Public Relations       by Steve Ware

public relations – noun. 1. The actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc. 2. The art, technique, or profession of promoting such goodwill.

Like it or not, we are all in the public relations business. Impressions of ourselves, our businesses, or our activities are formed in seconds by the people we meet for the first time. The same is true for JCSA. We do not know who will come to our facilities or when, but that first impression that a new visitor (or old member) forms when coming onto the property is critical to our survival as an organization.

Here are two cases in point.

JCSA was visited by a group of at least a dozen people on July 21. This group was a pro-Second Amendment group meeting in Grants Pass. They wished to get the message out that the Second Amendment was not a political football. Several people in the group had not shot a firearm prior to their visit. They were accompanied by members of the press, and a story should be in the Daily Courier concerning the event. If the ranges would have been littered with trash, etc. their first impression of JCSA would have been negative.

JCSA was visited by members of the Grants Pass/Josephine County Chamber of Commerce on July 25. Almost 100 people came to our facilities. Lura Johnson, Tracy & Joe spent hours ensuring that the facilities were neat and tidy. Those of us that attended were dressed appropriately for a business meeting of this type. The people attending went away with a better understanding of how JCSA positively impacts the community through tourism dollars brought into the county and through the savings of tax dollars as law enforcement does not have to fund its own ranges. Further, we operate without tax dollars even though JCSA is a county park. Again, that first impression was critical.

OK, you get it. But, what is your part in public relations? It’s really quite simple. You can help the range managers by picking up after yourself. If you shoot a target, properly dispose of it. Shoot only paper targets. Leave the milk jugs at home. If you don’t own it, don’t shoot at it. Target stands and other property on the ranges are just that – property of someone else not targets. If you see someone else acting inappropriately, kindly ask them to stop or notify a range manager immediately. And, most importantly obey all safety rules. We do not want to see a newspaper story concerning a shooting accident at JCSA. That is certainly not the type of press we want to see.

JCSA is a wonderful facility. Enjoy and promote it every chance you get. And don’t be afraid to ask the range managers what you might be able to do regarding range maintenance. I know they appreciate any help they get.
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If You’re Not at the Table
by Steve Ware

There’s an old saying in politics, “If you’re not at the table, you are probably on the menu.” That statement is truer today than ever before, and it behooves us all to stay abreast of what is happening on the political scene, locally, at the state level, and nationally.

Few people are aware of Senate Bill 1237; a piece of legislation that is winding its way through the United States Senate. It was written by Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and has the support of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Entitled “Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2007”, this legislation will give any attorney general of the United States the ability to deny firearms ownership to anyone that is suspected of terrorist activities. Note, you don’t have to be charged, convicted, or proven guilty of anything, just suspected.

This bill does allow a petitioner to appeal the decision; however, there are restrictions concerning one’s ability to obtain any documents that the attorney general used in reaching his or her conclusion that the person is indeed suspected of terrorist activities. The government can provide only summaries or redacted versions of any documents requested. In a worst case scenario, the government can deny access completely. The language of the bill states, “any information which the attorney general relied on for this determination may be withheld … if the attorney general determines that disclosure of the information would likely compromise national security.”

So, I would suggest that you contact your elected representatives and share your opinion with them concerning this piece of legislation. Or, you can sit back and hope that others will do it for you. The choice is yours either come to the table or expect to be on the menu.

On the state scene, Governor Kunlongoski signed House Bill 2370 into law on July 3, 2007. HB 2370 is a Homeland Security related piece of legislation that among other things prohibits any unit of government from seizing any lawfully owned firearm from Oregonians during a state of emergency.

Too often, our elected representatives receive negative correspondence opposing some form of legislation. This is an opportunity to say something positive. Please take the opportunity to do so.
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no. 23

Important message from a JCSA member club official:

http://jcsasilhouette.blogspot.com/

Linked:  just click!

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no. 22

 Links to review & know. This is going to affect you.
I know you may get tired of all this but take a look!

Vital - current - damned important ................. Oregon legislative action pending -

Legislation:

http://www.leg.state.or.us/07reg/measures/sb1000.dir/sb1012.intro.html

 How to find your senator:

 http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/
 

We welcome your comments that have to do with JCSA
(as long as it does't mean more work for me!).

copy & paste into message form:        jcsa@jcsa-shootingsports.com
 
 

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