McHenry Sportsman’s Club Newsletter (October 2008 [revised])
CLUB STRUCTURE - Since there are a lot of new members this year this is a good time to review how the Club is structured and operated.
McHenry Sportsmen's Club is a not-for-profit corporation (not a non-profit) that is managed by a Board of Directors elected from the Club membership.
Elections are held at the December Club meeting (December 6 at 5PM this year).
To properly manage the Club we need a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Trap Chairman, and five Directors.
The Board meets once a month and members are welcome to attend -- should attend!
Board meetings are where key Club operating and spending decisions are made.
Get involved! - add your name to the nomination board in the clubhouse.
The Club is operated by the members on a voluntary basis.
Club members, by law, cannot be paid employees.
The only people paid by the Club are the trap kids.
All of the work you see being done to improve the clubhouse, maintain the grounds and equipment, and operate the Club day-to-day is voluntary and unpaid. There is a lot of work going on behind the scene to throw those targets you like to shoot.
The only way we can keep shooting costs down is to pitch in and help!
That means opening or loading a trap, or scoring some rounds, or painting, or doing repairs, or grounds maintenance, or running the counter, or helping clean-up the clubhouse, or anything else you feel qualified to do.
Right now we have 255 members, but only about 25 members are doing all the work.
Does not seem quite right, does it?
It's up to you, the members, to make the Club what you want it to be.
HANGOVER SHOOT - Don't forget the Hangover Shoot January 1st starting at 11AM.
Bring a dish to pass.
Don't believe it?
You better.
We have a good crowd, a lot of good food and fun.
INTERCLUB JACK RABBIT - Every Sunday starting Jan 4th for 10 weeks we go to a different club for a shoot.
Daily prizes, club team prizes, etc.
Come on out and support your club.
FINANCIAL STATUS - The Club continues to be in sound financial shape.
In October, $3,000 was transferred from the General Account to the Trap Fund bringing the total in the Trap Fund to $6,000.
A new Pat Trap will cost about $10,000.
TRAP OPERATIONS - The Club threw 1,373 practice rounds in October which was 44% more than October 2007.
Target costs were $2,757 in October.
- Trap 2 - Mark Nelson replaced the limit switches on trap 2 in an effort to solve the "hanging" problem.
He discovered that the insulation on one of the switch wires was stripped which was causing the switch to short out thus causing the trap to hang-up in the left position.
Trap 2 appears to be operating properly now.
- Trap #3 - was adjusted and is now throwing consistent targets within ATA defined angles.
PROJECTS - Project activity has slowed with the onset of winter, but things are still being done and need to be done.
- Porch Gutter - AL Wagner installed a new gutter the full length of the porch. He also replaced the molding around the door.
- George Strode has been painting the porch window frames as time and weather allow.
- Gene Higby donated and installed a PA system that is now being used to call squads.
CLUB PATCHES - the new 3½" club patches are in and may be purchased for $5 at the counter.
WINTER HOURS - In December the operating hours will change to 11AM-4PM due to darkness.