Future of Parker Collection and Double Gun Collecting

[C grade]

In my opinion this thread is one of our best ever. Lets take this and turn it into some action. Dean, would you ask each BOD member to please read it.
I would also suggest we create a youth fund and I will seed it with $500. I would also suggest that we have three great candidates for the two open BOD seats and the runner up be asked to become our youth program director. In the Fall SXS shoot I created a team slot for a youth. It was a great hit-How about the Spring SXS? How about a Parker gun for that youth? This thread has shown the commitment of our fantastic membership for a youth program-Lets get it done NOW!
David

[Mills]

Dave Suponski just hit an important point. The people. You couldn't ask for a better group of folks

[Mills]

Dave Dwyer has a good point too. I will say I don't think we need a youth coordinator so much as we need a PGCA board and membership wide effort to bring more youths into the fold. A dedicated youth shoot sounds good, but I like the idea of having a youth space at each of our major shoots. Both Southerns have that now and it adds to the fun for all. Our membership is far and wide, so one shoot in one place will only get folks close to that event, for the most part.

All of this applies equally to lady shooters. They are an important part of our future too.

[Mike Franzen]

I like the idea of a youth shoot at the different SxS venues. To encourage max participation how about we have their name registered in a drawing for a nice Parker? The drawing could be held at, say, the Southern. The more shoots they participate in the more entries they get. We could even say top gun gets 5 entries, 2nd place gets 4, 3rd gets 3, etc. These shoots could easily be organized all over the country. Also, have a parker Pages column dedicated to the shoots and shooters.

[Bindlestiff]

Boy, I like this. Rather than giving the "best shot" the advantage, I think any kid that shoots should get one ticket to win a prize (Parker?) and once a year the tickets gathered would be used to draw a winner at the annual meeting. That way, young shooters that shoot the most would have an advantage getting a ticket at each shoot but the one time shooter could still win. It shouldn't matter what event they shoot (5-stand, sporting clays, skeet, trap,..) as long as it's with a Parker (owned or loaned). If there are enough kids showing up to shoot to compete, that's great but if only one or two show up and shoot with us, they should qualify too. The goal should be to get kids shooting, preferably a double and better yet a Parker and not competing among themselves.

The problem I see is getting shoots "recognized" by the PGCA BOD as "official approved" events AND then getting them spaced around the USA. The Southern is a good place to start. The New Years shoot, Spring shoot in RI and the shoots in PA, NY and Mich get good PGCA turnout and would work but that leaves lots of geography missed. Maybe this could also spur some more PGCA members to form informal fun shoots in AZ, TX, CA ... etc?

Originally Posted by Mike Franzen

I like the idea of a youth shoot at the different SxS venues. To encourage max participation how about we have their name registered in a drawing for a nice Parker? The drawing could be held at, say, the Southern. The more shoots they participate in the more entries they get. We could even say top gun gets 5 entries, 2nd place gets 4, 3rd gets 3, etc. These shoots could easily be organized all over the country. Also, have a parker Pages column dedicated to the shoots and shooters.

[Dean Romig]

Pete, let's cross that bridge IF we come to it.

Guys - all of these ideas are good ones but who's willing to pick up the ball and run with it? Who's going to volunteer to get this program off the ground and make it a viable endeavor? The BOD has asked before for people to step forward and make it all happen... there were plenty of suggestions and good ideas before but NOBODY stepped up to the plate.... There needs to be a PGCA Youth Program committee formed that will ultimately answer to the BOD but that will develop the Youth Program and run it in various areas of the country. Regional "chapters" need to be formed that will be regional only to the point that shoots and events will be simpler to organize and run if they are scaled specifically to a region. They will still operate under the auspices and direction of the PGCA.

Please don't expect the current BOD or Officers to take this on - Lord knows we all have pretty full plates as it is. The old adage that "ten percent of the people do ninety percent of the work" holds as true in the PGCA as in any other organization. We need to spread the workload out. The Youth Program just will not happen without a sufficient number of dedicated volunteers.

Oh, by the way.... this is a non-paying job, but there will be loads of "atta-boys" and good ol' back slaps. We sincerely hope that will be enough of a reward.

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Pete, let's cross that bridge IF we come to it.

California is already there, the clock is ticking. My question is in response to the OP's question not what the thread evolved into.

http://www.kcet.org/news/redefine/re...-ammo-ban.html

[J.B. Books]

ATA trapshooting is another shooting hobby that takes a little jingle in your pocket to participate. When I was actively shooting in 80's and 90's shooters under 35 stood out, there were not too many of them. The NH Trap Shooting Association took some initiative to increase participation of youth shooter < 18 yrs. At the annual state championship, NH youth shooters could shoot the entire three day program for half price with all ammunition paid for by the NH Trap Shooting Association. It was a wonderful opportunity for young people. Unfortunately the number of youth shooters participating could still be counted on one hand with some fingers left over. What to do when the largest obstacle to participation was removed and still no improvement in participation?

[Dean Romig]

Advertise as a public service in local newspapers and periodicals...? Public service radio ads...?

[Kensal Rise]

Whether for good or ill, advertising is something I know a bit about.

I’m also an incorrigible double gun man. So… here goes:

“General audience” messaging is something that I am afraid is not appropriate, nor cost-effective here.

The good news is that you already have two good channels of promotion: Parker Pages and this web site. Along with other double gun-oriented web sites.

If the type of general youth program under discussion here is to be promoted, then the BOD should agree on some parameters, goals – and then plan to address them both.

Just a bit of pure speculation:

If the “goal” is to promote youth interest in, and passion for, double barrel shotguns – including Parkers – then your audience is best focused to the one you already have. At least to start. Get PGCA members to encourage friends and family to have youngsters “come give it a try” at the next event.

Then let them spread the word about all the fun they have.

Obstacles should be minimized for young people to shoot, too. Competition and adult/peer pressure is an obstacle. Keep it “just for fun.” No pressure. Just shoot. Hit. Miss. Who cares! You want them to like the experience. And the old guns. Not fear looking stupid in the eyes of others. Remember how you felt when you were 18… or even 25? And times that by ten for the ladies.

Also… have some doubles on hand for the young people to borrow and shoot, along with kindly instruction if they wish. Parkers would be nice. But if there’s a good Fox available from a member, who cares? Free cartridges too (to a point).

At both Southern SxS, Vintagers, and other events, the promoters and host clubs can be asked to cooperate in this effort. In the end, it’s all to their benefit.

Then, every young person who shoots and “gives it a go” gets their name tossed into a hat for the gun drawing. That way, even if a 17-year-old girl doesn’t hit one target, she has fun and a chance to go home with a classic double. Who wouldn’t be a fan of shooting if they won??!! Or would come back next time and try it again.

Where do you get the guns? Donations. Or… some of our member/craftsmen might have a few “fixer uppers” lying about that could be brought back to life with little effort, and be a lifetime treasure to a youngster. I might also point out that it would be tax-deductible… and that they would get a lot of positive publicity by doing so.

I just sold my last Parker project gun, or I’d be happy donate it for starters. But I’ll keep an eye out for other pound puppies if I can find them.

This could go on ad infinitum. But something should be done to preserve the Parker/double gun world of the future for collectors, shooters, and your great grandchildren’s inheritance.

The PGCA is the perfect organization to do it too!