Re: Survival of the creature know as a 3-D photographer

[P3D <PTWW@xxxxxxx>]

>Jon Golden writes:

>>.....but as I see it (correct me if I am wrong or inaccurate on 
>>this)...our club....and even the NSA....make little provision to go 
>>the extra length to make new attendees feel at home. 

And Dr. T responds:

>This is a general issue in all social clubs and not unique in stereo
>photography.

I agree with Dr. T on this; I was going to make the same observation.

>I never felt that this is a problem... even when I attended
>the Chicago Stereo Club in 1988 with these older gentlemen sitting in
>formal dinner with ties... Same with Detroit.  After attending a couple
>of club meetings I felt like home, knowing almost everybody in the room.
>Same for NSA.  First meeting in 1988 did not know any one.  Gradually
>I got to know many people and looking forward to meeting them each
>year.  I just don't see how NSA or any club can institute something
>that will make new members or visitors "feel at home".  3-d people are
>a friendly and nice group... that's all that is required.

I can't speak about the specific clubs Dr. T mentions, but I have to
side with Jon on this.  IMO, something extra *is* required.  I can
only speculate, but the ease with which Dr. T came to "feel like home,
knowing almost everybody in the room," was probably directly related
to his high level of enthusiasm for 3D, as well as to a generally
outgoing personality.  Many, or even most, "new attendees" will not
find it that easy to blend in to a new group, no matter how "friendly
and nice" the group believes itself to be.  I also suspect many new
attendees will not stick it out unless they are helped to feel at home
within the first 30-60 minutes, so the fact that even an "out-lier" like
Dr. T needed a couple meetings to feel at home suggests Jon is indeed
correct.  If a club or group is serious about expanding its membership,
it should create a welcoming committee whose specific responsibility
is to make new attendees feel immediately comfortable.  To be a success,
the committee must be made up of the group members who are most adept
at social interaction with strangers, and who are committed to the
mission of turning new attendees into active new members.  The rest
of the group must be supportive of the mission as well.  The welcoming
committee should have the goal of meeting each new member "at the door"
so they are not left to wander helplessly about when they arrive.  The
new attendee should be quickly introduced to several other highly
sociable club members.  Also, general information about how meetings
normally progress, as well as specifics of the current meeting, should
be given.  At some point during the meeting, all new attendees should
be announced to the group, if the group is too large for them to meet
each member in attendance.  A sincere round of applause at the end of
the announcement may be helpful.  Asking the new attendees to announce
themselves will help in some cases, but many people are not comfortable
doing so.  It may be necessary for the welcoming committee to ask
each new attendee shortly after their arrival whether they prefer to
do this or not.

I hope this contributes in some way to the survival of our species!

Paul Talbot


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