Photographer or Board of Directors????

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/02/2005 05:11:11 PM · #1

Related News Story

Pittsfield is putting together a project to get a carousel in the city as part of the revitalization that is going on. On NPR today I heard this news story and they gave a mans name to contact if you wanted to help/volunteer, just get involved. First, I know I am mediocre at best (as evidenced by my challenge scores) but I thought I would try anyway and called and volunteered to be Project Photographer. The man was ecstatic since the only offers he had so far were for pay. Since it is a non-profit organizatioon (just created) they need info on all who actually work for them. So he asked if I would send a resume. Now, there is nothing photography related on my resume except the PHOTIPS project I did for the Navy which is not photography but processing photographic intelligence gahtered by 'spies' of ours and our allies so I figured, well, at least I tried.

I faxed him a resume and about a half hour later I got a call at the office. He said it was ok for me to be the photographer if I wanted, but he would be more interested in having me serve on the Board of Directors of the non-profit org. for the project. I was floored. Took me totally by surprise.

It took me all of two seconds to accept. Opportunities like this don't come along often. So now, as of 3:30 this afternoon, I am one of the members of the board AND the photographer for the project. He also stated that as a member of the board, if I knew someone that I felt would/could do the photography, that I could appoint them if the multiple duties became too much.

As the project photographer, travel to various locations and photograph carousels and their installations in relation to the surroundings - in a park, mall, city square - all three of which are within 75 miles of here, but there are others if you go to like Binghamton and some other cities fairly close by. Also location shoots of the various proposed locations within Pittsfield and time line photos of the construction if the funding is raised. This I could do easily and probably well enough to make them more than happy.

As a member of the board, wow...the list is endless, the contacts - political as well as business, would be incredible, and the experience would look quite nice on a resume especially if the project is successful.

So I guess my point is (besides boasting a bit because I am just bursting at the seams over this) when you least expect it, your camera can get you into some very interesting places. If I hadn't thought of the photo angle, I never would have contacted them.

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

12/02/2005 05:19:26 PM · #2

Cool!

Why not see if you can get some pics from the people here of various carousel's :-)

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

12/02/2005 05:25:59 PM · #3

I was thinking that...but I would rather at least attend my first board meeting and see what it is all about and what plans/ideas others have. I know Kadi would be a good choice being in Binghamton for one. AND I have to find out about rights/payment guidelines they have, if any, and things like that. Once I know all that, I will take the next step. The first board meeting is in two weeks.

Message edited by author 2005-12-02 18:04:07.

aronya1

Nikon D70

12/02/2005 05:29:11 PM · #4

Originally posted by Alienyst:

...when you least expect it, your camera can get you into some very interesting places.

You are SO right! Because of my camera, I have just become a founding member of a new Chamber of Commerce in San Diego.

Congratulations. You'll have a lot of work to do, but it will open up a lot of doors.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/02/2005 05:34:49 PM · #5

Let me know if I may be of help. Karma and I can come over and stay a few days if you have an extra room :-) I'll even cook...

I like your neck of the woods.

R.

12/02/2005 05:35:49 PM · #6

And in return - congratulations to you as well aronya1! It is such a good feeling to know that something you enjoy doing, for fun, can open so many doors, isn't it? I am sure you will be busy as well. Good luck with the endeavor!

Message edited by author 2005-12-02 18:04:31.

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

12/02/2005 05:40:50 PM · #7

Originally posted by bear_music:

Let me know if I may be of help. Karma and I can come over and stay a few days if you have an extra room :-) I'll even cook...

I like your neck of the woods.

R.

I got the room and friends for Karma to play with if so inclined. If not, I got separations as well. Bear, it would be awesome if you came this way. My door is always open if you ever want to trek west. Consider it an open invitation. After the meeting and I see what is what, I will let you know. I know you couldn't be here for the whole project or anything, but there may be certain events that I would have to participate in as opposed to being able to shoot. When I get a schedule I will pass it along for your perusal. Room and board are free and if you want to cook, just give me the shopping list.

NathanWert

Canon EOS-90D

12/02/2005 05:55:32 PM · #8

Very cool to everyone.

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

12/02/2005 06:10:53 PM · #9

I'm in Binghamton too, if Kadi can't do it... :D
Supposedly, it's the carousel capitol...

Stagolee

Kodak Easyshare C180

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

12/19/2005 01:14:15 AM · #10

Congratulations Chris

I just found this thread and thought I should comment.

I'm not trying to put a downside to this but I thought I would just warn you that being a Board Member to a non-profit organization comes with a lot of responsibility.

I don't know anything about your country's corporate law but I imagine they are not too dissimilar to here in Australia. They can be quite complex and full of traps for newcomers. I'm on the Board of two non-profit companies and have had a lot of experience with corporate governance.

Before you go to your first meeting do some research into corporate governance? Some things you may want to look into are:
Understand what is Fiduciary Duties are.
Understand what your Statory Duties are.
You also must understand about your duty to avoid conflicts of interest.
Get hold of the Articles of Association as soon as possible.
Are you a member and shareholder as well as a Director?
What are the objectives of the company?
Are members limited by guarantee?
Have you been duly appointed?
Find out who all the Directors and Members are.
Have you been appointed as an office holder?

But most of all refrain from signing anything, until you fully understand it and never sign anything by yourself on behalf of the Board unless you have some supporting documentation that authorizes you to do so.

Good Luck