Greetings,

My name is Eric and I recently came across this site while looking for stamp and cover exchange partners. While I was intrigued and interested in swapping covers, the membership requirements seem a little overwhelming. Maybe I am just not understanding.

First, as I live in the USA, I would join as an OM right?
As an OM I would be REQUIRED to send at least 10 covers a month to CM's. And of course CM's are foreign residing members.
So I would never really receive any great looking covers from the USA since all USA members are OM's. That stinks. I enjoy US covers as much as worldwide.

Second, the monetary and time commitments required for memberships is a bit much. Isn't it? I mean if I am an OM and I am REQUIRED to send 10 covers per month to foreign countries at today's first class rates it comes up to anywhere from 86USD to 112USD per year...depending on the country.

The time involved also seems a bit overwhelming. I read through some back issues of the CCCC news letter and noticed that time should be taken to ensure that the covers sent are attractive and collectible. Hand stamping at the post office is recommended. It is really not a problem taking a few hours designing, addressing, writing a short note, and standing in line at the Post Office...but for 10 a month those couple hours become 20-30 hours. That is not a hobby, it is a part time job. Maybe there is a trick to or something, like mailing them all the same day and making them all the same or something. I dunna know.

So let me make sure I have this right.

1. There is a $10 "lifetime membership" initiation fee.
2. Yearly commitment in postage is about $86-$112.
3. Need to purchase additional supplies from CCCC (forms etc..)
4. Need to send SASE regularly for member list. $unknown
5. Will not get any USA covers.
6. Will need to devote many hours of time.

Keep in mind I am not trashing your club. I am really interested in joining....I just don't want to bite off more than I can chew. Is there a light membership? What happens if a member fails to meet the 10 a month requirement? Can circuit forms be photocopied or must I purchase club copies?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Eric

cc: CCCC web page inquiry

Hi Eric,
As US citizen you can apply for an OM or CM membership. If you don't want to be a OM, no problem at all! It's up to you what to choose.
If you have further questions, don't hesitate to ask!
Best regards

Holger

Dear friend Eric,
I have gone through your post dated. Being a regular visitor and a CM of Cover Collectors Circuit Club since 2005, I would like to humbly submit this post in reaction with your posting above.
We do often agree to the fact that philately is our hobby, passion and in advance stages profession also for some. It is something that is loved by millions across the Globe.
If it is so then how we can calculate everything in monetary value? Yes, I should calculate the inputs – the membership (which is a specified value once for lifetime), the postage plus cost of stationery and other materials and the time involved. But I am sorry to say that you have not calculated about the gain. Yes in money terms here my calculation is zero. But can you imagine the joy one can get in receiving a philatelic covers from an unknown person and from an unknown locations. This joy is something I can not calculate in money terms. Yes most of the time, the cover you are receiving may not suit to your interest. But from my experience in last three years as CM of CCCC, I am able to get a dozen of friends with whom I am regularly exchanging Philatelic Materials on want list basis. I can say these exchanges on mutual agreement are cheaper than any other method of acquiring philatelic materials from dealers, auctions etc. This way you can book profit in monetary terms.
Lastly I will suggest you like Holgar that you should join the club as CM.
I can assure you, you will enjoy.
Thanks
Pradeep

Hi Pradeep!
You are absolutely right in what you've said! Thanks.
Best regards

Holger

I have been CM since 1986, as far as i remember, by the turn of the century I turned OM. I do not issue 10 circuits a month, not every month. I wait and see if circuits come back to me, that nobody breaks the chain, for some reason, or no reason. A cover overseas today costalmost 2 USD, and if I mail via Greenland as i often do, the cost is 33-50 % up.
I gather mail during a week, my produce, and bicycle to the Philatelic PO every week once, where I hand cancel the covers myself, with the Postal Museum's hand stamps. The cost of 10 bucks lifetime is a very nice price, and for the forms you pay only postage as I see it. Many small costs, like the printing ink, nut who cares? The joy is beyond the cost.

best
Lisbeth, Denmark