{"id":2053,"date":"2015-12-17T15:28:56","date_gmt":"2015-12-17T15:28:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.tavbooks.com\/?p=2053"},"modified":"2015-12-17T15:28:56","modified_gmt":"2015-12-17T15:28:56","slug":"a-warm-welcome-high-five-included-to-the-newly-nominated-vice-president-of-the-abaa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blog.tavbooks.com\/?p=2053","title":{"rendered":"A Warm Welcome (High-Five Included) to the Newly Nominated Vice President of the ABAA!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our very own Vic Zoschak Jr. has been\u00a0recently announced to be the new Vice President of the prestigious Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America (the ABAA). We pick his brains about the new role (and how he is to be bribed when in said position…) below!<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Photo courtesy of the Florida Book Fair.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

So we are looking at the new Vice President of the Antiquarian Bookseller’s Association of America! How does it feel? Are you nervous?<\/em><\/span>

Well, not quite so fast Ms P\u2026 I\u2019m nominated.\u00a0 Which means that the membership has yet to vote me in as VEEP.\u00a0 However, should they do me the honor of doing so, I confess, I\u2019m a bit humbled by their expressed trust in me to act on their behalf, as well as pleased at the opportunity to continue to serve.\u00a0 And yes, I also confess, I\u2019m a bit nervous, for the VP job is a bit more direct responsibility for the health & welfare of the Association from that I\u2019ve assumed in the past as a chapter representative to the national Board of Governors, or as a chapter officer.<\/span>

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Level with us, V… have you ever dreamed about the day you’d be Vice President and then President of the ABAA?<\/em><\/span>

Ha!\u00a0Only recently.\u00a0 I threw my hat in the ring for the VP position, and it was \u201cpicked up\u201d.\u00a0 I can only say again, I\u2019m honored by the selection.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is the most important charge you would be\u00a0tasked with in the\u00a0new role?<\/em><\/span>

Well, that somewhat depends on the incoming President, Mary Gilliam.\u00a0 I am at her service for the 2 years of her term, and whatever she designates as \u201cmost important\u201d will be it.<\/span><\/p>\n

You are no stranger to a leadership role within the bookselling community… you are currently Vice Chair of the Northern California Chapter of the ABAA. What drew you to be Vice of the NCC and was that your first official role in the bookselling community?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

As I recall, yes, my first \u2018official\u2019 ABAA position was Vice Chair of the Northern California Chapter of the ABAA. \u00a0The ABAA is a smallish organization, and much of its administration is accomplished by member volunteers. \u00a0Without those volunteers, it\u2019s my opinion the Association would grind to a halt. \u00a0Anyway, having found my \u2018peeps’, I wanted to give back what I could. \u00a0That belief hasn\u2019t changed, and I volunteered for this coming VP position with the same thought\u2026 to give back to the ABAA, in a small fashion, for all it\u2019s given me these last 20 some-odd years.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Courtesy of ILAB.<\/p><\/div>\n

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That’s right, V, you’ve been a professional bookseller for… how long\u00a0now? What’s your favorite part about it?<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Actually, I\u2019m coming up on 3 decades\u2026 started in 1989, so 2016 celebrates 27 years in the trade. \u00a0But that quibble aside, two aspects of the trade I find compelling & keeping me involved\u2026 one is the challenge. \u00a0It\u2019s difficult to make a living in this business, but it can be done. \u00a0I enjoy that challenge… usually. \u00a0There have been anxious moments, I will admit! \u00a0lol\u2026 \u00a0and second, I came to the antiquarian book trade from a 27 year career in the US military, but here in the book world \u201cI found my peeps\u201d. \u00a0In other words, people that understood my fascination with books. \u00a0I\u2019ve found that the trade acts like an extended family. \u00a0And who doesn\u2019t want to be part of a family?<\/span><\/p>\n

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What are you currently planning on focusing your energies on during your “reign” (taking it a bit far? oh well!)?<\/em><\/span>

The ABAA has had a slightly declining membership for the last few years, so I will recommend we, the Association, focus on reaching out to qualified booksellers, and convince them that membership in the ABAA would be mutually beneficially.\u00a0 In my opinion, the ABAA\u2019s continued viability rests on a vibrant membership, which means a constant, if not increasing, number to the member roles.<\/span>


Let’s not forget\u00a0the most important question of all… can you be bribed with a good bottle of Bourbon? \ud83d\ude42<\/em><\/span>

Ha! \u00a0\u2026Pappy?<\/span><\/p>\n

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