Post by Kevin Coulson Ole N Decrepit on Sept 22, 2011 14:58:58 GMT -6
Hi Folks,
I haven't posted here in a few years. However, I pay my dues like the rest of you.
It seems to me that we may need updates to the web site, to the range rules, and perhaps to our bylaws.
Regarding the web site:
We used to be able to find more information about contacts and other pertinent things. I know that as we update the pages, the links to pages get lost and potential members (or some of the older m embers who visit infrequently) can't conveniently find what they should be able to.
Regarding the range rules:
I don't know of anyone who is against safety. Our rules are, in general, quite good. However, our rules and our signage and sometimes the enforcement may be in conflict if what I'm hearing, seeing, and reading are true. We used to have a sign on the entrance road that said something along the lines of "nobody likes a smart @$$," didn't we? It is time to re-visit the rules, signage, and enforcement and make appropriate changes.
Some of the things we currently disallow can be safely done IMHO, and I'm probably not alone in that perception. I'm not a lawyer and don't play one on TV, so I don't make legal recommendations. However, it doesn't take a lawyer to surmise that if our signage says X and our rules say Y and member Z says something different in unprintable language, that we're not going to fare well in any court altercation.
For instance, the range rules prohibit non-members from ranges other than the shotgun range. Try enforcing that this weekend at T-Town. I won't be there, but I can bet I'd hear the commotion in Missouri over the noise of my brush-hog. Range rules prohibit folks from shooting the gongs unless they're 300 yards away (oopsy, 300 metres today)....all kidding aside, again at T-Town, the cowboys and cowgirls will be popping lead at steel at short ranges and doing so safely.
Note that I'm not advocating these things, just pointing out that we need to revisit our rules and update them. For example, instead of a blanket prohibition of X, say X is prohibited unless Y and Z occur.
Regarding our bylaws:
Most organizations similar to ours operate under a set of bylaws. They may simply be a formal adoption of "Robert's Rules of Order," or they may be an adaptation of same, or they may be completely original to the purposes of the organization.
I don't recall seeing our bylaws (may have though) and I can't find them on our website. That means that some of us have to play without the playbook. That's not fair, and it's not something I'd want to try to defend if asked.
Every member should have convenient access to the bylaws, and in today's technologically driven world, that probably should be on our website.
Our bylaws, if they exist, should be revisited upon occasion, to see if they need to be updated. Robert's Rules allow for an organization to handle change, including problems with leadership which may arise.
Given that technology will be the driving force for our newer members (forget us old goats and nannies!), we probably should have some form of electronic voting mechanism in place. Most of us don't go to the Post Office anymore if we can get out of it and I'd anticipate that the majority of us DO log on to our PC's/Mac's/cellphones on a regular basis. At the least, put a PDF ballot on the website NOW and let us send it in. (How many of you have lost your ballot already? 'fess up!)
WE have a magnificent facility and hard working leadership and we're very very lucky. I say this having lived in the land of fruits and nuts (CA) and Mayor Daley's State (IL) for many years. However, we operate at a glacially slow pace much of the time. Apathy and lethargy are not our friend when our sport is in decline. For every point I've tried to make, there will be someone who has better facts or a differing opinion. But there will also be folks who share some of what I suggest.
We don't need a mobocracy. However, re-examining the website, our range rules and our bylaws is in our own best interest. Since I deal with qualitative opinion research on a regular basis in my day job (when I'm not b**chin' about other things), I'll be willing to help the board ask members about their preferences if desired.
Cordially,
Ole
620-341-5420
(Kevin Coulson
Professor of Marketing,
Director of the Focus Group Qualitative Research Lab at ESU)
I haven't posted here in a few years. However, I pay my dues like the rest of you.
It seems to me that we may need updates to the web site, to the range rules, and perhaps to our bylaws.
Regarding the web site:
We used to be able to find more information about contacts and other pertinent things. I know that as we update the pages, the links to pages get lost and potential members (or some of the older m embers who visit infrequently) can't conveniently find what they should be able to.
Regarding the range rules:
I don't know of anyone who is against safety. Our rules are, in general, quite good. However, our rules and our signage and sometimes the enforcement may be in conflict if what I'm hearing, seeing, and reading are true. We used to have a sign on the entrance road that said something along the lines of "nobody likes a smart @$$," didn't we? It is time to re-visit the rules, signage, and enforcement and make appropriate changes.
Some of the things we currently disallow can be safely done IMHO, and I'm probably not alone in that perception. I'm not a lawyer and don't play one on TV, so I don't make legal recommendations. However, it doesn't take a lawyer to surmise that if our signage says X and our rules say Y and member Z says something different in unprintable language, that we're not going to fare well in any court altercation.
For instance, the range rules prohibit non-members from ranges other than the shotgun range. Try enforcing that this weekend at T-Town. I won't be there, but I can bet I'd hear the commotion in Missouri over the noise of my brush-hog. Range rules prohibit folks from shooting the gongs unless they're 300 yards away (oopsy, 300 metres today)....all kidding aside, again at T-Town, the cowboys and cowgirls will be popping lead at steel at short ranges and doing so safely.
Note that I'm not advocating these things, just pointing out that we need to revisit our rules and update them. For example, instead of a blanket prohibition of X, say X is prohibited unless Y and Z occur.
Regarding our bylaws:
Most organizations similar to ours operate under a set of bylaws. They may simply be a formal adoption of "Robert's Rules of Order," or they may be an adaptation of same, or they may be completely original to the purposes of the organization.
I don't recall seeing our bylaws (may have though) and I can't find them on our website. That means that some of us have to play without the playbook. That's not fair, and it's not something I'd want to try to defend if asked.
Every member should have convenient access to the bylaws, and in today's technologically driven world, that probably should be on our website.
Our bylaws, if they exist, should be revisited upon occasion, to see if they need to be updated. Robert's Rules allow for an organization to handle change, including problems with leadership which may arise.
Given that technology will be the driving force for our newer members (forget us old goats and nannies!), we probably should have some form of electronic voting mechanism in place. Most of us don't go to the Post Office anymore if we can get out of it and I'd anticipate that the majority of us DO log on to our PC's/Mac's/cellphones on a regular basis. At the least, put a PDF ballot on the website NOW and let us send it in. (How many of you have lost your ballot already? 'fess up!)
WE have a magnificent facility and hard working leadership and we're very very lucky. I say this having lived in the land of fruits and nuts (CA) and Mayor Daley's State (IL) for many years. However, we operate at a glacially slow pace much of the time. Apathy and lethargy are not our friend when our sport is in decline. For every point I've tried to make, there will be someone who has better facts or a differing opinion. But there will also be folks who share some of what I suggest.
We don't need a mobocracy. However, re-examining the website, our range rules and our bylaws is in our own best interest. Since I deal with qualitative opinion research on a regular basis in my day job (when I'm not b**chin' about other things), I'll be willing to help the board ask members about their preferences if desired.
Cordially,
Ole
620-341-5420
(Kevin Coulson
Professor of Marketing,
Director of the Focus Group Qualitative Research Lab at ESU)