Board of Directors Update - March 2016

The Board of Directors reports are as follows for the month of March 2016:

Vice President (Frank Bleszinski):
Please note that March 27th is Easter Sunday, and the kitchen will be closed.

Outdoor Range (Phil Proto):

• No cans, bottles, or objects of any kind other than provided target frames should be used on the rifle or pistol range.
• Warming room should be completed for use this month.
• Recruiting to add to the outdoor team in order to provide maintenance, modifications or conduct outdoor range orientation.
• Firearms should be transported from your car to the shooting stations unloaded and with the action open. Cases or shooting bags are preferable.
• A “Clear” command MUST be issued to all members shooting on the pistol and rifle bays BEFORE attempting to unlock the yellow gate. Be sure to stand behind the yellow line.
• Ground shooting at any targets is not allowed on the outdoor range.
• Target frames are designed to hold one target, centered in the frame.
• No silhouette targets of any kind are allowed, including zombie targets.

Indoor Range (Al Croteau):
To avoid damage to the wall of the range, we ask all members to only use .22 caliber firearms in the two end ports.

To re-state, please address targets from the down position. This will prevent rounds from hitting the metal plates.

Trap (Tony Capone):
We had a good turnout for our 50 bird shoot on Feb 20th with top honors going to Angelo. I would like to thank Cheryl and Steve for running this event and giving me the chance to compete.

I would like to thank all those that came out to shoot trap on Sunday Feb 28th, you all showed great patience as the trap machine was giving Cheryl a heck of a time. Unfortunately the machine broke down after only 3-1/2 rounds of shooting and thanks to Erik we just nursed it through round four before having to call it quits for the day. The trap machine was looked at on Monday by chief Pat Trap mechanic Steve Harsfald and it looks like Steve has figured out what was wrong and has begun the necessary repairs.

Saturday March 19th we will be having a Intro to Trap class, there is still room to sign up if you're interested in learning about trap shooting. Sign-ups can be done by following the link on the ASC website.

On Sunday, March 20th we will be having another 50 bird shoot at noon. If anyone is interested in shooting this event just show up around 11:45am that Sunday

Archery (Robert Beals):
We are performing trail maintenance and rearranging some of the targets on the 3D course and are working on cutting a trail that will have the course exit from the road and go behind the berm of the practice field and terminate at the archers cabin.

I am pleased to announce that the archery practice field is in the process of undergoing some major changes.   We have expanded its width and its overall length, we will now be able to accommodate targets set at a distance of 70 yards, and we are also constructing a frame that will hold multiple targets at that distance.

All of the target frames will be refurbished and roofs will be installed to help protect the bag targets in an effort to extend their usability.

The 3d course remains open, however the practice field will remain closed until further notice as we want to grade, fill and plant grass seed so the field will be ready for use in the spring.  We apologize for any inconvenience, but this is necessary to allow it to become properly established.

Security (Bill MacKenzie):
During the month, I received information that some members are shooting ground targets on the outdoor range. Be reminded that shooting ground targets are against ranges rules and that this activity is recorded on our security camera system.

Facilities (Mike Pierce):
No report received.

Community Relations (Matt Lavoie):
We are accepting applications for scholarships to family members of club members to be awarded in June. The application can be found at http://andoversportsmensclub.org/downloads/scholarship-application.pdf, and can be mailed or scanned and emailed to me (matt.lavoie@andoversportsmensclub.org). The deadline for applications is the end of May.

Every year we sponsor two campers for Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp from July 31 through August 12, to be held at Moses Scout Reservation, Russell, MA. We are accepting names now for consideration. Please email me (see above), or see me at any meeting to submit a name. The deadline is the end of April.

Plans are also underway for one of our biggest community events of the year, the 2016 Fishing Derby. It will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Sudden Pond and will start at 6:00 am. Please let me know if you are available to help.

We are currently in the process of renewing our affiliation with GOAL, and the club has made a $2000 donation to the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center in Haverhill for the month of March.

Training (Steve Cioffi):
We had our first reloading class. It was a success, and will be offered again. Please watch the website for future offerings of this class.

Due to the overwhelming response to the Certified RSO class, the first class was allowed to double in size. You read that correctly! We have 50 people that have registered for the first RSO class. I have received enough interest that I will be offering the course again.

Remember to remove the current RSO cards and stickers from your ASC lanyard. They will no longer be valid. I will announce a new recognition system for the certified RSO program once the class is given.

We are currently working on several new courses that will be offered in the coming months. Look for "Black Powder, Then and Now"; " First Aid Class", geared to pressure bandages and tourniquet therapy, and we are in the beginning stages of developing a "Basics of building an AR". Look for these, and more training offerings on our website

Membership (Steve Harsfald):
Greetings Members & Prospective Members:

I need to address the waiting time for prospective members. February was not half over and we were already scheduling new member groups to join in June. On our membership page there is a lot of information. One small bit says we have limited our new member groups to 20 per month. Sometimes when a few extra applications come in at the same time, we place that group together and try to be understanding. We went to the figure of approximately 20 new members per month because that is a manageable group. When you are in the membership meeting, look around and you will understand. Parking is also an issue so we try and be fair to members and new members. The following Sunday the new members have their Range Safety Orientation. Our Safety Director goes over the range rules and gives the group a tour going over the safety items on each range. Our treasurer then issues each new member their key card so that they may enjoy all the venues of the club SAFELY, a group of approximately 20 is SAFE & MANAGEABLE.

Even though the weather has been great, it's early to talk about summer, but during July and August we have no membership meetings. We plan on having a special meeting the end of June to vote in remaining applicants before the summer after the June regular membership meeting, this will be posted on the website. Then any applications received after the final cutoff will be placed in the September new member group. Completed applications are received on a first in basis. There are many good clubs on the North Shore, but we feel that ASC is a great club with lots to offer. Most all work done at the club is volunteer positions and we are fortunate to have many members who do all they can do to make our club great. If you have questions, I can be reached through the membership email.

Membership:
Existing members: 1746
Life Members: 192
Pending Members: 29
Total Members: 1967