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 вЂњWhy didnвЂ™t I get a call?вЂќ The answer is a very simple one - We donвЂ™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 вЂњMembers OnlyвЂќ section of the website. DidnвЂ™t know we had a вЂњMembers OnlyвЂќ section of the website? We donвЂ™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 Flagler Gun & Archery Club 1 July/August 2009 2009 Officers & Directors MONTHLY SCHEDULED EVENTS Action Pistol OFFICERS See Website www.FlaglerGunCub.com 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 Trap Tuesdays & Saturdays - 9 a.m. ATA Shoot - Saturdays Skeet Tuesdays - Thursdays - Saturdays & Second Sunday of Each Month 9 a.m. DIRECTORS Membership David Bull (386)447-8271 Education George Cook (386) 445-9859 Planning Bill Teepe Action Pistol Dave Losey Sporting Clays Thursdays - 2 p.m. Sundays - 10 a.m. (386) 586-1437 cell (904) 545-0448 Service Rifle вЂњRifle MatchвЂќ (386) 673-1814 Third Saturday of the Month - 9 a.m. Pistol Les Sharf (386) 447-7267 Rifle John Hetzler (904) 986-2859 Bulls-Eye Pistol Shooting Trap Dusty Rhoades (386) 445-4298 Every Thursday - 10 a.m. Free Instruction Available 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 Chuck Nusbaum (904) 829-2772 Communications Public Relations Ray Stevens (727) 798-1408 Jim Brown (386) 986-4231 Black Powder Bob Scheiner (386) 446-4749 Procurement Mike Noel (386) 676-4625 Chuck Nusbaum (904) 829-2772 Tom Wolfe (386) 672-9118 Archery Webmaster Junior Members Silhouette 4th Saturday of the month, 9am From Chuck Nusbaum, Communications Director NEWSLETTER DEADLINE If you would like to submit an article for the September/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, IвЂ™m a volunteer and usually donвЂ™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] Flagler Gun & Archery Club www.RealtyAtlantic.net 2 July/August 2009 NEXT GENERAL MEETING TUESDAY, July 28 , 2009 @ 7:00 pm Flagler Hospital (Education Center A & B) Now available at the trap range: MenвЂ™s t-shirts п‚· Coffee mugs п‚· Shotshell shot glasses п‚· Pencils WomenвЂ™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 ClubвЂ™s Annual meeting, members will vote for candidates for all Officer positions and candidates for those Director positions whose incumbentsвЂ™ 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 Annual 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 youвЂ™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 Flagler Gun & Archery Club 3 July/August 2009 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," defending 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 limits. 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 survey 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 marketing 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 involved 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 Flagler Gun & Archery Club 4 July/August 2009 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. 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 embarrassed 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 didnвЂ™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. вЂњPreventing accidents, involves asking questions. I donвЂ™t assume that I know how to operate a gun just because IвЂ™ve handled one that looks like it. It doesnвЂ™t matter whether IвЂ™m at the range, at a gun store or anywhere else, if I donвЂ™t know exactly how the gun works, I ask about it. This is especially important 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, itвЂ™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 thereвЂ™s always something worthwhile to learn from people whose experience with guns is different from mine.вЂќ If youвЂ™re not sure how your new gun works, call one of our discipline directors and they will be glad to help you out. By Dusty Rhoads, 386вЂ“445-4298 п‚· Colt 1911, rework, WWI, .45 cal, marked вЂ�AA Agusta ArsenalвЂ™, Serial # x2694446 $700.00 п‚· Ithaca WWII Military .45 cal, Parkerized, all original, Serial # 56396 $1100.00 п‚·пЂ пЂ Femaru Model 37, 1937, Budapest, Hungary, .380 cal, Serial # 177620 $295.00 п‚· Mauser Pocket Model 1934, marked вЂ™WaffenfabrikвЂ™ , 7.65x32 Auto, Serial # 179583 $275.00 п‚· Mauser Pocket Model 1910, 6.35x25 Auto, 3 mags, Serial # 263896 $235.00 п‚· Browning Model 1922FN, Nickel, WWII Military Police, 7.65x32 Auto, 95%, Serial # 466249 $350.00 п‚· P38 Eagle over 88, CYG Spreeweke Code, Add 30% for вЂ�bвЂ™ prefix, Serial # 2548b $450.00 п‚· Walther P-38, Excellent, AC/45, All Original, Serial # 9089 $525.00 Flagler Gun & Archery Club 5 July/August 2009 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 вЂњA free man doesnвЂ™t need to ask permission to bear armsвЂќ Area Gun Shows 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 RANGE CLEAN UP Sunday, Aug. 2nd Your help is always needed! Contact Director Ken Danker Wanted to Buy Reloading Press (386) 749-0996 to see where work is needed, or contact the director of your shooting discipline. Dillon 550, 650, or 1050 Call Bob Dillman, Member # 733R 386-299-7988 Flagler Gun & Archery Club 6 July/August 2009 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 Trap report The FTA (Florida Trap Shooters Assoc.) program is progressing as set forth in our original business 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 finest 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 showcase 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............ 904-829-1177 Located at 525 SR 16, in the Westgate Plaza Shopping Center, 4 miles east of I-95 Benelli Barrett Beretta Bushmaster Browning Stag Colt Trijicon Smith & Wesson Leupold Springfield Zeiss Glock Nikon Walther Bushnell H&K Maxpedition Sig Sauer and More! Flagler Gun & Archery Club 7 July/August 2009 P.O. Box 1221 Palm Coast, FL 32135-1221 BLACK POWDER MATCHES Our Black Powder Director, Bob Scheiner has applied to the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association 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. BUY пѓЇSELLпѓЇTRADE BEST PRICEвЂ”SELECTIONвЂ”SERVICE WE BUY GUN COLLECTIONS & ESTATES 5811 Ridgewood Avenue (US-1) Port Orange, FL 32127 (386) 304-9499 (386) 304-9489 FAX [email protected] Flagler Gun & Archery Club 8 July/August 2009