Better start your planning. There are only 10 weeks to our 2014 Convention.
Education, interaction with framers, an amazing array of Competition designs and a big show of products and demonstrations by suppliers all are reasons to come to OUR Convention January 19-22 at Paris/Bally’s in Vegas. It is in conjunction with the WCAF Expo/National Conference.
All these things in one place at one time can’t be duplicated anywhere else. And many, many activities and topics will be new. Make reservations early so you won’t miss anything or find classes sold out.
I’d like to bring our members up to date on PPFA activities. Over the last few months, your Committees and National Board have been very busy.
Our Education Committee, chaired by Fran Gray, MCPF and aided by Board Liaison Carol Graham, along with Elaine Truman and her staff, has been planning Convention activities. They have attracted new speakers with new topics and included established favorite speakers. Visit ppfa.com for details.
Frame design/history expert Bill Adair will be Sunday’s keynote speaker. All of us can use his comments when impressing customers with our knowledge of frames. That alone may be worth the trip to our Convention.
We continue to stress the importance of communication through all levels of PPFA. Our FMO newsletter, Chapter newsletters, Framers Corner, e-blasts, “chat rooms”, Facebook and other social media serve this purpose.
Framers Corner poll questions draw good feedback from members—be sure you take part and read the discussions in Framers Corner and FMO.
Elaine forwards a monthly update to all of us on your Board so we may keep up with all PPFA activities. Each Board member acts as a liaison to at least one Committee and one Chapter. We want to be sure Committee and Chapter personnel know we are listening.
Our Consumer Awareness Committee, chaired by Mary Fender, MCPF, Framers Corner Committee, chaired by Mike Labbe and Membership Committee, Chaired by Greg Norris, CPF, along with Board Liaisons Cliff Wilson, MCPF and Jared Davis, MCPF have done a superlative job of keeping communication open and active with members and non-members.
The newly updated “Find a Picture Framer” site is proving to be a big help for our members, drawing customers to their stores.
We have encouraged Committees, Boards and Chapter Leaders to add new faces to their rosters. This is to involve more members in PPFA workings and to help identify and develop potential leaders.
I hope you all are enjoying the new PPFA Member Advantage program. There are exclusive discounts and special offers from participating PPFA suppliers. The savings can cover the cost of your annual dues! Our thanks go to Cliff, Greg and the Membership Committee for their sterling work in launching this tremendous member benefit.
Our Certification Board, chaired by Ellen Collins, MCPF and assisted by Board Liaison Joyce Michels, MCPF is updating PPFA Certification programs and recruiting new teachers for Recertification courses.
The Guidelines Task Force, chaired by Jim Miller, MCPF with input from Board Liaison David Lantrip, MCPF is developing new guidelines for framing and new material standards, especially for mat boards.
Our Nominating Committee, chaired by Ron Mason, CPF is considering changes to our nominating and election methods which may make them more transparent and easier for members to be nominated for Board service. Several open calls have gone out asking for nominees. The Committee has begun evaluating the suggested nominees.
The Awards & Recognition Committee, chaired by Linda Wassell, MCPF with the help of Board Liaison Mike Drury, MCPF is reviewing nominations for the 5 PPFA awards. Winners will be announced at our Convention.
Our Scholarship Committee, chaired by David Lantrip, MCPF with assistance from Board Liaison William Parker, MCPF is sorting through applicants for the L. Thomas McKeon CPF Scholarships and the Vivian C. Kistler MCPF Scholarships. Soon, the winners will be announced.
You will be happy to see the results of the hardwork put in by our Competition Board, chaired by Linda Pujo, MCPF and aided by Board Liaison Robin Gentry, MCPF. Entries in our Competitions which come from across the US and other countries are judged in the “finals” in Las Vegas and receive international recognition. It is always amazing to see the fantastic designs and craftsmanship put on display by our members. There will be a Competition Celebration at our membership luncheon on Sunday where winners will be announced and ribbons and checks given out..
Mail Box Chapter members are being assigned to existing chapters so they may be more fully engaged in the chapter competition experience.
The Chapter Relations Committee, chaired by Robert Grothues, MCPF with assistance from Stuart Altschuler, CPF, GCF is considering possible changes to our Chapter structure. Some of those being considered are: reducing the number of chapters; requiring a certain number and type of meetings; mandating that Chapter Leader(s) attend our National Convention; enforcing strict compliance with all rules and procedures prior to any financial support.
Chapters in California and the southeast US have already undergone restructuring. More changes will be reviewed at our Convention.
Ken Link, chair of our Supplier Committee, is working closely with the Membership Committee to find new ways to involve suppliers and to attract them to our membership. Many suppliers provide generous support through our new Member Advantage program, by sponsoring events at our Convention, by hosting Chapter events, by donating door prizes, etc. When you see our suppliers at Chapter events or our Convention stop them and thank them for supporting PPFA.
I hope all this gives you a good glimpse into the very broad and deep commitment on the part or our many volunteers who are helping PPFA become the best association possible. If you are not involved, then there are many opportunities to do so—we welcome and need your help.
I hope to see you at our Convention this January in Las Vegas. We will gather for lunch Sunday.
My best to all of you and, please, feel free to contact me or any Board member with questions or feedback.
John Pruitt, CPF
President, PPFA
Education, interaction with framers, an amazing array of Competition designs and a big show of products and demonstrations by suppliers all are reasons to come to OUR Convention January 19-22 at Paris/Bally’s in Vegas. It is in conjunction with the WCAF Expo/National Conference.
All these things in one place at one time can’t be duplicated anywhere else. And many, many activities and topics will be new. Make reservations early so you won’t miss anything or find classes sold out.
I’d like to bring our members up to date on PPFA activities. Over the last few months, your Committees and National Board have been very busy.
Our Education Committee, chaired by Fran Gray, MCPF and aided by Board Liaison Carol Graham, along with Elaine Truman and her staff, has been planning Convention activities. They have attracted new speakers with new topics and included established favorite speakers. Visit ppfa.com for details.
Frame design/history expert Bill Adair will be Sunday’s keynote speaker. All of us can use his comments when impressing customers with our knowledge of frames. That alone may be worth the trip to our Convention.
We continue to stress the importance of communication through all levels of PPFA. Our FMO newsletter, Chapter newsletters, Framers Corner, e-blasts, “chat rooms”, Facebook and other social media serve this purpose.
Framers Corner poll questions draw good feedback from members—be sure you take part and read the discussions in Framers Corner and FMO.
Elaine forwards a monthly update to all of us on your Board so we may keep up with all PPFA activities. Each Board member acts as a liaison to at least one Committee and one Chapter. We want to be sure Committee and Chapter personnel know we are listening.
Our Consumer Awareness Committee, chaired by Mary Fender, MCPF, Framers Corner Committee, chaired by Mike Labbe and Membership Committee, Chaired by Greg Norris, CPF, along with Board Liaisons Cliff Wilson, MCPF and Jared Davis, MCPF have done a superlative job of keeping communication open and active with members and non-members.
The newly updated “Find a Picture Framer” site is proving to be a big help for our members, drawing customers to their stores.
We have encouraged Committees, Boards and Chapter Leaders to add new faces to their rosters. This is to involve more members in PPFA workings and to help identify and develop potential leaders.
I hope you all are enjoying the new PPFA Member Advantage program. There are exclusive discounts and special offers from participating PPFA suppliers. The savings can cover the cost of your annual dues! Our thanks go to Cliff, Greg and the Membership Committee for their sterling work in launching this tremendous member benefit.
Our Certification Board, chaired by Ellen Collins, MCPF and assisted by Board Liaison Joyce Michels, MCPF is updating PPFA Certification programs and recruiting new teachers for Recertification courses.
The Guidelines Task Force, chaired by Jim Miller, MCPF with input from Board Liaison David Lantrip, MCPF is developing new guidelines for framing and new material standards, especially for mat boards.
Our Nominating Committee, chaired by Ron Mason, CPF is considering changes to our nominating and election methods which may make them more transparent and easier for members to be nominated for Board service. Several open calls have gone out asking for nominees. The Committee has begun evaluating the suggested nominees.
The Awards & Recognition Committee, chaired by Linda Wassell, MCPF with the help of Board Liaison Mike Drury, MCPF is reviewing nominations for the 5 PPFA awards. Winners will be announced at our Convention.
Our Scholarship Committee, chaired by David Lantrip, MCPF with assistance from Board Liaison William Parker, MCPF is sorting through applicants for the L. Thomas McKeon CPF Scholarships and the Vivian C. Kistler MCPF Scholarships. Soon, the winners will be announced.
You will be happy to see the results of the hardwork put in by our Competition Board, chaired by Linda Pujo, MCPF and aided by Board Liaison Robin Gentry, MCPF. Entries in our Competitions which come from across the US and other countries are judged in the “finals” in Las Vegas and receive international recognition. It is always amazing to see the fantastic designs and craftsmanship put on display by our members. There will be a Competition Celebration at our membership luncheon on Sunday where winners will be announced and ribbons and checks given out..
Mail Box Chapter members are being assigned to existing chapters so they may be more fully engaged in the chapter competition experience.
The Chapter Relations Committee, chaired by Robert Grothues, MCPF with assistance from Stuart Altschuler, CPF, GCF is considering possible changes to our Chapter structure. Some of those being considered are: reducing the number of chapters; requiring a certain number and type of meetings; mandating that Chapter Leader(s) attend our National Convention; enforcing strict compliance with all rules and procedures prior to any financial support.
Chapters in California and the southeast US have already undergone restructuring. More changes will be reviewed at our Convention.
Ken Link, chair of our Supplier Committee, is working closely with the Membership Committee to find new ways to involve suppliers and to attract them to our membership. Many suppliers provide generous support through our new Member Advantage program, by sponsoring events at our Convention, by hosting Chapter events, by donating door prizes, etc. When you see our suppliers at Chapter events or our Convention stop them and thank them for supporting PPFA.
I hope all this gives you a good glimpse into the very broad and deep commitment on the part or our many volunteers who are helping PPFA become the best association possible. If you are not involved, then there are many opportunities to do so—we welcome and need your help.
I hope to see you at our Convention this January in Las Vegas. We will gather for lunch Sunday.
My best to all of you and, please, feel free to contact me or any Board member with questions or feedback.
John Pruitt, CPF
President, PPFA
