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How Times Have Changed - Good Old Boys Club? NONSENSE!

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Rob Markoff CPF

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Lately the nonsense about PPFA being a "Good Old Boys Club" has reared its ugly head. The comments are without merit and are an insult to the Women listed below who will help take the new PPFA into the future.

Interestingly from today's press announcement of the new Officers and Board Members - look at how many are women. And I know most of them well enough that they certainly won't be pushed around.

Actually, a few years back I believe it was Ellen Collins who proposed an amendment (which unfortunately was defeated) that the Board should have a percentage of Women representative of either the membership at large or the framing community that were women. Now look at the makeup of the Board - and it did not take a by-law mandate.

Robin Gentry PRESIDENT
Ellen Collins VICE PRESIDENT
Fran Gray PAST PRESIDENT
Georgia McCabe CEO AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PMA/PPFA SECRETARY
Joyce Michaels BOARD MEMBER
Carol Graham BOARD MEMBER
Sarah Beckett BOARD MEMBER

Congratulations to these fine dedicated PPFA Members (and to all of the Officers and Board Members) for your time and efforts.
 
I don't think it was meant literally, I believe the comments (at least, the ones I've seen) are suggesting that there is a group of people (male and/or female) that hold the reins, and that if you're not in it, you're out.

From Wikipedia
In popular language, old boy network or old boy society has come to be used in reference to the preservation of social elites in general; such connections within the British Civil Service formed a primary theme in the British Broadcasting Corporation's satirical comedy series Yes Minister. The familiar phrase 'It's not what you know, it's whom you know' is associated with this tradition.
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BTW, I don't believe there is an old ___ network/club, but IMO that's what should be defended - not the gender makeup of the board. However, I don't have the experience(s) or knowledge to do so myself.
 
I don't know how you defend against perception.

I was in the industry about six years and wound up on the PPFA board.
Randy Parrish was a member for only a few years when he wound up on the board.

I spent a year on the nominating committee and we tried hard to bring on new people.
We did look first to people who were already active in chapters.

I think the perception comes from watching individuals that get a passion for something and drive it to completion. It gives others, who may not be as strong willed, the impression that they aren't welcome.
I don't believe this is the case, only that the people with the passion and drive tend to see things through, even when they have to do it by themselves or with a core group of "doers."
 
Until you pointed it out, I had not noticed the gender make-up of the PPFA board.

I just know the PPFA board is made up of great people, and I am honored to be in their company. And I don't use the word "honor" lightly.

I've seen those comments you refer to, Rob, and been disappointed by them. This has been the hardest working group I have ever worked with, and that is saying something. Often board members have reached into their own pockets to support our activities.

The implication that board members are a bunch of political hacks enriching themselves on the backs of the members might be insulting if it weren't so laughable.
 
I dare say I have been in this industry and a PPFA member longer than many reading this thread.

I clearly remember taking Barbara with me to Frame O Rama where the sales reps looked more like used car salesmen with loud plaid jackets, wide belts and white shoes OK so that part hasn't changed :) and they all had dangling cigarettes hanging from their mouths (yes, you could smoke at the shows and the ceilings were very low in the Penta Hotel (you think the Casinos in LV are bad?). They actually called Barbara, "toots" and "babe". Women sales reps? Are you kidding?

I remember the makeup of the PPFA Leadership and I will say that if you were a woman, it was practically impossible to get a board position let alone respect within the industry. Hence, Ellen's progressive move to try and get a by-law change to force the Board to have a membership more reflective of what was happening in the industry; more women were entering the business and running their own shops. I think Vivian also helped to break the glass ceiling as well as Alice Gibson and her DECOR staff and Diane Day at the old PPFA Office.

Despite the anchor that PMA was, we were also very fortunate to have Elaine and Sheila and Jennifer as role models who faced a difficult challenge. If there was such a thing as an old boys club, take a look at the old PMA.

David's comment that some may feel "if you're not "in" you're "out"" is probably true, but completely baseless.

If you want to be involved with the PPFA, there is a place for you on a committee, in your local chapter, or even as a Director or Officer. I will say, however that it is not unreasonable to expect one to exhibit some initiative and serve in a lesser capacity before moving up the ranks.

I share Gregory's emotion when it comes to "pride". I was on the original committee with Jay and if it were not for the wonderful friendships/mentorships I developed and maintained, I probably would have left too.
 
I think it's also important to approach the group with a cooperative and open minded outlook. Everyone has different desires and visions for what we ought to be, and those needs are also different depending on the size of our shop and market. Framers are a very independent lot, and may not be used to working with others for a team effort. :) As passionate as we feel.... We should respect that our opinion isn't the only one that is valid, and be open minded to the opinions, skills, and needs of others. Tact and respect will go far, IMO. Being abusive or confrontational is highly counterproductive, IMO, and will just intimidate/turn people away and ultimately hurt the organization. These are my own personal opinions, as a member and viewer of some posts from last week that didn't sit well. We saw a lot of great PASSION, but the tact/delivery was lacking. (again, just my opinion) I hope that those individuals will re-evaluate and keep at it, rather than taking the ball and going home... We really need you! :)

Granted, I think we are on target 99% of the time, and rowing in the same direction. The amount of work that has been done in the past couple years has been staggering. Volunteers have stepped up to the plate to take over many tasks previously done by staff, and have done a remarkable job. Now we need to bring that success forward and get more people involved, to increase the membership. With a larger membership base, it brings additional resources of talent and funding.

I have only been here about a dozen years, but have seem tremendous changes in the role that members play, and the offerings of PPFA.

With the new board and Coulter staff at the helm, I have a really good feeling about the future of PPFA. I am hearing such positive things from many of the members. Working together, and stepping back to be mindful of the big picture, we can make a difference in this industry.

Mike
Get The Picture - Lincoln, RI
 
Great "thread" Folks, thank you for the positive. Enough of the negative. It's easy to criticize, hard to create. I like what the PPFA has done over the decades even if it isn't perfect like other organizations.
 
We've all heard that term used in describing the PPFA, but only as a figure of speech. I've never once heard it used with respect to gender. There is a common belief, or misconception if you wish to view it that way, that PPFA is a click with walls around it.

Never have I heard anyone accuse it of being sexist, or in any way gender biased. To view it that way is, IMO, a distortion.
 
This is a written medium, and the only meaning we can infer is the meaning of the language. To interpret the meaning of a word or phrase with its generally accepted meaning is to be expected. So when you say something like "good ole boys," unless you assign it a new definition, most readers will interpret it as gender-based, as much because it hearkens back to an earlier time as because of the gender-specific language. In this case, it is important to know what you intended, so thanks for clarifying it.

There are a lot of words and phrases in American English which have not caught up with the 21st Century, and gender seems to be one that we are slow to change in actual usage. Chairman seems to be particularly insistent, partly because it is hard to find a replacement that isn't tongue-twisting.
 
Paul Cascio said:
Never have I heard anyone accuse it of being sexist, or in any way gender biased.
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Just confirms how out of touch you have been with the history of the organization. Are you suggesting I am making this up?

Were you even a member when Ellen felt compelled to have a by-law amendment?

Do you know Ellen Collins? Shirley Damon? Any other women pioneers of the industry? Ask them!
 
Gregory K. Norris said:
This is a written medium, and the only meaning we can infer is the meaning of the language. To interpret the meaning of a word or phrase with its generally accepted meaning is to be expected. So when you say something like "good ole boys," unless you assign it a new definition, most readers will interpret it as gender-based, as much because it hearkens back to an earlier time as because of the gender-specific language. In this case, it is important to know what you intended, so thanks for clarifying it.

There are a lot of words and phrases in American English which have not caught up with the 21st Century, and gender seems to be one that we are slow to change in actual usage. Chairman seems to be particularly insistent, partly because it is hard to find a replacement that isn't tongue-twisting.
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I won't disagree with that Greg, but the comments I've heard repeatedly about PPFA, by the "infidels," were that it was seen as a clic, which is what I stated. If some people feel that the clic is gender based, I have not personally heard such comments.
 
There was clearly a gender bias in the past.
As Rob pointed out, it appears to be mitigated.
There are some that claim a Clic bias as Paul has stated, and as I tried to point out I think this is grossly incorrect.
There are many new comers that have found their way into various positions within PPFA in relatively short time frames.
Usually by demonstrating commitment and accomplishments. Talking is usually not sufficient.

Basically, if you do lots of stuff, you get asked to do lots more stuff.
 
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Cliff Wilson said:
There was clearly a gender bias in the past.
As Rob pointed out, it appears to be mitigated.
There are some that claim a Clic bias as Paul has stated, and as I tried to point out I think this is grossly incorrect.
There are many new comers that have found their way into various positions within PPFA in relatively short time frames.
Usually by demonstrating commitment and accomplishments. Talking is usually not sufficient.

Basically, if you do lots of stuff, you get asked to do lots more stuff.
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It seems to me that this is a bit like AA. The first thing a member must do is admit that they have a problem. If they refuse to amit that they have a problem no amount of intervention will help. Often loved ones are part of the problem because they have been enablers. We won't fix the image problem in PPFA if we refuse to believe that there is one. Everyone should ask themselves, do we want to be an enabler or someone willing to adit that there is a problem that can be fixed with the help of those who care enough about PPFA not to let it go on?
 
Like so many of your posts, Pat you talk in vague terms and make allusions to things that frankly I (and perhaps others) don't understand.

When you coined the phrase, Good Old Boys Club, I specifically asked you to tell me what that means (to you) but you have yet to do so. I made remarks based on my interpretation of gender bias, which others felt may have been off point- that you might have meant that PPFA was more like a "clic" that intentionlly excluded people (like yourself).

I wonder if these are the same excluders who nominated, voted for, and presented you (in front of your peers) with the Award for Innovation you so gladly accepted? I know you are aware that I nominated you and sheparded your candidacy through the vetting process and was there to cheer for you when you were presented the award, yet you still have never acknowledged that fact nor thanked me for my efforts.

You make reference to admitting that "there is an image problem" with PPFA yet make no specific statement or explanation as to what that is.

So I ask you to please tell us specifically and succinctly what is this "problem" that you feel the "enablers" are refusing to admit?
 
I feel that I need to speak as a new, young, female (if that must be included) business owner who had absolutely NO preconceived notions about the PPFA before I joined. I am honestly shocked and disappointed to hear all of the negative stereotypes that some people seem to have about this professional organization. For the record, here is an overview of my experience:

I was trained as a framer by someone who has been in the industry for many years, someone who is not a PPFA member and does not always follow the highest preservation standards. When I decided to open my own business, I wanted to learn more about best practices and thought that working toward being a CPF would help to make me a better, more confident, more trustworthy framer. I started the journey by attending a PPFA meeting, hoping to network, learn something, and see what opportunities might come from it. In the process, I got to know some really generous, hardworking, and knowledgeable picture framers and industry professionals who have been extremely supportive of me and my business.

Within a few months of opening my doors, I was asked to fill in for someone who was leaving the local PPFA board before the end of the term, and I am now secretary of my chapter. After last year's WCAF I was also asked to serve on the PPFA consumer awareness committee. I have NEVER felt excluded or belittled by a single member of this organization. In fact, I have had the complete opposite experience. A chapter leader helped me to apply for a scholarship (which I won!) to take the CPF (which I passed!) and volunteered her time to serve as my proctor during the exam. Many, many PPFA members have been there to answer questions for me (and I've had lots of them as a new business owner). I feel unwaveringly supported, cared for, and a part of this smart, engaged, thoughtful community.

As an organization I don't think that we should waste one more minute fighting with each other or worrying about what some negative-minded folks might be saying or thinking about the PPFA. We don't need to defend ourselves. We just need to keep moving forward and reaching new members who care about being the best framers they can be, supported by an organization who wants to lift them up.
 
Lauren Rosenthal said:
As an organization I don't think that we should waste one more minute fighting with each other or worrying about what some negative-minded folks might be saying or thinking about the PPFA. We don't need to defend ourselves. We just need to keep moving forward and reaching new members who care about being the best framers they can be, supported by an organization who wants to lift them up.
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You summed it up well. Thank you for all that you do, Lauren, and for saying what most of us were thinking and wanted to say! :)

Have a great weekend
Mike
 
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