You could call this section - "Thanks Todd" or "Consider yourself notified."
Anyway, I headed into Los Angeles a bit earlier than planned since the Austin weather was forecast to be dismal. Not that I was looking forward to all the storms out there, but may as well get things rolling...
We spent time with my daughter and then I made it to the leadership meeting at SB2 that was facilitated by Todd Joyce - an ASMP national board member.
Judy Hermann, our ASMP national president gave the introductory remarks - including updates on all the inroads ASMP is making in the areas of greatest concern to any professional photographer - protection of our copyright.
ASMP is working on technology to embed copyrights into the digital format of the image, creating digital standards so that digital archives will be accessible in the future, affecting copyright legislation (via ASMP legal counsel Vic Perlman's testimony on the hill) that has the potential to greatly erode our copyright, networking with other industry organization and so much more.
Suffice it to say, this is a board that is taking the long term view and has been working diligently to do everything they can for our industry in these tumultuous times.
So, when I ask people about joining ASMP and they ask "what's in it for me?" though these are in a sense the most intangible benefits, this is always the place where I start. Then we head into the other benefits that are like money in your pocket - Find A Photographer, discounts with all sorts of vendors - enough to actually pay for your annual dues if you do something like buy a new MAC computer. But, hey- just go check it out at this link:
http://www.asmp.org/join/benefits.php
But back to the leadership meeting - it was a great opportunity to meet with other chapter leaders and to share ideas. Talk about synergy and one of the things that I LOVE about our very creative bunch - we are a group that comes up with unique solutions!
We covered things volunteers, recruiting members, keeping members, sponsors, communications with members, what national is doing right and what they can improve and lots more.
So here's the funny part.
Our first topic was getting volunteers and there was lots of animated discussion but basically it came down to recognition of their efforts and reaching out to people. Isn't it amazing what happens when you just ask for help. Todd went on to explain a bit more about how this worked - make sure to thank this person(people) at the meetings and it just gives them that boost of "wow, my hard work was noticed amongst all of my peers and higher ups."
So, I had to laugh when not too much after that Todd made mention to the whole group of the fact that he'd asked me to consider running for the national board. Needless to say, I am of course flattered to be considered.
Gotta run - lots to get caught up on. The flight delays yesterday were interminable and we even ended up flying in from LAX vs Burbank since our flight home got canceled. But back in Austin. It was a great visit of the Land of La but don't see moving back there ever in my future. I just love the pace of Austin and the out doors.
See you all soon!
