Volunteers: The Lifeblood of PWP!

This November 1 we celebrate all of our dedicated Volunteers! From its founding in 1975 to the present day, volunteers have changed PWP from a group of women gathering in someone’s home to an international organization. They are responsible for the content and rich quality of its programs, from lectures and exhibitions to the web. They take charge, they move forward; in their hands PWP has flourished.

No one better exemplifies this spirit than Barbara Nelson, who will be honored as Volunteer of the Year for her many contributions to PWP. From 2004 through 2007 she served on the Board, and from 2004 to 2008 she was Executive Editor of the PWP Magazine, recruiting new advertisers and circulating it widely in the photographic world. But it is through her workshops and seminars that Barbara has been most visible and made a lasting mark on the organization.

Her class offerings read like a list of the hot topics in contemporary photography: Introduction and “How To€ for Social Media; Multimedia Narratives; Sound, The Third Dimension Made Easy. Barbara has consistently delivered timely information to busy professionals at a reasonable price. But the true value of her classes lies in the quality of instructors and the ideas they bring to PWP. Thomas Werner of Parsons on fine art photography, Dorian Benkoil of Teeming Media on social media, are just two in a long line of prominent people Barbara has hired. They reflect her belief that photography is not an isolated discipline, and that in today’s challenging market, skills must continually be enhanced.

As PWP celebrates Barbara and her many contributions, we also celebrate the contributions of all PWP volunteers. Whatever their gifts, whatever time they’re able to give, they are the lifeblood of our organization and carry its mission forward. Simply put, they make photography a better place.

Joining a committee is a great way to make friends in the organization and contacts in the photographic world. Today photographers need to be aware of many, many things. Here are some great places to start:

Exhibitions Committee - As an organization of photographers, PWP is dedicated to the idea that photographs are meant to be seen. Volunteers on this committee have a unique opportunity to experience every aspect of producing a show. From choosing the theme and writing the call, to finding space, jurying the entries and hanging the framed work, members of this committee take a show from conception to physical reality in a gallery setting. All view points and levels of skill are welcome. To join, contact Exhibitions.

Development Committee – In this exciting time for PWP, this where the action is. This committee just put together the first International Open Call that not only served as a fundraiser, but greatly enhanced PWP’s profile in the photographic community, and brought in new members from all over the world. The committee also organized the recent tour of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Photography Conservations Department, with a talk by head conservationist, Nora Kennedy. And this is the beginning-many exciting events are in the works, including a trip to Cuba and special tours in the city. The second Open Call is underway, providing a great way to learn about organizing a photography fundraiser. The committee is also looking for people to help with sponsor relations and vendor discounts. To be a part of PWP’s future, contact Development.

Publications Committee – This committee publishes Imprints, the first class magazine of PWP, and offers learning experiences in all aspects of publication. It offers many opportunities for writers, editors, interviewers, photographers, and people with experience in advertising and sales. As the organization expands, Imprints will become increasingly important as one of our faces to the world, and participating is a great way to see how a story moves from idea to printed page. For information, contact Publications.

Web Committee – The PWP website is how we organize our business and interact with the world. It is the heart and soul of PWP, with information about the organization’s members and activities. With the International Open Call, it has gotten a lot of attention. In September alone, traffic rose by 4,500 new visitors. While much of the website is complete, this committee is working to enhance various aspects to reflect our growing organization. Technical skills are welcome, but not necessary. If you are interested in joining, contact Website.

Student Awards Committee - By recognizing the achievements of high school photographers, the Student Awards makes a huge impact on young women’s lives. They culminate each spring with an exhibition where students, their proud parents and equally proud teachers gather to celebrate their achievements. This exuberant event truly exemplifies the joy of photography, and carries out PWP’s mission of helping women photographers move ahead. Contact Student Awards.

Community Service Committee – The CSC was founded by a member when she heard a story about prominent photographers taking portraits of children up for adoption. When the pros took the pictures, adoption rates rose by as much as 50%. Inspired to make a difference, the CSC selects one non-profit organization each year to help with photography. Past partners include historic University Settlement House, Learning Leaders and Women In Need. Pictures by PWP CSC photographers have been displayed at Settlement House, Baurch College and in the Great Hall of the Metropolitan Museum, as well as being featured in the Chinatown Y Annual Report and University Settlement House Endowment Report. Last spring CSC was honored with the Suzanne Pincus Commit to WIN Award as volunteer group of the year by Women In Need. The CSC has also begun a mentoring program for young photographers with one of their non-profit partners. To find out more, contact Outreach.

Programs Committee – From its start in 1975, lectures by prominent women photographers and experts in the field have always been a vital part of PWP. Every  year, this committee puts together an exciting and varied program for each monthly meeting. Membership in this committee provides exposure to some of the top names in women’s photography as well as to experts in many related fields. Part of Professional Women Photographers’ mission is to increase public awareness of photography, and these meetings that are open to the public, help fulfill this mandate. Contact Programs.

There are many reasons to step up, personal and professional. Here’s one more from Jackie Neale Chadwick, who as Communications Director from 2007 to 2010 was instrumental in developing the new website:

“Volunteering for PWP pushed my dedication to women in photography further as a whole. It challenged my commitment to the field, and allowed me to share what I see as the future of photography with the organization and the world. I take my photography career incredibly seriously and I take the need of pushing each other forward as women very seriously. Sometimes we get myopic as photographers, working in a darkroom alone or working in our print studios alone, and volunteering for PWP can break you out of a myopic state…and put you into a “for the greater good€ state.

Over my tenure as Communications Director, I witnessed the organization grow by leaps and bounds, and I am so grateful to have been a part of such an important growth period for all professional women photographers of the world.€

With lectures, classes and web presence, PWP is many things. But most of all it is people: great women doing great things, moving each other ahead.

What are you waiting for?

- Catherine Kirkpatrick, Archives Director