To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:52:31 -0400
From: wipuppets-AT-aol.com
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] encouragement - joining puppet organizations IS



 As a member of Pof A since 1983 (only half of 50 years, and too late for the legendary 1980 festival, alas), and as a current trustee, I am finding this thread very interesting and informative. I appreciate the comments from all sides. The criticisms are motivating, and those who defend the organization make me proud to be a member. I look forward to following the comments to follow.

Before the internet, being a member was, as far as I know, the only way to be informed about the field of puppetry in the United States. Now, people don't need us so much, with everything instantly available on your computer. True, we haven't kept apace with technology, but we're working on it. In the meantime we do encourage people to seek out all manner of information and community one can via the web. P of A is not the be all and end all of the puppet world. I do think it is still the most inclusive organization of people who share an interest in puppetry in the US, and it is a fellowship of people who get as much as they give to it.

Thanks, Mark, for starting this thread. 

Nancy Aldrich







 


 

-----Original Message-----
From: Christopher Hudert <heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Sent: Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:38 am
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] encouragement - joining puppet organizations IS important










Wow, our mileage really varies here.

On Jul 15, 2008, at 10:28 AM, Jim Menke wrote:

> After over 50 years as a member of P of A I finally stopped.
   I have about 15 or 20 years to go before I reach that 50 year mark. 
Maybe I'll agree then, but for now P of A is certainly relevant to me. 
I don't anticipate that changing, but who knows.

>  The Journal is BORING trying to be a literary publication with little 
> to offer the working puppeteer.
   As a working puppeteer I would have to disagree. I find it quite 
interesting and the only real way I can keep up with what else is going 
on within the field of puppetry in the country. True, some of the 
things are below my current level of work as they are intended for 
those coming up. I appreciated them more when I was coming up to where 
I am now, but appreciate the things that are on a higher level more 
than when I was beginning. I find it reaches to cater to the wide 
variety of membership and does that as effectively as possible, while 
making improvements along the way in how it is published. For all of 
its limitations, I believe it does a pretty admirable job.

>  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.
   Not true. YOU (and the other 2 or 3 puppeteers in the area) need to 
attract or educate others into forming a guild. There are librarians, 
teachers, kids, and so on who can form your membership. But only if 
those who head up the guild are not "above" sharing what they know. 
Reach out often and you will find other who share your interest. There 
is no minimum to form a Guild, only a minimum to have the guild be 
chartered by P of A. Jackie Gleason (as Ralph Kramden) once said "You 
have to shake hands with those you meet on the way up the ladder, 
because you are going to reach the same people on your way down!" The 
idea is to make friends and share what you know with people on the 
various rungs as few of us ever stay on one rung forever.

> Most serious puppeteers I know do not belong to P or A. They either 
> never belonged or quit for the same reasons I did.
   Hmm, I guess contrary to what I think of myself and quite a few other 
here of some note, I am not a serious puppeteer. Oh well, I'll keep 
plugging. Maybe one day.....
   It is highly unlikely that any serious puppeteer can not gain from 
being a member of P of A, even if it is that they better the field by 
what they contribute to the organization. If someone is so far above 
the level of the organization it would better the art and the 
organization for them to join and improve the organization. In doing 
that they raise the level and the bar of achievement. That in turn 
makes you move up. And if you are the cream of the crop, doesn't it 
make you better to be at the head of thousands than to be at the head 
of 2 or three?

>  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 don't see where you get that. First, it will never serve all of 
it's members equally. The membership levels and field is just too 
broad. Elitist? The board changes all the time and is elected by the 
membership at large. How then is it elitist? Please elaborate. I'm 
genuinely interested in your view, even if I don't agree.
    I also enjoy reading Psychology Today, but it doesn't "serve" me 
beyond the fact that I find it interesting. (Okay, I admit I find some 
thing useful knowledge too, but not in a direct relation to my work.)

>  I get more from one visit to Puppet Hub than 2 years of P of A.
   WOW! I get a lot out of being in P of A, I better check out Puppet 
Hub. I'm only being a little sarcastic (unusual for me).
   Please tell me/us more about what you don't get out of P of A that 
you think you could and should. Please tell me/us about the plusses and 
minuses, in your view. Also, what do you feel you get out of the Puppet 
Hub that you can not or do not get out of P of A? What are Puppet Hub's 
advantages and disadvantages?

Christopher

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