I have expressed to Dean I would be interested in acting as coordinator for this project. I think it has merit. I also think it could be done simply and with little expense to the PGCA. I think of this as a seed planting endeavor. Maybe in some of the kids that seed will grow into the overwhelming, all abiding obsession we all suffer from. I don't see this as the ultimate solution or maybe even the best solution. But it is an outreach to a generation being lost to shooting sports. We're not going to save the future of collectability but you never know who this might affect and it might change things. It's been my experience that when a kid is introduced to firearms in the right way they generally love it. When they're introduced to old doubles they are curious and fascinated. Like most of us, at their ages they are shooting auto loaders, pumps, o/u's. But just maybe when they pick up that Parker, the age old mystique will communicate with them and they'll be hooked. I Love these old guns for no apparent rational reason. I don't mind investing my time trying to share that with some kids.

I think an exchange of ideas right here on the forum might be best in that it gets everything out in one exchange that everybody who is interested in it can read and contribute their own ideas to. Anything that is suggested or promoted here, in no way should be taken as 'adopted' by the PGCA or the Youth Program committee, but simply put out there for consideration.

Some ideas will certainly be unrealistic while others may well be worked into the draft or outline of the operation and management of a Youth Program.

I think to commit any real money to such a Program might be premature at this point - especially for the PGCA to do so without a very viable plan in place that has been thoroughly discussed and agreed upon.

Those who have volunteered should get together and develop a working plan, with all contingencies covered, and submit it to the BOD for discussion and approval before anything else is done.

Over a year ago Allen Newell submitted an outline that his sportsman's club had developed for a Youth Archery Program. It won't work, as written, for a PGCA Youth shooting and appreciation program but it has some very good points that could be incorporated in developing a PGCA Youth Program here.

The Brays Island show is coming up, the week before the southern, I think. That would be a good place for David and John and I to meet. The next question is what do we want to do to advance this idea?

Larry
I think you are getting the cart before the horse. I would like to see the board at tonight's meeting affirm their commitment to a youth program and develop a mission statement. I would also suggest you ask a BOD member to be the contact person on the BOD for us. I would think we could then have a plan together by the Spring SXS . My wife returns tonight from a week taking care of grand kids so tonight is hers.
David

I disagree David. I believe the group of volunteers for a Youth Program should put their ideas together and develop an outline and a mission statement and then submit it to the BOD for approval. This must come from the membership, not the BOD.

David,
I would suggest that if you would like to oversee the Boards meetings that you as a Life Member run for the Board in next years election. I will personally put your name in as you really need a good dose of reality.

We are too few trying to do too much and we are not going to put off final prep for the Southern, choosing a site for this years Annual Meeting, reorganizing the jobs of a departing Board member, or any of the other items already on tonight's agenda in order to start a new project. I think it was made clear earlier in this thread that the position of Youth Coordinator needs to be filled by a person or persons outside the Board.

The more member support we get the more we as a group can accomplish but there is only so much that can be heaped onto the shoulders of a few.

For a moment, back to the basics, as an individual — spot a kid, speak to the parents, invite a kid; spot a veteran, thank the veteran, invite a veteran.

Will you be having events west of the Mississippi or is this just for a couple places in New England and the Carolinas? I sure hope so because a lot of PGCA money came from out here., if the PGCA funds these things.


Bob, my buddy Charlie and I are veterans. Are we invited?

Dave Fjelline expressed an interest in doing something in California as well as the Calif. SXS Society too.