[MF3D.FORUM:1507] Re: MF Stereo promotion concerns

[Richard Twichell <rmt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

As promised, here is what I have been able to turn up in answer to the
question of membership in SSA being linked to membership in NSA
(relating to possible participation in Delta MF folio, as queried by
Sam)

This from an email by Bill Patterson, Gen. Sec. of SSA:

> Elitist ? Us?? Wow !!! .... I don't thimk so, have to have it checked.
>     Well, time passes by and people lose sight of the origins of  ...'The 
> situation that prevails'. 
(deleted stuff about computers)

> The crux of the matter is 
> that the SSAB in the mid 1970's was all but dead ... couldn't readily contact 
> possible new members and was disappearing by attririon. NSA saved our bacon. 
> NSA was basically a collector organization, on the rise, and becoming aware 
> that many of its members and other 3D fans wanted to make their own views. So 
> the union took place. Then, we were pretty much the only game in town and 
> very few 3D enthusiats were not NSA members. Since that no longer is the 
> case, I feel we succeeded in our aims ... 3D photography will flourish now 
> regardless of whether we are in the picture or not ...and,  what with the 
> internet available now, the future is boundless.  But all of that wasn't true 
> back in  the 1970's ... the SSA and NSA both thrived in the union ... now we 
> are an old married couple and stuck with each other. There were always a few 
> individuals who wanted in SSA, but not NSA, and we never could resolve that. 
> As a Canadian participant who wanted to share the Medium Format with others 
> .. I see no reason we couldn't establish a 'guest' participation, or 
> association with Delta ... that would probably buy a couple years of time (or 
> more if no one ever challenged it). We have our own treasury and haven't 
> drawn any money from NSA funds ... matter of fact we are in position to offer 
> them support were it needed. SSA gets a free ride on the Convention (in 
> England The Stereoscopic Society has to run the big meetings in addition to 
> the usual folio activity ... we are spared all of that, though individuals, 
> like yourself, may be heavily involved at times as NSA members). If you need 
> more let me know ... I will try to come up with something.

I'll be happy to raise this question at the SSA annual meeting on Sunday
morning after breakfast at the NSA convention, though it remains a
mystery to me why any stereo enthusiasts would deny themselves the
benefit, pleasure, and fellowship of NSA membership and the publication
Stereo World.

Dick