Does ASOPA still exist?

[Jim Riley]

About a year ago I asked this same question and still do not know the answer. I receive nothing from them and their web site is worthless except for the links to portrait artists from which I have received some response. there are no activities listed for 2004. Somebody must be able to bring us up to date regarding this once active and prominent society. Whats happening?

[Steven Sweeney]

I'm equally interested and inquisitive, and I "appear" to have membership, but I fear the worst, as membership has never meant anything other than that my membership check was cashed.

Unless an ASOPA rep can represent otherwise, we may do well to assume the worst, which is most sad. To have only one other major portrait "Oscars" is disappointing.

[Cynthia Daniel]

ASOPA does still exist, but not in the same form as before. They are in a major restructuring and making decisions about future. Last year there was no major event and none is planned this year. There may be some in the future. However, there were workshops in several cities last year and workshops are planned again this year, but they are still in the works. Arnold McRae, who is primarily running the ship for both LL and ASOPA, has his hands overly full and I have to say I admire what he has taken on and accomplished.

If you are not receiving periodical Portrait Signature journals, you should contact them regarding this. In the meantime, a Google search on "portrait artists" lists ASOPA as number one (I was for a while, but I've dropped down a bit - no understanding search engines), so I would consider it worthwhile to be a member from a business standpoint just to have your name and thumbnail listed there.

I'm the web designer for ASOPA in case you're wondering how I know these things.

[Stacey McEwen]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one wondering!

I joined last year and have yet to recieve a Portrait Signature without poking and prodding. Essentially, I've contacted the secretary every quarter to say I haven't recieved it, and she then promptly sends it. I don't know why the plain old mailing list doesn't work for me!! I'm getting ready to send my note requesting the winter edition of the Signature

I've also requested a couple of times that my name listing be changed on the webpage (I do portraits under my maiden name and the site shows my married name) - no response on that one...

[Michele Rushworth]

I also would caution people from joining just to have their name listed on the ASOPA website. My name has never appeared there even though I joined. I requested more than once that it be added, with no response.

[Cynthia Daniel]

Michele,

Anyone who is a paid member and whose name is not on the web site can write directly to me and I will add it. I'm the webmaster and can do that.

Also, they are in the process of automating the generation of that page from their database, and when it comes directly from their membership database, it will be more correct and up to date.

I would ask that you not judge ASOPA too harshly.

[Jim Riley]

I don't believe it too harsh to ask if they are alive and well. The web site activities page is a year out of date and when I called one of the listed locations about a scheduled activity last year the facility was unaware that anything was planned at their location.

Aside from keeping their membership listing up to date it should not require much to let members know what 's happening currently and plans for the future with whatever change is underway if any. Nobody seems to be added or dropped from the membership and since they do not seem to bill for renewals it's a wonder that they have income to operate.

I tried to send an e-mail via their link and got an error suggesting that my message was rejected due to spam protection on their site.

As I said before, I have benefited as a listed member but fail to understand the lack of communication. It's no comfort to know that others are also ignored.
(What is LL?)

[Cynthia Daniel]

I don't believe it too harsh to ask if they are alive and well.

I was speaking in general and not about anyone's specific comments.

The web site activities page is a year out of date and when I called one of the listed locations about a scheduled activity last year the facility was unaware that anything was planned at their location.

I can't give an answer on that one. Perhaps there was some old information left over from the prior year that had not yet been removed from the site.

Aside from keeping their membership listing up to date ... nobody seems to be added or dropped from the membership and since they do not seem to bill for renewals it's a wonder that they have income to operate.

That is, in fact, being addressed in the current work being done to dynamically generate that page from their database. Hopefully, that should be up and working within the next few weeks.

I tried to send an e-mail via their link and got an error suggesting that my message was rejected due to spam protection on their site.

I just tested sending email from the site and received back and email from Earthlink saying that spamblocker had put the folder into a probable spam folder and that I should write and ask for my address to be added to the "acceptable" list. I've emailed ASOPA to bring this problem to their attention.

(What is LL?)

Leon Loard

[Cynthia Daniel]

From ASOPA:

The last Signature was printed in early November and yes, the database was poorly maintained. I hope that automating some functions and focusing the operator on input will improve its integrity.

The next issue is about to go to press and will be mailed by mid-February.