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02-12-2008, 07:34 PM #1
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What does Fellowship mean to you?
Another topic started to partner the other affiliate discussions going on here!
In a recent conversation with a friend, we were discussing the fellowship programs that are a part of affiliate organizations. I strongly feel that the fellowship program directly affects membership within an organization, and the strength (or weakness) of that organization.
So, I pose this question to you: What does fellowship mean to you in your organization? How does it make you feel? What does your fellowship do for your organization? If you have a strong fellowship program, what do you feel contributed to that?Jackie Haggerty
M.Photog.Cr., CPP
www.jackiehaggerty.com
I have come to accept the feeling of not knowing where I am going. And I have trained myself to love it. Because it is only when we are suspended in mid-air with no landing in sight, that we force our wings to unravel and alas begin our flight. And as we fly, we still may not know where we are going to. But the miracle is in the unfolding of the wings. You may not know where you're going, but you know that so long as you spread your wings, the winds will carry you.
― C. JoyBell C.
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02-12-2008, 08:13 PM #2
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For one thing...it's showing up on meeting night to support the organization even though you know that you're not going to get anything out of the program.
____________________
Dave Cisco M.Photog, Cr., CPP, F-TPPA
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02-12-2008, 08:16 PM #3
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I should clarify- I am referring to degrees earned within our affiliates....
Jackie Haggerty
M.Photog.Cr., CPP
www.jackiehaggerty.com
I have come to accept the feeling of not knowing where I am going. And I have trained myself to love it. Because it is only when we are suspended in mid-air with no landing in sight, that we force our wings to unravel and alas begin our flight. And as we fly, we still may not know where we are going to. But the miracle is in the unfolding of the wings. You may not know where you're going, but you know that so long as you spread your wings, the winds will carry you.
― C. JoyBell C.
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02-12-2008, 08:24 PM #4
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In California, our fellowship is a "stepping stone" to persuing the Masters. For us, it signifies that you are one of the best in the state. The criteria is that you must earn 20 state merits for images 78 and higher to receive the medallion. I still wear mine proudly as I received mine in 1986. Our "Service" award is for volunteering services and education. It is awarded not only for state contributions, but for contributions to the smaller affiliate associations.
These certainly help in the "unification process" of the association, but I don't think it is as strong as it should be in this day and age. The WIIFMs are strong in this new generation of photographers and the fundimental shift for success or failure of the associations are more towards the overall experience of membership.Michael Gan,M.Photog.Cr. CPP,
Meritage House of Photography
If your business depends on you, you don't own a business-you have a job. And it's the worst job in the world because you're working for a lunatic... You can't close it when you want to, because if it's closed you don't get paid. You can't leave it when you want to, because if you leave there's nobody there to do the work. You can't sell it when you want to, because who wants to buy a job?http://www.meritageonmain.blogspot.com
—Michael Gerber
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02-12-2008, 08:25 PM #5
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I enjoy my organizations and participate pretty freely. I decided to capitalize on what I was already doing, so I started a long time ago turning in an updated list of "points". I have my full fellowship in my local PPA guild and also from my State Association....I believe I am one of only 30 or so at the state level in Texas to have their full fellowship.
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Dave Cisco M.Photog, Cr., CPP, F-TPPA
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02-12-2008, 08:54 PM #6
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There's nothing wrong with WIIFM--it's the only honest natural emotion in a human. In the long run, you can't keep an organization running on total altruism.
The trick is to sell the "customer" on the propostion that what you are giving him is of value to him. And it should be of true value. This should not be a new concept to any of us. As Stan put it in another topic, "You owe us" isn't a selling point.--Elephants can swim...
...and very gracefully.
Knowing that,
I do believe
Anything is possible for me.
Kirk Darling, CPP
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02-12-2008, 09:28 PM #7
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Nope. Never said there was anything wrong with WIIFMs. But, it has changed the landscape of the professional organizations and volunteerism. If associations do a "business as usual", just like any businesses, they will fail.
Michael Gan,M.Photog.Cr. CPP,
Meritage House of Photography
If your business depends on you, you don't own a business-you have a job. And it's the worst job in the world because you're working for a lunatic... You can't close it when you want to, because if it's closed you don't get paid. You can't leave it when you want to, because if you leave there's nobody there to do the work. You can't sell it when you want to, because who wants to buy a job?http://www.meritageonmain.blogspot.com
—Michael Gerber
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