Jim & Barbie Chambers Where Are You?

[Comfortably_Numb]

Yes I am the new Manager of Operations. I cannot speak to what happened before or how others performed in their roles, only that I see differences in what is happening now versus what has happened before. You are right I have limited experience with muzzleloaders, however my experience in business development, management, construction and engineering give me a solid foundation for what the job requires. From what I understand and have seen, this is different than previous efforts. The executive committee of the board of directors interviewed me for this position and I do not have first hand knowledge of what the BOD did or did not vote on regarding my employment.

BTW, thanks for having the courage to jump in here.

 

[Harold Coleman]

Since this was money gifted from the Government I wonder what "Obligations" may come with it down the road? Lead projectile bans perhaps? I don't trust the Government enough to accept gifts from them....

The Pittman Robertson money is managed through the DNR, and we already have a lead program in place.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

The Pittman Robertson money is managed through the DNR, and we already have a lead program in place.

OK, I guess that is a positive, I hope.

 

[Harold Coleman]

Well good luck. It's never turned out well before. I hate to be a negative Ned, but I've been going there since 1980 and the cycle repeats it's self over and over with the outcome always expected to be different. Membership is down 50% from when I started. It's going to be a long uphill run to get back to that.

You have the right to question these decisions. I don't consider it being negative since as you said, you have experienced it before. I can only state to you and other members that my intention is to help the association wherever I can, to open and improve communications, and to reach out in hopes of mending long broken fences. I will also say that I cannot do this alone, fixing these issues will take effort from everyone, members, the BOD, and our industry partners. Far too easy is it to say "just burn it all down and see where it ends", but if that were to happen I believe that all the good would be lost.

 

[Robin Henderson]

Did the BOD get to vote on it?

I don't know about the operations manager, but the entire board is not being informed nor given a chance to discuss or vote on several measures that have been implemented.

 

[AlexB]

I wouldn't give a nickel to a organization based around anything that the people receiving the dues don't participate in.
If they aren't there for the love of it they are there to take your money.
The members pay you to do their bidding not to be told how it's going to be.
Glad I saw this I was thinking of joiningaint no way now.

 

[RB POWELL]

Guys, the issues with insurance companies is quite real. We've had our fun with them in the N-SSA. To get coverage, regulations are getting tighter and often to those of us with long experience, somewhat onerous. But this is the legal climate we live in. For example, CCI used to make the very best musket caps, hands down. Then an idiot reenactor with a drilled out nipple and too much powder got a cap fragment in the eye and sued CCI. Presto, no more good caps. CCI reduced the power in the musket caps to the point to where they're only suitable for blanks.

So while we moan and complain, the changes are often driven by lawyers and insurance carriers who don't care about your stinky old guns. Those same lawyers and insurance companies are often 2A hostile.

Shop for another insurance carrier? That would be great except for the fact that you can count the number of national carriers on one hand, missing a couple fingers, who will insure active shooting range activities. Couple that with commercial liability and the number grows smaller. This is a symptom of a greater problem.

Too many stinking lawyers ( if you are a lawyer who doesn't stink, this doesn't apply to you), too many stinking laws, too much stinking greed. I rest my case.

 

[springfield art]

Fortunately, their business is so successful, they maybe can afford to avoid "red tape" issues. I'm sure they will be fine, as they have a wonderful business model and reputation.

 

[sturmkatze]

My resume'? You can google my name and collect relevant info. They have full page adds in Muzzle Blasts advertising the classes I teach down there several times a year. I have been a member since 1980, had a booth down there from 1996 to around 2005 or so? Tied a national shooting record down there in 1986. Shoot competitively down there from 1980 through 2005. Was on the Gunmakers Hall committee for a short time. Was a range officer on the primitive side from time to time. I donated a custom gun as a shooting prize down there in the 90's. I could go on to all the local gun club stuff, but that's irrelevant.
Ain't none of it a big deal.

I’d like to, as you obviously have knowledge, but alas, your profile is private and you didn’t sign your real name. Ahh, someone just posted: Mike Brooks. Yep, I would believe you. Sadly, things are a changin’

 

[mikesto44]

Mr.Brooks is in my opinion one of the most knowledgeable gun makers out their...

 

[Relic shooter]

This factual statement doesn't fix today's litigation threats at Friendship & nationwide, it is a step towards a lawful solution.
Approximately 76% of all local, state & federal lawmakers are lawyers.

Only one entity profits from litigating poorly written laws & regulations & intentional loop-holes.
Allowing lawyers to be our nations law-makers IS a conflict of interest.

Electing foxes to guard our chicken house aka Whitehouse & individual freedoms hasn't worked in the-people's favor.

 

[Relic shooter]

This factual statement doesn't fix today's litigation threats at Friendship & nationwide, it is a step towards a lawful solution.
Approximately 76% of all local, state & federal lawmakers are lawyers.

Only one entity profits from litigating poorly written laws & regulations & intentional loop-holes.
Allowing lawyers to be our nations law-makers IS a conflict of interest.

Electing foxes to guard our chicken house aka Whitehouse & individual freedoms hasn't worked in the-people's favor.

The above statement is based on my 30+ years working 'within' local & state governments as a citizen volunteer board member to restore citizen's 2nd Amendment & property rights..
Relic shooter

 

[John May]

In the UK we have what are called 'Re-enactors' These are guys and gals that attend various functions at the week-ends dressed as anything from Vikings to Roman Legionaries to American Airmen to British Tommies, you name it and somebody will be doing it. I look at it as showing respect to Fathers, Grandfathers, the fallen etc. A problem that has occurred in the last couple of years is that some Local Councils are dictating what can be worn and carried by the re-enactors. Any type of firearm whether it's deactivated or not is a no-no, anything that glorifies war (?) is frowned upon and the groups are finding that it is nearly impossible to comply with all the regulations so they are not bothering. It started a few years ago with German Army WWII being told that they weren't allowed to wear certain uniform items, I must be honest but I cannot understand why people would wish to dress as SS or Gestapo any way, but their choice. It's sad but a sign of the (woke) times that we live in. I am not a re-enactor myself but my older Brother and his wife are, or at least they were as now they are both doing a lot less and concentrating more on the 40's Civilian period. How long before someone is offended by that?

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Mr.Brooks is in my opinion one of the most knowledgeable gun makers out their...

Thanks, but that's probably going a bit far!

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

You have the right to question these decisions. I don't consider it being negative since as you said, you have experienced it before. I can only state to you and other members that my intention is to help the association wherever I can, to open and improve communications, and to reach out in hopes of mending long broken fences. I will also say that I cannot do this alone, fixing these issues will take effort from everyone, members, the BOD, and our industry partners. Far too easy is it to say "just burn it all down and see where it ends", but if that were to happen I believe that all the good would be lost.

I do honestly hope that you and others are able to finally able to turn this ship around. I have had the most fun in my life while I was down at that place. I'd hate to see it bungled so badly that it can't survive.

 

[sturmkatze]

I wouldn't give a nickel to a organization based around anything that the people receiving the dues don't participate in.
If they aren't there for the love of it they are there to take your money.
The members pay you to do their bidding not to be told how it's going to be.
Glad I saw this I was thinking of joiningaint no way now.

This is the kind of attitude that will keep me from ever being on a board again. Ugh. You don’t really get it.

 

[sturmkatze]

In the UK we have what are called 'Re-enactors' These are guys and gals that attend various functions at the week-ends dressed as anything from Vikings to Roman Legionaries to American Airmen to British Tommies, you name it and somebody will be doing it. I look at it as showing respect to Fathers, Grandfathers, the fallen etc. A problem that has occurred in the last couple of years is that some Local Councils are dictating what can be worn and carried by the re-enactors. Any type of firearm whether it's deactivated or not is a no-no, anything that glorifies war (?) is frowned upon and the groups are finding that it is nearly impossible to comply with all the regulations so they are not bothering. It started a few years ago with German Army WWII being told that they weren't allowed to wear certain uniform items, I must be honest but I cannot understand why people would wish to dress as SS or Gestapo any way, but their choice. It's sad but a sign of the (woke) times that we live in. I am not a re-enactor myself but my older Brother and his wife are, or at least they were as now they are both doing a lot less and concentrating more on the 40's Civilian period. How long before someone is offended by that?

That is a reason why I don’t do public events.

 

[AlexB]

This is the kind of attitude that will keep me from ever being on a board again. Ugh. You don’t really get it.

Seems like you shouldn't be in a position of authority anyways...........sounds like a win for everyone

 

[sturmkatze]

Seems like you shouldn't be in a position of authority anyways...........sounds like a win for everyone

Nice if you to say. What do you know? Just answering posts with snark. You need to be on the other side of it and see the stupid things people say and believe. Kind of like what you’re saying now. Another person on the pendejo ignore list.

 

[AlexB]

Nice if you to say. What do you know? Just answering posts with snark. You need to be on the other side of it and see the stupid things people say and believe. Kind of like what you’re saying now. Another person on the pendejo ignore list.

The old my way or the highway approach eh.........lolz.
You ever been on a hoa?