Membership Policy

Last Updated: August 6, 2025

Introduction

Pennsylvania Postal History Society (PaPHS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the study and preservation of postal history. Through its journal, events, and member initiatives, PaPHS fosters philatelic connoisseurship, historical research, and education.

Membership connects individuals passionate about postal history with exclusive resources, expert discussions, and opportunities to contribute to preservation and research efforts.

This policy outlines membership tiers, benefits, dues, engagement expectations, cancellations, and complimentary memberships to ensure clarity and accessibility for all members.

Membership Tiers & Eligibility

PaPHS membership is open to individuals passionate about postal history and historical research. Membership tiers include:

• Individual Membership
  • General membership for enthusiasts, researchers, &/or individuals interested in getting involved with PaPHS initiatives.
• Potential Discounts are available, upon request on a case-by-case basis for:
  • Student
    • Available for students interested in postal history and philately. Submit active student ID.
  • Senior (72+)
    • Discounted membership for senior members. Submit proof of age.
  • Veteran
    • Available to military veterans with proof of service (DD-214 required) for discounted membership.
  • Family
    • Designed for households with multiple members interested in PaPHS activities.
      • Includes benefits for all listed members within the same household; however, only the primary member receives a hard copy of Historian.

Member Benefits & Engagement

PaPHS members receive exclusive access to resources, research materials, and educational opportunities, including:

• Subscription to Historian
  • Student Membership
    • No physical copies provided.
  • Individual Membership
    • Mailed physical copy.
  • Senior Membership (72+)
    • Mailed physical copy.
  • Veteran Membership
    • Mailed physical copy.
  • Family Membership
    • Only the primary member receives a physical copy.
  • Access to a digital edition of Historian may become available to all eligible members in the future as PaPHS continues to integrate new technologies and expand member services.
• Access to digital archives and research materials to support postal history education.
• Participation in workshops, educational events, and mentorship programs focused on philately and preservation.
• Engagement in PaPHS blog discussions and member-led initiatives to foster historical research and community collaboration.

Dues & Payment Structure

• Annual membership dues go to support PaPHS’s educational programs, journal publication, and preservation initiatives.
• Voluntary Contributions Members who wish to support PaPHS beyond the annual dues are encouraged to make a tax-deductible donation. These additional contributions help sustain PaPHS mission and programs, and are gratefully acknowledged.
• Annual membership dues to PaPHS are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions. Members interested in supporting the Society beyond their dues are encouraged to make a separate tax-deductible donation.
• Membership fees are subject to periodic review and adjustment. Any updates to pricing will be communicated to members in advance.

Membership Renewals & Lapsed Status

• Membership renewals follow an annual cycle with notifications sent in advance of expiration.
• Members with lapsed status may reinstate their membership with proper renewal procedures.
• Consideration for honorary or lifetime memberships is based on significant contributions to postal history education.

Membership Engagement & Conduct

PaPHS encourages members to actively contribute to society initiatives through volunteering, research, and community collaboration

Ways to Get Involved

• Volunteering
  • Assisting with society events, digital archiving, or research projects.
• Committee Roles
  • Contributing to PaPHS governance, event planning, or educational initiatives.
• Research & Publication
  • Submitting historical findings or philatelic insights to Historian.
• Community Collaboration
  • Participating in discussions, mentoring programs, and online forums.

Expectations for Conduct

PaPHS values respectful collaboration and constructive engagement in all member interactions. Members are expected to:

• Communicate professionally in discussions, forums, and events.
• Foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all members.
• Maintain ethical research and philatelic integrity in publications and projects.
• Uphold PaPHS’s mission of education and historical preservation through responsible participation.

Conflict Resolution

• Members should resolve disputes constructively and professionally.
• If conflicts arise, PaPHS may facilitate resolution through mediation or committee review.
• PaPHS reserves the right to address engagement violations through membership review if necessary.

Privacy & Member Information Protection

PaPHS is committed to protecting member privacy. Personal data will be handled responsibly to ensure security, transparency, and accessibility for educational engagement.

Membership Cancellation

• Members may cancel their membership at any time by submitting a written request to paphs1974@gmail.com
• Membership dues are non-refundable, including partial-year cancellations.
• Upon cancellation, access to member benefits, including Historian, digital archives, and events, will be discontinued.
• PaPHS reserves the right to terminate membership in cases of violations of the Code of Conduct.

Membership Transfers

• PaPHS memberships are non-transferable.
• Members who no longer wish to maintain their membership must formally request account closure.
• Upon account closure, all membership benefits
  • Including Historian subscription and access to digital resources – will be discontinued.

Conclusion

PaPHS membership provides a valuable opportunity to engage with postal history research, educational initiatives, and a network of passionate collectors and historians

By supporting PaPHS, members contribute to the preservation and study of postal history while enjoying access to exclusive resources, events, and discussions

As PaPHS continues to grow, members remain at the heart of its mission – fostering philatelic connoisseurship and historical exploration. We look forward to welcoming new members and strengthening our community of scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts.

Contact Information & Support

PaPHS is committed to supporting its members and providing access to resources, events, and research opportunities

For inquiries about membership, renewals, or society initiatives, contact:

Pennsylvania Postal History Society (PaPHS)

paphs.org

paphs1974@gmail.com