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President's Message Color outside the lines. Think outside the box. Most photo professionals think along lateral lines. At times, however, it might be better to start with a sense of order, an understanding of our core, then look at the ripples. Are they caused by tiny pebbles tossed into the placid center, disturbing little more than the surface calm, or are the ripples clues to volcanic eruptions beneath the surface? We are proud to have built an organization with steady membership growth, a 92% membership retention rate, active, vibrant committees, hardworking, insightful staff and Boards, awesome scholarship students and chaperones, loyal, dynamic corporate sponsors, breakout leaders who unselfishly "tell all," and presenters who take our breath away. To open any magazine, turn on the television, or view practically any media, it is clear that America truly values our photos. With our guidance, the world has been able to live our experiences with us vicariously A clear case is that of ANWAR. Not too many Americans saw ANWAR firsthand, but because it was documented photographically and exposed to the masses, many rightly have felt the need to oppose it. Nature evokes emotions. We, as photographers, have contributed our share and we can participate in defining what is still good and right in our natural world, and what needs protecting or fixing as well. NANPA's vision is intact - education, ethics, environment. Opinion leaders--Dr. Jane Goodall, Rob Sheppard, and Dewitt Jones--have lent their prestige and support to the Foundation. We have spoken with the authority of our 2000+ membership on matters affecting photographers' rights, such as access to public lands, and have joined in court cases to protect our rights as still photographers. We are educating the public and we are educating ourselves, and, most importantly, we are doing it while stressing the highest ethical principles. NANPA is providing a forum for everyone in the industry to meet, exchange ideas and advance their profession or avocation. Yet predictably, at about this point in the maturing of any organization, ripples occur, so we must look at ways to improve and better serve our community. Some immediate and pressing questions, in my view, are: How can we better assist professional photographers? Professionals, those living off the earnings from their nature photography, constitute about 15% of our membership. They are our idols, our mentors and our inspiration. We need them, but so too do the pros need the membership for they provide the numbers lend clout to shape public policy and to provide the core appreciative audience for their work. What else should we be doing? Let us know, not via the grapevine, but straight to the source. Contact me. How can we expand access to photo venues? Our pros lead many imaginative tours and workshops. NANPA has worked to assure access to most Federal lands for ethical and cooperative still photographers. Many of us have established ties with field researchers, thus helping science and conservation as well as ourselves. But there is much more. There are private lands, many pristine or nearly so, waiting to be photographed. The Valley Land Fund has one idea for gaining access to some of these lands in an attempt to conserve them. There may be others. Let's work together to develop them. How can we encourage more of our members to participate in shaping NANPA's future? Of course, in any organization, there are some that are more willing or have more time to help out than others. OK. But everyone can offer wisdom. The Executive Committee and the Committee on Structure are examining ways to open the lines of communication to encourage more direct involvement of the membership and thus, to be more attractive to nature photographers who have not yet joined NANPA. How can we assure NANPA's financial security? The business of any organization is to exist. To do that, it must supply the services that engender financial support. Short term, without doubt, we must cut back on spending. Longer term, we are working, through the Foundation, to obtain grants for our educational functions. In between, we, along with our corporate sponsors and our membership, are in an economic pinch and must be imaginative and proactive in seeking support. Bottom line: Environmental assaults, economic assaults and even assaults on our basic premises are opportunities to grow and build a stronger foundation. That can only happen if we are open and communicate with one another with trust and respect. It's a process, not finality. We don't have to see the end. Site Index Search Disclaimers Contact Us  North American Nature Photography Association 10200 West 44th Avenue, Suite 304 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-2840, USA Phone: 303-422-8527 Fax: 303-422-8894 E-mail: info@nanpa.org © 2001 All Rights Reserved |
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