Friendly Chicago Club?

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tim Stabler writes, regarding the Chicago Stereo Camera Club:

>That club, by the way, really makes an effort to talk to any newcomers.

That might be true... but, perhaps you do not know this, this same club
has a rule that a member must reside within a certain area around Chicago
(I think it is 120 miles from Chicago).  To my knowledge, this is the only
stereo club in the world with such restriction.  120 miles is certainly a
long distance, but I am about 180 miles from Detroit.  If Detroit had the
same rule then I could not have been a member there and would have missed a
major source of 3d excitement in my life.

The Chicago club also has a rule that in order to join the club you must
show up in _two_consecutive_ meetings.  I really do not understand the
purpose of this rule.  In Detroit I showed up one day and they opened their
arms, accepted me as a member and even let me enter slides in the same
night's competition.  This (Detroit) is a friendly club.  The Chicago with
their ancient regulations, I am sorry to say this, at least in paper, it
does not appear to be so.  Once you get in it is fine, but you must pass a
qualification exam to get in!

I am sorry to bring this up, but I have tried to make them change those
totally unreasonable regulations.  I was a member for one year in 1988 when
I was back in Evanston IL.  I tried to join again two years ago, willing to
drive from Cleveland (yes I am crazy) at least once every two months.  I
had to go through a major battle to get the 120 miles rule bent, only
because I was a past member.  When they told me that I still needed to show
up in two consecutive meetings in order to join, that was the end of it for
me.  No way!!!!

Back in 1950, 120 miles was a long distance to drive.  Today it is not. 
Showing in two meetings (note: _consecutive_) is a way of saying that they
want to check you out before admitting you.  Both regulations are out of
place today.  Stereo clubs are a precious commodity for the active stereo
photographer.  The doors should be open.

I challenge the present/past officers and club members to come out in
public and explain to me the purpose of these restrictions today.

And I challenge them to get rid of these barriers as we are approaching the
21st century.

Viva la stereoscopic photographie!!!

-- George Themelis

Sorry, I  lost my temper for a minute, but I had to take this off my chest.
I do not know if any other person has ever had a problem with these
regulations, but even in paper they do not look good.  I do not doubt that
this is a fine and very friendly club once you are in, but why make things 
difficult to get in???


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