Date: Sat, 19 Jun 1999 01:58:54 -0400
From: heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com (Christopher Hudert)
Subject: PUPT: Re: Dig-it-all Age


Rosemary of Icarus Puppet Co. wrote, in part:
>But it might be helpful if the PofA didn't try to be all things to all
>people.
>
>Perhaps it is time for the PofA to decide whether or not it is a professional
>organization (to which nonprofessionals are welcome to belong), or if is a
>society of hobbiest (to which professionals are welcome to belong).
>

I don't believe that PofA is trying to be all things to all people.  Nor do
I believe that it should decide between the above two choices.  I believe
that it is doing a wonderful job as a fraternal organization where the
hobbyists learn from the professionals.  And I can't speak for all
professionals, but as a professional myself, I also learn from the
hobbyists.  What, pray tell, would be the use of being either/or?  True,
PofA can not be all things to all people, but either group could be split
into sub groups and sub, sub groups and so on.  As it is the whole is
greater than any one or partial group.  We come together as one to benefit
all.  The festivals are a prime example of this.  As a smaller organization
the festivals would not be as dynamic and diverse as they are. And  there
would not be enough people for a large festival to make it financially,
much less to make it as wonderful as they typically are.

>>Every other professional organization to which I belong include sessions at
*their* conferences on how to best utilize emerging technology.  What does
this tell you about the "professional" organization of puppeteers?<<
>>It troubles me to hear someone say they are against sessions on
>>professional development being offered at what is essentially a
>>professional conference.<<

Oh, and lest we forget, The PofA is, and I quote, "a national non-profit
organization devoted to the improvement of the art of puppetry".  It is not
a "professional" organization and therefore the fests should reach out to
all levels of attendees. Given the amount of time allowed, I think they do
an admirable job.  And the workshops are only as good as we make them.  You
only get out of this what you are willing to put into it.  Anyone feel the
workshops are not up to par?  Submit one yourself or find someone who knows
what you want to know and get them to submit a workshop. (Okay, if you're
getting someone else to submit a workshop the least you can do is see that
you attend and maybe even help set it up).  Sure I'd like to see workshops
on emerging technology - not only electronic, but gadgets, gizmos, and
techniques.  However, I have a hard enough time figuring out which
workshops to attend now, emerging tech just adds to the stew.




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