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What is and where should the PPFA’s focus be at?

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Dave Wetterstroem

Well-known member
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Ohio
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FrameMakers of Powell
What is and where should the PPFA’s focus be at?


From an outsider’s perspective, the PPFA seems to have a focus on making better framers. With programs like the CPF & MCPF, framing competitions, classes and even setting standards for archival framing. While this is all well and good, to me an industry trade group should be focused on improving the industry.


Again from my viewpoint, the PPFA is not offering anything that is significantly different than what others are doing for free or for profit and in many ways doing them better. WCAF/PFM Seminars and the Grumble.com. If the PPFA went away, would the void really be that large?


It will not come as a surprise to anyone that our industry is in serious decline in both the number of shops and the income of those shops. Certainly there are anomalies, but overall it is a real struggle out there. It doesn’t matter how good a framer you are if you’re not making an income that is above the poverty level. Several of our most respected framers closed their shops to work at framing manufactures and distributors so that they could have a steady income.


So do we need better frame shops? Better Customers? Better education of the public about framing?
What is the PPFA doing to address these bigger issues?


I know about the facebook pages, but from the number of likes, and the number of my friends that have liked these pages, it seems that this program is again more for framers than reaching out to the public and new potential customers. It may not have been designed that way, but appears to be the result.
Is there anything else that the organization is doing to reach out to the public or even to other groups that would use our services?


I am not currently a PPFA member and quite honestly I don’t see the value in it right now. This could change but it will require a visible new focus on the industry and not just Its members.
 
Hello Dave,
Being a member of the PPFA does not cost much and is money well spent. We all get some benefit from belonging to this association. I for one advertise that I am a member of the Professional Picture Framers Association. It sounds good and professional instead of operating without belonging to a framing organization.

IMO the PPFA is not disappearing anytime soon looking at the number of members we have. I like to see every Professional pictureframer belong to the PPFA. The more members, the more strength and different input. I have benefitted from being a member and becoming a CPF. Where would I have been without?

Peole still need framers to have their pictures framed differently than what can be bought at the big box stores. Needleworks will not be properly framed in a photoframe for example.
Having too many framers in one location can force some framers to close their doors.

Location is all important for a framer. Being located in an area that is significant in population and wealth is the key to success. This is true for framers of our generation, but I am not sure how the situation will be in twenty or thirty years time.

We cannot always depend upon the PPFA to do advertising and education for us. They only have a limited number of staff who are busy enough. All the others representing the PPFA are volunteer framers who put in extra time for the benefit of all of us.

Didn't John Kennedy say " Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."
The same applies to the PPFA. Outside framers can say this needs done and that needs changing.
They can become a member and volunteer on the committee of their local chapter.

Working together with other framers creates social bonding and lasting friendship.
 
Good questions Dave! I would like to answer some of your points based on my experiences!

Dave Wetterstroem said:
From an outsider’s perspective, the PPFA seems to have a focus on making better framers. With programs like the CPF & MCPF, framing competitions, classes and even setting standards for archival framing. While this is all well and good, to me an industry trade group should be focused on improving the industry.
Click to expand...
Better framers make a better industry! In my opinion certification by PPFA is a big step towards improving the industry. It is beneficial to framers by helping to increase their knowledge and skill in many cases. Any improvement in these areas for individual framers makes an improvement to the industry!


Dave Wetterstroem said:
Again from my viewpoint, the PPFA is not offering anything that is significantly different than what others are doing for free or for profit and in many ways doing them better. WCAF/PFM Seminars and the Grumble.com. If the PPFA went away, would the void really be that large?
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Classes and workshops at annual conventions are not the only activities of PPFA. I'm sure someone else will chime in with some of the other activities.

Dave Wetterstroem said:
So do we need better frame shops? Better Customers? Better education of the public about framing?
What is the PPFA doing to address these bigger issues?
Click to expand...
PPFA is the sum of it's members, not some very wealthy enterprise that has vast quantities of funds available to spend on advertising to the public. The Facebook pages are an affordable way to promote custom framing. Framers who have gained certification can help educate their customers and their prospective customers through personal contact in their shops and in their advertising/promotions! Perhaps there are other ways to inform the public? Suggestions are always welcome!


Dave Wetterstroem said:
I am not currently a PPFA member and quite honestly I don’t see the value in it right now. This could change but it will require a visible new focus on the industry and not just Its members.
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Value can be an individual thing. Many of us see great value in being part of this industry organisation and by taking on positions such as committee members, chapter leaders, competition judges and other tasks we can make a contribution and benefit ourselves. Many members gain great satisfaction from being able to participate in chapter activities and convention activities.

On the other hand, many people have unrealistic expectations. I've met people who expected bucket loads of money to drop from the sky, instantly after they paid their subscription.

I think it's unrealistic to expect PPFA to focus on the industry and not just it's members. How many members would their be, if non-members got the same benefits as those who did pay their PPFA subscription?

The membership fee is the source of it's funds. By benefiting members in the ways it does now and in the future it will have a positive effect on the industry as a whole.

The fees to become a member of PPFA are very, very reasonable! If a framer desires to make a contribution to the industry or gain certification or participate in chapter activities for their own benefit and for the benefit of other members, it does not cost a kings ransom.
 
Dave Wetterstroem said:
From an outsider’s perspective, the PPFA seems to have a focus on making better framers. With programs like the CPF & MCPF, framing competitions, classes and even setting standards for archival framing. While this is all well and good, to me an industry trade group should be focused on improving the industry.
Click to expand...

Dave, better educated framers will absolutely improve the industry, I don't understand how you can think otherwise. Last nights New England chapter meeting is a great example of like minded framers getting together (not just once a year at a trade show) to learn, share and grow. We had 43 framers attend a Textile History museum tour and a dinner, along with a textile conservator who answered questions.

At dinner we also discussed business issues such as social networking. Can non PPFA members get access to other forms and venues of education? Sure. But sitting among a group of 40 peers who live and work in the same geographical area? No. That is quite valuable, and WELL worth the small yearly dues. BTW, there was a framer in attendance who has over 1200 Facebook friends on his very active business page. Wouldn't it have been interesting sit next to him and learn how he was able to achieve that?

In a nutshell, the knowledge gained gets passed on to customers. Informed customers tend to be loyal repeat customers, who help spread the good word. Every bit of learning we do helps our business and therefor helps our industry.

For the PPFA to grow and become more of what you are looking for, then why are you not a member now? The more members we have, the more we can get done.

Even if you cannot devote enough time to volunteer in your chapter, just supporting the industry you have chosen as a profession by becoming a member of its one and only trade association is something every framer should do. period. Support YOUR industry. Don't wait for it to change, be a part of it.
 
A class at a regional chapter is 1/4 or less of what your cost would be in Vegas with all the additional expenses.

The majority of people you draw upon for authoritative advice and experience from the G, or PFM, WCAF are also members of the PPFA. Imagine what the G would be like with no PPFA members.
 
While this is all well and good, to me an industry trade group should be focused on improving the industry.
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I think you may be referring to improving the consumer market for framing, aren't you? Manipulating the consumer market is a daunting task for multi-billion-dollar players in any retail industry, and nobody in our tiny industry has that kind of influence. Affecting consumer demand comes within the purview of very few retail-industry trade associations. Florists Transworld Delivery and the National Dairy Council come to mind, but they are not only trade associations, and they are funded by huge majorities in their respective industries, which are many times larger than framing.

PPFA Mission Statement
PPFA leads, unifies, and serves the art and framing industry as an advocate for its members and by offering programs that elevate professional standards, enhance profitability, and expand sales. PPFA will disseminate timely information, products, and services and provide forums contributing to increased profitability, business growth, and a sense of community for the global framing industries.

Thanks for sharing your opinion, Dave. Open discussions may be the best way to inform and promote understanding of what is possible or practical, and what is impossible or impractical out here in the real world.
 
In terms of its mission, PPFA really does improve the industry, one framer at a time. The membership consists of framers who want to be involved with that process. Since probably fewer than 20% of framers have ever been involved, I'd say PPFA has accomplished plenty so far, and its work continues.

People have been framing artworks for centuries, but framing in the 1960s was pretty much as it was in the 1860s. When you consider how much American framing expertise and quality have improved since PPFA began in the 1970s, I think you'll realize that PPFA's contribution has been significant. You could question the value of PPFA's impact on manufacturing of materials, and its impact on methods through promotion of instructional books, seminars, guidelines, certifications, and standards, but at the retail level, American framing is now the best on earth, and our progress is having a positive impact on the industry worldwide.

Frankly, it has always been apparent that the majority of framers have no interest in improving the industry, and PPFA has never been able to reach them. They don't want to help, and they don't care to be helped. In fact, a fair number of framers actually resent what they consider to be interference from the trade association. They want no part of it.

How can PPFA improve the industry when such a small minority of framers give a hoot? PPFA is funded only by framers who care enough to pay dues, so their financial resources are inadequate for almost any sort of initiatives within the whole industry, let alone the whole consumer marketplace. Still, they keep trying. PPFA's work is done entirely by member-framers who volunteer to help, in addition to running their businesses. Still, a lot gets done.

Progress in the framing industry comes at you not like a freight train, but like a glacier.
 
Jim Miller said:
Frankly, it has always been apparent that the majority of framers have no interest in improving the industry, and PPFA has never been able to reach them.
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Jim, How does that old saying go? "If you try and be everthing for everybody, you will wind-up being nothing to anyone." In todays world the ending could read, "you'll go bankrupt trying." When you read the PPFA Mission Statement, you may fined, that like in many other mission statements, there are too many words and maybe too many goals for todays reality.

Let us ask ourselves, "What does PPFA do best?" Certification programs (first class) are at the top of my list. Educational programs that lead to certification comes in a close second. I will also say, there is nothing wrong with education for education sake (to better your skills) without an end goal of certification. Third, I would say that PPFA provides framers an organized setting for stuctured competitions. Thus, allowing framers to show off their skills - that will in turn make them more profitable in the open market. Stick to your knitting! Do what you do best.

Let us ask ourselves, "What does the PPFA very poorly?" In my book, numbers one and two finished in a dead heat. One, Communications to members (not the public in general) about what really gets done by the board or the directions it wants to take the organization. I will also say the same thing about some Chapter leaders and their lack of communications. Second would be the lack of tranparency (of both PPFA National and Local Chapters) in the area of money management. It is hard to keep hearing how little money a group has when it never tells the members how much it has. FYI, the PPFA by-laws call for the Treasurer (again both National and Chapter) to provide financial reports to "the general membership" in a timely manner. Never have seen a report in all my years of membership. Third would be to stop the excuses! It seems we hear far too much of: We have a full plate. (what's on it and can I help) We are only volunteers. (does this mean we shouldn't expect much) We can't afford it. (let's see the financial statements). If you fix the first two, the third will take care of most of itself.

I hate the saying, "It is what it is," but it sure sounds appropriate at this time. Perception is truth. Right now many members and even more possible members perceptions seem to be it's not worth the time or money to get involved with PPFA. I know this post will put an end to any hopes of ever being part of the team. But only to those I have offended, "If the shoe fits."

John Heltman
 
John there is nothing stopping you from getting involved with your regional chapter and volunteering for it's board. If you like sayings, then the grass is always greener on the other side.
 
Dave, I think you and I are a bit in the same spot right now. I did join the PPFA 5 years ago. Went to some meetings, felt totally lost and not very welcome as a newbie and didn't re-new as I really had no clue what was so good about it. Not saying I still feel that way, but think how many other people out there might feel like that right now.

Anyway, fast forward to now. I did attend the NEPPFA meeting that Becky mentioned. I now know more framers than 5 years ago. How? Because of the Grumble and because of Facebook so I enjoyed the social aspect of it. Being able to talk to like minded people, pick their brains, listen to stories and so on. (oh, and the food was great!!!) I did like the tour and the presentation as well (some controversies but interesting no matter what).

I am reconsidering being a member again. BUT. I can apply again for a new membership (not having been a member for 4 years) for the reduced rate. However, the subscription year is Oct to Sept. I can't justify to join now, pay full price (or the reduced new membership price) and not get the full year. Something one might look into? So no matter what, I won't join until Sept/Oct or there abouts.
I can still go to the meetings anyway, even as a non member.

I am also considering the CPF exam. I like the 'findaframer' feature on the PPFA websites, just wondering how effective it is. I had the feeling it might become more important in the future as people are starting to actively promote it, so it will rank higher in search engines.
It would be another tool to market my little shop, so why not.

I am not sure how active I would be in the PPFA, except for attending the meetings, something I will try to do no matter if I become a member or not.

In the mean time, it's nice to be able to explore this forum for a month and see how valuable that might be to me.
 
Let's twist the question a little change "should" to "could"

Let me start by saying nothing in this post is real. It contains no "real" numbers. (because I don't know them)

I am going to use educating guessing, estimation, and some speculation.

Let's start ... New England has about 130 members. It is often called either "one of" or "the" largest chapter, there are 27 chapters. My guess at total number of framer members in PPFA is just over 1000 in the US. Let's go wild and call it 1200.

Now, what is the dues? $95 for first timers, $198 for the first tier which is most of us, and it goes up from there. My guess is the first timers balance out the higher payers, but let's assume not and guess that the average dues is $225.

Now, $225 (probably high estimate at average dues) times 1200 (HIGH guess at number of framers) and we get $270,000 TOTAL Dues Revenue!

Now, I'm guessing that approximately 15% of Dues goes back to the chapters in the form of dues apportionment, educational reimbursement, and other assorted payouts. That comes to about $40,500.

That leaves $229,500 at national. Now, we have parts of three salaries, web hosting, heat, electricity, administration costs including legal filing fees for end-of-year, printing, postage, ... My guess is we're in the red. But, maybe, maybe we've got a few thousand to spend.

If we make 1 television ad, we probably can't even afford to run it in one market. huh?

So, remember, just guesses. not real numbers. quibble over bits of info if you want, but all-in-all, I'd say we're getting a LOT done for our money!
 
Cliff Wilson said:
So, remember, just guesses. not real numbers. quibble over bits of info if you want, but all-in-all, I'd say we're getting a LOT done for our money!
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Cliff, Your "best guesses" makes it much easier to answer a few of the questions of: why can't PPFA, why doesn't PPFA, etc. In all honesty, it comes down to the "old dollars in and dollars out question." As my old school superintent put it one time, "He who has the gold rules." We just need to find away to get some of that gold!

Thanks for your help.
John
 
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John, not only have you not "put an end to any hopes of ever being part of the team," you have probably made it on some committee chairs' calling list. In fact, you ARE a part of the team. If all the time you can afford is to share your thoughts on the FC, you are contributing in an important way.

- - - Updated - - -

I've never really understood that argument about the cost of dues. They are fully deductible in most cases. They represent only a tiny amount of the expenses in even a small shop.

If you divide the cost of the dues by the number of jobs you did last year, it is unlikely that you would have to add even a dollar to each ticket to pay for it. One way or the other we add all of our other costs to our ticket price. Why not dues? I can't imagine a customer walking over a dollar or two.
 
Gregory K. Norris said:
it is unlikely that you would have to add even a dollar to each ticket to pay for it. One way or the other we add all of our other costs to our ticket price. Why not dues? I can't imagine a customer walking over a dollar or two.
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Greg, That's a great idea! One less can of Coke/Pepsi per day - my doctor would write you a thank you note for getting John to cut back. :triumphant:

John
 
Kai Vanuffelen said:
Good idea from Ellen. One has to put this money into a separate savings account though. Transfer $2 from every framing job earned in a certain week into that account, or withdraw the money and place it into a money box as opening a separate account will incur extra fees by the bank.
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My recommended method s a pickle jar. Put the dollars in the pickle jar. Don't look at it in July when the power bill is due and jobs are thin on the ground. Over the years I have had to raise it from $1 per job to $3 per job. You could add an extra buck and put it in a peanut butter jar for dues.

Remember, you are adding these dollars to your customers' bill. So if you would charge $150 to frame a diploma, charge $154 and put $3 in the pickle jar and $1 in the peanut butter jar.

Your customers should pay extra for you to go to convention and get education. Your customers should pay extra for you to belong to your professional association dues.

Now you could get crazy and have a jar for each expense that you have-power,advertising, materials. And if that works for you to handle your money that way, go ahead. But most folks use a checking account.

The advantage of the pickle jar is that you can rest assured that you WILL be able to afford going to convention next January, because you won't have frittered away the money on rent or other foolishness....
 
According to http://www.pmai.org/ppfacontent.aspx?id=20261 the PPFA "serves over 2,000 frame shops, art galleries and supplier members in North America and overseas". Of course, that may be mostly hype, and not updated for a while. But it seems strange that someone on the Membership Committee is not privy to how many total members there are.

And I, too, find it troubling that financial reports are not only not freely distributed but even available. TBH, I suspect that even though PMA is widely regarded as the life-saver of the PPFA that they are apportioning unrealistic and/or unnecessary costs to the PPFA, and probably a financial statement will show an organization that is on the rocks, even if there are 2000 members paying an average of $300 per year.

I don't know where the disconnect is, as every PPFA member, officer and volunteer that I know is passionate about the PPFA and its future success. The only thing I can come up with is that it's the PMA. Having been part of a subsidiary company before, and seeing the above mentioned unrealistic costs apportioned to the forgotten stepchild, and always taking second place in the corporate vision, I have to wonder if the PPFA really belongs with PMA any more. Sure, it's "easy", in that the infrastructure is there, but is it worth what it's costing? Maybe it's time to leave high school and get into college. BTW, I have no knowledge of what's going on - these are just educated guesses based on personal observation.
 
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