From: "Mark S. Segal" <segalpuppets-AT-comcast.net>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:18:02 -0400
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] encouragement - joining puppet organizations


Jim,
Normally - would not respond to your letter but.................
Respectfully, I could not disagree more.
Most "serious" puppeteers that I know/of (or knew/of) did belong to P of A.
Let's see (old timers):
The Roses,
Martin Stevens
Bil Baird
Jim Henson
Rod Young
and on and on and on.
I am sure those who are much more knowledgeable then I can give you a host 
of "serious puppeteers" past and present - it is misleading to say that it 
aint so...

There are so many that are there now that have so much to offer and do.

And of course the org always needs more...
And young people and diverse populations....and diverse traditions.

But it also needs those with experience - like you (even though we have 
never met)- so those serious ones that you know that aren't members perhaps 
all of you should get together and rejoin for everyone's benefit.

I like the job that the editors have been doing with the journal - but to 
each his or her own.
If you have suggestions on articles or want to write articles to help "the 
working professional" - which I am and have been ONLY (no other job for 31 
years)
am sure they would entertain that.
Everybody involved in P O A seems to be accessible (and has always been so).

I would suggest that if you have a complaint that you rejoin and work to 
change it to be the way you want...

What you would spend on being a member (of all the orgs) is something that 
you might throw away at a 7-11(in less then a week)
Would love to know how it is elitist (especially - if the serious ones are 
not there).
I have always felt like an outsider in every aspect of my life - but have 
never felt or experienced any kind of elitist behavior with P O A have never 
felt "outside".
The liability insurance program alone is worth the membership - I have 
carried it for years and that is for a working puppeteer.
Nothing is ever perfect.....hey I keep working and reworking my show(s) - 
trying to do it better.

I am glad P O A is there...

I have looked at puppethub and would love to join but during my season (out 
of season now) don't have much time and to be honest it confuses me as to 
what to do.

Respectfully,
Mark S.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Menke" <jim99jr-AT-gmail.com>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:28 AM
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] encouragement - joining puppet organizations 
ISimportant


> 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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> .
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>
>
>
> -- 
> JIM MENKE PUPPETS
> open your mind
> fantasies unwind
>
> www.jimmenkepuppets.com
> _______________________________________________
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> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
> Archives: http://www.driftline.org 

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