Serving as FPP Delegate and Section Coordinator has been great fun! FPP does an incredible amount of work in our behalf. We are fortunate to have a state organization that is as active and well run as ours is. You should also know that the FPP is considered one of the premier state associations in the nation.
Your new FPP Delegate will be Marcia Minutello. For people who might not know about the FPP Delegate’s job, there are four meetings a year that the Delegate attends in various parts of the State. The Delegate is your liaison between FPP activities and our Guild. If you have any questions or concerns about BPPA, or your role as a Professional Photographer, the Delegates’ meeting is a good place to air those concerns. You would speak to your Delegate who would then take the information – either with or without your name – to the meeting. The Delegate then reports on any resolution that might be of interest to you or to our guild. Lots of great suggestions about all kinds of things come from the Delegates’ Meeting that is either presented to the FPP Board and/or to our guild.
For example, at our last meeting, here are some of the topics that were discussed:
· Many members want an increase in communications between FPP and our neighboring states, particularly Alabama and Georgia, both for guild meetings and for seminars that might be attended by more people.
· In light of the summer we’ve all experienced, members were interested in having FPP sponsor a disaster-preparedness seminar such as what to do for your studio in case of storm threats, etc.
· The Delegates suggested that the FPP convention be changed from the end of August
· to July for several reasons: certainly there is lesser risk of hurricanes and July seems to be a slower month for many photographers. Because of contractual obligations with the Convention Hotel, changes will not occur immediately, but the suggestion was brought forward to the FPP Board.
· Delegates also discussed the idea that all FPP Board members should be members of their local guilds.
· The issue of affordable Health Care was addressed again. It was suggested that all Professional Photographers should be proactive with their congressmen regarding issues that affect us.
· The Delegates praised the efforts of Kevin Newsome and PPALOC. We should all be writing lots of letters to end the Senior Photography Lock Out. If you need the address of your representatives, go to www.MyFlorida.com. We really need your help on ending this lockout. Letters have been sent to all yearbook advisors in the state. If any of you know any of your congressional representatives, please please arrange a meeting. Kevin and other FPP Board members will be happy to go with you to gain support for this movement. It must come from us…It won’t happen without our support.
· There was also much discussion about people, who are members of more than one guild. Currently those with dual membership may enter prints in more than one guild’s Print Competition. This situation has been seen by some as a problem needing resolution.
As you can see, the range of discussion in Delegate Meetings is far reaching. As always, please do not hesitate to contact your Delegate with any ideas that might be beneficial for all.
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The Bay Connection