How's Your Range Work Day Flow?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 1:15 pm
Haven't seen range work days discussed much? If I show up for a range work day, I expect to make a contribution and forge a bit of bond with other shooters who care about the sport. Imagine showing up for a work day posted on an internet range calendar. Here's 2 different work days attended at 2 different ranges back in 2013. To me, seeking out a new range is alot like selecting a new church. Sunday morning services aren't what make an impression on me. It's the evening service where folks show their true selves.
1) No one to greet the volunteers, a place to check in, or anyway to get directed. Some folks seemed to know what needed doing but discussed amongst themselves. Individual volunteers asked what could be done and were given short tasks, that no one noticed once completed. Not clear who was in charge. Seemed some had projects they wanted to do and newbies asking what needed to be done was distracting them from getting their pet project getting completed. Everyone needed to bring their own lunch though that wasn't mentioned anywhere. After an hour, the newbies chatted with each other a while and then drifted on back home. The next day at the monthly match, anyone could formulate a mental list of easy to do, (ie; easy to prep for someone else to do) improvements left undone
2) An improvements/maintanence list was kept by an involved club member. Projects ideas and needed maintanence were solicitated/discussed at the shooters meeting the match before work day. There was a set time; 9 to 9:15am that projects were laid out and volunteers formed into groups. A checklist was set out with a facillator who knew who needed help and could direct late comers. Groups finishing their projects checked in and were redirected to other tasks requiring more time. The list was modified during the workday. As the day progressed, everyone was kept informed as to what had been completed. (Probalby the most rewarding aspect.) Ease of getting liquid refreshment and a light meal was group sceduled (vs individuals knocking time off on their own, and being more social) The next match there was a sense of accomplishment, a sense that the club was moving forward. Shooters talked about what was done on work day and tossed out ideas on what they wanted to do in the future
Doesn't matter which 2 shooting ranges, they could be hypothetical. Guess what I'm getting at is that workdays can significantly enhance the well being of a shooting club, but I've been to some pretty neglected events. At 1st I wrote this as a post to the "Is Silouette Dying" thread. Seemed it might be a worthy discussion thread. Maybe it'd fit as a post better than as a thread.
1) No one to greet the volunteers, a place to check in, or anyway to get directed. Some folks seemed to know what needed doing but discussed amongst themselves. Individual volunteers asked what could be done and were given short tasks, that no one noticed once completed. Not clear who was in charge. Seemed some had projects they wanted to do and newbies asking what needed to be done was distracting them from getting their pet project getting completed. Everyone needed to bring their own lunch though that wasn't mentioned anywhere. After an hour, the newbies chatted with each other a while and then drifted on back home. The next day at the monthly match, anyone could formulate a mental list of easy to do, (ie; easy to prep for someone else to do) improvements left undone
2) An improvements/maintanence list was kept by an involved club member. Projects ideas and needed maintanence were solicitated/discussed at the shooters meeting the match before work day. There was a set time; 9 to 9:15am that projects were laid out and volunteers formed into groups. A checklist was set out with a facillator who knew who needed help and could direct late comers. Groups finishing their projects checked in and were redirected to other tasks requiring more time. The list was modified during the workday. As the day progressed, everyone was kept informed as to what had been completed. (Probalby the most rewarding aspect.) Ease of getting liquid refreshment and a light meal was group sceduled (vs individuals knocking time off on their own, and being more social) The next match there was a sense of accomplishment, a sense that the club was moving forward. Shooters talked about what was done on work day and tossed out ideas on what they wanted to do in the future
Doesn't matter which 2 shooting ranges, they could be hypothetical. Guess what I'm getting at is that workdays can significantly enhance the well being of a shooting club, but I've been to some pretty neglected events. At 1st I wrote this as a post to the "Is Silouette Dying" thread. Seemed it might be a worthy discussion thread. Maybe it'd fit as a post better than as a thread.
We just show up and setup our match, shoot and take it all down. One is a club in another state I don't even belong to nor can I because no out of state members allowed. Another is the Sheriffs range so they have convict labor I am sure and you can't change anything anyway with regard to the range. And another that is a city recreation park area for air guns, paying tax money to have this maintained and again not something you can really change much anyway.