Scope of this page: Ideas to club organizers on
how to ensure the survival and growth of Postcard Clubs
Three sections (Scroll down): Tips on Survival of a Club , Donation of collection to clubs and resale and Postcards as tools for teaching in Schools
Please contact us for comments, testimonials, information
Survival of a club: steps and ideas on how to ensure a club longevity
Overall ideas shared by members: click here
Action for this group talks: Panel discussion to share strategies; Discussion on formalize an association of Postcard clubs
Some in depth plan provided by Allan Milbradt - read the description of each point here
#1 — Create a Club Continuity Vault (Shared Credentials & Member Lists)
#2 — Redundant Leadership Structure (Multiple Officers with Shared Access) - Click here on Club Continuity Vault (Online presence)
#3 — Formalize the Postcard Summit as a Federation
# 4 — Donated Collection Program (Accept & Resell Collections for Club Revenue)
#5 — Expand Social Media to Instagram and TikTok (with Video Content)
#6 — Tap Postcrossing Meetups for Younger Member Recruitment
#7 — Shared Digital Infrastructure (Membership Platform, Newsletter Templates, National Calendar) - Click here on Club Continuity Vault (Online presence)
#8 — Beginner-Friendly Programming (Starter Kits, $1 Boxes, Intro Workshops)
#9 — Postcards in Schools / Education Partnerships - read below
#10 — Partnerships with Libraries, Historical Societies, and Genealogy Groups
#11 — Annual Conference / Show Model (Ephemera Society Style)
#12 — Formal Nonprofit Incorporation (501(c)(3) or 501(c)(7))
The Key Insight Across All Rankings
The suggestions fall into three tiers:
Survival (do now, free): #1, #2 — Stop clubs from dying.
Structure (do soon, low cost): #3, #4, #7 — Build the infrastructure that makes everything else possible.
Growth (do continuously, medium cost): #5, #6, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12 — Attract and keep new members once the club is stable enough to receive them.
Ideas from AI and Michael Bloch: - Growth of the hobby - Vintage postcard collecting clubs can grow the hobby by making it feel more social, visual, nostalgic, and approachable — especially for younger people and casual history lovers. Here are some practical and effective ideas: Read full details here
Make the Hobby More Visual and Experiential: Host Public Postcard Exhibits; Create Traveling Displays; Hold “Postcards Then & Now” Events
Reach Younger Collectors: Use Social Media Heavily, Create Short Educational Videos (See below about Using Postcards to Teach in Schools)
Make It Easier to Start: Offer Beginner Tables at Shows, Create Starter Kits, Hold “Intro to Postcard Collecting” Workshops
Connect the Hobby to History and Genealogy: Partner With Genealogy Groups
Modernize Club Culture: Make Clubs More Welcoming, Add Social Elements, Create Hybrid Online Meetings
Use Storytelling: People connect emotionally with stories more than collectibles alone: Share Fascinating Stories Behind Cards, Publish Club Newsletters or Blogs
Hold Community Events: Postcard Appraisal Days, Sponsor Local History Contests, Create Annual Postcard Festivals
Promote Affordability
Focus on Nostalgia and Art
Donation of collection to clubs and resale: Some clubs are accepting donation of large collections from members and then selling the collection for a profit for the club
List of club who did it:
i. Toronto Postcard Club
ii. Washington Crossing Card Collectors Club http://wc4postcards.org/appraisalsandacquisitions.html
iii. New England Postcard Club – Kathy Alpert (co-founder is an auctioneer)
iv. Others?
Action for this group talks: trying a panel presentation on how they did it
Postcards as tools for teaching in Schools : some ideas on how to use postcards to teach kids
Joe Spina and Michael Bloch have some experience on this topic:
Michael's lesson plan: Postcard Adventure Project Click here
Girl Scouts Postcard Exchange: Scope is to collect a postcard from each state: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201622853623489
More links and ideas by Tom Reitz: Click here
Action for this group talks: trying a presentation by Joe and Michael