Dear IBS members:
As the position for Vice President is being sought after by two parties, Francis Becigneul and *** Grosbier we thought to better the voter’s awareness of the two people running I asked them if they would answer a few questions that I got from talking to other members about their concerns. We do this in all fairness and are not backing either candidate in any way. *** declined to do the question and answer and we respectfully honor his wishes. I think it is good for all if the voters are informed and understand the rules.
Let me preface what is to be said about the position of IBS Vice President with this thought. The office carries no more power than that held by the individual members. If the Vice President wants a rule change or a By-Law change he or she must secure the signatures of twenty five members and follow due process in effecting that change. It must go to a vote of the members after becoming an agenda item. It's a job with no pay and a heavy work load. Why would I like to be elected to this position? I think I can serve the members and the organization by drawing new members and new clubs into the fold. I think by actively pursuing growth in those two areas, all present members would benefit. We would benefit by reducing driving time and distance to matches. There is strength in numbers.
1. How will you encourage the sport to grow?
This sport can only grow with the introduction of young shooters. We are an aging group. One way that we can bring new shooters into the clutch is to meet with the boards of clubs and ranges that do not now host IBS matches. Try to enlighten them and encourage them to host IBS matches. Show them how they would benefit by having IBS matches at their facility.
2. How would you bring new shooters into the sport?
I've done it before and I am willing to do it again. Benchrest schools are one of the better ways of introducing new people to the game. Beat the bushes and get contributions from manufacturers and vendors to draw more to the school. When I did it before it was under the umbrella of NBRSA because at the time Michelle Sutton was doing the IBS school. This time it would have to be with the permission and endorsement of IBS.
3. What are your thoughts on factory class?
Factory class is now covered in the IBS rulebook but only that the club may elect to give trophies to factory rifle shooters. Many shooters have their introduction into benchrest competition with a factory rifle. It is a hard class to control as there is a great deal of disparity in factory rifles and one can get a benchrest rifle for less than some pay for a factory rifle. I'd have to take a long, hard look at this class before saying I'm totally in favor or against shooting a factory class.
4. What are your thoughts on combining the two 6 Power ( VH and Hunter) Classes ?
I'm against that at this time. There are too many shooting Hunter and Varmint Hunter as their two guns. If the numbers continue to decline, as they have in the north east, combining the two may be a good idea but their numbers have increased in the west. If that trend continues, I'd be against combining the two. If I had to say positively today, I'd say I'm against combining the two.
5. How do you see 6 power classes developing in the future?
I think the western shooters and clubs have a good handle on promoting the six power scope venue. If they continue to grow there as they have in recent years the future of the six power scope class is rosy. We just have to convince the other shooters to try this class. I see the six power classes expanding. The two gun, two yardage, two day match is a good one, especially for the guy who travels a long distance for a match. He or she can shoot all day for two days.
6. Do you support a Two Gun National format?
Absolutely. If you are talking about a Two Gun National where the shooters use a Hunter or Varmint Hunter and a VFS rifle as the two classes. I think this is a more demanding contest and really proves who is the best shooter. It's more about the shooter and less about the equipment. This would also help promote the six power class as was asked in the question above.
7. What are your thoughts on the IBS becoming increasingly a national sanctioning body? As Clubs from around the nation join IBS, how do you best serve the clubs and members?
I think the IBS is now becoming a national sanctioning body. The IBS has signed on two new ranges in Minnesota and Colorado. I'd like to see ranges in other states join in as well. We best serve the clubs by drawing in new people to these clubs and by giving the clubs national exposure. Hopefully, new memberships come with that. One way to promote those clubs is to join the clubs that you visit. It doesn't cost that much in most instances and leaves them with a warm feeling about seeing you come back. As you leave the club after a match leave their grounds cleaner than they were when you got there. They are more apt to have you back again. Be sure to thank them for holding IBS matches. A big match brings more money into the community than our range fees. Stress this with the clubs so that they might bring this to the attention of the businesses near the range. Gas stations, motels, and restaurants all profit from a match. Bring this to the attention of the range or club. I was able to convince Harrison Sportsman's Club that the IBS sanctioned match was the way to go after they had held unregistered matches for quite some time. I have spoken to the leadership of Iosco Sportsmen's Club and they will be holding registered matches there in the near future. They are putting the finishing touches on a brand new range in a new location and will have 100, 200, and 300 yard benchrest ranges there. Everyone is an ambassador for IBS. Leave them wanting to see you come back. If you are tired of driving long distances to a match solicit the range near you. Everyone can help.
8. What are your thoughts on having Regional representatives?
We have them now, after a fashion. Match directors are your representative. Tell them what you do or don't like about what is going on in your neck of the woods. It is they who should converse with the executive board regarding the conduct of business in their area. I do not like the Regional Director set up as we have in NBRSA. The NBRSA regional director has power over the members in their region and the voting system takes the power out of the hands of the members. I prefer the IBS because the member has the ability to vote on issues presented by members and not by the board of directors. Remember what I said at the top. The members of the executive board of IBS must get 25 member signatures before a rule change they want can be voted on.
9. Do you regard the IBS as Pro-Active in all areas… what areas need to be changed for the better ?
Pro-Active in all areas? No. I'd like to see the IBS get more active in benchrest schools. I'd like to see more, small schools held in more regions of the U.S. A lot of shooters in other disciplines don't even know what "benchrest" is. Who's to blame? The members are the IBS so I suppose we are all guilty as charged. That is one area that could be changed. I'm running as a write in candidate because I don't like to see anyone run for a position unopposed. So I see that as a sign that we, the members, are content to sit back and let Joe do it. Perhaps we are all passive or complacent. It seems NRA is the body all clubs turn to when building a range. IBS might look into helping with the lay out of ranges so that they are tailored to our needs and desires. That might be a tough sell but it may be easier if the "salesmen" were active in the planning stages. We are all the salesmen. When you see how many shoot benchrest and how few are active in their home club, you can see that we are not very Pro-Active. The load is not very well distributed.
I thank you for taking the time to see where I stand on the issues. I thank Stan Ware for providing me with the chance to express my opinion on these subjects. I would appreciate it very much if you would take the time to write Francis Becigneul in the write in space after Vice President and put a check mark in front of my name. If elected I will do the job of Vice President to the best of my ability and as the members, who are the bosses, would like it to be done.