Two present officers and one officer-to-be (starting 1/1/06) were in attendance (three total participants). The meeting was held at Catfish Parlor. The minutes are as follows:
1. The 2005 State of the Club Report (to date) was discussed.
2. 2006 Events were discussed.
3. Outreach
Demographic facts:
Presently 1 out of 43 active members is a minority (2%)
Presently 9 out of 112 inactive members are minorities (8%)
Presently 3 out of 43 active members are women (7%)
Presently 94% of all (active and inactive) Club members are white (92% are white men)
Presently 98% of all Club members are men
We have never had a black man as a guest at an FCS event
The vast majority of our members are above age 40
Only six of our sons or grandsons have joined the Club (6%)
How we promote the Club:
Website
Brochures or Business Cards (Sportsmen’s Warehouse, McBride’s, Capitol City Trap & Skeet, Eagle Peak Shooting Range, and Archery Country)
Promotions (Great Hills Baptist, Hyde Park Baptist (we can no longer do so there because they have strict new promotional display rules), First Baptist Pflugerville, South 1st Street Baptist, and Sportsmen’s Warehouse)
Dove Retreat flyers in Hype Park and Great Hills Sunday School Director’s boxes
My, Randy Rowley’s, “rolling billboard” (truck) with “The Fellowship of Christian Sportsmen” and our URL on the tailgate
The officers discussed the various cultural, economic, and generational obstacles to minority and youth participation. Fifty years ago we were a predominantly (70%) rural nation where hunting on the way home from school was commonplace. Kid’s would take rifles to school for competitions. Hunting was a way of life, not a sport. Now we’re a predominantly urban (70%) nation. Many city kids grow up without anyone taking them hunting (the only things that they hunt are each other). Hunting has also become incredibly expensive. Up to twenty years ago it wasn’t uncommon for people to stop at a land owners place and ask him to hunt and receive permission. Now hunting has replaced cattle as the number one business for many ranches. Land owners are even making pretty sums for nuisance animals (hogs) that they used to pay to have removed. Buying guns, clothing, binos, knives, boots, camping gear, and all the other necessary gadgets prevents many people from even getting started. Kids today have grown up expecting everything right now (the microwave generation). They would rather shoot animals on a video game because it’s more exciting, takes less time, and they don’t get their hands dirty. Many blacks have a negative connotation for the word “hunting” (slavery and the KKK) and are financially unable to participate. The financial issue is also a major factor for other minority groups. The officers agreed that we would probably have the most success by targeting children and young men at this time.
4. Ministry/Service Projects
Mentor program
Operation Orphans
Conservation measures
Hunters Safety Class for women and children
Adopt a needy family for Christmas
Kid fish program with the Austin Christian Bass Club
Sporting Clays Shoot for teenagers at a local church
Have an FCS shrimp boil (or similar) for a Men’s Ministry at a local church with will include a big name speaker
The officers agreed to return to Ministry/Service Projects as a priority of the Club. Those members who want to participate will do so. Those who don’t will miss the blessings. The officers decided to target Operation Orphans (donating clothing, shells, etc.), Kid’s Fish with Austin Christian Bass Club, and a Sporting Clays Shoot for teenagers at a local church for the coming year. We will also work towards having an FCS shrimp boil (or similar) for a Men’s Ministry at a local church, which will include a big name speaker. If we’re not able to pull this off this coming year we will work towards having it in 2007.
5. The officers discussed allowing single women who have sons to attend FCS events that involve overnight camping as long as their sons are with them. The three officers were in favor of this idea. It will be presented to the membership for a discussion and vote.