P3D Re: Future of APEC III

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

JNorman805 writes:

>I question the motive underlying the negativity of your
>post.  It sounds a little like sour grapes to me. 

Why asking a few simple and straightforward questions is interpreted as
"negativity"?

Here is the background behind these questions:  During our meeting on
Tuesday, John Waldsmith talked about the Stereoscopic Society, a postal
folio organization that dates from the beginning of this century.  He
mentioned that during the 70s, the Stereoscopic Society American-Branch
(later to be renamed "Stereoscopic Society of America" SSA) ran into
trouble, with its membership reduced to just a couple of members.  At this
point NSA agreed to support the organization financially, give it space in
Stereo World and in return make it part of NSA (NSA membership is required
to join SSA.)  Today SSA is flourishing with numerous print folios and
slide folios, including 2x2 and Medium Format.

During the same meeting I saw (thanks to Peter Smakula) and admired the
current APEC III work and got a write-up (article for our next newsletter)
about APEC.  While reading this document, I noticed that APEC II only
lasted a few years.  I wondered why this very nice activity did not last
longer.

I started thinking about the differences between SSA and APEC.  In SSA you
don't keep anything.  You get to review other people's work and receive
comments on your work, but that's it.  Every time the folio comes to you,
you only have to put in one entry.  The emphasis is on feedback.  The work
of the secretaries is less critical or labor-demanding.  Some people have
been in SSA for over 50 straight years.  One member in the Alpha
transparency group is 94 years old!

APEC is very labor-intensive for both its members and the organizers.  I
wondered what would happen when the organization grew to have, say, 100
members (which with the current exponential growth, will happen soon).  I
saw a point where the people (especially the organizers) get tired and
wondered what safety mechanisms are in place to prevent it from breaking
down as it happened with APEC II.

I asked these questions because I liked what I saw.  It was not my
intention to criticize anything or anybody.  And I received a few answers,
mainly from Dan Shelley and John Weiler in personal correspondence.  Here
is what I found:

In the 70s (APEC II) there were a few problems.  Because of the labor
involved in printing, mounting, labeling and mailing the views to everyone,
some people got way behind, others got upset sending out views and not
receiving anything in return, some of the better photographers got tired
sending out really fine work and receiving low quality stuff in exchange,
and the entire thing collapsed.

APEC III uses the much better system of central management.  You don't send
your views to individuals but to the secretary.  Those who fail to meet the
deadline and don't send any views, they don't get anything in return.  When
you send your views you know you will receive views in return.  The growth
of the group is limited (I hear the number 50 as maximum).  There is a
possibility of starting more groups if more people are interested.

Still in my mind, this is hard work for both participants and management. 
Six years is a long time during which people change carriers, lose their
hair, go through a mid-life crisis, get divorced, see their children get
married, switch interests...  If they are just APEC members it does not
really matter since they have the option to enter or not enter every single
exchange.  But what happens if the organizers get tired?  SSA secretaries
change every few years too (when they get tired) but there is a central
management above them to coordinate the switch.  Fortunately for APEC,
email has made the job of communicating much easier.

In conclusion, APEC is up and running well and membership is highly
recommended for those who can handle the work-load involved.  Best wishes
to the organizers to continue this effort for many years to come.

-- George Themelis


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