This will touch on some of the things that have been said in the other thread that was talking about RO’s and SO’s. That thread shifted on to other topics than the OP was asking. I didn’t want to squat in that thread so I started a new one.
A little history first Wife and I started shooting leagues in Bullseye’s indoor range in the late 80’s and we shot at a couple of non sanctioned clubs for the first year. We along with a friend that had a local gun shop started our own shoots on a friends property that went on for a year or two. We started shooting at the local USPSA club and after a year or so we were asked to if we would be interested it running the club (pistol side only). So wife and I took over the running of that club. We ran that club for five years or so.
This club was one of the biggest ranges in the state at that time and while we were running it we hosted the Ind. State match every year and the last match we ran at the club was the 1997 Area 5 match. I ended up being the match director for reasons I won’t go into here.
We quit shooting not long after this match and I started again about 18 months ago after a 14 or 15 year break. Wife lost interest but supports me and is always at the range with me videoing and harassing any one she can.
The reason I post my background is so I can try to explain the things I have seen or felt.
When we were running the club we had a TEAM that helped with everything, scoring, setup, etc. I have watched many shooters/helpers burnout and I have felt this also as I burned out and walked away from one of my proudest accomplishments, building the club up to the level it was at drawing 70-75 shooters a month and hosting some major matches.( in fact the then USPSA president said we would host the following years limited nationals after seeing the area 5 match first hand).
After getting back into shooting it was only a couple of matches until I had a timer back in my hands and doing what I used to do. A lot has changed with new divisions and rules but I still know the basics. I have found squads that I enjoy shooting with and split the timer duty with the other RO. I run the score sheets but I suck at it as I shoot revolver and can only count to 6.
I paste and reset steel with the best of them.
This is MY opinion and MY opinion only and is presented for discussion only.
First off “volunteer” is a word that I use and I’m starting to hate. Some say this a “volunteer” sport and if you mean no one is getting paid you are correct. This is NOT a “volunteer” work sport. It is a mandatory work sport. The other post mentioned pasting targets was a “volunteer” effort also, it is NOT a “volunteer” effort. If the pasting doesn’t get done the shoot stops.
There are some shooters that have health problems and are older and can’t do the work any more, that I don’t have a problem with. A new shooter should also tag along with a experienced shooter for a couple of stages so he get a chance to see how to paste(waiting to make sure it has been scored).
All RO’s are different and all RO’s make mistakes just as all shooters are different and they also make mistakes.
I have been robbed by RO’s and I have been handed gifts by RO’s so I guess it all equals out in the end. I’m sure as a RO I have unintentionally robbed shooters and I know I have given gifts. What I do try to do is score everyone the same. My friend gets the same scoring as the lazy shooter that never helps paste or reset steel.(Sometimes it's not easy to do that).
The other thread had comments about RO’s getting to shoot free or at a reduced rate. This is not compensation for the work they do it is enticement from the clubs to get RO’s. (IMO) I mean lots of shooters drive 1 or 2 hours to go to a shoot and shoot $30+ in ammo with several hundred or thousand dollars of equipment do you really think saving $15 is that big a deal. I know a couple of RO’s that it helps them out but for most that isn’t it.
Let me tell you what the RO is getting for that $15 in case some have forgot.
You get to stand all day in the hot sun and rain and cold weather with no gloves on. (while the rest of the squad is in the shade drinking water and talking shooting and other cool stuff waiting to paste targets)
You get to make sure the shooter doesn’t break any rules that will hurt anyone or give them an advantage over the other shooters.
You get to score their targets and make sure they are scored correctly so the shooter gets his deserved score.
You get to make judgment calls that will **** off a shooter.
You get to help a new shooter settle down and be safe.
You get to DQ a friend that doesn’t think he deserves it.
You get to look down the muzzle of a gun when a shooter makes a BIG mistake.
You get to yell at the squad to remind them that the targets need pasted and steel reset.
You get to hand the timer to someone else when it’s your turn to shoot so you can now focus on shooting a good match. HA HA.
All of this for only $15 dollars what a deal.
(FYI I have been helping RO for the last 18 months and have shot at the RO rate 1 time the rest of the time I have been helping and paying full price.)
So why would anyone do all that for $15 ?????
Because someone has to if we want our sport to survive.
I was as burned out as they come and I hated to pick up a timer again but I’m smart enough to understand that it HAS TO BE DONE by someone.
Everyone wants to go to a shoot and visit and enjoy the day and concentrate on their shooting and get their game face on. But look at the guy running the timer and score sheets and think when I’m done shooting I should get the timer or clipboard give him a break so they can get ready to shoot.
I guarantee he will be there running that timer for more years if you give him a break once in a while and help them out.
Some have never run a timer or run the score sheets that is not a problem ask the RO or scorekeeper to show you what is going on and ask them to let you try it and ask them to stay close to make sure you do it correctly. I don’t know anyone that would object to you learning to do it. Once you learn the ropes and get some experience volunteer to RO 1 month and tell the match director that you are trying it for the first time and he will put you with someone else that will help you be safe and fair to the shooters.
The number of shooters has went up lately with all the new gun buyers and will probably go up again when ammo gets more available. As the matches grow we will need new blood to help setup, RO, score, etc. or their will be lots more people burnout and leave.
Sorry for the long rant but my tongue was bleeding from biting it in the other thread.
A little history first Wife and I started shooting leagues in Bullseye’s indoor range in the late 80’s and we shot at a couple of non sanctioned clubs for the first year. We along with a friend that had a local gun shop started our own shoots on a friends property that went on for a year or two. We started shooting at the local USPSA club and after a year or so we were asked to if we would be interested it running the club (pistol side only). So wife and I took over the running of that club. We ran that club for five years or so.
This club was one of the biggest ranges in the state at that time and while we were running it we hosted the Ind. State match every year and the last match we ran at the club was the 1997 Area 5 match. I ended up being the match director for reasons I won’t go into here.
We quit shooting not long after this match and I started again about 18 months ago after a 14 or 15 year break. Wife lost interest but supports me and is always at the range with me videoing and harassing any one she can.
The reason I post my background is so I can try to explain the things I have seen or felt.
When we were running the club we had a TEAM that helped with everything, scoring, setup, etc. I have watched many shooters/helpers burnout and I have felt this also as I burned out and walked away from one of my proudest accomplishments, building the club up to the level it was at drawing 70-75 shooters a month and hosting some major matches.( in fact the then USPSA president said we would host the following years limited nationals after seeing the area 5 match first hand).
After getting back into shooting it was only a couple of matches until I had a timer back in my hands and doing what I used to do. A lot has changed with new divisions and rules but I still know the basics. I have found squads that I enjoy shooting with and split the timer duty with the other RO. I run the score sheets but I suck at it as I shoot revolver and can only count to 6.
I paste and reset steel with the best of them.
This is MY opinion and MY opinion only and is presented for discussion only.
First off “volunteer” is a word that I use and I’m starting to hate. Some say this a “volunteer” sport and if you mean no one is getting paid you are correct. This is NOT a “volunteer” work sport. It is a mandatory work sport. The other post mentioned pasting targets was a “volunteer” effort also, it is NOT a “volunteer” effort. If the pasting doesn’t get done the shoot stops.
There are some shooters that have health problems and are older and can’t do the work any more, that I don’t have a problem with. A new shooter should also tag along with a experienced shooter for a couple of stages so he get a chance to see how to paste(waiting to make sure it has been scored).
All RO’s are different and all RO’s make mistakes just as all shooters are different and they also make mistakes.
I have been robbed by RO’s and I have been handed gifts by RO’s so I guess it all equals out in the end. I’m sure as a RO I have unintentionally robbed shooters and I know I have given gifts. What I do try to do is score everyone the same. My friend gets the same scoring as the lazy shooter that never helps paste or reset steel.(Sometimes it's not easy to do that).
The other thread had comments about RO’s getting to shoot free or at a reduced rate. This is not compensation for the work they do it is enticement from the clubs to get RO’s. (IMO) I mean lots of shooters drive 1 or 2 hours to go to a shoot and shoot $30+ in ammo with several hundred or thousand dollars of equipment do you really think saving $15 is that big a deal. I know a couple of RO’s that it helps them out but for most that isn’t it.
Let me tell you what the RO is getting for that $15 in case some have forgot.
You get to stand all day in the hot sun and rain and cold weather with no gloves on. (while the rest of the squad is in the shade drinking water and talking shooting and other cool stuff waiting to paste targets)
You get to make sure the shooter doesn’t break any rules that will hurt anyone or give them an advantage over the other shooters.
You get to score their targets and make sure they are scored correctly so the shooter gets his deserved score.
You get to make judgment calls that will **** off a shooter.
You get to help a new shooter settle down and be safe.
You get to DQ a friend that doesn’t think he deserves it.
You get to look down the muzzle of a gun when a shooter makes a BIG mistake.
You get to yell at the squad to remind them that the targets need pasted and steel reset.
You get to hand the timer to someone else when it’s your turn to shoot so you can now focus on shooting a good match. HA HA.
All of this for only $15 dollars what a deal.
(FYI I have been helping RO for the last 18 months and have shot at the RO rate 1 time the rest of the time I have been helping and paying full price.)
So why would anyone do all that for $15 ?????
Because someone has to if we want our sport to survive.
I was as burned out as they come and I hated to pick up a timer again but I’m smart enough to understand that it HAS TO BE DONE by someone.
Everyone wants to go to a shoot and visit and enjoy the day and concentrate on their shooting and get their game face on. But look at the guy running the timer and score sheets and think when I’m done shooting I should get the timer or clipboard give him a break so they can get ready to shoot.
I guarantee he will be there running that timer for more years if you give him a break once in a while and help them out.
Some have never run a timer or run the score sheets that is not a problem ask the RO or scorekeeper to show you what is going on and ask them to let you try it and ask them to stay close to make sure you do it correctly. I don’t know anyone that would object to you learning to do it. Once you learn the ropes and get some experience volunteer to RO 1 month and tell the match director that you are trying it for the first time and he will put you with someone else that will help you be safe and fair to the shooters.
The number of shooters has went up lately with all the new gun buyers and will probably go up again when ammo gets more available. As the matches grow we will need new blood to help setup, RO, score, etc. or their will be lots more people burnout and leave.
Sorry for the long rant but my tongue was bleeding from biting it in the other thread.