P3D How about a stereo club in the MPLS/SP area???

[Tom Martin <tlmartin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

George brought up several good points in his comments about stereo
clubs. He also asked several questions which needed to be answered.

>Back to the Minneapolis / St. Paul area.  In Tom Martin's page there is a
>reference to "our members".  Which members is that?  NSA members in the
>states of MN, WI, IA, ND, SD?

Yes, that is correct.

>How many people outside the state of Minnesota attend those meetings?

About 25 per cent of those attending.

>How many people who attend the meetings are not NSA members?

It varies, but is usually only 4 or 5 people.

>What is my point?

That most people will not travel long distances for meetings, and I am
not sure about membership.

>My point is that there appear to be a lot of people in the Minneapolis /
>St. Paul area interested in stereo photography and this is a good
>opportunity for an independent stereo club.  That will certainly mean more
>work for the people involved but also more satisfaction for all
>participants.

Whether independent or associated with an international organization
does not really matter. What does matter is finding a core group of key
people to organize and maintain the local organization. It is a lot of
hard work, and few people are willing to put in the effort. Take away
the key members and see how quickly the group folds. As an example, the
VTCA had over 350 members, and when the one person who had been running
it for four years needed a break, no one stepped in to take over so the
group folded. A local group is no different.

I have attempted to organize a stereo photography group in my local
area, and could not find enough key people who were willing to commit
the time. I have spoken to several other people in different parts of
the country that have had similar experiences. If I could find 5 people
in my area that were willing to commit to maintaining a stereo
photography club for several years, I would start one tomorrow. Most
people now days just have too many other interests.

>From personal observations (no formal survey, so no numbers), I have
seen a large number of people with an interest in stereo photography
that do not attend local meetings (and some of these are _very_
accomplished 3D photographers). The group needs to be active, focused,
and motivated. But, unfortunately, when you scrape away the exterior
wrappings, it all falls back on the key members. If they aren't there to
carry on the group year after year, it just won't happen.

I would like to be proven wrong on this, but that evidence isn't there
to support it.

Tom Martin


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