The MPPA Fellowship 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 medal to be worn at all MPPA, Western States District or PPA events.

The MPPA Service Award was first proposed to the 1994 MPPA Board of Directors by Victoria Wojciechowski.  It was created to give recognition to those who selflessly serve the MPPA.

Any MPPA Member that has earned a total of 25 Service or Executive Service points can earn an MPPA Service Award.  

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

Section I: Award Rules and Information/Merits

Associate Fellowship Degree . . . . . . . 50 Points
Full Fellowship Degree . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Points
Gold Bar Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 additional Points

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.

--- 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.

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