vendors - flaglergunclubflaglergunclub.com/sites/default/files/newsletter july 09.pdf · flagler...

Flagler Gun & Archery Club 1 July/August 2009

GUEST SPEAKER AT JULY 28 MEETING

Dan Wilcox, engineer for Stephenson, Wilcox & Associates, will be speaking at the General Membership meeting. He is the engineer who was hired to develop a master plan for the club property. In addition to a final build out and design, he is also making sure we are in compliance with all regulating authorities and ordnances.

VENDORS Many members may see work being done or purchases being made at or by the club, and ask or at least think “Why didn’t I get a call?” The answer is a very simple one - We don’t know anything about your business. However, we are in the process of compiling a listing of member businesses. With over 650 members, this should be a great resource allowing us to all network within the club. It can be a invaluable resource, especially in these tough times. This listing will be kept by the office and will not be sold to any outside sources. If you want to be listed, please let me know at: [email protected] or [email protected]. Eventually we plan to add it to the “Members Only” section of the website. Didn’t know we had a “Members Only” section of the website? We don’t at the moment but it should be live by the end of August.

THREE REASONS WHY SHOOTING RANGES FAIL By Rick Patterson (Reprinted from the Range Report, July/August 1999) I normally like to keep things in a positive light, but this issue I'm going to break with that philosophy. Instead, let's talk about why shooting ranges fail. The Small Business Administration has done exhaustive "post-mortems" on why businesses and organizations fail in the belief that if you know why things fail, you will know what to avoid and therefore better understand what it takes to succeed. Their findings point to the same basic reasons for organizational failure: poor planning, inadequate cash reserves, poor marketing, mistaking a business for a hobby and failure to compensate for management weaknesses. Shooting ranges can and do fail for all of these reasons, but inadequate cash reserves, mistaking a business for a hobby and poor marketing are the top three.

Continued on pg. 4


2009 Officers & Directors

OFFICERS

President Jay Beggelman (386) 445-1231

Vice President Roger Hall (386) 447-9759

Treasurer Mike Elliot (386) 437-0521

Secretary Tom Conrad (386) 446-7890

Governor Don Costello (386) 527-4054

DIRECTORS

Membership David Bull (386)447-8271

Education George Cook (386) 445-9859

Planning Bill Teepe (386) 586-1437 cell (904) 545-0448

Action Pistol Dave Losey (386) 673-1814

Pistol Les Sharf (386) 447-7267

Rifle John Hetzler (904) 986-2859

Trap Dusty Rhoades (386) 445-4298

Skeet Bill Keefe (904) 461-3365

Sporting Clays Paul Treue (386) 445-6472

Silhouette Ron Riese (386) 441-4069

Facilities/Maint Ken Danker (386) 749-0996

Cowboy Action Mark Roskamp (386) 441-7969

Communications Chuck Nusbaum (904) 829-2772

Public Relations Ray Stevens (727) 798-1408

Archery Jim Brown (386) 986-4231

Black Powder Bob Scheiner (386) 446-4749

Procurement Mike Noel (386) 676-4625

Webmaster Chuck Nusbaum (904) 829-2772

Junior Members Tom Wolfe (386) 672-9118

MONTHLY SCHEDULED EVENTS Action Pistol

See Website www.FlaglerGunCub.com

Trap Tuesdays & Saturdays - 9 a.m.

ATA Shoot - Saturdays

Skeet Tuesdays - Thursdays - Saturdays & Second Sunday of Each Month

9 a.m.

Sporting Clays Thursdays - 2 p.m. Sundays - 10 a.m.

Service Rifle “Rifle Match” Third Saturday of the Month - 9 a.m.

Bulls-Eye Pistol Shooting Every Thursday - 10 a.m. Free Instruction Available

Silhouette 4th Saturday of the month, 9am

From Chuck Nusbaum, Communications Director

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE If you would like to submit an article for the Septem-ber/October newsletter, please submit NO LATER than August 28th, 2009 to:

[email protected]

WEBSITE DEADLINE None - If you want it on the website or the calendar, the sooner I get it, the sooner it goes on. Remember,

I’m a volunteer and usually don’t work weekends.

[email protected]

Ron Hamaty, CRB, CRS REALTOR

391 Palm Coast Parkway SW, Suite 1, Palm Coast FL, 32137 386-445-1231 or 386-931-0601

Email: [email protected] www.RealtyAtlantic.net


NEXT GENERAL MEETING TUESDAY, July 28 , 2009 @ 7:00 pm

Flagler Hospital (Education Center A & B)

Now available at the trap range:

Men’s t-shirts Coffee mugs Shotshell shot glasses Pencils Women’s shirts coming soon!

November 2009 Gun Club Election Officers of the Club serve one-year terms. Directors serve three-year terms. In November, at the Club’s Annual meeting, members will vote for candidates for all Officer positions and candi-dates for those Director positions whose incumbents’ 3 year terms are expiring. Any member in good standing may run for any of these offices. There is no limit to the numbers of people who may run for a given position. Members will vote by secret ballot at the November 09 An-nual Meeting The Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for the following positions:

Officers Directors

President Action Pistol Silhouette

Vice-President Cowboy Action Expendables Acquisition

Treasurer Planning and Investment Food Service

Secretary Archery Property

Governor Black Powder Public Relations

If you’d like to run for any position, email Club Secretary Tom Conrad at [email protected]. If you would like to know more about the duties of a given position, call the incumbent at the number shown in the Newsletter or Tom Conrad at 386-446-7890. Thank you, 2009 Nominating Committee: Tom Conrad, Darla Brinkley & Joe Marshall


THREE REASONS WHY SHOOTING RANGES FAIL Continued from page 1

Inadequate cash reserves can affect both new and existing ranges. One of the leading causes of new shooting range failures is running out of the cash needed to keep the doors open until the business grows to the break-even point. Existing ranges need to have cash reserves for an emergency fund. One of the more common fiscal emergencies is also the most costly - lawsuits. Even if you are entirely "in-the-right," de-fending a lawsuit requires money. Your insurance may not cover the costs of litigation. If you are being sued by someone trying to close your range (such as a neighbor), they know this. In fact, they are probably counting on it. Niantic Sportsman's Club in Niantic, Connecticut, knows only too well. It's a typical story. A new housing development was built on an adjacent property. Within six months, the new neighbors were complaining. Noise testing showed the noise levels within acceptable legal lim-its. So the new neighbors sued the club for alleged lead contamination. It has cost the club more than $350,000 to fight the lawsuit. Through the commitment of the members and the sheer willpower of the club's officers, the club is still open, but the pile of bills is growing and members are paying dues for a facility the courts have ordered closed until the legal outcome is decided. Virtually every range in the country could find itself fin a similar situation. In fact an NSSF sur-vey showed that 77% of the ranges that responded either are or expect to be challenged for these kinds of environmental issues. Be prepared and, better yet, be proactive. Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club in Jackson, New Jersey, has a great program. They buy every bordering property that comes up for sale. It keeps the developers away from the range and builds a protective buffer at the same time. I will highlight details of their land-acquisition program in an upcoming issue. Poor Marketing. Everyone knows that participation in the shooting sports is just plain fun! But sometimes we rely on the "fun factor" and get a little lazy with our marketing efforts. Is your club looking for new members but not sure how to get them? Begin by thinking of the club as a business. Building your club's membership is no different than building a business's customer base. It's all about marketing! Find out who your potential members/customers are, what they want and then give it to them. Too many ranges are slowly dying because market-ing and a continual process improvement plan have been ignored. "Suddenly" a range finds itself with too few customers/members and an outdated facility. It can no longer compete with the golf courses, amusement parks, movie theaters and dozens of other places members and potential members can spend their entertainment dollars. The Oyster River Range near Camden, Maine, was the perfect example of a rundown facility on the verge of closing. Fortunately, Randy Dunican has purchased the range (now renamed R.D. Outfitters). He's spending a ton of time and money to refurbish the facility and make it a competitor in today's recreation/entertainment marketplace. As Randy can attest, it's a lot harder to salvage a run-down range than it is to maintain vitality with a basic marketing plan and a program of continued improvement. Having been a business turnaround specialist, he advises ranges to use marketing surveys to identify a list of needed capital improvements and then implement the improvements that will be most visible first. It will take time to see a change in participation. The worst mistake is to expect an overnight change and then abandon the improvement process because "it's not working." Mistaking a business for a hobby. This one really hits close to home. Virtually all of us got in-volved with our range because shooting is our hobby. Unfortunately, when we're at the range, we're supposed to be working. Usually what happens is the range owner/operator participates


until the range business begins to suffer. Most find they aren't winning competitions like they used to

and the range business isn't what it should be. Our sports suffer when our facilities and facility managers aren't focused on providing excellence to our

members/customers. Dozens of competing industries that do pursue excellence are glad to take our members' and customers' money.

My advice is, if the club or business is more important to you, then focus on it. If participation is more

important, then resign or sell the business and go shooting. As an industry and as a way of life, we can't afford to pursue any goal that compromises a pursuit of excellence.

One last comment on fatal flaws in a failed organization - the reluctance to ask for help until it's too late. If you think trouble may be just over the horizon, give me a call at the National Association of

Shooting Ranges' help desk (203-426-1320). We want you to succeed.

By Dusty Rhoads, 386–445-4298

Colt 1911, rework, WWI, .45 cal, marked ‘AA Agusta

Arsenal’, Serial # x2694446

$700.00

Ithaca WWII Military .45 cal, Parkerized, all original, Serial # 56396

$1100.00

Femaru Model 37, 1937, Budapest, Hungary, .380 cal, Serial # 177620

$295.00

Mauser Pocket Model 1934, marked ’Waffenfabrik’ , 7.65x32 Auto, Serial # 179583

$275.00

Mauser Pocket Model 1910, 6.35x25 Auto, 3 mags, Serial # 263896

$235.00

Browning Model 1922FN, Nickel, WWII Military Police, 7.65x32 Auto, 95%,

Serial # 466249 $350.00

P38 Eagle over 88, CYG Spreeweke Code, Add 30% for ‘b’ prefix, Serial # 2548b

$450.00

Walther P-38, Excellent, AC/45, All Original, Serial # 9089

$525.00

NEWBE SAFETY (Safety for first timers) There are a lot of first time gun owners right now and a lot of these have joined or will be joining our club. It is every members obligation to make them feel comfortable on the range. Many people feel em-

barrassed to ask for help. They think that they should automatically know how their new gun works. I remember the first time I drove a car that didn’t have the dimmer switch on the floor. I had to call

someone and ask where it was. I Had a good laugh afterwards.

Below is an excerpt from a safety article from Gunworld Magazine written by Dr. Martin Topper. “Preventing accidents, involves asking questions. I don’t assume that I know how to operate a gun

just because I’ve handled one that looks like it. It doesn’t matter whether I’m at the range, at a gun store or anywhere else, if I don’t know exactly how the gun works, I ask about it. This is especially im-

portant when buying a type of firearm that I have not previously used. I have the dealer show me how

to safely load and unload the gun and I also ask how to field strip, clean, and lubricate it. Along with this, it’s very important to read the instruction book before shooting a new gun.

Regular participation in gun safety training also helps prevent accidents. Even though I know much of the material, I approach each safety training with an open mind because there’s always something

worthwhile to learn from people whose experience with guns is different from mine.” If you’re not sure how your new gun works, call one of our discipline directors and they will be glad to

help you out.


Wanted to Buy Reloading Press

Dillon 550, 650, or 1050

Call Bob Dillman, Member # 733R

386-299-7988

EDUCATION

This year we are experiencing the "Obama Effect", since he is strongly against gun ownership. We have had the largest class attendance yet, with 20 students in February, 22 in March, and 24 in April. Those that can't attend our class because of time constraints, we refer to Les Sharf to get their CCW license, if they join the club. Good deal ! We are offering our fall classes as follows:

September classes on the 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th. October classes on the 10th, 17th, 24th, & 31th. George D. Cook Director of Education

Area Gun Shows

RANGE CLEAN UP Sunday, Aug. 2nd

Your help is always needed!

Contact Director Ken Danker

(386) 749-0996

to see where work is needed, or contact the director of your

shooting discipline.

“A free man doesn’t need to ask permission to bear arms”

July 18-19 Jacksonville Jacksonville Fairgrounds (321) 777-7455 Florida Gun Shows

August 1-2 St. Augustine St. Johns Co. Ag. Center (904) 461-0273 Cliffhangers

August 1-2 Green Cove Springs Clay Co. Fairgrounds (352) 528-9500 Gun Trader Gun Shows

August 8-9 Tampa Tampa Fairgrounds (330) 963-6964 Suncoast Gun Shows

August 15-16 Jacksonville Morocco Shrine Temple (904) 461-0273 Cliffhangers

August 15-16 Hernando Hernando Co. Fairgrounds (352) 799-3605 (Hernando Sportsmen Club

August 22-23 Orlando Central Florida Fairgrounds (321) 777-7455 Florida Gun Shows

August 22-23 Crystal River Crystal River Armory (352) 528-9500

August 29-30 Palatka National Guard Armory (904) 461-0273 ( 7) Cliffhangers

September 12-13, Lake City Columbia Co Fairgrounds (904) 461-0273 ( 7) Cliffhangers

September 12-13, Tallahassee No. Florida Fairgrounds (321) 777-7455 ( 3) Florida Gun Shows

September 19-20, Deland Volusia Co. Fairgrounds (321) 777-7455 ( 3) Florida Gun Shows

September 26-27, Jacksonville Jacksonville Fairgrounds (321) 777-7455 ( 3) Florida Gun Shows


Trap report The FTA (Florida Trap Shooters Assoc.) program is progressing as set forth in our original busi-ness model. We are on time and on schedule with the major FTA annual events. September 2009, Flagler will host the FTA Summer Championships. The dates will be Sept 5-7. The shoot will be cashiered professionally as in the past, we as club members will provide scoring and support services. FTA will mail out flyers with the Championship program. Flagler will be host to some of the fin-est trap shooters in the US that stay in Florida year round. This is the time of year when the northern shooters are at home in their north of the Mason Dixon line residences..We will miss their participation, however winter up there is our time to "shine" down here ....That being said, we have received rave reviews for our first chain shoot. Flagler has the same chain dates next year and a renewed commitment from one of the finest vendors in the business "Shooters Solutions." The success of our program and our outstanding facilities will grow shooter participation every year. OPM (other people's money) keeps our "club members" costs down and fattens our treasury. Flagler's members (this goes for all disciplines) should try and promote the events that show-case our club. The vision of our past officers and current officers and directors has brought us a long way since the "Kings Road" days. Thanks to all who served, (some no longer with us) and all who share their vision. Jack Krouskroup, FTA club representative, and all the trap shooters............

Benelli Barrett Beretta Bushmaster Browning Stag Colt Trijicon Smith & Wesson Leupold Springfield Zeiss Glock Nikon Walther Bushnell H&K Maxpedition Sig Sauer

and More!

904-829-1177

Located at 525 SR 16, in the Westgate Plaza Shopping

Center, 4 miles east of I-95

Jay NEEDS YOUR Help

If you have any experience in organizing and/or running a charity fund raiser, please contact Jay Beggelman at 386-455-1231


P.O. Box 1221 Palm Coast, FL 32135-1221

BUY SELLTRADE

BEST PRICE—SELECTION—SERVICE WE BUY GUN COLLECTIONS & ESTATES

5811 Ridgewood Avenue (US-1) Port Orange, FL 32127

(386) 304-9499 (386) 304-9489 FAX

[email protected]

BLACK POWDER MATCHES Our Black Powder Director, Bob Scheiner has applied to the National Muzzleloading Rifle Asso-ciation to become a charter club. This will allow us to list the club in the Muzzle Blast, the NMRA magazine. This will also provide us with additional benefits including scheduling shoot dates to discounted targets, and more. The matches will be scheduled for the 3rd Saturday of February, April, June, September and November from 8:30a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be 20 shooting positions, at 25, 50 and 100 yards for flintlock and percussion. For more info, call Bob at 386-446-4749, and check the website often for more information.

mailto:[email protected]

vendors - flaglergunclubflaglergunclub.com/sites/default/files/newsletter july 09.pdf · flagler...

Documents