With Leica's popularity and a wide range of fans, users, owners and collectors, I think there is room for a new Leica Society (name yet to be determined) which aims to be more responsive to rank and file members while also being more demanding of Leica for better and improved products.
Things I would like to see
1) A major Society goal would be providing Leica input for new and improved products and services.
2) $25 annual dues.
3) Democratic election of officers. Any member can receive votes for any office in every election. Power to the membership. Stalin style elections with only one candidate per elected office used by some groups have no place in a modern society.
4) While Leica dealers can be members, Leica dealers would not be eligible to hold any office as their Board membership would be a conflict of interest for Board Duties as well as being prejudicial against Leica dealers not on the Board or holding any other office.
5) No dealer may have dealer set ups and displays in the meeting room while society meetings are taking place.
6) Board Members responsible for Society property must be bonded in case of loss. "Oopsy daisy" missing Society cameras or property should not be possible.
7) Expenses can not be paid or reimbursed for anyone to attend Society meetings or functions. Likewise there will be no paid speakers or instructors. All attendees must pay their own way.
8) Society finances would be an open book to all members. Members deserve to know how their dues are being spent.
9) While articles and photos submitted to the Society would be on permanent use loan to the Society, authors and photographers retain 100% ownership and copyright of their submitted work.
Suggestions? Comments?
Stephen
Things I would like to see
1) A major Society goal would be providing Leica input for new and improved products and services.
2) $25 annual dues.
3) Democratic election of officers. Any member can receive votes for any office in every election. Power to the membership. Stalin style elections with only one candidate per elected office used by some groups have no place in a modern society.
4) While Leica dealers can be members, Leica dealers would not be eligible to hold any office as their Board membership would be a conflict of interest for Board Duties as well as being prejudicial against Leica dealers not on the Board or holding any other office.
5) No dealer may have dealer set ups and displays in the meeting room while society meetings are taking place.
6) Board Members responsible for Society property must be bonded in case of loss. "Oopsy daisy" missing Society cameras or property should not be possible.
7) Expenses can not be paid or reimbursed for anyone to attend Society meetings or functions. Likewise there will be no paid speakers or instructors. All attendees must pay their own way.
8) Society finances would be an open book to all members. Members deserve to know how their dues are being spent.
9) While articles and photos submitted to the Society would be on permanent use loan to the Society, authors and photographers retain 100% ownership and copyright of their submitted work.
Suggestions? Comments?
Stephen
______
Well-known
I'll pass on paying $25 a year for the privilege of providing Leica input for new and improved products and services.
yep. Considering you apparently don't own Leica gear, that sounds like a good plan.
BLKRCAT
75% Film
owned.
10 characters
10 characters
Scapevision
Well-known
Joseph Vissarionovich would have been proud.
______
Well-known
At the moment. Have in the past. Had a CL but the meter broke and couldn't be repaired for lack of parts. Not to say I won't again soon though. Just waiting for the right body and lens to come along in the classifieds. Seriously, what is this society supposed to actually do? Where would I have to fly to attend meetings?
nobbylon
Veteran
No I can't see the need myself and yes I do own and use both film and digital Leica. I stopped going on Nikonians site when they started charging subscription.
Call me a cynic if you like but this sounds more like an idea for an earner. Seriously, why would I pay someone $25 to be a society member? What am I funding apart from your main objective which should be the job of the R&D dept' at Leica. I think they are already well versed on what Leica users would like by reading sites such as this and LUF.
Here's an idea...everyone send me $25 and I will send Leica an email of collective thoughts I pull from the net every month
Call me a cynic if you like but this sounds more like an idea for an earner. Seriously, why would I pay someone $25 to be a society member? What am I funding apart from your main objective which should be the job of the R&D dept' at Leica. I think they are already well versed on what Leica users would like by reading sites such as this and LUF.
Here's an idea...everyone send me $25 and I will send Leica an email of collective thoughts I pull from the net every month
BillBingham2
Registered User
Two thumbs up on the idea.
The internet has LOTs of different groups and RFF is unique in quality, breadth, depth, and professionalism. I think it could be a great channel for Leica to tune-in-to augmenting what they have currently.
I can't be a member currently, but expect as employment issue turn around that I would be.
Good idea.
B2 (;->
The internet has LOTs of different groups and RFF is unique in quality, breadth, depth, and professionalism. I think it could be a great channel for Leica to tune-in-to augmenting what they have currently.
I can't be a member currently, but expect as employment issue turn around that I would be.
Good idea.
B2 (;->
BillBingham2
Registered User
nobbylon;2628602....I stopped going on Nikonians site when they started charging subscription.....[/QUOTE said:
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
25 bucks for Leica owner? I'm offended, it must be at least 50!
And would be dealers of competitors allowed?
And would be dealers of competitors allowed?
nobbylon
Veteran
Can you explain then why we should pay to lend our ideas, talents and experiences so that others can profit. Leica is a business not a club run for a user group. They receive enough support through the prices charged on their products.
FrozenInTime
Well-known
Leica of late seem to be reasonably good at perceiving the desires of their traditional customers e.g. the desire for minimalism : M-A, M-D and M.262.
How to break out beyond that group into the wider market seems less clear, but is clearly getting considerable design and development effort at Leica.
A society representing the former group adds little new - V,Q,X,S and SL user desires pull every direction possible from the M anchor point.
Even a new distinct Leica forum is a difficult proposition - many already post the same question/idea/images on RFF, Leica Forum, GetDPI and DPreview
How to break out beyond that group into the wider market seems less clear, but is clearly getting considerable design and development effort at Leica.
A society representing the former group adds little new - V,Q,X,S and SL user desires pull every direction possible from the M anchor point.
Even a new distinct Leica forum is a difficult proposition - many already post the same question/idea/images on RFF, Leica Forum, GetDPI and DPreview
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I see no value in yet another Leica society, neither for subscribers nor for Leica.
G
G
______
Well-known
And the $25 is for what exactly?
David Murphy
Veteran
The proposal seems quite reasonable to me. I would consider joining.
Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
I would consider joining.
aizan
Veteran
sounds like a good framework, though i don't know the purposes of other camera societies, how they operate, and what sorts of issues they have. what are we dealing with here?
and does leica really consider the input of leica societies when they plan and design new products? i'd pay $25 to have more of a (totally biased and uninformed) say.
and does leica really consider the input of leica societies when they plan and design new products? i'd pay $25 to have more of a (totally biased and uninformed) say.
Bill Clark
Veteran
I belong to LHSA. It's my last year. It's lost with so many other venues now offered.
Facebook has a bunch of sites for Leica enthusiasts. "Groups make it easier than ever to share with friends, family and teammates." It seems Facebook has a successful model, advertisers, free to members. Look it over and see how they do it!
There are many others, blogs and other web sites.
It's a different world now.
Facebook has a bunch of sites for Leica enthusiasts. "Groups make it easier than ever to share with friends, family and teammates." It seems Facebook has a successful model, advertisers, free to members. Look it over and see how they do it!
There are many others, blogs and other web sites.
It's a different world now.
Folks,
For those who have never joined such an organization and see no reason for it, no prob. No one will try to talk you into joining.
For those who are, or have been, members of such organizations, it should be instantly obvious to you this framework offers members much more for much less than any Leica group that I am aware of. Then, those who never bothered to read the fine print might not be aware of the differences. Perhaps the biggest differences would be an involved democratically led membership with a purpose - appreciation of better Leica products and services.
A money earner? I wish. Its a money loser for sure. It will be financial battle just to pay expenses. This project would be a non profit that really is a non profit.
Stephen
For those who have never joined such an organization and see no reason for it, no prob. No one will try to talk you into joining.
For those who are, or have been, members of such organizations, it should be instantly obvious to you this framework offers members much more for much less than any Leica group that I am aware of. Then, those who never bothered to read the fine print might not be aware of the differences. Perhaps the biggest differences would be an involved democratically led membership with a purpose - appreciation of better Leica products and services.
A money earner? I wish. Its a money loser for sure. It will be financial battle just to pay expenses. This project would be a non profit that really is a non profit.
Stephen
Bill Clark
Veteran
Give it a try.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained as the old saying goes.
LHSA charges $85.00 dues per year. They have a nice publication called "Viewfinder," published four times per year. They have a new website and a FB page.
They offer two events per year. Nothing local, at least here.
Hope this helps you.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained as the old saying goes.
LHSA charges $85.00 dues per year. They have a nice publication called "Viewfinder," published four times per year. They have a new website and a FB page.
They offer two events per year. Nothing local, at least here.
Hope this helps you.