Nov/Dec IHMSA News - Comments

[TEFREY]

Toneddowndaddy is correct-small measures to correct a big problem. The 800 lb gorrilla in the room is the contract labor. If this were an all volunteer organization, we would have added $116,889.00 to the cash available over the years 2007-2012. If we had a part-time contract labor agreement, it would be $58,445.00 to the bottom line. You guys need to decide. We either cut the things out that we like, to save money, like the IHMSA news and the internationals, or we shoulder a greater amount of the workload throughout the year, which with the declined membership, nobody really knows what that entails. We are obviously not big enough to spend $2,916.67 a month on contract labor, and cutting things I like such as Internationals and the IHMSA news, and even plaques for the Internationals, is like turning down the heat in winter because you can't afford lobster every night for dinner. Our shooting events make money. The IHMSA news loses money but I feel it's part of our renewal fees. We need to live less affluent in our front office.

[ole95]

interesting discussion being somewhat new here and hate to say it but not thinking it's still 1985 but realizing it's past Y2K
If there is no international shoot , if there is no IHMSA news . Then why would you even need a International organization?
and what would happen if IHMSA goes belly up? I feel sure Steve will still have his WCC every year along with his monthly matches
and I feel sure most all ranges that have monthly matches will never miss a beat. I say this because over the last 3 years i have shot in several state and most of the ranges I have shot at have left the impression on me that they could care less about IHMSA there going to sail their boat with or with out the organization it only adds cost and paper work for them and a few play by there own rules anyway
Now do I wont IHMSA to fail NO, do I wont the INT. stopped NO, do I enjoy the paper yes every word.
But I'm also fugal and believe limit your loses and everything should be self supporting.
some one please clarifier me on some thing I'm not sure of
how many people are on the IHMSA payroll ? I'm thinking 1(Lorna) so correct me
Who keeps up with the money and audit the accounts ?
Who set ups and manage the budget
what are the expenses other than awards and target setters for the INT.
I'm still not sure why the INT. is losing money when the WCC and ECC is making money did the Reg.II make money this past year
I know Allen lost money in 2012 but that I think was mainly because of the hurricane
Most business (and yes this should be run like one) I've been around that start losing money the board normally fires the CEO or manager
I've said /asked my $00.02 so now I can go back to what I was doing

[Rodent]

Do we even need the scorecards? I have some of each and plan to just make all of the copies that I need for the matches, We do not turn them in do we? We just turn in the scores. So lets get rid of the scorecards and at least save that money. We should do away with the printed newsletter as well. We should just have an online version. That would save at least some.

Just my 2 cents.


Mike

[Grizz]

I just out of curiosity checked back to see how the IHMSA was doing. In my area of Colorado it has been virtually dead for years. I am able to go to Byers Colorado or Cheyenne Wyoming and these are the closest. Byers has about 5 members that are still shooting of which I know only one. In 1985 that would have been 90 to 120. My only reason for stopping here is I really was curious about the total number of IHMSA members.

Allow me to interject my observations here. I started in 1977 my IHMSA number was 2249. Throughout the years I was able to shoot in Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, the Dakotas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho etc. About 1990 the shooting numbers were waning. Some of the reasons were the cost of the equipment and membership, lack of any kind of awards.

When I started 1977 the rules were on a little yellow 4 inch by 8 inch folding card that also contained your written in scores and classes you entered. In 1995 when I stopped shooting the rules needed an attorney to interpret and a solid week of reading. Still you would not know all the rules. Different classes, Scopes, peeps, grips, and how you were able to hold your gun what style of gun etc. and I hope you are seeing a picture here. Everyone looking for an edge rather than shooting what they brought like the sport intended in its inception.

Every time Tom won and John lost John would go running to the committee with tears streaming down their face and having the rules changed. Today I can only guess at the extensive rules that are in place. The members themselves have been their own worst enemy for the IHMSA. They have destroyed the shooting sport that they were so proud of with the garbage they added to the simple sport of shooting. This started out as a fun sport for everyone. An afternoon of shooting with the family and friends lunch or a picnic. BS with friends a and talking firearms and family. SO Sad.

With the cost of ammunition, guns, other equipment, entry fees, range memberships at the present time it seems it is only for the hanger on.

Nels Sale