Questions about the future

[KickBass]

I'm going to split the difference and agree with both Troy and Steve in certain regards. I know first hand that the Freedom Arms drawing for Practical Hunter brought in at least one new shooter and a few entries--my wife. Granted, her main motivation was to win the gun so she could sell it and get something she really wanted! But it did get a non-shooter involved, and it was strictly because of the Practical Hunter promotion.

However, that is just one shooter, and Steve is absolutely right, the Practical Hunter promotion didn't bring in many new shooters. Jerry Ray reported a few of new ones at LASC, and that is because they knew about it. Here is where IHMSA dropped the ball on this one--the communication of this was not good. And I'm not placing blame on anyone, because we all appreciate all of the efforts all the people in this organization put in. However, we missed an opportunity. I think this idea could have brought people in, but even at this year's World Championships, directors didn't really know the requirements, and I know at many matches (most matches) this was the case. I kept a copy of the rules that I had cut out from the IHMSA News just because most places I traveled didn't now the regulations for Practical Hunter. So if they don't know the regulations or even know that it was an official event this year, how much effort was put into promoting it?

The idea was good for introducing a new category; unfortunately the execution was bad, and in the end, Steve is absolutely correct--it made little to no difference in the overall health of IHMSA. The idea certainly has some merit, but would take more forethought and follow through to make successful. But keep the ideas coming folks, because we won't get any stronger just doing what we're doing.

Joe

[19 Turkeys]

Guys,

Here is the real issue. We have gone from $104,000+ on 12/31/2008 to just over $34,000 in cash reserves on 12/31/2012. No one is telling us how many actual paid annual dues members we have at $50/person. Deducting Life members such as myself, it is probably under 1,000.

Given these limited resources in both cash and people and continuing to hold an International Championship that looses money each year, I am not sure how you turn IHMSA around.

Steve W.

[KickBass]

Being a relatively new shooter, I don't know all the backstory to things that longer-term members might. but I guess one question I have is How/why has the cash reserves dropped so much in just 4-5 years? Has the membership declined that much in just the past few years, or are there other factors?

[19 Turkeys]

IMHO, it is a combination of things. Drop in membership is at the forefront of the problem for sure. Also a drop in ad revenues for the paper and the Internationals loosing money.

Steve W.