Eight officers and two members attended the 11/5/07 Club Officers meeting at Rudy's Bar-B-Q and Country Store on Loop 360 on 11/5/07.
The meeting was opened with prayer by Mark Dillow.
New Business:
1. The officers for our new Buda Chapter (David Smith, Hunter Phillips, and Kevin Schnautz) were welcomed.
2. The 2007 State of the Club report (to date) was presented and discussed.
3. The Proposed 2008 Calendar was presented and discussed.
A vote was taken to accept the calendar as presented. It passed by a vote of 8 to 0.
4. A discussion was held on whether we should propose to change our Bylaws regarding Club membership for women who are not related to a man who is a member of the Club.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service surveys show that the number of hunters have declined by almost 27% since 1975. There have been significant declines in males, whites, blacks, 6 -11 year olds, and 18 – 34 year olds. The only two groups that are growing in number are Hispanics and women.
An examination of the Christian Sportsmen’s organizations that we have links to on our Christian Sportsmen’s Organizations page revealed that out of the 14 organizations who have information about membership 10 of them have both male and female members without restrictions and four are restricted only to men.
Presently our Bylaws regarding membership state:
III. Membership:
“A. FCS membership is available to men, 18 years old and older, (and each man’s wife and adult female relatives) and Youth Club membership is available to minor males (under 18 years old) and minor female relatives of male members without regard to race, national origin, age, denominational preference, or political persuasion.”
The officers discussed whether we should change our membership focus to both men and women without restrictions. It was the consensus of the officers that the Club should make this change. This proposal will be presented to the active membership for discussion and a vote.
5. A discussion was held on how we can increase participation in FCS events among minorities.
The same U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service surveys show that blacks remain at a constant 2% of hunters (1% of the black population hunts, compared to 7% of the white population). Ninety six percent of hunters are white. Hispanics are the only minority group that is growing (they doubled between 1980 and 1995).
The officers discussed ways to increase participation among minorities. The consensus was that we should do a promotion at a church that has a high percentage of minorities.
6. A discussion was held on how we can increase participation among youth and youth adults.
The same U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service surveys show that 6 – 11 and 18 – 34 year olds declined by approximately 30% between 1980 and 1995.
The officers discussed ways that we can increase participation among youth and young adults. The consensus was that we should once again attempt to put together an FCS Youth Shoot in a large church.
7. A discussion was held on whether we should change our Statement of Faith and/or Bylaws to further address conduct (in the event that a member commits a crime against another member for example).
We presently have the following Bylaw:
III. Membership:
“K. Members and Youth members may be removed from active membership by their own request, by failure to renew their memberships, or as is determined necessary by a majority vote of Club members.”
The officers came to a consensus that this Bylaw and the Statement of Faith are adequate and do not need to be modified.
8. A discussion was held on a New Member and Prospective Member Banquet.
Jeff Reece presented a proposal to host a new and prospective member’s banquet. The officer’s were in favor of this idea. Jeff has volunteered to plan the event. Mark Dillow and Jim McGee will be assisting him. This event will be added to the 2008 Calendar.
9. By a vote of 8 to 0 a 12/6/07 Great Hills Baptist Church Banquet and a 12/29/07 "Bring in the New Year" Shooting Range Shoot were added to the Club Calendar.
10. A discussion was held on a space problem with our website.
The Consensus was that we should look into posting our pictures on flicker.com or a similar site.
The meeting was adjourned with prayer by Jim McGee.