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Of our 32 WFSC member clubs, 12 sponsor an annual show with exhibits Besides MILCOPEX, which draws exhibits from throughout the United States, most of these clubs depend on their members to provide a constant turnover of fresh material. Consequently, these clubs are continually searching for a means to encourage their members to become involved in exhibiting.

American Philatelic Society chapter clubs have access to the APS slide show "Basics of Stamp Exhibiting." DANEPEX, sponsored by the Badger Stamp Club (Greater Madison area) keeps its exhibitors enthusiastic by providing a judges' critique.

The Milwaukee Philatelic Society's September meeting program focused on how to create a single frame exhibit The Wisconsin Valley Philatelic Society (Wausau), successfully interested its members in exhibiting by devoting their entire 1994 exhibition to single-frame exhibits. And, WISCOPEX '95 plans to dedicate a portion of its frames to this ever-growing approach to exhibiting. A single-frame exhibit (usually 16 pages) appeals to new exhibitors, who find it overwhelming to commit to preparing a larger exhibit. If judged as a separate category, it also tends to remove the intimidation of having to compete with seasoned multi-frame exhibits.

To start smaller yet, try the method of encouragement used by the Rochester Philatelic Association (Rochester, NY). At every monthly meeting, this group features a one-page exhibition contest Members prepare a display on the predetermined topic for the month (e.g., flowers, horses, trains), and a vote is held to determine the best entry. The winner receives five points, second place earns four points, third is three points, fourth gels two points, and all entries receive one point. Ties split points for their placing. Entrants accumulate points for a one-year period of time, and the member with the highest point total receives a free ticket for the club's annual banquet.

Last spring, the Champaign-Urbana Stamp Club (Champaign, IL) decided to allocate two frames for an "informational philatelic material" display at their annual show. To fill the frames, the club challenged each of their members to prepare a single page to illustrate some philatelic point, term, or general tidbit of information. As I recall, the Outagamie Philatelic Society (Appleton) did something similar a few years ago, and the exhibit is popular with visitors to their annual show.

While youth generally are less inhibited about preparing an exhibit, they do find it frustrating when it comes to the costs and means of attaining exhibit supplies. The Badger Stamp Club handles that problem by providing mounts, page protectors, etc., for all its youth exhibitors. The club also sponsors an annual youth exhibiting workshop, where the youngsters receive one-on-one adult assistance and advice on the mechanics of exhibiting. It doesn't end there, though. The adult helpers follow up on the progress of the youths' exhibits, sometimes even by putting out a call to other BSC members for particular philatelic items needed by the young exhibitors.

Now, go for it, and may your exhibit frames forever be filled!