Photography, on an individual level, is very much a personal expression. Some have used it for the greater good of mankind like Eugene W Smith, some used it for commercial gains and some even used it for selfish reasons. But no matter what, much time is always required for mastering a skill. And no one can ever dare to say that they have arrived because photography is like a journey that one takes.
So normally the seniors will organize outings for the juniors to kick start their exploration. Most if not all of the juniors like enjoy the outing. Then some of them will start to take the initiative to borrow the club's equipment to practice.
However the honeymoon period will only last for a few months as the JC1s will have to rise up and take over the mantle. A number of them will run for the EXCO but only a few will be selected.
Usually those who are voted into the EXCO are very enthusiastic photographers. Well they have to be, if they want to be in the EXCO. And there lies the quandary as it is a well known fact that MJC Photography Club's EXCO members are worked very hard (not that I am a task master but we do have a lot of projects to do), and because of that, the EXCO members may not have as much time to explore photography. And this is something that I observed in my previous 2 EXCOs, their photographic skills and expression improved by leaps and bounds after they stepped down from office.
So honestly if you want to just have the time to explore photography, it might be better to remain as a member as being an EXCO member, you will definitely be bogged down by meetings after meetings. But if you are a member who wait for things to happen (ie wait for EXCO to organise outings) then you might end up disappointed cause the EXCO can be so bogged down by the projects that they simply have no time to organise outings.
However things are getting better especially with Elliot's batch with new initiatives such as PUSB, CIP attachments.
But yet if you are someone who wants to take the initiative to learn, (like Chin Chye), you will naturally want to join the EXCO as the EXCO have direct access to all the equipment, just that they dun have as much time as they would like to have to go and shoot. Trust me, its better to join the EXCO if you are such a person... Look at Chin Chye, he's as good as being an EXCO member just that he does not hold the title. : )
So where do we move from here??? The ideal state is always for EXCO members to have the time to explore photography and yet able to complete all the projects they have to do. But till we reach that stage, we must always put the projects that we do as top priorities. The reason is simple...
The EXCO is in charge of running a club. To run a club means to manage resources, projects and outings in the most efficacious manner. But eventually to run a club means we would have to engage the members in a meaningful way.
If we want to engage our members, we will need resources such as equipment and meaning outings and projects. And the EXCO will be the one to spearhead these projects, whether is it to raise funds or to organize outings/camps.
When I first took over the club, there was only 9 JC1 members. So if now I want to run the club in a manner that every single member would be engaged meaningfully, I can do it easily... How???
Cap the membership of the club to 9 members only.... Why 9??? Because I have 9 Canon DSLR bodies and enough lenses to share around... Okay lah, maybe can increase to around 12, provided that the other 3 will buy their own cameras...
But alas, this scenario is not possible... we can't possibly stay at 9. If we stay at 9, I might missed out on members just as Melissa, Cherish, Quentin (just to name a few).
So with increasing membership, our resources will always remain scarce... fundraising projects will always be held... multiple outings (to split the members into smaller groups so that everyone can have a camera in hand) will always be organised. The EXCO will always be bogged down by their duties and projects.
Well the good thing about being successful is that our efforts like eventually be recognized and we can get additional help with resources such as sponsorship for printing materials, loaning of cameras for the upcoming camp and the new club room cum studio.
Let me tell you something about the studio... We are most probably the only school who have a photography studio other than the tertiary institutions. Setting up a studio is not cheap and Ms Lai has graciously given us her support because she believes in us and she recognizes that we need more resources so that we can take in more members in future.
But hey, setting up a new club room is also hard work. It took 28 JC1s 3 whole hours to move the entire equipment over and clean the room. In fact, the room still need quite a bit of organising...
Much is given, much is expected... we cannot rest on our laurels. The room is given to us so that we can do more and engage more.
For every project that the EXCO do, much thought must be given to it. Meetings must be carried out with every member of the EXCO available and trust me, this is no easy feat when the EXCO consist of 6 or more members.
This is where I will state my stand very clearly to aspiring EXCO members...
I believe that unity is very important. In fact I believe that an EXCO which eat together, laugh together, work together and cry together CAN and WILL accomplish much. Therefore every individual must be prepared to sacrifice their own space and time if they want to join the EXCO. And our accomplishments bear testimony to it.
So do give serious consideration before you decide to run for EXCO.
EXCO is tough, not just tough, but very tough. But the tougher the work, the sweeter is the fruit of your labour. Don't believe, ask your seniors and the alumni EXCOs.
PPC
