HOW TO BECOME A NMJL CARD COLLECTOR (Article 84) 

The National Mah Jongg League (the league) publishes an annual card for people to reference when playing the game. Typically, orders are placed on the league website. Some of the proceeds are given to select charities. The league has a program for community members interested in raising funds for a charity that resonates with them. People who register for the program are called “collectors.” If you want to become a collector to raise funds for a particular charity, here is the process:

Registration

Any league member is qualified to be a collector. To become a member, an individual and direct order must be placed for that person.

Anyone interested must call the league (212-246-3052). They will ask for complete contact information and a hard copy of a Tax ID#. After the call, they will send you a welcome packet by mail. The welcome packet will have instructions and an order form. You will be asked to provide information for one charity associated with your member number. A check will be made to this charity in the amount of your awarded funds each year, and you will be responsible for sending it to them.

Process

Year 1: Use an order form for each buyer and collect the money for their order. Send orders (35 minimum) to the league by mail with one check payable to the league. The league will process your order and add permissions to your member account on their website so you have access to the collector tab. An award of $1+ per order will be placed in your account. The award may have changed, so confirm this with the league when you initiate the process.

Year 2: Log in to the collector portal on the league website to enter orders and pay by credit card online or send a check made payable to the league for orders by mail. An award of $5 per order will be placed in your account. The award per order may change based on how long you are in the program.

Deadline: 1^st week in February

The league assumes that you will continue as a collector each year, and they will mail you a new packet with a manifest of previous orders and a check payable to your registered charity the 1^st week of October.

Potential Pitfalls

• Errors on checks (e.g., payable to, amounts, illegible, names, empty envelope)
• Bounced checks
• Closed bank accounts
• Customer support calls (e.g., damaged cards, undelivered)

Helpful Tips

• Expect a heavy workload between October and January (track orders), then again in April (track issues). Consider this volunteer time.
• Two weeks before the deadline, ensure you have all your payments in case they have issues.
• Accept cash or check only (send email confirmation; keep track of orders, and then enter the orders when the league opens the portal).
• Ensure that buyers understand that you are a charity collector and that the league is responsible for sending the card and handling any issues that may occur.
• Decide in advance and notify your customers how long you will be available for customer support calls.

Shout-out to Dara Collins and Donna Kassman of Modern Mahjong for sharing their experience as collectors with me. They also held a livestream where they shared this information with a Q&A session. Please consider showing appreciation by joining their mailing list and following them on Facebook.

Counterfeit NMJL cards are being sold on Amazon! Always purchase directly from the National Mah Jongg League at www.nationalmahjonggleague.org or through registered card collectors to ensure you receive an authentic card. Protect the integrity of the game and support the NMJL by getting your card from a trusted source. Spread the word and stay vigilant!

To buy your cards from a Mahj Life Instructor Guild member, visit NMJL CARD COLLECTORS (ARTICLE 243).