Dear Fellow Collectors,

When I was a child, I boldly, and without the assistant of any adult, joined the Mighty Mouse Fan Club. I'd gathered all the necessary information from watching the cartoons, sent in the required information and box tops knowing I was going to be the “coolest” kid on the block with this important membership.

Day after day I stalked our mailman. He made two daily deliveries at that time for a total of 12 for the week, and I knew his schedule! There I'd be, sitting on that rock outside my house, waiting for his arrival and for the possibility of what he might bring me. Then, just like they promised, it came. I don't know who was more excited or relieved....the mailman or me. It was official and I had the paperwork to prove it. I was an official Mighty Mouse Fan Club Member. My girlfriend was stunned that I had received such important mail. My younger brother scratched his head and wondered why he couldn't be a member. Now at my advanced age I can't remember exactly what all those promised benefits were, but they must have been pretty good because I wouldn't have bothered otherwise.

ECI is now approaching a membership network of 400 plus. In slightly less than four years, ECI has created a vibrant Internet space where encased coin collectors, designers, novices, and numismatic historians can come together to share information for themselves and for posterity---for free. Many beginning hobbyists find ECI is often the first and only real treasure trove of easily mined information.

Remember my Mighty Mouse Club experience? I confess, my juvenile membership was definitely all take and no give. I took all the pretty badgers and stickers and gave nothing...I don't think we can count those box tops here. I didn't even want my friends or family to be a part of it. Pretty disgusting, right?... but I've forgiven myself since I was just a kid.

But things are different with my ECI membership. I've figured out that the more of the ME I put into the membership, the more of the THEM I'd get back. Last week, because of encased coins, I was introduced via the Internet to a gentlemen who attended my high school in Illinois...he collects Quad-Cities pieces. The doorman across the street is a collector and is always interested in encased coins. Even my husband is recycling Numismatic News and “stealing” extra lucky pennies to give out to friends.

Like every good cheerleader knows, it's hard to beat a good dose of enthusiasm. So, don't be shy while you're collecting. Share your enthusiasm with others---collectors and non-collectors alike. You may not think so, but you have valuable numismatic information that another collector may be looking for. The secret to getting people to join ECI is just to ask them. With our members in 12 countries and 48 states, we've got a wealth of sharing to do. (And if anyone knows where all those encased collectors are in Alaska and Delaware, please let me know!) So I ask you to join me in making a 2008 New Year's Resolution: put more of the Me in the Membership.

My virtual door is always open and I'm eager to hear from you. In the meantime, my very best wishes for a healthy, wealthy, and Happy New Year.