Chapter Meetings!

[Randy Parrish CPF]

We are looking for ideas to get more member and non members to our meetings. The past few meeting have had low turn outs. We have publicized them on the Grumble, The Framers Corner (here) on our Facebook page and sent out newsletters and email blast. What works for your chapter? How far in advance do you publicize it? What do your meetings include? Are your meetings in densely populated areas or more geographically centered?

We are currently trying to brainstorm ideas to get the word out and get framers connected. Any and all ideas welcome!

 

[Kai Vanuffelen]

Randy,
Having a speaker on an interesting pictureframing related topic as part of the meeting may help. Otherwise include some local suppliers who can set up stalls with (new) products.

 

[Ellen Collins MCPF]

I have found, over the years, that framers are notorious for not committing to a meeting. Therefore, we find that mailing a postcard to arrive about a week before generally gets us a flurry of sign ups. That, and good food....

 

[Randy Parrish CPF]

Randy,
Having a speaker on an interesting pictureframing related topic as part of the meeting may help. Otherwise include some local suppliers who can set up stalls with (new) products.

Of course we do, and its the chapter board (usually not all of them) and a handful (that's being generous).

Our last meeting we brought in a national speaker in the PPFA and and had a lack luster turn out. Right now standard and typical meetings are not working.

 

[Kai Vanuffelen]

o.k.
Just some other thoughts while I was getting ready for the day.

* Have the meetings in different locations every year
* Have the meeting in a molding factory with a guided tour
* Have an informal element such as dinner or a round of golf, garden-walk
* Have the meeting not in the largest town in the chapter but a smaller town with easier traffic and parking
* Have a tour of a local art-museum
* Have a meeting at a member's home
* Include an element for member's children and spouces to combine it with a short holiday
* Have the meeting in a holiday-park

 

[Byron Ward MCPF]

GLAC Meeting

The Greater Los Angeles Chapter held its most recent quarterly meeting this past Tuesday at the LA branch of Larson-Juhl. 15 out of about 47 members attended, along with a few guests, about a 32% turnout, which is typical. The LA area is rather compact, and almost all members are within an hour or so of all meeting places (traffic permitting). Our chapter president, Chris Paschke, and I both live outside of the defined chapter area (she's to the north and I'm in the High Desert to the east) and travel 2-3 hours to gatherings.

Meeting locations have been exclusively at suppliers' warehouses/offices for at least the last two years. Meetings are typically on Tuesday evenings, and last from about 6:00-10:00. Except for competition nights, meetings have featured lectures on framing topics (marketing, digital printing, float frames, copyright).

Meetings have been publicized through a meeting flyer, sent out at least twice by our chapter president, and in our monthly newsletter, LA Framer.

Hope this helps, and I'm looking forward to reading other comments. I know we can improve, too.