The PPFA already has a program that does just this.
Good! It would be interesting to see how it's implemented because I'd bet the most framers could use some basic help.
No, I'm talking out of my ### to see how stupid I can be and still not get banned.
My goodness do we have any responsibility for our own actions?
Fine, that sounds great too. Disband the organization then. If it exists, there are things that it can be doing. If you think that helping independant framers develop a common sense web presence and providing dynamic content to entice consumers is a lousy idea then I can say.... Are you serious?
I could understand your anger if you were an active member trying to paddle some of these ships. Your not so why do you care? Your passion is coming across as whining.
People keep asking "Why do you care?" Why shouldn't I care? Do you think that failure to join a dysfunctional organization = apathy?
Their dues are very inexpensive (and yet you still cry about them). Why not join up and pick just one of your concerns that you feel most qualified to address. Then channel all your aggression and passion into that one issue. I’ll bet that you could really help the PPFA become the association that you dream of. They really need people like you and if they were to turn your efforts away, please let me know and I will join with you in trying to end them forever!
But you won’t.
Carry on.
No, I'm not joining them. I think they are too broken. If you have a garden hose with 37 holes in it some people would mock you for not trying to repair the holes. Some people would mock you for not discarding the hose. Everyone would mock you for continuing to garden with it. I don't need to join an organization to go to meetings to learn how to fabric wrap mats while my industry is shrinking by over 50% and competitors that have been around since the 1970s are going bankrupt. And it's not about the dues, even thought they charged me a freaking boatload when I was a member. Everyone is not charged equally.
Again, I should shut up - no criticism, no questions - if I don't join up? (But no one is telling me I have to join up) It's humerous to think of some local chapter leader or members out there reading this saying "Oh my god, Jay, shut up! What if that jerk does?"
Where have you been? What have you been doing? Why is our industries presence in the marketplace still so meager? How are you combating it?
Are those questions only valid if I write a check? If I join I'll guarantee you my impact will be nothing but fodder for humor. That's all it was in the past. Apparently, this isn't the only place where people think I'm an idiot.
As an industry we are going to join in this mutli-headed campaign. That's where we are. Our industry's trade association is controlled by anothers. What has brought us to this point? What have we done to help ourselves along the way? Why are we failing?
I think there has to be some major changes. And, no, I don't think I would be much help at all.
And if I'm just whining incoherently then just stop responding and I'll end up "slinking back under my rock," doing the things I mentioned earlier to try and keep my business successful. In fact I think any arguments are just going to start going around in circles from this point anyway and I've probably made enough - well I'd say enemies but I doubt anyone really cares that much.