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I hope that all Club members have enjoyed their summer this year and have been able to get out and shoot. For me, it was all about friends and family visiting and a local trip here and there. Boy, it was so nice to be able to get away and see more of Vancouver Island. With the summer months behind us now, it’s time to kick off the 2021/22 VCC season!
Over the last year and a half, we have learned so much on how to navigate the Cub’s activities online. I would like to give a shout out to all those members who made this happen. You all did such a great job!
As we move into this year our plan is to continue to be online until it is safe to hold in-person meetings. I have heard from quite a few members that they have enjoyed watching our Thursday night meetings online and some have asked if it’s possible to broadcast these evenings so that they may continue to enjoy them from home. My response to them is that we will definitely try to do so. Why not? Even when we go back to in-person meetings, things will not be the same as before COVID and this is a good thing.
Our new board is excited about trying out some new ideas! If you have an idea that you would like us to look at, please bring it forward. This is how the Mobile Photography SIG started last year.
In a Club such as ours, it is you, the volunteers, that keep all the many cogs turning. The diversity of our Club members in skill, knowledge, and experience has been our greatest asset in finding help where it is needed.
If you’re not currently active in the club, do you think that you might have some time now to give back? That way, the time that someone else invested in you can be passed on to other new and passionate members. Leading field trips, workshops, and writing for Close-Up are just a few examples of committees to volunteer with.
Because of the size of our membership (over 230 members), none of these are time consuming undertakings and are very rewarding. Not only is volunteering a way to meet more of our many members, but you will also learn more about photography and receive the fulfilment that comes from helping your fellow photographers. Scientific studies show that volunteering correlates with better health, longevity and personal happiness and fulfillment. So, what are you waiting for?
Teri VanWell, President