been away for 1 week due to the Crossing Bridges 10 event. read many of discussion on GR club, let me give more insight here.
1) Why GR club is not owned by APD, who is the existing distributor of Ricoh camera in Singapore ?
Reason I - Continuity. We have seen many camera clubs directly owned by the company itself, and died off once the management no longer support the club and its activities. In addition, for what ever reason if APD is no longer the distributor of Ricoh camera in Singapore, the club will be in nowhere. To avoid these, the committee member had decided to form GR club as a standalone basic, and registered the club as a Society. We have our own committee member. If any of the committee member no longer have time/passion to run the club, he/she could resign and we would draw new blood from the member. Setting a club is easy, to ensure the continuity is the key. We do not want to get members to sign up the membership and there are no activities/events/promotion after the initial period.
Reason II - Individualistic/Independent
GR/GXR is an individualistic camera. The cameras are designed for the photographer. The concept should apply to the GR Club where the club is run by the members itself. The committee member would drive the club, with the interest of members. A club truly belonged to the member. Is not that this is the similar setup of ClubSNAP (without the direct ownership of any camera club) who had grown to close to 200,000 members ? Nonetheless, that does not mean the club does not have support from Ricoh or APD. Indeed, APD is kind to help us to setup this club, they have given us a lot resources. I believe we will continue to have their back up and support on GR club.
2) T Shirt Design
We all know there is no perfect design that everyones like. Rather than take in everyone's opinion and drag on, the committee had decided to use the logo I :heart: GR.
Why GR ? GR does not only represent the GR camera. GR features more likevthe branding of Ricoh camera. We hope and welcome to have all Ricoh camera user to join the club. Be it GXR, GX, GRD user.
Why I :heart: GR ? Clear message. The design of " I :heart: XX " has been sold widely, and you could see many people wearing the T shirt. Personally I do not see it is feminine. Moreover, we see this as a
common design for GR club in other country.
The T shirt is a high quality material. I am sure you would like it.
3) Join us and Sign up
here
Ricoh user should take this opportunity to be part of us. Come for our outing/meetings, to find out more what the club could do for you, and let us hear from you what you like it to be.
This is the pic posted on the FB page. :bsmilie:
