Camera club

PSA Journal, Jan, 2008 by Hazel Meredith

Keeping a Club History

No matter how long a camera club has been in existence, it is important to document its history for future members.

Some clubs have prepared detailed documentation of their history from the very beginning of the club. Some very nice ones that appear on club websites include:

Oklahoma Camera Club, http://www. oklahomacameraclub.com/and scroll down to the "history" link. This club just completed its 75th year of existence and put together a detailed and eloquent history of club activities, officers, community involvement and participating in the formation of the Photographic Society of America as a charter member.

The Grand Rapids Camera Club, founded in 1898, is the oldest camera club in the United States. http://www. grcameraclub.org/history.html While the history provided on the website is brief, it also tracks the club's progress through time.

A few other websites of interest include: Padre Trails Camera Club, Monterey, CA, formed in 1948 http:// www.padretrailscc.org/ptcchistory.html; Boise Camera Club, Idaho, 1934 http:// www.boisecameraclub.org/history.php; Bowie-Crofton Camera Club, Maryland, 1967 http://b-ccc.org/AboutUs/History. asp; The Gulf States Camera Club Council with links to all of its member clubs, formed in 1954 http://www. gulfstatesccc.org/html/history_of_gsccc. html; and the Photographic Guild of Nova Scotia, formed in 1947 http://www. photoguildns.ca/.

Other clubs keep a simpler version of a history in the form of scrapbooks and albums. These are typically passed on from one president to the next, or one historian to the next. With the advent of digital photography and computers, many clubs that have never compiled a history will find it easier to do so. It is important not only to track officers and members, but club competitions, community activities, publicity from local news media, awards received and field trips and activities.

If a history has not been kept, it may take time to do this now. However, it can be a positive experience for club members to see how the group has evolved. A few dedicated members will be required to accomplish the task. If the club has older members that are still active, it would be important to include them in the project for valuable insight into the past.

Hazel Meredith, Editor

375 North Abram Street

Stratford, CT 06614

hmeredithpsa@aol.com