Courtesy of:  Maxine Van Hoy, June 1986.
In the spring of 1957 after a conflict of the Portland Photographic Society and the Oregon Camera Club scheduling their annual banquets on the same night and with some of the judges having judged at both clubs, it was suggested at the PPS meeting that we form a Council of Camera Clubs be formed so that we can keep track of each other’s activities.

I (Maxine Van Hoy) was asked to contact clubs and get one started.  After several monthly meetings in my apartment with persons from surrounding camera clubs in the area and after much discussion, it was decided to call the group the CCCC which were to include clubs in Oregon and South Washington.  Dues were to be $1.50 per year mainly so that they would have a person to contact.  This was May 1958.

We met quarterly.  After some of us attended a PSA Regional Convention in June of 1959, they decided at a meeting on June 30^th to try a convention for the Council.  It was to be open to members and other interested photographers.  October 24^th and 25^th was chosen that year.  It was held in the meeting hall of PGE, 3700 SE 17^th St., Portland, OR.  Registration was $.50 per person.  Attendance was 108 persons.  There were no back-to-back programs as only one room was available.

At this time 18 members clubs were involved:  Albany, Clackamas County, Corvallis, Eugene CC, Emerald Photo Society, Oregon CC, Dallas CC, Oregon Color Slide Club, Film Pack, Forest Grove, Milwaukie, Monticello, Portland Photographic, Silver Lake CC, Springfield CC, The Dalles CC, PGE CC, Yaquina Bay.

Darrel Best was convention chairman and Charles Getzendaner was Council Chairman.  After opening remarks by Getzendaner, the Council reps were introduced.  On Saturday the first program was a panel discussion on camera clubs moderated by Delmar Harris.  After lunch Portland Photo presented a program called “Fun with Color Slides.”  Next Leonard Conling did a program on “Lenses and Shutters.” Dr. Allen Pollack presented “Color Photos at Night.”  Ben Andrews showed how to make slide derivations.  Dinner was at the Anchorage.  Dave Falconner of the Oregonian was the speaker.  We returned to the PGE building and the Invitational Slides were shown by Pete Dyck.  There was a trip to take pictures of Portland night scenes led by J. Louis Dill.  Invitational Prints were on display.

Sunday began with a program called ”Simplicity Spells Success” by Mel Olmstead.  Next was “Creative Prints” by Lambert Florin.  Then “Human Reaction to Color” by Hugh Hinkelman of Byars Color Lab; “Nature Photography” by Wilfred Jossy, “Paper Negative Prints” by Dr. Merle Moore; “Model Night at Camera Club” by Max Allara.  Followed by model shooting by attendees or those who wished went on a City Field Trip led by Gladys Bowen.  Convention over by 4:00pm.