A ALFA – Free Association of Algarve Photographers is going to elections next January 18, with two competing lists that agree on the same idea: it is necessary to attract more members. And get them to participate in activities and pay dues.
From the part of list A, whose motto is «We reveal your photographic side», the candidate for president of ALFA is Carlos Cruz, current vice president. In list B, Carla Brazão Mendes is chosen as president of the association, in case of victory.
Ao Sul Informação, Carlos Cruz revealed that this is "the second time that he is advancing to the leadership of ALFA", of which he was president.
“I want to consolidate the association's image and reputation at a regional level. One of the objectives is also, of course, to have more members and attract young people. We know how photography is democratized today, with the smartphones, but we want to show that there is also space for the younger ones», he added.
Also heard by the Sul Informação, Carla Brazão Mendes agreed with this idea. “One of the main objectives is to call the partners back to ALFA. We have 706 members, but only 92 are in good standing, with their membership fees paid. We want to contact everyone, know their profile, their motivations and ideas for what they would like the association to do and is not doing», he explained.
As a matter of fact, one of the points of the activities plan in List B is even to propose the creation of a junior partner, the son of an ALFA associate, who is exempt from paying dues up to 14 years of age.
But not only these issues related to the partners are made the programs of both lists. At A, which presents Vítor Azevedo as candidate for president of the General Assembly, one of the proposals is to establish partnerships with both emerging artists and renowned professional photographers, such as João Mariano (1000olhos) and Vasco Célio (Stils) to participate in the activities of ALPHA.
The aim is also to promote exhibitions and other initiatives throughout the Algarve and even make a contribution to the possibility of Faro to be European Capital of Culture. «We talk about it and it's time to roll up our sleeves and work as a team, either with other associations or with others players connected with photography and image», Carlos Cruz told our newspaper.
On the part of list B, which has João Nuno Neves as candidate for president of the General Assembly, some of the proposals that stand out are related to the creation of a rally photographic, in Faro and in other municipalities, and the implementation of a competition and photo exhibition called “Algarve Photo Award”, with various categories such as photojournalism and lifestyles.
List A has a similar idea, but with another name: the “Algarve Photo Summit” which would be a two-day event with activities related to photography, such as workshops and exhibitions.
On list B, another proposal is the purchase of an A3 photographic printer for printing at exclusive prices for members, in addition to promoting social gatherings between members and others, on photographic tours.
But what made Carlos Cruz and Carla Brazão Mendes run for the leadership of ALFA? Now, both claim that they moved forward to not let the association fall, because there was a first call for the presentation of lists that was deserted.
As candidate Carla Brazão Mendes explained, when her list was presented on December 12, “I didn't even know there would be another one”, rejecting an idea of opposition.
The fact that there are two lists is, according to Carlos Cruz, good news. “It's good for ALFA to have new people interested, with new ideas and new projects. Membership can only benefit from having two lists. Even more interesting would be if there were three or four», he considered.
Carla Brazão Mendes, on the other hand, who didn't even have the “initial intention to apply”, guarantees that, if she wins, she will have “close people, with know-how so that we can all help each other in all functions».
Now, the ball it is on the side of ALFA's partners, who will elect the governing bodies for the 2019-2021 triennium.
LIST A
General Assembly
President: Vítor Azevedo, partner no. 43, retired, nature photographer;
Vice-president: Joaquim Pedro Santos, partner nº 96, civil engineer;
Secretary: Mauro Rodrigues, partner no. 67, ICT manager, youtuber;
Alternate: Saúl Jorge Lopes, partner No. 442, pediatrician;
Direction
President: Carlos Cruz, partner no. 31, event manager, communication professional;
Vice-president: Vico Reis Ughetto, partner nº 642, graduated in marketing, video and photography professional;
Treasurer: Raúl Coelho, partner No. 40, graduated in communication sciences, back office technician;
Secretary: Rosária Neves Pacheco, partner no. 676, degree in history, teacher;
Member: Sérgio Inácio, civil servant;
Substitute: Duarte Nuno Baltazar, partner no. 64, journalist
Conselho Fiscal
President: Dina Pereira, partner no. 616, civil servant;
Vice President: Elsa Santos Nascimento, partner no. 631, official accountant, travel photographer;
Secretary: José Simões, partner No. 55, construction, works and remodeling entrepreneur;
LIST B
General meeting:
President: João Nuno Neves, partner nº 88
Vice President: Rui Correia, partner No. 181
Secretary: Tiago Vieira, partner No. 70
Direction
President: Carla Brazão Mendes, partner No. 267
Vice President: Aníbal Tiago Vieira, partner nº 14
Secretary: Conceição Agostinho, partner no. 304
Treasurer: Rui Pinto, partner nº 69
Member 1: Domingos Samuel, partner No. 225
Member 2: João Pelica, partner No. 41
Member 3: Bruno Carlos, partner No. 354
Member 4: Maia Coimbra, partner nº 11
Substitute 1: Ana Gonzales, partner no. 158
Substitute 2: João Pires, partner nº 107
Conselho Fiscal
President: Vítor Dias, partner No. 199
Vice President: César Neves, partner No. 341
Secretary: Graciana Vieira, partner No. 439
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