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ASMP-NE - Farewell letter from Margot Cheel
As my term of President of ASMP- New England comes to a close, I wish to commend our Chapter's growth and accomplishments over the past four years.
* A New Website with a distinct new ASMP logo - giving us a branded look with personalized New England input. A rotating gallery of member's photos introduced to the site along with an online membership application. Graphic photo posters announcing monthly programs, photography categories for listing members revised, along with updated resources, and news and links to the National site. As a photography organization we were making ourselves more visible.
*Effective Email Communication through the use of Constant Contact. Again this provided us a visual means of communication. It may now seem archaic to say we can email a photo poster to members and announce our programs on the web with graphics and text. Such was not the case 4-5 years ago. We've heard from you too - that even if you can't make it to the meetings, you appreciate this connection to the organization via these messages.
*Membership increase. This past year alone our membership has grown over 30%. We now stand at just over 300 members. The online ease of the application process, more visibility on the web and Constant Contact as well as personal referrals have contributed to this. Many emerging photographers are joining as are associates, general members and a number of former members have rejoined.
* Quality Monthly Programs. Our chapter has continued to offer top notch speakers and informative educational programs for 10 months of the year. The ASMP requirement for the number of programs is actually less but our board has chosen to go with a full roster each year.
We have brought in Adobe specialists, run day-long Photoshop workshops, offered art buyer panels, programs on stock photography, fine art, travel, corporate and advertising. We instituted the Pints and Pixels evening which was very well received - where members bring samples of their work to share. National ASMP has introduced excellent programs which have toured to chapters - Digital Asset Management, Marketing, Stock Photography, The Business of Fine Art Photography, to name a few. Our programs have also grown with attendance so that we have held them in a larger venue as well as our "home base" at Levine's studios.
*Member Benefits. Member benefits have increased substantially over the past several years. Discounts keep coming in from photographic suppliers, software programs, car rentals etc. As many have found, these benefits can add up to covering the membership fee. This past year an exceptionally good member benefit was the return of the Strictly Business conference offered in 4 cities - an excellent venue (at a very reasonable price) for learning and networking.
*Sponsorship. As this has been a period of transition to digital, we have had to look to new sponsors. The former film giants weren't there for us as they used to be. It meant carving a new path with new companies (and some new to the industry). Our own New England board as well as ASMP National provided much legwork to successfully acquire new sponsorship for our programs.
Much of what our New England chapter has accomplished is made possible through the Support of ASMP National.
There may never have been a time in the history of our organization where advocacy for the rights of photographers has been more important. We do thank the National Office for their tireless efforts and determination to keep our industry valued and as sustainable as it can be - especially in the face of the Orphan Rights Bill.
Also in keeping with the times, this year the ASMP Referendum passed, allowing for electronic communications and voting, official status to our specialty groups, and changes in dues policy with appropriate checks and balances.
Thank You!
An organization and a business always comes down to the people involved. It is the people on the ASMP-New England board who have accomplished these innovations with their talents and time. I wish to thank:
Andrew Child for his work on helping set up the website and sending out Constant Contact mailings
Edua Wilde for her part in maintaining the website and updating information
Gabrielle Keller for her design of the program posters
Frank Curran for his participation as membership chair
Kathy Tartantola and Logan Seale - as treasurers in a time of transition
Lynne Daminanos, Jim Flynn, Shawn Henry - for their input as National Board Members
and for wearing many hats, special thanks goes to
Stephen Sherman - as program chair, sponsorship leader and my assistant on many, many occasions.
It is thus very fitting that our next President is Stephen Sherman.
Joining the present board are five new board members. I am excited about their enthusiasm and abilities to carry things forward:
Stewart Woodward - Vice President
Ed Lefkowicz - Programs Chair
Marianne Groszko - Secretary and Web Assistant
Steve Borack - Assistant Treasurer
Jeremy Graves – Programs committee
Serving on the board has increased not only my photography knowledge and contacts, but my appreciation for the value of photography itself. I recommend any member to consider volunteering on the board (or alongside the board on occasion). It is worth your while - for your photography and your business. I will continue in advisory capacity as a Committee Chair.
With many thanks to you all for your support,
Best wishes,
Margot Cheel
President, ASMP-New England
Margot Cheel Photography
President, ASMP-New England
www.margotcheel.com
781-383-9184
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