Photo Club Amends Constitution

Those who actually join the clubs and societies in this college usually do no more than attend meetings and listen to the programmes mapped out for thorn by a small and perhaps enthusiastic committee. Members of the V.U.C. Photographic Club, therefore, appear to be showing a certain amount of incentive in going so far as to amend their contitution in an endeavour to bring it up to date and to remove certain anomalies. This, we consider is a move that could well be watched with interest by many other clubs. By widening their aims and making allowance for larger committees, they could perhaps become something more than mere social groups for the benefit and advantage of a select few.

The Photographic Club has been in this position for the last few years. It boasts a certain amount of equipment, including a good-quality en-larger. However, members and prospective members of the club discovered (last year at least), that it was almost impossible to get the use of this without much trouble and inconvenience. Hence the amendments to the constitution, which was, by the way, adopted as long ago as 1939.

Amendment to clause 19 states: "All property which shall be acquired by the club shall remain the property of the club, and shall be readily available at all reasonable times to the club's members." For some reason, this alteration met with the disapproval of certain members of the club, but practical experience shows that it will do a lot to make the club more popular amongst those interested in photography, and who wish to avail themselves of club facilities. Several dealers have guaranteed a discount for materials and apparatus purchased under the club name. This amendment therefore is of advantage to members who find that their hobby is becoming expensive, and who wish to save as much as possible.

For the last fourteen years, it has not been required that tie president be an active member of the club. An amendment changes this, so that now the president will also be chairman. This will place on him the obligation of attending all meetings and in other ways taking an active part in club activities, instead of remaining a figure-head only, as he has often been in the past. A patron will be nominated, as is the usual custom of other clubs in this college.

An extra clause is inserted (13): "There shall be an expenditure, as approved by the committee for demonstrations of an instructional nature." This should prove of benefit to members, who will have the opportunity of learning now techniques and getting knowledge which they formerly would have had no opportunity of gaining. It is Intended that the committee be enlarged and that the A.G.M. be held in the first month of the term instead of at some unspecified date in the first term as was the case formerly.

If the intention behind these amendments is put into practice, the Photographic Club should take on a new—and unusual—lease of life. It is worthwhile, then, for other clubs to watch the results of the move, and to consider what the effect of similar action would be on their own depleted membership.