January 31, 2012

Well, January is done and I'm sure we're all looking forward to a new season of warmer weather shooting.  Sir Walter ran a Level 1 NROI class on the 20th and 21st and we'll soon have about 25 new level 1 RO's.  Thanks to George Jones (RMI) for teaching this great class and for the attendees who gave up their weekend for the betterment of the sport.

It's come to my attention that some folks are bagging and unbagging their weapons around their vehicles in blatant disregard for the "safe area" rule.  I'm certain that the MDs aren't aware of this.  Folks, this is directly against USPSA rules and WILL result in a DQ if you are caught at it.  It is my expectation that everybody follows the USPSA rules to the letter!!  It was brought to my attention at the NROI class in front of the RMI.  A tad embarrassing to say the least.  I also expect that all competitors help enforce this rule, no exceptions.

This past weekend Sir Walter hosted the charity match.  We had about 100 shooters that showed up and the ladies that were selling shirts, etc. were pretty happy with their sales.  All the proceeds will be donated to PS Charities.  Thanks to all that came and helped set up, ran and shot the match.

As always, if anybody has any questions, concerns, or gripes, my email and phone are always open.  Take care and hope to see y'all on the Range.

Bill

 

December 15, 2011

Hi again. Sorry it's been a while since my last report but it's been very busy here.  So, my thoughts on this year's shooting is that we've had another successful year.  We've lost a club but picked up another one and it looks as if we'll pick up another.  The slot situation is stable; anybody that really wanted to go to the Nationals had a slot to go.  Our mission count continues to go up thanks to all the hard work of our clubs.  Our section held another wildly successful Section Match thanks to all the hard work of the ROs and staff.  We continue to grow shooters which is a good thing.

Now, I want to present a challenge to all that shoot in our section.  Give back to the sport that gives you so much fun.  Help RO at your local club match, help at the Section Match and bring at least 2 new shooters to introduce them to the sport.  The Section is running a Level 1 RO class in January.  Take the class, learn the rules and step up your game.  Help with the set up and break down of your local matches.  These matches don't just happen by themselves.  It takes a dedicated staff to put them on.  Step up and volunteer to help at least twice a year.  Burnout is a real concern if we keep allowing the few to do the work of the many.

At this time of year we all have so much to be thankful for.  Also it's a time to look forward to the new season.  In closing, I'd like to thank everybody that's helped this year to make the sport we all love to thrive in these uncertain economic times.

Merry Christmas and have a Safe New Year...

Bill

Well, I've finally recovered enough to write y'all about the match.  What can I say?  The Section once again hit a home run.  Thanks to ALL the RO's, stage designers, folks that showed up to help set up... and tear down.  Thanks to all those that shot.  I trust that we had a fairly good balance of speed, accuracy and challenges.  From all the feedback I've received I feel like this was one of the better Section matches we've had in years.  Any feedback on anything we could have done better, please let me know.  I was very impressed with our hard working, under appreciated RO's.  Y'all did ALL that any MD could have asked for, and more.  Never once did I hear any complaints (other than mikes, NS's) from any competitor.

Even though we were missing some of the name shooters we still had a great turnout.  SWGC will again be hosting the NC Section Match.  To that end I'm going to try and set up another NROI class.  Now is the time to give back to your fellow shooters what you've been given.  Details will be following as soon as I can arrange a time and place.  I'd also like to see more club participation on the club level that Terry at Blackwater does.  This is not Sir Walter's Match; this is the Section's match.

In closing I'd like to say congratulations to all the winners and if you didn't finish where you wished, dry fire, dry fire, dry fire...

Bill

Hi, my name is Bill Stoudenmire.  I'm your Section Coordinator and one of the things I've always thought was that we ought to have better communications not only with the clubs, but you, the members.  My email and number are posted and I'm always available to discuss any issues our members have.  I plan to write a monthly bulletin and any ideas, gripes or concerns you have will be included and addressed here in this forum.  Please be clean.

First and foremost I want to address safety.  Folks, we are all responsible adults and YOU are responsible for your actions on and off the range.  In the past year we've had 2 incidents of negligent discharges causing serious wounds to the 2 individuals.  This is more than we've had in this state since I started shooting USPSA and it concerns me.  The 2 most dangerous things we do is to holster and draw the weapon.  Think about what you are doing, before you do it.  These incidents do not reflect well on us as a group.  'Nuff said.

Secondly, I wish to address the issue of sportsmanship.  At this time of year, when it's hot it is incumbent on all of us to help our fellow shooters.  I've seen far too many people not pasting, resetting steel, etc. while others are out there busting their rears.  I'm not sure why folks feel as if they can sit back while their fellow shooters work but so be it.  This issue is addressed under USPSA rules and while it's never been enforced, I'm all for it.  Again, 'nuff said.

Third, I'd like to ask for help with the NC Section match.  I'd like us to have at least 4 people on each stage per session/time slot and the more folks we have, the less work it is on others.  I don't really care at this point if you aren't an NROI certified RO as long as you're willing to help; it is great experience!  I will have Certified RO's on each stage.  Any help is appreciated.  This is your section and it will be what you make it.

Thanks for listening and I hope to hear from you soon,

Bill.