Michael_Gan
11-19-2009, 02:51 PM
This thread is a carry over from the Print competition thread. I get many inquiries on how "I can eventually become a PPA board of Director some day", so I thought I can give all of you some of my personal insights that will also help all of you from the local level on up.
Posted from Todd Reichman: How are other interested volunteers supposed to get involved and help? This is one aspect of PPA that isn't very transparent? Then again, maybe they don't need the help/input/extra hands/extra opinions on this issue. I am sure that PPA is trying, but for a not-for-profit alot of stuff seems to take place behind the curtain. Where is the resistance coming from?
Originally Posted by Michael_Gan http://www.ppa.com/community/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.ppa.com/community/forums/showthread.php?p=217336#post217336)
Actually, all those involved with PPA as volunteers are becoming increasingly transparent. Me standing here is kind of testament to that. Many have started their journey into PPA from the ground level at the local affiliates. From there, many have weaved their way up to the PPA council level. Supposedly, the function of the council is this: To elect the board of directors, who will be the visionaries of this association, to make necessary changes to the by-laws, and most importantly, to be the cheerleaders and informational "conduit" to the PPA membership. I must say, this crop of councilors are the most active I've seen in years.
Take you, Todd, as an example. Don't think you're under the radar my friend ;)
Todd: I'm glad to hear that you believe this to be the case, Michael. I've always felt that PPA was admirable in that it is run as a non-profit org and functions effectively as such. But as a member that tries to stay involved it feels like there isn't as much info flowing back as to what might be on the table for discussion as I would expect.
Truthfully, I don't feel like I'm on any radar. I consider it a goal to someday be on the board, but I don't really expect that to happen.
Todd, I'm a very good example of how you're feeling. Really, and truthfully, I was very surprised I was asked. Actually, many others in PPA were as well as I seemed to have come out of no where to get on the board.
Learn to be a volunteer and a leader in unconventional ways. For me, I think it was my leadership skills that were unlike most volunteer groups idea of what a leader should be.
I always would stress to my groups that being the chair, or president is the easiest position in the world (but then again, I haven't reached the PPA presidency, so it could be a different animal :D). The president/Chair should be a reward for all the hard work you've done preceding your appointment! Wat this does is gives the rest of the volunteers an opportunity to shine in their efforts. Think in terms of your business: If you are doing your employees' work for them, what's the reason for them working for you? Same thing in a volunteer group. You guide them with a vision and you let them have at it.
My first recommendation to you (colloquially) is to get into the volunteer pool somewhere, anywhere. Leading volunteers can be a rewarding and extremely frustrating experience. It's very hard to make new volunteers understand their commitments, and old volunteers to change their ways. But the success of a project is very rewarding. You just need to get involved somewhere. Actually, the best leadership training I got was not in any of the PPA circles. It happened when I ascended to the presidency of my local Rotary Club! They have the finest leadership training program in the world.
The purpose of this affiliate section is to get all of you out of the "camera club" mentality. So let's open this up to agree/disagree and see if we can further the learning process for all volunteers of all levels.
Posted from Todd Reichman: How are other interested volunteers supposed to get involved and help? This is one aspect of PPA that isn't very transparent? Then again, maybe they don't need the help/input/extra hands/extra opinions on this issue. I am sure that PPA is trying, but for a not-for-profit alot of stuff seems to take place behind the curtain. Where is the resistance coming from?
Originally Posted by Michael_Gan http://www.ppa.com/community/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.ppa.com/community/forums/showthread.php?p=217336#post217336)
Actually, all those involved with PPA as volunteers are becoming increasingly transparent. Me standing here is kind of testament to that. Many have started their journey into PPA from the ground level at the local affiliates. From there, many have weaved their way up to the PPA council level. Supposedly, the function of the council is this: To elect the board of directors, who will be the visionaries of this association, to make necessary changes to the by-laws, and most importantly, to be the cheerleaders and informational "conduit" to the PPA membership. I must say, this crop of councilors are the most active I've seen in years.
Take you, Todd, as an example. Don't think you're under the radar my friend ;)
Todd: I'm glad to hear that you believe this to be the case, Michael. I've always felt that PPA was admirable in that it is run as a non-profit org and functions effectively as such. But as a member that tries to stay involved it feels like there isn't as much info flowing back as to what might be on the table for discussion as I would expect.
Truthfully, I don't feel like I'm on any radar. I consider it a goal to someday be on the board, but I don't really expect that to happen.
Todd, I'm a very good example of how you're feeling. Really, and truthfully, I was very surprised I was asked. Actually, many others in PPA were as well as I seemed to have come out of no where to get on the board.
Learn to be a volunteer and a leader in unconventional ways. For me, I think it was my leadership skills that were unlike most volunteer groups idea of what a leader should be.
I always would stress to my groups that being the chair, or president is the easiest position in the world (but then again, I haven't reached the PPA presidency, so it could be a different animal :D). The president/Chair should be a reward for all the hard work you've done preceding your appointment! Wat this does is gives the rest of the volunteers an opportunity to shine in their efforts. Think in terms of your business: If you are doing your employees' work for them, what's the reason for them working for you? Same thing in a volunteer group. You guide them with a vision and you let them have at it.
My first recommendation to you (colloquially) is to get into the volunteer pool somewhere, anywhere. Leading volunteers can be a rewarding and extremely frustrating experience. It's very hard to make new volunteers understand their commitments, and old volunteers to change their ways. But the success of a project is very rewarding. You just need to get involved somewhere. Actually, the best leadership training I got was not in any of the PPA circles. It happened when I ascended to the presidency of my local Rotary Club! They have the finest leadership training program in the world.
The purpose of this affiliate section is to get all of you out of the "camera club" mentality. So let's open this up to agree/disagree and see if we can further the learning process for all volunteers of all levels.