Olympin Annual Meeting - Chicago - August 6, 2011

On Saturday evening, August 6th, in Chicago, the Board met with the members for the annual meeting. All of the Board members were in attendance, including Board member-elect, Craig Perlow. Approximately 100 members attended, an all time record!

The meeting immediately followed Ingrid O’Neil’s world-class Olympic Memorabilia Auction from 6 PM to 7 PM. During the meeting, sandwiches and soft drinks were provided for everyone.

Don Bigsby thanked all of the members for attending, and for their collective efforts on behalf of the hobby. He also thanked the volunteers who worked with Jim Greensfelder and Scott Reed to help make the show, Olympin Club's silent auction, and the banquet a great success. Scott reported that the auction raised over $9000, the proceeds of which will be invested in Club infrastructure upgrades, especially for information technology modernization.

Don also thanked Honav (Official Pin Licensee for London 2012) for their booth at the show, the free pins they gave to all meeting attendees, and their sponsorship of the Cocktail Party before the Banquet on Friday night.

Jim Greensfelder received a standing ovation for the success of the show, and the breakthroughs that were made in working with the IOC and USOC. Jim then announced his retirement from the Board so that he can devote more time to his work with the IOC - CCO.

Stathis Douramakos invited all members to attend the is 18th IOC Collectors Fair in Athens from May 17 - 21, 2012.

Scott Reed announced the 31st Olympin Festival will be held in Atlanta September 28 - 30, 2012.

Mr. David Maiden from the IOC was recognized and thanked for his continuing efforts on behalf of Olympic collectors. David briefly described the IOC’s new Youth Olympic Games initiative.

Don Bigsby thanked the “Around The Rings” executives for their participation at the show, and for their generous subscription offer to Olympin members.

Pete Wade and Roberto Gesta De Melo (Brazil) provided a comprehensive review of the “Manaus Project.”

Justin Hou Kun thanked his Club mentors for helping him launch his China-wide initiative for his collector club that has already reached 900 members!

Jim Kendell and Sid Marantz reported their progress in working with London 2012 collectors that has resulted in soliciting 16 new members from the UK.

Finally, there was a half-hour discussion of numerous suggestions from several attendees in response to the Board’s request for more member participation.

The meeting was adjourned at 9 PM.