Irregularities on Photographes Amateurs et Pros Mauriciens (PAPM)

This special day(29th Feb) happens only once every 4 years but fights on the facebook group “Photographes Amateurs et Pros Mauriciens” (PAPM) do not wait for leap years. Although I am not an active member anymore, I have my own reasons to remain in the dark, waiting for something big to happen. In fact, there are several reasons why I prefer to remain silent but today’s incident was “La goutte d’eau qui fait déborder le vase“.

Some past stories

Once, my name was even publicly mentioned on the wall of the group by an admin. Members (including admin) denigrated me because I posted a status message on my facebook profile regarding a situation in the group. A facebook status message which contained no names of people or of any group. Later on, one of the admins apologized to me through a personal message and said that he took the matter too personal. Après la mort, la tisane.

On another occasion, I was actively debating a issue with another admin when the latter started deleting her previous comments and then saying totally contradictory things. I instantly raised my voice to get things right and clear.

Another additional incident : Once, a photography theme challenge was created and a manipulated image violating several rules of the group was added by one of the admins. I said “WTF” to myself and started a post on the group. Once again, I was the bad boy, the picture was removed and no apologies to me.

Some of you might have been through this painful experience of being refused to gain access to the group when one of the admins asked you to provide proofs that you are a photographer and want to learn things. However, one of my friends’ request to join the group was INSTANTANEOUSLY accepted by an admin because the latter was one of his friends. And my friend neither uploaded any picture nor had any interest in doing so. All he did was just a test on my request.

I have so many stories to tell you but I will end this section with this last one :

The rules of the group somewhat stipulates that you NEED to be a photographer to join the group. But have you ever browsed the list of members? You probably need a calculator to count the number of the so-called “models” who are on the list but who have never held any camera in their life. Why no one cares about them?

Do I need to take names or raise the point with admins on their group to get an answer why they violated their rules?

What’s up today?

The story goes as follows  :

The group held a logo competition some months ago. Assume LogoX won the first place. Everyone is happy, the logo is used everywhere until the admins decide to make PAPM tshirts with the logo. For some unknown reasons, the original copyright owner of the logo refuses the right for the group to use the logo on tshirts.

Admins then make an announcement that the runner up logo will be used. Call it LogoY.

After a few hours, a member of the group raises a problem.

Wait, that’s not the runner up winner!

The LogoY was on the third position! LogoZ being the real runner up was totally ignored either because admins did not take care to verify or for watever reasons.

Frustrated and angry members need answers

And right now, some group members are angry. How did admins selected the LogoY as the runner up one? Why wasn’t the owner of the logo contacted? At one point, members even asked how were admins and officers elected chosen? Were any apologies presented for this error?

You might have noticed that this post exceptionally does not contain any images, as I usually do for the hundreds of posts. That’s because some people (they will recognise themselves) don’t deserve any recognition.

Note to admin/officers :

Not everyone is bad but some of you (especially one person) has no manners to talk to people or discuss things diplomatically. And you need to accept criticism. No one is perfect but you never accept that you commit errors. For once, just admit that you erred. It is not the end of the world. You might be admins or officers but that’s only in your little world.

I never raised any issues without having valid reasons to do so. Nor I am among those who quietly accept things imposed on me. So, don’t piss me off!

As I said, not all admins are bad. Some of them are actually very responsible, respectable and helpful but dudes, some members of your team do not assume their acts. They are still here despite several problems involving them. The main objectives of the group is still a noble one. Great achievements till now but you also need to accept criticism and be more responsible. I said it several times in the past. If anyone among you needs proof, discuss among the admin team first and clear things between yourselves.

Some might might ask me, why don’t I discuss this issue on the group itself? Simply because once you are there, you need to abide by their self-made rules which only admins can break at their will. They can delete my comments or even ban myself at anytime but that would their fatal error. Mind my words.

Remember you are being watched, even if you delete me. You will need to assume your acts because I am not violating any of your rules right now. Think twice before using your mouse right now.

To whoever wants to discuss the topic :

I will respond ONLY on this blog. Emails/Private messages etc will be ignored.

If you feel that this post stands good and I totally have grounds for having voiced out my views, please do comment but most importantly,

1. FORWARD THIS LINK TO THE ADMINS/OFFICERS AND

2. POST IT ON THE GROUP (if they don’t delete it).

SHOW THAT THE DICTATORSHIP MUST STOP AND SOME PEOPLE NEED MANNERS, NOT JUST AN “ADMIN” TITLE.