How to avoid situations like this in the future...
I always tend to be the Peace Maker (the "get along" kind, not the famous Colt revolver kind), so bear with me. Based on what I'm reading, here's the life lessons that I learned from this thread that could help people get along in the future:
1) Minimize the number of bays that you take, trying to leave some open for other shooters when at all possible
2) Make sure the range schedule is clear before you head to the range
3) Make sure you actually read the range schedule
4) A gun range is not a good place to practice your comedy routine; be polite and respectful, especially if you may be wrong
5) Incorporate non-member fees (typically an extra $5) into your match fee structure; this helps members understand that non-members are contributing to the club. This will also encourage participants of your shooting discipline to join the club, which may be handy when called to vote on important issues. This will also help fund discipline-specific improvements for the club, without draining the main checking account.
6) Understand that your club membership pays to keep the lights on, but isn't necessarily a pass to shoot at the club 24/7/365. Other members may reserve the club for matches where many members and non-members participate.
7) Remember that while you enjoy your particular shooting discipline, that there are other folks who are equally passionate about theirs.
8) Incorporate new and growing disciplines into your club schedule; this encourages new shooters. Failure to do this can result in a club demographic of primarily older shooters, which isn't sustainable long-term.
9) Make sure rule proposals are thought out, and members have a time to comment on them (a month or more) before making changes. Quick rules changes can result in frustrated membership, cancelled matches, and additonal drama at the next meeting. Better off to "measure twice and cut once". Also, it's important that the rules are logical and philosphically consistent, and don't appear punitive towards any specific group.
10) If you're frustrated by a club rule or policy, it is not appropriate to take it out on your fellow shooters, especially while on the range. Take a well though out (maybe even written so you have time to organize your thoughts) proposal to the Board meeting to respectfully discuss your concerns.
Any other suggestions?
I always tend to be the Peace Maker (the "get along" kind, not the famous Colt revolver kind), so bear with me. Based on what I'm reading, here's the life lessons that I learned from this thread that could help people get along in the future:
1) Minimize the number of bays that you take, trying to leave some open for other shooters when at all possible
2) Make sure the range schedule is clear before you head to the range
3) Make sure you actually read the range schedule
4) A gun range is not a good place to practice your comedy routine; be polite and respectful, especially if you may be wrong
5) Incorporate non-member fees (typically an extra $5) into your match fee structure; this helps members understand that non-members are contributing to the club. This will also encourage participants of your shooting discipline to join the club, which may be handy when called to vote on important issues. This will also help fund discipline-specific improvements for the club, without draining the main checking account.
6) Understand that your club membership pays to keep the lights on, but isn't necessarily a pass to shoot at the club 24/7/365. Other members may reserve the club for matches where many members and non-members participate.
7) Remember that while you enjoy your particular shooting discipline, that there are other folks who are equally passionate about theirs.
8) Incorporate new and growing disciplines into your club schedule; this encourages new shooters. Failure to do this can result in a club demographic of primarily older shooters, which isn't sustainable long-term.
9) Make sure rule proposals are thought out, and members have a time to comment on them (a month or more) before making changes. Quick rules changes can result in frustrated membership, cancelled matches, and additonal drama at the next meeting. Better off to "measure twice and cut once". Also, it's important that the rules are logical and philosphically consistent, and don't appear punitive towards any specific group.
10) If you're frustrated by a club rule or policy, it is not appropriate to take it out on your fellow shooters, especially while on the range. Take a well though out (maybe even written so you have time to organize your thoughts) proposal to the Board meeting to respectfully discuss your concerns.
Any other suggestions?
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