Re: Newbie At Home in 3D Club

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Paul Talbot asks:

>Dr. T, would you quit the Detroit club if you were involved in so many
>postal circuits that you had a large box full of stereo images arriving
>in your mailbox every day...and the postal circuits included photo
>competitions?  I think most of us would prefer to continue to attend the
>club meetings, even if it meant we couldn't handle quite such a large box
>of stereo images every day.

If I understand correctly, your point is that most people would prefer 
attending a stereo club to participating in postal circuits, if pressed for 
time, because of the social interaction in the club.  

I participate in 3 kinds of group stereo activities (in order that they 
came into my life and also in order of amount of time that they consume):

1. Postal Circuits (SSA: 3 slide circuits, PSA: 1 slide circuit)
2. Stereo Club (Detroit)
3. PSA International Slide Competitions ("Salons")

The Stereo Club is the only function with direct social interaction.  
Postal circuits have indirect interaction and PSA salons no interaction.
I enjoy all three activities and I would recommend all of them to people 
with an interest in stereo photography.  I try to balance my time between
those three and, if pressed for time, I will most probably drop a few
postal circuits but will definitely keep at least one.  Here is why:

- The Stereo Club is the only place where you see, and possibly 
  participate, in a live stereo projection.  The monthly competitions
  are the only way to get _instant_ feedback about your stereo slides
  (through voting) and also about other people's work.  Also, this is
  the place to talk directly to people about stereo photography.

- Postal Circuits display a variety of stereo slides viewed in 
  a viewer.  Members write comments on other people's slides and receive
  comments on their own entries.  Through this activity I get to see the 
  work of about 60 people who would have been unknown to me otherwise.

- The PSA Salons offer the least interaction and feedback but offer the 
  satisfaction of having your work internationally recognized while 
  competing with the "big guns" in stereo photography.

So, to answer your question, I will do my best to keep all three because 
each one offers something different.  Social interaction is one factor but 
it is not the most important for me, or it has not been a problem so far.

Most Stereo Clubs I know of are made of a small number of dedicated
people.  In most clubs the president and other officers are standing
by the door, welcoming people as they get in.  I don't see why they 
need to appoint a committee or a person ("head of a club welcoming 
committee") who's job is to think of nice things to say and make new 
members or visitors feel like home.  This seems to be the natural 
function of club officers and most club members.  I think Bill Davis'
great job in the NSA '96 registration table is part of the same idea.
Also, Erlys' first positive experience is part of the same deal.
This comes naturally, in my mind, and we do not need to have a person
with a prescribed club function.

Also, let us not forget the person who receives phone calls from
individuals who might be interested in coming to a meeting.  Many times 
the decision to come or not will depend on this phone call.  Club 
officers often receive such phone calls and it is their natural job to 
convey the atmosphere and excitement of these meetings and make the 
decision to come a bit easier.  This is, I think, the most difficult
decision to make.  Once a person comes to one meeting, chances are that
he or she will come again and again... thanks to the addictive powers
of Stereo Photography!!!

Happy New Year!!! -- George Themelis  


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