Hi all,

I saw a very important reply/post from Stuart Elliot on another thread, this part about Volunteers needed to have it's own thread in my opinion.

"But first we need the people to volunteer and if we can gain new shooters we all should explain to them that they also will be expected to also volunteer. Otherwise? Find another thing to do.

Many hands makes light work.

The biggest real problem is volunteers and the notion of volunteering.
This word has almost disappeared from the shooters vocabulary. This whole sport actually runs on volunteers at many levels and it always has. The people in our sport still volunteering are all burnt out! Most are just taken for granted these days and often hardly even thanked for their service.

It's like a disease. A 'Cancer'

Want to know where to start? Like Les said, start with taking a look in the mirror. Basically each and every shooter needs to understand if they wish to be involved in this sport and enjoy the shooting and fellowship they will need to volunteer and they will need to keep doing it. This means somewhere, somehow to best of their ability. Also support, instead of criticize the others people doing different roles. It's a community.
This does NOT mean simply entering in a Match somewhere and turning up. That is not the example of "support" that is needed right now. In my opinion the people who just keep doing that and nothing else are just selfish.

What are some of the involvement levels?
Grass roots is the local clubs. Maybe not registered matches but continual program and calendar of local matches bring new shooters to come and try. Every local club benchrest shooter should be actively involved at this level.

State level where there will be registered matches of various types being held and these WILL NEED actual physical support and work of all shooters who are NOT locals to that facility
Nationals level. Same things as mentioned above apply for National championships.

Committee levels. State committees, National committees and International committees. Also, what is often involved also is some level of commitment to the wider shooting community. Like, local club administration. State level and National general shooting sport involvement because this discipline like most others, needs to be within groups and associations banded together to further the sport. We as Benchrest cannot survive on our own.

None of these roles are paid positions. They will involve many hours and 'home time' hours of work and admin. As well as physically attending those State and National meetings.
Most shooters try to totally avoid any of this. The usual excuses come out like "I am not good with that so I leave it to others", or "I hate the politics and what people are doing", or "I don't have time for that, I want to just shoot"

So, to be honest, it is not easy, but that old saying is this:
"It's not what the sport can do for you. It is what YOU can do for the sport"
If everyone starts there then things will happen. The whole culture needs to change. Change is difficult and will be resisted. If that is so there will be many Benchrest rifles suitable for many classes of events, which just stay in a gunsafe somewhere.

I know I have said strong words here. I may be criticized for it. I don't care anymore. I am one of many whom have had enough. For me and Annie, 43 years of volunteering at every level and every discipline of Benchrest rifle shooting. Also with several different organisations. But we are sure not the only ones. I am simply expressing what most of the very few left still trying hard to do the work are feeling. Many other people have already left the sport because they could not stand the 'bludgers' and the 'users' within this sport. Selfish people they say. So those people are lost. Remember, it is easier to keep people within a sport than be constantly be trying to attract new people as we are now.

It's also probably time for a whole change of the people in administration of State and National committees. The 'Old Guard' still there you say? Make a change. Get fresh people in. You now have a new Benchrest National Committee chairman. John is a good guy. He needs younger people around him on his committee. So step up and get younger people as State representatives. Then get new faces running grass roots clubs and supporting.

But all that needs to happen first is look in the mirror and take a big think. You each will have lots of money and effort tied up in equipment and time. Did you forget about the other commitments? Or if this commitment is not there, maybe sell the gear and let someone else have a try."

Stuart

Annie & Stuart Elliott
www.benchrest.com.au