President’s Message: Spring 2014

The first issue of the Maryland Numismatist for 2014 is also my first as President of MSNA. It is an honor to be MSNA President and I hope I can do as well as my predecessors. Speaking of my predecessor, I would like to thank Frank Murphy for his stewardship of this organization the last two years. Frank’s dedication to MSNA is something to admire.

New years always begin a flurry of coin shows. I had attended the Florida United Numismatist show in Orlando to represent MSNA at their annual meeting. During a meeting of member clubs I was able to speak with representatives from other regional clubs to discuss their relationship with their member clubs. Nearly everyone I spoke with acknowledged that numismatics was in transition. As the baby-boomer generation fully becomes AARP eligible, everyone recognizes that younger members are needed to keep the hobby alive. But to meet the hobby needs of Generation X and the Millennials, we are going to have to change. How to change is still being discussed.

The ANA is trying to lead the discussion by upgrading its technology so that it can attract the Gen Xers and Millennials. Since I work with the ANA on their Technology Committee, I hope to bring those lessons learned to Maryland. Until we can learn those lessons, I want to hear what we can learn from each other. If you have ideas, questions, or concerns about the future, please feel free to write to me at scott@barman.ws. This will help shape MSNA for the future and will show what we at MSNA can do to help our member clubs.

Scott Barman, MSNA President