Re: CSCC Rules

[fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Dr. George A. Themelis)]

Ron Doerfler, president of the Chicago Camera Stereo Club describes the
competition rules and concludes:

>The club isn't overly
>competitive anyway--a fairly mellow and friendly group.

I may clarify here that the club is a "friendly group" after you join...
But in order to join you are subjected to the following arcane
restrictions:

1) You must be a LOCAL member.
2) You must attend two consequtive meetings.

I happen to know someone who attended one meeting in 1988 and was accepted
at full membership.  He then moved away but kept ties with club members and
continued his subscription to the club's newsletter.  When he decided to
rejoin in 1995 he was stopped because he is not a LOCAL member.  This
fellow argued that the definition of "local" is not clear and that he is
willing to drive a considerable distance to attend the competition nights. 
He had to write letters addressed to the executive committee.  Finally, the
executive committee decided that he can join but he has to go through the
"show up in two consequtive meetings before you can compete" business, even
though he was a full member for one year and he never attended two
consequtive meetings back then.  This young and enthusiastic fellow got
very discouraged with this treatment and decided that the Chicago club does
not care about having young people join and share their work and he decided
not to (re)join.

Why do I bring this story up?

Because I believe that stereo clubs share the burden of making stereo
photography popular again.  They might have their own rules and
regulations but these are subject to public scrutiny.

My advice to Ron is that, as a president, he tries to change some of these
arcane rules and regulations and opens the doors to new members.  Friendly,
yes, but not only after one joins.

And get rid of the "tie" requirement (yes, I know, it's the building...)

George A. Themelis


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