PPFA

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JbNormandog

JbNormandog

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 8, 2004
Posts
3,751
Loc
NJ
I am thinking of joing the New Jersey Chapter of the NJPPFA.
Does anybody belong to the PPFA and if you do, would you reccomend it?
I'm not sure from the website what the benefits are and how it can help my shop.
Just curious what others experiences are.
Thanks in advance.

(PPFA is not a wrestling organization in case you were wondering, profesional picture framers association)
 
Oh JB you've opened a can o' worms!

I will say you could do a search in the archives and come up with tons of info regarding your question.

Join. It just makes sense.
 
Today I got a report about my customers that are well worth the cost of admission alone.
 
Don't know why some folks get worked up over this. Some folks won't get much from any trade assn, some don't need any help and a bunch need a lot of help.

My good buddy, JRB, is a great example. He has been around, knows a ton and probably won't learn much from the Assn. He isn't a good joiner-Wouldn't be a good fit for him, even though he could teach most of us a lot.He is one of the few exceptions, and frankly, think PPFA ought to waive any dues if he will just show up. But, it ain't for him

But, everyone else that can learn something ought to join. Those that can ought to join to teach others. We can only be as strong as the numbers we gather-that's true for data and people.

A lot will simply say it isn't for them and Bless them. Some will even go so far as to try to dissaude others from joining (don't know why they care, but some do).

But, for those that do enjoy the company of other framers, for those that are willing to share and help, for those willing to understand that with numbers does come strength, they ought to get involved. You won't get much from joining and not participating, though.

Jay brings up a great point about reports. Two years back, the board got some hard headed, know it all on the Board that, frankly, is driving the rest of them nuts with these Research Projects. I will tell you, thanks to this certain pain in the neck, we have been able to identify a tremendous problem and craft a significant recourse that was written about by William Parker in April's Framing Monthly. Without that research, our stores would have continued to grasp for reasons.

That alone, was worth about a decade's worth of dues.

It isn't for everyone, but it ought to be for most of us. The dues are the cheapest of any trade assn I belong to, and you do get access to a lot of free information. A lot of people think the Hitchhikers is worth the dues alone.

If you don't think it makes sense, we will miss you. If you think it might help, it sure won't hurt you. And, you might get lucky and meet some really nice and helpful people. You never know when that contact might come into play
 
Just to play Devil's Advocate to Bob's sage observations and years of inside information....

First PPFA was WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY over in Richmond East Coast....
Now they are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY up in the great white north Lansing, MI (Whoopsie, NO, they're 45 minutes out of town.)

OR they are coming to you at a framer in your area, or a mini convention nearer you, or at the annual convention, or in your mail box, and at the other end of your phone (Hi Beckey, thank you Diana), or if you're a mind to (and remember you number) use the HH.

As a framer and manufactures Rep, I have very little use for PPFA. I probably only accessed the web site less than 50 times this year. I know I've only talked to Diana Day less than 6 times. And I never talk to Beckey Zimmerman.....enough.

As Bob says, it's what you put into it. And sometimes that "putting in" is you needing an answer of how to do something, so you can Diana.

I rarely go to local meetings, because the closest meeting was 500 miles away.

Even if you do one thing, or learn one thing, or meet one new person each year . . . for me, that's always been worth the price of admission which is a Tax Deduction anyway under Dues, Fees, & Memberships.

And speaking of Memberships I'm off to make good use of my Alumni Association dues ($185/yr) to have dinner and a tour of here. I think they are serving "Spruce roasted Goose" :D
museum_sg.jpg


JB. Only you can deside. Try it for a year or two. It's cheaper than a set of tires or a nice frame job. :D
 
Originally posted by Bob Carter:
Two years back, the board got some hard headed, know it all on the Board that, frankly, is driving the rest of them nuts with these Research Projects.
Click to expand...
I like him...


betty
 
Doctors belong to the Medical Association; Lawyers belong to the Bar Association. Do you see a pattern here? Disclaimer: I am president of the Nations Capital Chapter, so may be a tiny bit prejudiced.
 
In addition to the PPFA wwww.ppfa.com the New Jersey branch have their own website http://www.njppfa.com/ which is kept up to date……this would indicate to me that they have a very active branch which can only be good for the framers in this area…….

Someone once said to me that the greatest benefit one can derive from been a member of any association is the cross pollination benefits derived from been around like minded people….
 
Membership has been well worth it for us, and I can't wait to get my hands on the report mentioned above. We're fortunate to have a large (largest?) chapter and the meetings are usually 30-60 minutes away. Meetings are often like a small "trade show" with a dozen or more vendors set up with their tables. It's nice to see all of our reps in one place.

They fly in terrific industry related guest speakers and I have learned so much from the (free/included) presentations. There are also classes available at each meeting, and we plan to attend Brian Wolfe's Wizard design class at the next one.

I don't care for the format or security issues of HH, but it sometimes has some gems. HH is their private forum, along the lines of this system. We have it set to come in as a "digest" (one email per night that has the previous day grouped together)

After more than 10 years as a framer, Andy studied and tested for the CPF(R) two years ago, and learned so many new things in the process which have been applied to the operation. There's always room for improvment, and PPFA has networked us with our peers and keeps us up to date on the direction of the industry.

There are also PPFA framing competitions, which are judged by your peers. If you win, these are a great opportunity for newsletter/press release/marketing material.

The first year's $25(?) membership fee was one of our best investments to date. The PPFA is OUR trade organization.

Mike
 
For those who have to drive long distances to chapter meetings, here's a little trick from the Wisconsin chapter:

Load up your board with directors from your own town. (You do this by volunteering.) We have lots of meetings right here in Appleton, and some in Green Bay and Oshkosh - each within 30 miles.
 
We (KY/TN Chapter) have a monthly conference call that any member is welcome to participate in. And are in the process of getting a newsletter out (if that darn secretary would get her act together - ooops, I am that darn secretary... ;) )

Betty
 
JB
How one feels about the PPFA depends on what you expect to get out of it and what price you are willing to pay for that. I have highly recommended it to all the new framers in my area as it is one of the best educational tools that I have found. regional and national programs are great and cover the gambit of skills from beginner to the most advanced framer.

So for those reasons it is worth joining. The main draw back for me has been the costs involved.

hope this helps you make your decisions


Jill Hennes CPF
Omro Gallery
 
You'll get just as much as you put into it. As with any organization you have to become involved. Attend the meetings, get involved with the board. Keep the chapter alive with energy. It is a great way to network and share ideas. We all work in fairly isolated environments. Attending meetings will keep you on top of the industry especially now as it is changing at such a rapid pace.
 
Thank you all, I think I was convinced to do it.
I was leaning that way anyway but I got your little push.

Thanks.
 
Originally posted by Jill:
The main draw back for me has been the costs involved.
Click to expand...
I don't think you are alone in your considerations of cost.

Let me give you a different perspective. At $100 a year:

If you frame only 400 pieces: twenty five cents a frame went to your professionalism and education.

If you do over 800 per year, and are still waffling.... you might consider raising your rates by the needed ten cents.
help.gif
 
Let me add to Baer's perspective...

If you place one local newspaper ad for $350 and it brings you two $200 framing jobs, you lose. PPFA helps us understand things like that.
 
Nope, address a group on Friday. It makes a point that I have better than the 74 words that I was going to use. Thanks.
 
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