Joseph E. Boling: Stop treating these two groups as different "communities." We are all driven by our love of the hobby - let's remember that the hobby is our common interest.

Michael L. Ellis:   Reject the notion that they are different and treat members as members. I know plenty of both, dealers and collectors, and over the years they have come to arms largely over the same issues from the same side of the line. We are all just one, not two, communities. Most dealers are collectors and a majority of collectors have some dealer in them.

Brian E. Fanton: We have a problem where most new collectors don't even know we exist. We need to promote the hobby from the local to national levels by using all resources we can, from the local dealers to the larger dealers, at all shows, the media and word of mouth so we can say we are there to help as collectors and as dealers.

Patricia Jagger Finner:   The ANA is an educational entity, not a counselor for the numismatics trade. Dealers are the business end and collectors are the hobby end. We do not have “dealer” or “collector” member classifications.

Jeff C. Garrett:   Communication is vital for all members of the ANA to be more fully engaged with the activities of the organization.  Many collectors and members of the dealer community feel that the ANA does not understand their needs.  The ANA needs to do a better job to indentify the issues that are important to its members.  Last year’s survey of convention cities was an excellent example of the improvements in communication needed.   The survey led to a change of sight locations for the 2011 Summer ANA.   With proper communication and planning this sort of problem will be avoided in the future.  Joint Board meetings with the Professional Numismatist Guild Board of Directors have also been useful in the past and I strongly urge more in the near future.  My 15 years of experience on the PNG Board will be extremely useful in helping the ANA address the important issues that face both organizations. 

Thomas G. Hallenbeck: By having a good mix of collectors and dealers on the Board, and by communicating with both collectors and dealers, better understanding should naturally occur. Better cooperation and collaboration is in both parties’ interest, the collector needs the dealer and the dealer needs the collector.

Alan Herbert:   Both the dealer community and the collectors need to know more about each other and more about the role that each plays in the hobby.

Paul Hollis:   I think more inexpensive benefits and incentives should be provided to the dealer community to encourage more participation.  The ANA is an invaluable resource center and dealers should be encouraged to promote the organization to their customer base. 

Chester L. Krause:   It's doing about as good a job now that is required.

J.P. Martin: I think the ANA should shift the paradigm and focus on what the membership has in common. Through egalitarian eyes, we could view collectors and dealers as members only with different occupations. Perhaps we could ask collectors and dealers to face off in The Numismatist, focusing on their particular concerns.  Overall though, we must, and will, continue to help protect ANY ANA member from numismatic fraud.

Clifford Mishler: Collectors must appreciate that for dealers this universe is a business that greatly facilitates their enjoyment of collecting interests and achievements. Dealers must be drawn to understand that absent collector demand there is no underpinning of the marketplace. Both must never lose sight of the fact we together constitute a community.

Walter A. Ostromecki, Jr.:   Some suggestions might be to better communicate thoughts/ideas between the two. Set up a committee to deal with this specifically. Add in a web BLOG for ANA member input (both collector and dealer). Post concerns, address issues, report recommendations to the Board and for consideration/action. Get the PNG dealers and others (Advisory Council) and collector base to sit down together and vet matters. Find common ground, dispel old myths and publish suggestions in The Numismatist and post them on the ANA website.

Thomas A. Palmer, Jr.:   Collectors should be reminded that ANA dealers operate with a high standard of ethics.  Dealers should be sure to emphasize, in their advertising and in showcases, that they are ANA members.  Both groups should also be reminded that arbitration is available to ANA members in case of disputes.  We simply need to make everyone, dealers and collectors alike, aware of the value of ANA membership.

Scott Rottinghaus:   Collectors and dealers depend upon each other.  The ANA depends on collectors as the majority of its membership, but dealers provide the majority of the revenue for the organization.  Both communities make great contributions to numismatics.  An adversarial relationship between collectors and dealers is counterproductive, and the ANA needs to promote opportunities like Summer Seminars and Conventions where both groups can collaborate effectively to enhance knowledge and outreach.

Jeffrey Swindling:   The ANA should continue to seek member input (both collectors and dealers) on ANA Convention site selection. Additionally, we should improve the online ANA Dealer Directory so a numismatist can locate and contact his or her local ANA-member dealer more easily. Each collector should be able to search and save a personal Dealer Directory with any combination of criteria (location, specialty, etc) they desire.

Michael S. Turrini: First, the Association has in place its Representative Program, which is predicated upon collaboration between the diverse groups that compose our hobby and Association:  local coin clubs, regional and state organizations, plus the dealer community. This Program needs consistent support and encouragement, building a strong alliance of devoted Club Representatives and District Representatives. Second, the Internet and its communication must be utilized to the maximum.

Wendell A. Wolka:   Provide opportunities for these groups to talk with each other and the Association.  This could be done via focus groups, open meetings at shows and other venues, and online with moderated chat / discussion groups.