mid-June, all programs for the upcoming year can be confirmed by late August. The reward of this advance planning is that, when the time comes, your program chairman only has to do a follow-up to make sure things happen as anticipated. There's been a sharing of responsibility and you've avoided the meeting-to-meeting scramble for programs.

An equally valuable result is that you're now in a position to easily create a wonderful piece of publicity. Simply have your meeting calendar with programs printed on card stock. Be sure to include a big "VISITORS ALWAYS WELCOME," your meeting place and time, and a contact phone number. Distribute the cards in strategic locations- libraries, stamp shops, and post offices (if possible). Then look for your potential new members to walk through the door. Your "card-carrying" members also will have a quick reference for checking on meeting dates.

If your club is an APS member, you can borrow any of their 100+ slide programs for your meetings. Their director of education reports that almost all programs have now been renovated and updated, and both quality and viewer appreciation have been considerably improved. Many new programs also have been added to the APS library. For information about scheduling an APS slide program, call them at (814) 933-3804, or write to Slide Program Coordinator, APS, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 167823.

Slide programs/videos are available from several other sources. These include the American Topical Association, American First Day Cover Society, Philatelic Foundation, National Postal Museum, etc., and rental offers are open to both members and non-members