Letter from AGC Executive VP Elect Paul ShinolEditor's note: Paul will take office as AGC's Executive VP on January 13, 2015.
Volunteers needed:
The AGC really needs the active participation of our range badge holders. In January, I will be taking on the duties of Executive Vice President of the AGC. The EVP is responsible for many things, but the ones that affect everyone that shoots here are range maintenance and safety.
The AGC has historically relied on its members to pitch in and help get things done. Volunteerism has dropped off to the point of near non-existence. I don't know if that is just a sign of the times, apathy, anger, or people just don't realize how much help we need or felt their small contribution would not help.
I am hoping to bring volunteerism back to its former level and to bring the AGC back up to the standards we'd expect from a world-class range. Make no mistake; this range has the potential to be the best range in the entire region if not the entire East Coast.
I'd like to approach this three ways. First would be to bring back full, active committees for each discipline. Right now we have 2 people on the trap committee, (one is me and I will be leaving that position) 1 person on the pistol committee, 1 person who represents both smallbore and air rifle, and 1 archery person. High power, black powder, and full auto are driven by the clubs that specialize in those areas right now.
Second will be volunteer days. Let's face it, the overall condition of our ranges have slowly been deteriorating. We may not see it, but new visitors are often surprised and use words like "rustic" to describe our facilities. Imagine the labor needed to scrape and repaint the shelters over the 100 yard and pistol ranges. Anyone want to single-handedly clean out all of the target holes or repaint their numbers?
I am proposing work days where we close the range for whatever hours are appropriate and voted on. We then put all hands on some of these daunting tasks. Many hands make light work. The work has to get done some way. If we pay someone to do it, our range badge fees will have to go up considerably. (They probably have to anyway considering how long it has been. The same buying power $150 had when we last raised the fee would be about $225 today).
Lastly (for now), I'd like to maintain a database of our members' skills. When we do need a contractor, wouldn't it be great to give the business to one of our own (who would hopefully give us a great deal)? Please consider joining the list no matter what your trade / profession / skills are. We could always use traditional trades, but very well could need just about anything. The list will only be maintained by the appropriate AGC official(s) and not published.
Although if there is an interest, we could publish a directory of members who own their own businesses or are in sales or other positions that rely on referrals. It would be great to keep business within our community.
Several clubs have already come forward and committed to helping out on the "range days". Many thanks to those who have stepped up so far. I'm sure there will be many more once the word gets out. I think most people would like to see a sense of community back at the AGC.
Please contact me if you'd like to help in any way or would like more information or even if you just have a suggestion (nice ones only, please :-)
For now you can reach me at: trap@associatedgunclubs.org.
Thanks,
Paul Shinol
AGC Executive VP-Elect
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