Episode 274 - Volunteering in the Shooting Sports

Volunteering is essential to the longevity of the shooting sports. Steve has been involved for so many years and have seen how people volunteer and eventually burn out. He talks about why it's important for everyone to volunteer in one way or another, whether it's to design stages, help build them, help with scoring or spreading the word. If you haven't done so already, contact your local clubs and get involved.
Music used: Neuro Rhythm by Aaron Spencer machinimasound...
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (creativecommons...)

[@rfwoods]

I belong to a club which has a pretty new IDPA program. I have volunteered as ASO and scorekeeper for club matches and always try to participate in setup work parties and tear down after the matches. We are trying to grow the program and right now have mostly the same guys Match Directing, doing stage design and running practices. It's hard to get more people involved in the running of the program. I know for me work and family stuff can get in the way so I understand why it can be difficult. My club recently hosted the Mass State IDPA Championships and I volunteered as a logistics person. It was a lot of work, but it was super rewarding. I also met a ton of great people. I highly recommend getting involved with volunteering at your club.

[@cmt1809]

Setting targets would be an unfair advantage if there were no show pairs. Everyone gets to see the birds before shooting, so I agree with you completely. Also good point about the punches, should eliminate any complaining.

[@cbleyte]

Great topic and I wholeheartedly agree.

[@chrisnessinger8516]

I am a RO at our club, CRO with USPSA, have organized NROI classes at our club. Lead prize coordinator for our 3 Major matches, shotgun, all rifle and a Level II Sectional USPSA match. Its a shit ton of work. Good work

[@oldphart1801]

Thanks for this! I am trying to join a new club and it is membership by sponsors. I make sure I go out and even if I'm not shooting I help set up, tear down , tape, whatever is needed. I hope this helps me find the two sponsors needed!

[@TheReloaderDude]

👍👍👍

[@morpheus6d9]

I help tear down , which gives me access to the range brass :)

[@craigdpeterson]

I know when I help set up USPSA & IDPA matches, I'm not even thinking about how to shoot it. Can't see it helping much in any of the shooting sports.

[@mikezupancic2182]

Isn't that like saying that in golf tournaments that the greenskeepers should always be winners because they prepare the golf course and hole locations for the tournament? Having competed in different hobbies i can honestly say that even practicing before an event does not give that much of an advantage becuase of all the other unknowns and competition from others. And yeah, who would volunteer if volunteers not only weren't compensated, but also got penalized?!?! NO THANKS.

[@captaindelishus]

A lot of people feel the way you do; that's why a major match might have 300 competitors, but only 30 staff. Rick