MPPA FELLOWSHIP DEGREE PROGRAM APPLICATION

The degree was first proposed to the 1974 MPPA Board of Directors by Duncan MacNab. It was created to recognize Montana photographers who excel nationally and serve the state association.

In April 2011, the MPPA Board of Directors adopted a new degree program with the intent to encourage more participation among ALL members--- rewarding them for their achievements plus their service to the association. The degree programs offers all MPPA members an opportunity to achieve a Fellowship no matter what level of proficiency or involvement.

Degree holders will be recognized by the appropriate custom metal to be worn at all MPPA, Western States District or PPA events.

There are two degree levels to this program:
Associate Fellowship Degree- a MPPA member that has earned a total of 50

Fellowship Points, which may or may not have come from print scores or participation in Salon Print Competition.

Full Fellowship Degree- a MPPA member that has earned a total of 100 Fellowship Points, which MUST also include the following within the 100 points:

--- Twenty (20) Photographic Fellowship Points
--- Ten (10) Educational Photographic Fellowship Points --- Four (4) Executive Service Fellowship Points

Gold Bar Fellowship Awards--- For every 25 additional points earned, the recipient may add a Gold Bar to the Ribbon of the Fellowship Medallion.

Section I: Award Rules and Information/Merits

Section II: Who is Eligible?

All paid-up MPPA Active, Associate, Aspiring, Lifetime or Student members in good standing.

Section III: Honoring prior Fellowship Degree

The 2011 MPPA Board of Directors will honor any MPPA member who wishes to complete the original MPPA Fellowship Degree as stated in the 2010 Membership Handbook until April 30, 2012. Please submit the same MPPA Fellowship Degree Application Form to the Fellowship Chairperson before the deadline.

Thereafter, the new 2011 Fellowship Degree program will be the only degrees available to earn within the Montana Professional Photographers' Association.

Please read and follow these rules exactly. If instructions and rules are not followed, the Fellowship Chairperson and /or MPPA Board of Directors may have no choice but to disallow the points. All decisions on eligibility of points will be made by the MPPA Board of Directors--- and will be final.

1. Each member is responsible to submit their Fellowship Degree application by January 15th annually.

2. Proof of Service, Education or Photographic points earned must include a copy of a Program,

   Newsletter, PPA published article, PPA Award Merit sheet, Print Competition Score Sheet, Etc.

   as proof of completion with Fellowship Degree application.

3. The requirements for the Fellowship degrees will be retroactive as far back as the records of the

   association or proof from the applicant can be provided.

4. Service, Educational or Photographic points awarded may only be used once per event or description.

5. Fellowship Chairperson will submit an annual report to the MPPA Board of Directors of current

   members points recorded by November 1st annually.

6. Request to review or challenge points recorded must be done in writing by the applicant to the

   Fellowship Chairperson by February 1st annually.

7. The MPPA Board of Directors have the right to change any reported/earned points with a two thirds

   (2/3) vote.

8. The MPPA Board of Directors have the right to change the Fellowship Degree Program when deemed

   necessary--- including descriptions, rules or points, to go into effect June 1st annually with a two thirds (2/3) vote. All Applications turned in 30 days prior will be "grand fathered" on past rules/points for a period of one year.

9. Presentation of Fellowship Degree and Gold Bars Awards will be made at the MPPA Annual Awards Banquet.

10. Degree holders will be recognized by the appropriate custom metal to be worn at all MPPA or PPA events.

11. Prior to request finalizing points required for one of the Fellowship Degrees, the degree applicant must be a MPPA Active, Associate, Lifetime, or Aspiring/Student member for thirty-six (36) or more consecutive months (with all dues paid annually) prior to making application for the degree.

    Section V: Service Points

    1. AttendingMPPA/PPA Annual Convention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 points

    2. Attending MPPA Summer Seminar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2 points

    3. Attending MPPA One day Class or Webinar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 point

    4. Annual MPPA Active Membership paid by February 1st . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 point

    5. Helping at Events (work in Print Room, Registration, Etc---2 hours minimum/ job) . . . 1 point

    6. Non-illustrated Article in MPPA newsletter or PPA Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 points

    7. Illustrated Article in MPPA newsletter or PPA Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 points

    8. Achieving Master of Photography or Master Artist Degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 points

    9. Achieving Photographic Craftsman or Wedding Degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 points

    10. Achieving CPP Degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2points

    11. Continued yearly compliance of CPP program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 point

    12. Continued yearly service as PPA Councilperson for Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2 points

    13. PPA Service Merits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3points

    14. Receiving PPA National Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2points

    15. Receiving MPPA Presidential Achievement Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . .  2 points

    16. Mentorship – Completing MPPA Mentorship 6 Month Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 point

Section VI: Executive Service Points

Note:Full Fellowship Degrees MUST include - Four (4) Executive Service Fellowship Points. All positions listed must be with MPPA only.

1. Board Member(must attend 80% of all Board meetings annually)....................................2 points

2. Print Chairperson Board Member (attend 80% of all Board meetings annually)..................3 points

3. Vendor Chairperson Board Member (attend 80% of all Board meetings annually)...............3 points

4. Endowment Board Member.........................................................................................1 point

5. Treasurer.................................................................................................................3 points

6. Business Manager (must attend 80% of all Board meetings annually)...............................4 points

7. Newsletter Editor (must publish a 6 page minimum--- 4 times annually)...........................3 points

8. Web Master...............................................................................................................2 points

9. Fellowship Degree Chairperson....................................................................................2 points

10. Second Vice President (must attend 80% of all Board meetings annually).........................3 points

11. First Vice President (must attend 80% of all Board meetings annually).............................3 points

12. Current Past President (must attend 80% of all Board meetings annually).........................2 points

13. President (must attend 80% of all Board meetings annually)............................................5 points

This Application Form must be submitted by May 1st annually to the Fellowship Chairperson to record.
Each member is responsible for submitting their own Fellowship Degree application.
Please mail to: Joni Dietz – PO Box 938 – Manhattan, MT 59741.
Make copy for your records. Deadline submission is June 1st of each year for the review and record of points earned.

Having fulfilled the above outlined points requirements, I hereby make a formal application to the Montana Professional Photographers' Association towards a MPPA Fellowship Degree. I am a member in good standing in MPPA, and have read all rules and exemplify the MPPA Code of Ethics.