File puptcrit/puptcrit.0807, message 124


Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:28:29 -0400
From: "Jim Menke" <jim99jr-AT-gmail.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] encouragement - joining puppet organizations IS


After over 50 years as a member of P of A I finally stopped. The Journal is
BORING trying to be a literary publication with little to offer the working
puppeteer. The idea of a Guild is good, but in Western New York there are
only 2 or 3 puppeteers and no chance of there being a Guild. Most serious
puppeteers I know do not belong to P or A. They either never belonged or
quit for the same reasons I did. P of A needs a serious restructuring with
real membership goals to serve ALL members. It is a very elitist
organization that refuses to really serve the members. I get more from one
visit to Puppet Hub than 2 years of P of A.

On 7/15/08, jon green <puppen-AT-mac.com> wrote:
>
> I agree with what has been said, and I am a member of POA, UNIMA_USA
> and my local guild.  However, I do have a few observations:
>
> 1. POA has never really been able to find its' focus.  This seems to
> have been an issue when the organization began and is still an issue
> today.  Perhaps Allan know of a time when there was more on a unity
> of purpose, but from my observation, it seems just as fragmented as
> it was in the '40s.  It seems like three or four groups of puppeteers
> divided by a common interest.
>
> 2. POA is more re-active than active.  I found Puptcrit because I
> complained to the president that POA did not have such a group.  The
> bulletin board works as a virtual bulletin board, but it does not
> serve as an exchange of ideas.  I was told that the POA did not have
> such a group as they did not want to compete with Puptcrit, however;
> there a numerous groups that compete with Puptcrit and quite frankly
> Puptcrit does just fine.  Not having an electronic way for POA
> members to exchange ideas is just stodgy and alienates younger
> members.  The fact of the matter is that POA should have done this
> before Puptcrit was even an idea.  The same goes for the puppet face-
> book-like site (sorry, having a senior moment, I cannot remember the
> name.)  It just shows that a great deal of the excitement,
> enthusiasm, and innovation in communication between puppeteers is
> happening outside the POA.
>
> 3.  POA needs to take a harder look at what the benefits are for
> members.  Forget the airy-fairy goodwill stuff and really look at it
> from a cynical "what's in it for me" point of view.  As Allan pointed
> out, times are hard, and money is scarce- and it isn't going to get
> any better.  People, particularly puppeteers, are really going to
> have to get the most return for their money.  As far as I can tell,
> the main benefits are the gatherings/ festivals, newsletters/journal,
> and insurance.  I admit that I have not checked out the new store,
> but it has been so user unfriendly that it could not count as a
> benefit.  What should be a major benefit are the local guilds.
> Personally, I would like to see POA membership be a required part of
> guild membership (yeh, I know I will get flamed for that comment.)
> The local guilds are really the most immediate benefit of the POA.
> Everyone should take advantage of their local guild,and if you don't,
> I would love to know why not.  The beauty of a local guild is it is
> as good as "you" make it.
>
> 4.  POA needs to cultivate more enthusiasts.  After all the most
> important part of the puppet performance is the audience.  Also, from
> my experience with other organizations, they are the worker bees.
> Most puppeteers are either working their tails off to keep their own
> company afloat, or working a civilian job and being a puppeteer.
> Encouraging the involvement of non-puppeteer "patrons" would help
> with the work load and probably the financial health of the POA as
> well.  The trick is that the puppeteers cannot treat them like
> "untermenschen"
>
>
> Now as to UNIMA, I really am not sure what the benefits.  I belong.
> I get the magazine.  But, that is it.  Perhaps, I do not know how to
> use my membership to the best advantage.
>
> Jon
>
>
>
>
>
> .
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
> Archives: http://www.driftline.org
>



-- 
JIM MENKE PUPPETS
open your mind
fantasies unwind

www.jimmenkepuppets.com
_______________________________________________
List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
Archives: http://www.driftline.org

   

Driftline Main Page

 

Display software: ArchTracker © Malgosia Askanas, 2000-2005