Fundraising

Working on getting enough funds for lots of fun things!

 

  The committee have had their meeting about fundraising and it was decided that besides applying for grants and funds from the CVSCE and other sources that the group would benefit if we had at least one major raffle a year with tickets available to all and a few more, regular, smaller ones for members.

 

  The larger raffle will require members to use any contacts they have with local businesses to get them to support our group. This time round I will be contacting Morrison's, Tesco and some of the smaller shops that are left in the town to see whether they will be able to donate a prize.  I will also try my luck with Creativelive and Udemy. Phil Tomlinson has already very kindly offered to donate a canvas print of a picture (MANY thanks Phil) and I hope that if any of you know any business that might like to donate, that you enquire to see what they might be able to offer. If we can get the prizes set up for the beginning of October we can sell tickets for the first two/three weeks in October. I can provide a standard letter requesting a donation for the raffle if you need one.

 

  We will also be having smaller, in-house, raffles for cakes, used photography books etc. that members have donated at some of our regular meetings.

 

  Some of the money raised from these activities will go towards printing costs of all-occasion cards and/or Christmas cards. The sales of which will again bring in more  funds. I will set up a few suitable sections of our Flickr group for you to put forward the images which you think are suitable for use and you do not mind be used in this manner. If your images are chosen, you will not be losing your copyright, just signing a form to agree to our printing of your image for the purpose of raising funds for the group. Your name as photographer and the groups id as a not-for-profit charity will appear on the cards. A range of pictures will be chosen, ie. a set of insect cards seems likely given the output of recent weeks.

 

  Please let me know if you can help with any of this. It is very important for the group.

 

Many thanks,

Mel Smith

 

Member photos-Marketing & Press.

Winter Sunrise-Over the old ICI Lime Beds-Middlewich-Cheshire.

Group use of member photos for Marketing and Press.

It is now some time since we asked group members for their permission for the group to use any of their photos submitted for use in order to create marketing and press interest. With the recent move to Flickr by the group to better display photos, I thought it was worth mentioning again.

We would obviously wish to continue to use member photos, but ONLY if members have no objection to them being used in this way. Therefore, would members not wishing for their photos to be used, please let me know via e-mail, so I do not make any mistakes.

The group has been able to gain many more members by using photos in this way, and we will continue to use them in the future.  Additionally, it is in the group’s future interest to gain more members and I would like to think that members will continue to send photos to any of the local papers, as they continue to request local photos to be submitted to them, where a mention of the group would not go amiss.

Cliff

Tags and Titles!

 

HI everyone,

 Hope you are all enjoying the wonderful Easter weather!

I just thought I would take some time during the rain to discuss a couple of points in the use of Flickr.

Flickr, like Facebook and various blogs etc. has a ‘tag' feature. With tags you can add information to a picture or blog that may help you group or organise your photos (or blogs) when you want to view or share them.  For instance, if you want to view all of the group blogs that are about photo outings then you can search the website blog page by typing ‘photo outing’  (without quotes) in the search box. This works because we add a tag for photo outing on all of the blogs about photo outings. (There are several different tags we use in addition to this one, feel free to investigate – I will be adding ‘Flickr’ to all of the ones about Flickr, including this one).

In Flickr, you can edit your tags on individual photos by clicking on the photo and then selecting ‘add tags’ which is displayed under the photo.  You can edit the tags on a group of photos by selecting the group (ie. go into an album ) and click on ‘edit’,  then ‘batch edit’ and finally, ‘add tags’ . Either way, at this point you will have the opportunity to enter the tags you want to add, separating each different tag by a comma eg. photo outing, cliff astles, photo opportunity. This would be useful to identify your pictures by a particular topic ie. sunset or Christmas so you can easily find the ones you want.

We would like members of the group to tag their photos for the monthly slideshows  by adding a tag with the month and year the slideshow is for ie. March 2015. You might also like to add the topic although this is not necessary for the photo to be included in the slideshow, the month and year is.  The date taken, which is part of the EXIF data is not a suitable substitute as we could pick up other photos which are not for the slideshow.

Titles

It would also be useful for you to add meaningful titles to your pictures as the title is displayed prominently on Flickr. Also, it adds another dimension to the photo if you can get creative with the title, particularly if it provides a connotation for the photo.

Happy Flickring,

Mel Smith

PS. I have added this as a discussion in the members’ only group on Flickr so that you can add comments on this topic.

News about the website! A message from the Webmaster (Mel Smith)

As part of the move to the website, the details of the next meetings and assignments are going to be displayed on the website rather than on the blog. There will be a link to the correct website page on the Facebook events page, but we hope that as you use the website more you will get used to where to find it.

The intention is that, whenever possible, the information will be available on the 19^th of the month. Occasionally, when there is a special event, such as the North Wales Tour, this will appear early to allow for booking time.

Consequently, the 19^th of each month will be the date on which to expect updates to the website. There will be other updates of course, including those which happen automatically. At the moment these include the blog page (which is updated from Cliff’s Google + linked Blogger account) and the Twitter/Facebook feed (which is an automatic feed from the group’s Twitter and fb accounts).

We are looking into the use of a group Flickr account to update the gallery, provide the members’ photos for the slideshow and a source for the Independent newspaper to view and select photos for publication. The logistics of this is being considered by Brian and me at the moment. If you want to share any information can you please message me direct then I don’t risk missing the information on on the fb feed. This will all be officially proposed and discussed once we know it is a viable option. 

This is important, as we need to establish procedures for any members who can’t (or don’t want to) take up this option.  It is an important move for the group as it will reduce the amount of effort for both the organisers of the group and all of the members (No more re-sizing! Hooray!!)

So that all of the members are aware, there are two other major changes about to be dealt with on the website:

1)      The blog

At the moment comments are difficult to post because of the way the blog is distributed. I have started research into this and believe I have a solution. When this is in place (soon) I will inform you all. All members are welcome to submit a blog on a topic which they feel will benefit the group. Please contact Cliff to do this. It will involve you sending a Word (or compatible word processing) document containing the blog to him via email. Only expected submissions from known sources will be opened to avoid viruses etc.

2)      The forum

The forum has had two issues which we want to ensure are solved before we continue to use this particular application. Firstly, not all of the member sign in information was provided to us so we couldn’t identify who was joining the forum. This was an error in the application and we have recently been informed that they have solved the problem but I have not tested it to my satisfaction yet.

The second, and the more serious issue, was that it linked to member’s fb information automatically which potentially displayed far too much information to the wide world of the Internet. As the group does not want to be responsible for this we need to find a solution. Again, as soon as I have then we will let you know. We would like to use the forum as a means to provide Mal’s  photography Q&A (and more).

Mel Smith (Webmaster)

GROUP AGM- 1st Group AGM will take place. March / April 2015.

Photo by Cliff Astles Visit to group by Middlewich Mayor. Mr Paul Edwards & Consort, Mrs Sonya Edwards

Recently all members have been contacted by Mrs Melody Smith using the Group Web Page and the new membership software, we will be using to register members. Members who are already registered will have received confirmation by email. New subscribers will receive email confirmation on registering. If you have not had an email you are NOT registered.

I would like to think that all members who have either not registered, would please do so at the earliest so we can have a full and complete list of members.

IF, by some admin error you have not been contacted by Melody would you please make sure you make contact with her and provide the necessary requested information. There is a link ( http://eepurl.com/bbn-Rb
 ) on the fb page to enable you to add your details personally. All members are required to do this. If you are reading our fb group page you are considered to be a member.

There is also a Member Registration document on the group Facebook Page which can be printed off and handed in when next you attend a monthly meeting, or photo outing.

Additionally and part of the conditions for the Group to remain part of CVS-Cheshire East is that the Group has a formal list of members, contactable via e-mail (these days, or by telephone) so that in emergencies, or for group EVENT cancellations or days out, all members can be made contact with, and advised of changes.

It is also necessary for members to be contactable when notice is given of the Groups intention to hold the Group AGM, so that members can attend the AGM, place votes for any changes etc.

The main topics for a formal Group AGM are as below.

To hear the Chairman's Report

Thank Committee Members for their services to the group.

To present the Group Accounts

To elect new committee members if necessary.

To allow for other group members and non members to present "any other business" & ask questions.

Please help by ensuring your membership has been correctly registered.

Cliff 

13th  Februry 2015

Getting best use of the group laptop

 

Exciting news!  We are about to buy the laptop to aid training for the group. We need to be clear on the benefits of this laptop and how it can be put to ‘best use’. In order to do this we need your input.

This is very important!........and is costing the group a great deal of the hard earned GRANT Funds.

It is envisaged that the laptop will have two main functions plus a few options to be considered:

• Firstly to provide a means to present information to the group at the regular monthly meetings. Until now we have relied on the use of members’ and guest speakers’ own computers.

• Secondly, the laptop will be loaded with software including, image processing software, MS Office Suite and other  packages which would beneficial to the members of the group. 

 

• The purpose of this will be to enable training on the use of this software to the group through both the monthly meetings and, potentially, on a 1 to 1 or 1 to a smaller group as required. This is the area which we need most input from members as it is important for us to understand what features of training will be of most use and how we can provide this.

 

• Providing Internet connectivity for occasions where it is available for accessing and training on using on-line resources. There are also on-line training resources that could be used such as YouTube features. The provision of ‘interface software’ to allow the connection of other hardware such as tablets, phones etc is also under consideration for future ideas the group is considering.

• With the point above in mind, the group will also have to install, and keep updated, anti-virus software. This will have a recurring annual cost.

 

• The laptop will also be the primary storage place for the administration files of the group. These will be in a separate section from the 'member' section and will be passworded. The password will only be shared with those who need access for administrator duties.

With all of these points in mind , we will put out a poll to gather information in the near future. This would be a good opportunity to test the mailing system that the group has set up recently. With this in mind, here is  a link to enrol on our members’ list on Mail-Chimp which is the package we are using to provide this service. 

http://eepurl.com/bbn-Rb

It is VERY IMPORTANT that each group member enroll on this as this will be our primary list of members to maintain our charity status. It will be used so we may reach ALL members, at the same time, should we need to cancel or postpone a meeting, event or photo outing, at the last minute.

ALL members must be on this list, so we need you to make sure you all register.

Your data is safe and this particular software package, which is used by government departments,  is set up to ensure that we follow both data protection and ‘spamming’ rules about storing and using data.

 

So many improvements, so little time!

Onward and upward,

Cliff Astles,    Mel Smith

Banging the drum for the group!

(Photos:- Civil War re-enactment Battle in Nantwich in 1643, Saturday January 24th)

WAVE THE FLAG

BANG the DRUM

Cheer on the WINNERS

Considered it most important to let the whole group know that we have achieved  more than 100 group members, in LESS than 10 months of the group being formed.

I now feel that I can approach Cheshire East Council to say a big thank you for their help and funding in being able to get to this number so quickly, and see if they can help the group to hold an Open Day, to show others just what we have achieved, and hopefully, get even more new group members.

Middlewich Town Council have also played their part as they were the first to provide group funding, and have also with the Town Mayor Paul Edwards and his wife Sonya visited the group to view progress.

We are getting  new members each month so it is also important that members have offered their help so we are best able to keep up this initial momentum, so for our new members are the names of group members who are willing to take on particular group tasks in order to shed the load, and move even more ahead.

Therefore, at meetings and group photo outings the below people will also provide help and assistance.

Melody Smith....................Group Webmaster....Designing and Creating the Group Web Page.

Brian Roberts....................Committee Member....Brian has a many tasks and is normally on the door.

Les Oakley.......................Meet & Greet at the main entrance door, and during meetings / outings.

Mal Wetton.......................Meet & Greet at the main entrance door, and during meetings / outings.

Mal Wetton.......................Is the first contact for technical and camera setting information / guidance & help.

Peter Cross........................Peter will help to organise the group meeting room before and after meetings.

Barbara Astles...................Committee Member, main entrance registration of members / refreshments.

Ken Rane..........................Ken is reviewing the photo software needed on the Training Laptop.

Antony West.....................Antony has offered to create all future marketing Flyers with Cliff Astles.

By spreading the administration and group organisation we believe this is the best way to help the group develop, and more of this type of spreading the load will happen as the group develops. 

Members with time and energy available to give to the group can make contact with myself via the group mail so I can offer "jobs" to members as they occur.e-mail is 21stctncg@gmail.com.

I hope that all members can continue to attend our monthly group meetings at the Willowmere-Middlewich as this is the ONLY ( apart from Grants) WAY in which the group can be sustained in the future.

The TRAINING LAPTOP will be purchased during the next few weeks and will be a high specification Laptop and will have installed on it as much of the latest photo post processing software we can afford to buy, plus a number of other photo related software packages. A person will be needed to be responsible for the use of this expensive group facility. Exact use to be finally decided by group discussion.

Cliff Astles

Group Chairman & Organiser.

Member Help at Willowmere & Technology and Digital Questions / Answers-Jan 2015

Member "Instructional Photo Outing" photo from Pennington Flash Album.

 

Our group has recently grown very quickly, so that at last months meeting we had some some 33 persons in total at the monthly meeting, with an unusually large number of new members attending for the first time.

This is very encouraging to see and no doubt hope this is a continuing theme for the future success of the group. However, it has indicated that we need more member resource to properly "meet and greet" new members. We need to make sure they know where to go, who people are at the meetings, and perhaps what will be happening on the night and sequence of the meeting schedule, toilets, fire escapes and the fact that we are meeting at an older peoples residence, and need to be quieter than normal.

Both Mal Wetton and Les Oakley have previously offered to help out whenever something was needed, and now is the right time to get changes made to ensure a better flow as people register and come to the group meetings at Willowmere, and to also make sure of other things as above, and more.

Therefore, at future meetings we plan to have as normal on the door at Willowmere Brian Roberts, who will allow for people to enter the premises (they are locked at 5.30 pm), with Mrs Barbara Astles who will ensure that all members and visitors all sign the visitors / security book at the Willowmere Reception Desk.

In addition to myself at the door (most of the time) will be Les Oakley and Mal Wetton. We will try and ensure that all new members / visitors / guests are properly met, shown where to go for the meeting etc etc. They will also make people aware of the H & S issues in place at Willowmere for the safety of visitors and residents alike, and where ever possible point people in the direction of the Meeting room. (Restaurant).

Furthermore, Mal Wetton has agreed to help with any technical questions regarding technology, digital cameras, settings, and other similar items. Mal should be contacted first at meetings or on the group Facebook Page, and he will try and answer your questions, as well as pointing you in the direction of the member who can perhaps help more with answers, probably a bit of both.

In the fullness of time, we believe as the Group Web Page matures members will make more use of the Group Forum to ask any similar questions and will get answers from many members on the Forum Page.

Finally, should members find other items that require attention in making the group run better, let me have your comments via the group e-mail (21stctncg@gmail.co) to myself. This may also include topics which you feel you would like added to the future group EVENTS to make the future meetings as interesting and informative as possible.

Cliff Astles

28th Jan 2015.

Photos for January meeting, 21st Group Website and new policies.

Canal Boat Photos from Photo Outing-Saturday 17th Jan 2015.


You may, if you wish, add a small (10 to 15) photo album to the 21st group Facebook Page, plus you need to make sure you also let me have your own selection of 5 photos to place onto the Member Photo Presentation for Wed Night.  Why only 10 to 15 ? photos, to make sure I do not have to purchase another disk drive :) Members took many hundreds of photos on this trip :)


Website

As most members now know, you can view the new website at

www.watch-it-and-c-.co.uk

This has been designed and created by group member Melody Smith and is available for members to view / use NOW. More and more facilities will be released to enhance and complete the task to make it 100%,  progressively by Melody, over the next few weeks and months.

Members are requested to feed back to Melody any errors they may find or difficulties they have with using the website plus anything they see as being useful to include in the Website.

Proposed Policies

Both Facebook and the website will be used side by side. However we will need to work out the best way to contact members. Entries into this blog can be viewed on both the group Facebook page and website and this is why I am currently using this to announce member meeting details. It would be good to eventually have this blog for reports on events and subjects (camera and tech related) which may be of use to group members. It is hoped that members will also submit blog posts to me for inclusion. All members are welcome to comment on blog posts. Comments will be moderated.

It is proposed that we use Mailchimp to email club members with details of meetings and other information. This way we are not reliant on:

• members being on fb (not all are);
• members signing on to fb to receive important messages;
• fb privacy settings preventing some members seeing 'shared' information;
• members having Facebook posts sent to their phone.

Mailchimp is fully compliant with data protection laws and ensures that the group is handling member data correctly. To enable this to happen we need your email address. Please DO NOT send these by any means that would make them available publicly. A new 'contact details' sheet will be made available for you complete from the web page shortly. If you have any concerns about this proposed change in group policy please contact me (Cliff) in person or via. the group email. If time permits the subject will be discussed at the upcoming meeting.

We will also be looking for keen members to become committee members or sub-committee members. It is envisaged that committee members will represent the whole group and contribute to steering the club's direction; sub-committee members would help with one or two jobs within the club ie. monitoring comments on the blog or forum, updating the website etc.

Onward and Upward.

Cliff