Andrew Sharpe said:
> But I guess there is diffrent rules for diffrent members.
> Shouldn't the president of COA set the example or is it true what I was told about the COA by many people not being for
> the benefit of its members but more for the benefit of 4 or 5 dealers.
> I'm truely disappointed that not even the president of the COA can abide by its lists guidelines.
I think someone should point out here that COA President Betty Lipe, who
is married to Bob Lipe, a highly respected dealer in specimen shells, is
not in the shell business herself. She works for her county 4-H office,
as well as being a tireless volunteer worker for COA in many capacities
for many years. She deserves praise, not negative comment.
Just as the Lipe family is made up of several individuals, so COA is
made up of many individuals. Making assumptions about one member or
about the organization as a whole on the basis of another member, is
risky at the least, and certainly unfair.
Also, COA has as many as 60 member shell dealers and probably lots more
than twice that many who sell shells occasionally. 38 of
themparticipated in the COA Bourse in Houston in June. Which I might add
was only a 13-hour event in a 6-day convention! Many of those dealers,
Bob Lipe among them, do a lot for the shell collecting community,
including identifying shells, contributing to Conch-L and American
Conchologist and other shelling publications, donating SO many shells to
auctions of the various shell organizations, writing books, leading
trips, organizing field trips at conventions, guiding new shellers,
serving COA in various board capacities, and much more. How could anyone
think that the entire 1200-1300 member COA is held hostage by 4 or 5
dealers for their own benefit?
On the basis of such evidence as a guess, a question, some assumptions
and a rumor, you seem to be saying that none of COA can abide by its
list's rules, not even the president. Surely you don't mean this?
Lynn Scheu
Editor American Conchologist
List Co-Owner, Conch-L
Conchologists of America
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