The American First Day Cover Society has begun a membership recruiting contest to celebrate the society's 50th anniversary in 2005. Every member who recruits fifty new AFDCS members between August 1, 2003 and May 1, 2005 will win a trip to the anniversary party at Americover 2005. The society will pay for suitable transportation to Americover 2005 for the recruiters who will be the guest of the society at the convention hotel.

The AFDCS will pay for round-trip coach airline or ground transportation to the convention and for the room at the convention hotel. All incidental expenses including, but not limited to, food and beverages, souvenirs, parking fees, and taxes are the responsibility of the individuals. Spouses, parents, and kids are welcome to accompany the winner, but must be at the expense of the winner and not the society. Travel arrangements will be made by the AFDCS through its travel agent after consulting with the winner.

Chapters are eligible. If an AFDCS chapter recruits fifty new members, they can designate one of their members to receive the trip. The AFDCS central office and Membership Secretary are ineligible for this contest.

"Frankly, it would be great to have lots of members take advantage of this opportunity"the more the merrier for our organization," says Executive Director Doug Kelsey.

Recruiters can obtain a supply of AFDCS membership applications from the AFDCS Central Office, PO Box 65960, Tucson, AZ 85728 or direct prospective new members to our web site, www.afdcs.org, and have them mention your name in the "proposer" field. All membership applications, paper or electronic, must have the recruiter's name in the "proposer" area in order for them to receive credit.

To help you recruit new members, the society is offering a package of goodies for new members that you can offer to prospects and includes some terrific publications in addition to eight issues of First Days magazine: the current Cachetmakers Directory, Mini-Adventures in First Day Cover Collecting, Cram Course in First Day Covers, a New Member's Handbook, and five free FDCs.

This contest is open to AFDCS members only and winning recruiters must be a member of the society at the time of the Americover convention in 2005.