After a pair of two-year terms, Scott Douglas, president of the Ontario Numismatic Association (ONA), is entering the home stretch of a successful stint at the helm of Canada’s largest provincial numismatic organization.
In April, all elected ONA executive positions, including first and second vice-presidents, will come to an end. The deadline for nominations – open only to the ONA’s nearly 270 members – is Dec. 9.
“It’s healthy to have new blood,” said Douglas, who’s eager to pass the torch to another leader with a fresh perspective on the challenges facing the 58-year-old association. “It’s important to get new people with new ideas and a new way of doing things.”
Douglas, who’s also the chair of the Canadian Association for Numismatic Education (CAFNE), has been heavily involved in numismatics since 1992. In addition to heading the ONA since 2017, he’s also the current president of the South Wellington Coin Society, first vice-president of the Canadian Paper Money Society and a board member of the J. Douglas Ferguson Historical Research Foundation.
Douglas received the J. Douglas Ferguson Gold Medal in 2018, was inducted as a Fellow of the ONA in 2013 and the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association in 2012, and he won the ONA Award of Merit in 2010.
Earlier this year, he was also one of five “Numismatic Ambassadors” honoured at the 65th annual Florida United Numismatists Convention.
ONA EXECUTIVE
In addition to Douglas, the elected ONA executive for the 2019-21 term includes First Vice-President Mike Johnston and Second Vice-President Mike Hollingshead.
The ONA’s past president – an “ex-officio” role – is currently Robb McPherson, who’s also the group’s treasurer, an appointed position.
Other appointed committee members include:
- Dave Bawcutt, membership chair;
- Judy Blackman, editor of The Ontario Numismatist, the ONA’s bimonthly journal;
- Chris Boyer, exhibits and awards committee chair plus lending librarian;
- Paul Johnson, head exhibit judge;
- Henry Nienhuis, webmaster;
- Paul Petch, club insurance chair; and
- Cassidy Stroud, secretary.
Working with Blackman on the editorial committee are Nienhuis, who’s responsible for the website, online archives and emailing; Douglas, who looks after printing and distribution; and Ron Cheek, who’s a proofreader and regular contributor.
The club area directors, which are now “at large” positions after changes made during Douglas’ stint as president, include Steve Woodland, who’s also the club services chair, plus Dave Hill, Wilf Lauber, Dale Rooke, Sean Sinclair, Len Trakalo and Bill Waychison.
The ONA is also looking for a person or group of people to replace Blackman, who’s set to resign from her role as journal editor after more than half a decade.