APS Downsizes Staff and Activities

The American Philatelic Society has announced that it is cutting back on staff and curtailing staff expenditures due to budgetary considerations.

According to a press release sent out by the APS and posted on their Web site, a Long Range Planning Committee has recommended a reduction of at least $200,000 in 2009, along with an additional cutback of at least $400,000 by 2010 in order to ensure the financial viability of the American Philatelic Society (APS) and the American Philatelic Research Library (APRL).

The first of these changes — elimination of the current Executive Director position formerly occupied by Peter Mastrangelo — was instituted April 1, at which time Ken Martin became APS Interim Executive Director.

An additional staff position, that of public relations manager currently held by Fred Baumann, is also being eliminated effective May 8 according to the release.

Other cutbacks include the elimination of the organization's 4% pension contribution, elimination of traditional year-end bonuses, and a salary freeze on all staff through 2010.

Board Member and Finance Committee travel reimbursements have been curtailed as well as paid APS staffing at most APS World Series of Philately shows.

On the bright side, a significant savings in expenditures will be realized due to a rate modification negotiated on the principal and interest on the mortgage loan on the American Philatelic Center, which dropped substantially in April.

Shown above, the American Philatelic Center, headquarters to the APS and APRL, located in Bellefonte, PA.

To read the entire release, click here.