Constitution & By-Laws

Outstanding Collector of the Year Nominations: See Convention Central



Hall of Fame Nominations: See Convention Central


Display Entry Rules: (need TIPs on making displays?)

1.
Anyone entering a display must be a paid up member of RMS.
2. Displays can consist of used or unused matchcovers, full books, matchboxes or labels. (Salesman's samples, flats, mutilated covers, loose labels and loose pages are permitted ONLY in category #13 - Display.)
3. There are no restrictions as to title size, title placement, or other added material on a display, as long as the entire display is no more than 720 sq. inches in any dimentional combination - e.g., 24" x 30". 20" x 36" (not including the frame). Any display exceeding 720 sq. inches shall be charged as two (2) displays. No display may be larger than 1440 square inches.
4. Each display shall bear the name and address of the entrant on the back of the display. This information shall be covered with opaque paper or a card. The number of the category in which the display is to be entered shall be on the outside of the opaque paper or card. This must be done prior to entering the display.
5. Each display SHALL be covered with transparent material to inhibit removal of covers. (The chairperson wishes it to be known that all reasonable care will be taken to safeguard displays, but neither the chairperson nor RMS assumes any responsibility, either legal or moral, for their integrity).
6. Displays shall adhere to the criteria of the category in which they are entered.
7. Entrants may enter no more than two (2) displays in any category. A maximum of ten (10) displays per membership can be entered.

Display Categories:

1 Single .............................Two (2) of same may be shown to illustrate inside
2
Sets & Series
3
Military & Political ..........Army; Navy; Marines; Air Force; Coast Guard; Military Camps and bases;
Military and Veterans Hospitals; no Credit unions; Major and Minor Political

4
Sports
5
Transportation
6
Lodging............................Hotels; Motels; Inns; Cabins
7
VIPs & Entertainment.......Movie stars; Movies; Theme Parks; Casinos etc.
8
Thematic...........................Bears; Fairs; Gaming; Top Hats; etc.
9
Businesses, Products........All Financial institutions; Department and Drug stores; & Services Funeral
Homes; Laundries; etc.

10
Eating & Drinking.......... Restaurants; Bars; Grills; Drive-ins; etc.
11
Open Entry to any display
12
Foreign
13
Display only....................No RMS award given but displays are eligible for non-RMS club, individual and
memorial awards
14 People's Choice...............voted on by members attending the convention.

Club/Individual/Organization Awards to be Presented at this year's convention: See Convention Central
 

General Trading Procedures
 
How do you find people to trade with? Look at the Trading Center for starters. Also, most club rosters will have those members willing to trade specially marked as such.
 
There are no 'official rules' for trading within the hobby. However, you won't keep your traders very long if you don't observe these basics:
  • DO NOT send covers that are struck, damaged, or salesman's samples unless your trader has already agreed.
  • DO NOT send multiple dupes of the same cover. Your trader expects all different covers.
  • TRY VERY HARD not to send your trader the same covers you have previously sent him or her.
  • Almost all trading is done one-for-one. I send you 25 covers; you send me 25 covers.
  • Always stay within your trader's want areas. If he's looking for Restaurants, don't send him Airlines.
  • Most trading is done by mail, so be sure that your postage is correct. Your trader won't be pleased to get a 'Postage Due' trade.
  • Answer your trades within a reasonable amount of time. Your trader is waiting for his or her trade in return. If you're going to be a slow or sporadic trader, which is not necessarily bad, let the people you trade with know that ahead of time.
  • When you want to discontinue trading with a collector, don't just 'disappear'...very tacky! Tell him.

Room Hopping
 
One of the most unique features of the hobby is the tradition of room hopping at all the conventions and some of the swapfests. Basically, this involves visiting other collectors' rooms and helping yourself (one of each) to the covers that are set out in the rooms for just the purpose. This is an excellent way of meeting your fellow collectors; getting known, yourself; and picking up a lot of good covers, most of which will be recent issues that you probably haven't seen yet.

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