The Manitoba Coin Club (MCC), which boasts about 100 members from several Canadian provinces and abroad, has seen “a lot of positives in the past 1.5 years, despite the pandemic.”
This according to MCC President Bill Stefiuk, who highlighted his “vision for the future” in the June edition of Bison Tales, the club’s official newsletter. He’s set to mark 55 consecutive years of membership in 2022.
While the club added nearly 20 collectors to its membership roll in the first four and a half months of 2021, none of the recruits are “young numismatists,” Stefiuk added. The club has just four members classed as young numismatists – something he believes is deserving of more focus – among its more than 80 members. Many of its members call Ontario home while others are from Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the United States.
“I believe we have made great strides but need to be continuously aware of changes that are taking place among younger generations,” he wrote, referencing people aged 50 and under, and “particularly under age 20.”
Stefiuk cited the club’s newsletter, website, educational speakers, draws, auctions and recent virtual endeavours as “steps towards a stronger future,” but he’s hoping to develop more resources to attract young collectors (among other initiatives, partnerships and goals outlined in the recent newsletter).
“The current MCC leadership is very dynamic and visionary,” said member Judy Blackman, who joined the club in October 2010 and is now one of 14 life members. “The team is always open to new ideas and concepts, and they work together in a collaborative manner. What’s not to like about that?”
She pointed to Ken Dobson, the great-grandson of Canadian numismatist Harold Cleveland (“H.C.”) Taylor, as a shining example of the club’s tendency towards teamwork.
“As our president was first away for just over six months doing COVID-19 work in northern Manitoba, and now is in Dauphin working with the Red Cross to help the evacuees – regarding wildfires – Ken has really done an outstanding job filling Bill’s shoes. Ken got the Zoom meetings and guest speakers on track, which have proven to be very popular in drawing in new members, along with the MCC’s new website,” said Blackman, who added the team is “diligently growing the club, moving forward, with a goal of all members feeling an inclusive family spirit, and just plain having fun.”