MDPPA Members in good standing are eligible to earn Merits and Degrees within the Association.
2023 MERITS AND DEGREES
Hello MDPPA Members,
It's that time of year again to get credit for your 2023 participation in and service to Maryland Professional Photographers Association (MDPPA)!
Whether you've attended classes or events, earned merits in print competitions, taught classes (Super 1 Days or regular monthly meetings), or served on the board or one of its committees, you've earned merits. In order to make sure you get that credit, we need your input.
PLEASE NOTE: All MDPPA Print Merits will be provided to the Merits and Degrees Chairman from the Image Competition Chairman and will automatically be included in your total points earned for the year.
This year the Merits and Degrees form is included below, is also online and should take you less than 10 minutes! Please read the instructions for each question in its entirety.
You can access the form at: 2023 MDPPA Merits and Degrees Form
DEADLINE: January 20, 2024
If you have any questions, please contact the Merits and Degrees Chairman, Christina Martin,
MDPPA Degree Program
Eligibility: Any member in good standing of the Maryland Professional Association, Inc.
Degrees: Associate Fellow of Photography (A.F.Ph.)
Black ribbon with gold medallion
25 merits - all service merits
Fellow of Photography (F.Ph.)
Gold ribbon with gold medallion
25 merits - 15 must be print merits, 10 merits can be service or print
Combined Degree (A.F.Ph., F.Ph.)
Black & gold ribbon with gold medallion
Consists of all of the above
+25 Gold Bars
After the attainment of any of the above degrees a 25+ Gold Bar will be awarded for each additional 25 merits that an individual earns. Gold Bars are earned for any combination of service and print merits.
General Information:
1. Degrees will be awarded once a year at the Annual Awards Ceremony.
2. Service Merits are earned by serving on a committee, attending 8 monthly meetings in one calendar year, attending the Annual Convention, attending CEU classes, teaching Super One Days, earning a PPA degree, etc.
3. Print Merits are awarded for a Best in Show at the Monthly Digital Image Competitions, meriting and award winning images from the Annual Print Competition, being awarded the photographer of the year, etc.
4. Merit and Degrees forms are due by January 20, 2024.
5. Merits and Degrees are awarded to individuals, not to studios.
6. Designated letters may be used after individual’s name.
7. An individual may retain the degree only as long as he/she is a member in good standing with the Association.
8. The Board of Directors will have the authority to remove or to not issue a degree by a unanimous vote of the entire board.
9. The President and Board of Directors may issue one merit to anyone who has performed outstandingly for the association during the year & who does not receive credit for the performance under present rules.
10. An Honorary Degree may be awarded to a member when approved by the unanimous vote of the entire Board.
11. All members must apply for merits by the date set forth by the Merits and Degrees Chairman. If they have not been applied for by that date, no merits will be issued.
12. Each Committee Chairman may recommend to the President individuals who have performed their duties working on his/her committee be awarded service merits.
13. These rules and regulations may be amended by the Board as they feel necessary by 4/5 majority vote of the Board.
To avoid any problems with print merits, contact the Print Chairman well in advance to confirm that your records agree with him/her. Also, contact the Secretary to confirm that you have attended the required number of meetings. Unless you can prove otherwise, his/her records will be accepted.
If you have any questions concerning the Merits and Degrees program, feel free to contact the Merits and Degrees Chairman, Christina Martin (cmartin21784@gmail.com).
Revised December 2023