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Didn't enter for a FREE RIDE......

Wait a second..... It's now my job to see if people are going to enter and somehow PREDICT ......when this is my first time entering??suggesting I should contact my chapter to see?

I had no clue what to expect. Please tell me how I feel is wrong again becomes OBVIOUSLY all of you have been thru it?


Read what I suggested. Is it really that hard?? I made the suggestion so maybe others won't have to go thru it.
Save time and money and frustration.

OBVIOUSLY I'm alone in my feelings. I can't imagine why people don't want to be involved with this organization! . Shheeeesh!
 
If you want to know if it's worth your time, why not check? No need to be overly dramatic. It's your time and energy after all better to spend the effort before hand than all the energy here and now.
 
Ellen Collins said:
we can have good intentions about readying a piece for competition, even telling the chapter competition chair that we would be dropping it off tomorrow, and then life takes over and there is only one piece that actually shows up to be judged.

And the one person who successfully DID submit a piece, usually putting not only time, but money into it should not be told that there was only one entry turned in and the competition is cancelled.
Click to expand...

I reiterate.
 
Nicole Ohme said:
Wait a second..... It's now my job to see if people are going to enter and somehow PREDICT ......when this is my first time entering??suggesting I should contact my chapter to see?

I had no clue what to expect. Please tell me how I feel is wrong again becomes OBVIOUSLY all of you have been thru it?


Read what I suggested. Is it really that hard?? I made the suggestion so maybe others won't have to go thru it.
Save time and money and frustration.

OBVIOUSLY I'm alone in my feelings. I can't imagine why people don't want to be involved with this organization! . Shheeeesh!
Click to expand...
Sorry Nic, you asked earlier and I didn't answer. I placed second in an OPEN competition that had only two entries. I understand the empty feeling, but then, it was a quick shrug and on to the next thing.

I am more concerned about improving the competitions and getting better and more entries than about applying triage to problems like this. I'd rather we spent time figuring out how to get more entries. There are a number of things going on that should help this problem and I'm crossing my fingers that they do.
 
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Every person involved in competition or any other activity of PPFA is a volunteer: a busy volunteer. There is no "they" to manage things. Mounting even a small competition requires considerable volunteer time. Many, many things have to be done whether there is one entry or a hundred.

If you are involved and communicating with the members of your chapter, you will have a fairly accurate idea of the number of entries in the competition. Denying yourself the opportunity to compete in the international competition because there are no other entries at the chapter level seems counterproductive.

While it might seem unfair for a member to enter a competition with a small number or no other competitors, a great injustice would be done if any member were denied the opportunity to compete in the international competition because too few members chose to enter a given chapter's competition.
 
My dearest Nicole,
You are 1000% right in all your arguments.

Sucks to place first and last in one fell swoop.
Sucks that no one else entered.
Sucks that your chapter is barely or non-functioning.
Sucks that there is no running tally of participation.
Sucks that no one contacted you to say don't bother as you are the only one entering.

If I missed anything, I am sure that too is right, and it also sucks. (truly)

Look for a second and the number of views on this thread, as of this moment 402 views. This is framer's Corner not the G. This topic is HOT. Maybe some are watching a train wreck? But I can tell you it is mostly those that have posted here.
Because they, we, I care.

Why else? I would like to see this resolved for you. I would love for you to be happy with an outcome.

So, a couple of things to consider. Everyone here that has taken the time and trouble to respond cares about you, this issue and the PPFA. And hears your arguments and is trying to reason and console them.
Robin say join.
Cliff says been there.
Greg says be proud anyway.
Randy says you took the trouble, and knew a risk.
Ellen says you made the competition even possible in a barely functioning Chapter and got judged.
I have said you amazing and would love to see your stuff in Vegas.

This organization as Cliff pointed out, is me, is Randy, Robin, Ellen, Cliff, Greg, and you, and everybody watching this unfold.
We all have our shops, our troubles our woes and make time for PPFA to one extent or another, WE ARE PPFA.
You are yelling somebody fix this!
We, all who have responded, every stinking one of us is TRYING. You are yelling at us. And that my precious, most beloved friend hurts. We are all on Chapter Boards, on ComitteeS...why?:


-To fix mailbox, which is too much work and not enough results and impersonal and hard to anticipate participation.
-To drum up more membership and offer better discounts on supplies and intensives.
-To restructure Chapters and make them stronger more viable and manageable with the too few Chapter Leaders we have.
-Rewriting and reevaluating exams for certification to make them represent the cross section of framers out there, and relevant, but not fluffy.
-To fix Chapters on our levels and on Committee levels to make them strong, viable, necessary, relevant, financially stable, of interest to new and older framers alike.

So everything you are screaming about is ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. HOWEVER, the more you scream about how it is broken, the more I feel like an idiot for even trying to fix it.

You are not satisfied, well let me tell you Nicole, neither are we.
 
Nicole Ohme said:
... I suggested that the chapters find out who is going to enter.....
Click to expand...
How could that be accomplished? If specifically asked about their intentions, framers who buy the competition piece would almost certainly say they intend to enter the competition. But we know that not all of the competition pieces sold end up in the competition, for whatever reasons. Framers can, and do, make their enter-or-not decisions at the last minute.

So if there is a low turn out... People don't have to waste time and money..... On doing a piece.
Click to expand...
Chapter competition is an elimination process and when there is only one entry, it earns a trip to the international competition in Las Vegas. How is earning a spot in the main competition a waste of time and money?
 
Nicole please don't worry, this business will NOT BE A "FREE RIDE".
Congratulations on your win!! See how you do in Vegas and please keep us posted.
36 years ago any one could enter the competition by bringing their framed piece to the "show". All the winners hung on the walls of the PPFA building in Richmond, VA. We have come a very, very, very long and impressive way in those years and it is totally due to the people like you Cathy. My heart aches to see how you are hurting because of this happening, and you are wrong. You are the only reason why framers today can do all the many talented things they can and unfortunately, take for granted. If it wasn't for you we won't be talking to each other, no Framers Corner, no Wikipedia listing, CMC (don't think so), Frame Vue....????
The last 3 decades have changed framing more than the last 2000 years and it is because of you and your friends. Please be proud of that and please, please don't stop.
Hell, Nicole send me your ribbons and I'll put them on my wall and tell customers you won them your first time out,. Hang in there professional framers it doesn't get easier.
 
For those of you who think I'm SCREAMING at you. That is not my intention.

Making a simple suggestion shouldn't have warrented most of these comments. I don't agree with the way the competiton is run. I suggested a way for it to improve so other framers would be encouraged to enter knowing that they would have the chance to actually compete with other framers.

You don't always have to take questions so personally and throw the volunteer stuff in their faces. I'm fully aware of what it takes to put on events and the work load on top of running a business. I talk to a lot of you each day. I think you guys are doing a great job and the PPFA has changed more in the last year than the last 10 I've known about it.

I really hope the PPFA keeps changing... which takes people asking questions and trying to offer ideas for improvment. You can't move forward by looking backward all the time.

I can see I'm lone in the way that I think. Which is fine. I've never been one of those 'follow the road' types. :D and I never will be. Thanks for the time and people I've met in the PPFA. But this is no longer something I want to be a part of.
 
Nicole Ohme said:
See again..... If people would actually READ what I said.... I suggested that the chapters find out who is going to enter..... So if there is a low turn out... People don't have to waste time and money..... On doing a piece.
I really don't see how that's a huge problem.
But again..... This whole CHANGE thing is scary to people.
Click to expand...

Ok, so let's assume this is done. Let's look at the possible outcomes:

1. A local chapter sees that X number of prints are sold. Nothing more is done, assuming that all will be framed and entered.
1a. All or most prints sold are framed and entered. Super, we have a great turnout and a great competition.
1b. Only one or two framers actually complete their piece and enter it.
1b'. The entrants win by default. Not the best way to win, but hey.
1b''. The competition is called off, the entrants wasted their time, feel cheated and never enter again.

2. A local chapter sees that X number of prints are sold. Multiple calls and emails are done to beg, cajole, plead and remind framers to finish and enter.
2a. All or most prints sold are framed and entered. Super, we have a great turnout and a great competition.
2b. Only one or two framers actually complete their piece and enter it.
2b'. The entrants win by default. Not the best way to win, but hey.
2b''. The competition is called off, the entrants wasted their time, feel cheated and never enter again.

Also, what happens when and if a framer who says he will be entering winds up dropping the ball and doesn't enter? Flogging, excommunication, public shaming? And what of the framer who says she isn't planning to enter, but then at the last minute pulls it out of the fire and drops off an entry? Too bad, you're SOL?
 
I personally don't think the system is broken. On a local chapter level just more encouragement to enter can be given. (Heck I have been encouraging one member from another chapter to enter now for a few years. Two years ago I even got her to buy the piece and yet she is one that didn't actually complete it and enter. A-hmm, I won't mention any names but in case she is reading this she knows who she is - WC - :playful: )

Here is one serious thought though - and it might actually backfire.
  • If there was an entry fee for chapter competition and that fee had to be paid let's say 30 days prior to competition.
  • Cancelling your entry into the competition less than 14 days (or you pick a date) before competition results in forfeiture of entry fee.
  • You could even refund full / partial amount of entry fee if piece is actually presented for competition.

Just an idea and as I said it might even backfire because some would be opposed to paying for the piece and also an entry fee and might not compete.
 
Nicole Ohme said:
See again..... If people would actually READ what I said.... I suggested that the chapters find out who is going to enter..... So if there is a low turn out... People don't have to waste time and money..... On doing a piece.
I really don't see how that's a huge problem. .
Click to expand...

Actually Nicole,

That doesn't work either... many have great plans and just run out of time, get busy or whatever. Our shop purchased this year's competition piece and we had plans to enter both competitions. We received a phone call from one of the Chapter officers two days prior to the competition hoping to pick up our entry and transport it to the judging location.

Guess what...NOT Done...NOT even started. As Ellen mentioned....between running a business and the tight economy somethings take priority. Not to take anything away from the marketing and educational value of Framing Competitions, but sometimes you just can't do it all... :D

I don't know what the actual turnout for out chapter's competition were, but I am sure that it was light. :( I'm sad to see that because the process is most beneficial to all concerned when the numbers are strong. Both non-winners, winners and the industry as a whole benefits when competitons represent many entries. Hence, I understand your dissapointment in being the only entry, Nicole. With that thought in mind, be sure to send it to National and imagine that competition as the learning experience you wanted at the Chapter level.

This year's entry was indeed challenging, however I don't think it was the best choice in a declining industry. Hmong tapestries are tricky and the color pallete is a bit muted... In otherwords, it's not the kind of piece that would inspire lots of responses and participation from members....and that is what we need.

As most of us might be aware, framing competitions are not what they used to be in the 1980-90's, where we would see 20-30 entries at the Chapter level and up to 100 at the National level. The recession, a smaller PPFA membership, stiffer processes in entering all have contributed to a decline and some apathy in participation. It's a shame....I'm not blamming anyone for this, just identifiying why it has happened.

John

P.S. Once again Nicole....Be sure to forward your entries! Good luck and be sure to take something from the experience regardless of the outcome. ;)
 
Coming to this discussion late, as usual.

I don't care if I am the only entry. I use the entry to try to do something totally different, from what I normally do, so I learn something from it.

Going to the international gives me the opportunity to get better judging, and better comments for improvement.

To me the competition is internal to help me get better. I don't care if anyone else enters, just so there are enough at the international.

  • :smile-new:
 
The personal challenge indeed is a true benefit of entering. The print piece for 2014 is a real challenge as almost every single one is made out of square and it is not a simple matter of blocking like you might do on a piece of needlework. You can not make something square that is not. So how are you going to handle that - how are your peers? It will be interesting to see those that entered handled that - sure would like to see all who qualify go to International competition.

I will state again that another BIG advantage ( at least for me ) is the marketing of winning in competitions. I have almost all of the pieces displayed in my showroom along with the ribbons and I have to say it opens up much conversation. I have had write ups in the news papers and even a TV interview. This is how I showcase them on my website. http://www.hollandframeshop.com/Framing-Gallery.html

I encourage everyone who is a PPFA member to consider entering a competition. What do you have to loose? Nothing, even if you don't place you will have learned a lot from the experience and the constructive remarks of the judges. Even if you don't win you will have created a great looking framed example for your walls. If you do win you win more than a ribbon and a few bucks if you parlay that win into some great marketing.
 
Nicole Ohme said:
I personally entered for me .. To compete against others. I didnt fo this for my customers .
Click to expand...

I'm not really sure exactly what it is/was you wanted.

Framing competition is a "how well I did today against who else was there today" kind of competition. It's really an independent "sport" where you simply do your best. If John was there and didn't do as well as you then you win. If Suzy was there and did better than you, she wins. Much more like golf than tennis. Some days a 72 will win you the round, but other days a 68 won't.

If you did it for you, you got the same thing you would have gotten if there had been 100 other entries - a critique and score on your work. If you don't value the blue ribbon because of the circumstances then throw it out - no one is making you display it and no one can make you feel proud about it.

What if there had been 3 other pieces there that were greatly inferior to yours? Your piece, critique and score wouldn't be any different. But would it make you feel any better about your place? Would you have felt free to do your happy dance among the poor fools that thought they knew what framing was? Having others around you that are below your level doesn't make you any better.

If you want something to dance about, enter it in Internationals. BTW, you can't go to International without competing locally (AFAIK), so if nothing else this pays the way to true [insert whatever it is you're looking for here].
 
David Waldmann said:
If you want something to dance about, enter it in Internationals. BTW, you can't go to International without competing locally (AFAIK), so if nothing else this pays the way to true [insert whatever it is you're looking for here].
Click to expand...

Too bad but she took option 3

3. Nuclear Option: The entrants win by default. Not the best way to win, but hey. The entrants wasted their time, feel cheated and never enter again and quit the PPFA.
 
Randy Parrish said:
Too bad but she took option 3

3. Nuclear Option: The entrants win by default. Not the best way to win, but hey. The entrants wasted their time, feel cheated and never enter again and quit the PPFA.
Click to expand...

I can understand "feel cheated'" and "never enter again" but I don't get "wasted their time" and "quit PPFA".

Certainly pushing your design and construction skills to a higher level can't hurt. And quitting because you didn't feel that you had won 'fair and square' seems counter productive somehow.
 
Ellen Collins said:
...but I don't get "wasted their time" and "quit PPFA".
Click to expand...
I don't get it, either, but this is not the first time Nicole has strongly voiced a suggestion, finding nobody to stand up and make it happen for her. Some framers responded that she ought to work for what she wants out of the trade association, and she didn't seem to like that idea. PPFA needs all the support it can get, but membership isn't for everyone, apparently. It's too bad.
 
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