Hello Everyone!!!



As many of you might now, our first Photography Challenge #1, concept Spring, has finished. Unfortunately we only had two submissions, which I know with the crazy weather we have been having, might have played a part in it. But no worries, for those still wanting to take part in more challenges, a new one is on the way!!

Since there were only two submissions this time around, it probably isn't worth having a club vote on the Challenge Best, so we will hold off on the vote until the next challenge, which is coming soon, so stay tuned!!!

Also as an FYI, DA is acting up again tonight, and the new spring submission and even some new gallery submissions not related to the challenge are not showing up properly. Luckily I was able to get the thumbs from watching the club, so here the spring challenge submissions:

**Update: The above DA issues have been resolved and all submissions to the club gallery are now showing.**

=BellaU

*AvalonSky



Club Update: New Forum started, feel free to comment and post to your hearts content! [link]

Also, new polls coming soon, so stay in tune and watch for those, you early club members are going to help dictate how this club evolves into the awesome photographic club you want it to be!

Current active poll here: [link]

Finally, great news, our club chatroom is live, it must have members at least actively checking into it and using it, even for a little bit, if it goes 2 weeks without use, DA automatically deletes it.

Here is the link to our very own chatroom: [link]

Stop by and say hi!!, I do want to schedule at least our first club chat soon, sometime during the next week or so, so watch for a new poll coming your way soon for what time and day will be good for you! ;D



In other news, I would like to take the time to hear some feedback from members on where and what they would like the club to do next. There was also talk about possibly scheduling in person group meetups.

I want to hold off on that right now, until we get more participation in the group challenges and online forums, chatroom and polls, that would lead me to suspect that any group meetups we do will be successful, plus allow time for members to get to know each other first, but if enough people are willing to take part in these, I am willing to start scheduling the first one.

And if distances are too far between members, we can always put a activity list together of what the live group meetup was going to accomplish, for those members to complete on their own. Remember though that any group outings will have strict guidlines, anyone under the age of 18 will have to parental permission to attend and must have parent onsite at all times, this is for safety reasons and no one should feel that this is out of line.

I will do more research concerning DA Meetups that have been done in the past to see what guidelines and suggestions they have in place.

Also remember to watch for the polls, they will dictact locations, attendance and activities for all members, whether via demonstrations, photographic outings, etc.

Also, with the distance in mind, I want to put a personal challenge for all members, feel free to promote the club, especially if it means bringing together local photographers from your area of Wisconsin, this will help in the future for any group get togethers, since they will probably happen in various parts of the state, it will allow members a chance to get involved with their local photography and art communities.

If anyone has any ideas on where they would like to see the club go and ways to promote club growth, both creatively and membership wise, please let us know. After all this is your club and we want everyone to enjoy their membership and time within here.

Finally, I also had the chance to create a stamp for our club, so feel free to use it, you can also use it elsewhere on other websites, as long as you link back to the club, so people know how to find us.



I also created a similar avatar for our club, hope you like the theme!



Let's give a big welcome to our newest member(s): ~leavenotrase

He has already submitted some submissions to the club gallery, so don't forget to stop by and wish him hi!