Gun Club Grand Rapids MN Minnesota Newsletter February 2010

2010 Memberships
IGC Life Members and IGC Members with dues paid to date should find your new membership card included with this newsletter. The new card and gate combination becomes effective March 1st, 2010.
If your membership card is not included with this newsletter, please check to be sure that your dues are up to date by contacting the Membership Secretary, Joanne Baker by email, membership@itascagunclub.org or by US Mail to PO Box 201, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Please be sure to take the few extra seconds to update your contact information and sign the form. Your signature on the membership form IS REQUIRED. If you wish to receive a new membership card, be certain to sign it.
While we’re on the subject, if your NRA dues are due for renewal, please remember to renew your NRA dues through IGC. You’ll receive a $10 discount and we’ll get a little reward from the NRA for helping out. Get Membership Form

IGC 2010 Annual Meeting and Election of Officers
The 2010 annual meeting was held at The Eagles Club in Grand Rapids on January 15th, 2010. The folks at the Eagles were welcoming in every way. We enjoyed another good meal along with the good service we’ve come to expect from the Eagles Club.

Elections were held and as all eight of the elected officers were uncontested, the election was held as a “White Ballot” and serves to re-instate all of our existing officers. A complete list of elected and appointed officers appears on page two of this newsletter.

Almost As Valuable as Most Valuable Member Award
It’s been seven years now since we’ve presented a single member with what we used to call the “most valuable member award”. In the past, it was up to the club officers to attempt singling out one individual whose contributions during a year were more important to the club than those of any other. Today, we try recognizing the efforts of a broader group of folks who help out in various ways. Thus the term “almost as valuable as most valuable” member award.
For 2009, awards went to Phyllis Anderson, Joe Oliver Conley, Janssen, Bob Ross, Mike Hughes, Joanne Baker, Bob Ross, Jeff Sundin, Jerry Lorbecki, Vince Rittmiller and Stuart Anderson. Congratulations to each of you and thank you for everything you do!

For 2009, Shooting League awards were limited to the top 2009 Bullseye Pistol competitors. Throughout the league season, Pete Myers and Dave Schultz were engaged in an extremely close race and each took several turns leading the pack. In the end Dave Schultz outlasted Pete Myers winning the competition for the 2009 Bullseye league Championship by 1/100th of a point. Way to go Dave.

Highlights of the IGC business meeting included discussions on several items of new business including:

A potential partnership between Itasca Gun Club and the Grand Rapids Gun Club that could offer potential members an option to renew or sign up for memberships in both clubs through a central booking system. A committee was formed to make recommendations. Committee members, Jeff Sundin, Bob LaPlant and Bob Ross and Vince Rittmiller will meet and report to the board at the February business meeting.

A resolution to form a committee to explore improving the target retrieval system for the indoor range passed. The resolution includes re-approval of the funds that had been previously allocated for the retrieval system. The resolution authorizes the committee to explore expanding the project to include possible introduction of a turning target system or other re-configuration of the existing range including an improved Smallbore rifle shooting platform.
There are no additional funds allocated for the project at this time and the committee, Jeff Sundin, Vince Rittmiller, Joe Oliver and Conley Janssen will report to the board, as information becomes available.

Discussion about the clubs International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) matches, schedules and volunteers. In the past, IDPA Matches conducted by the IGC have been well attended and it is agreed that we need to increase the number of scheduled events. The discussion led to an offer by Larry Heise to take over the duties of IDPA Chairman. For his plan to work, Larry will need the help of a small group of IDPA Competitors to assist with setup and running of the matches.
This is an excellent opportunity to combine business with pleasure by serving as a volunteer to set up matches and competing in them at the same time.
Larry has agreed to prepare all of the match schedules, league paperwork, scoring and reporting. But will need to establish a list of volunteers who can help out, especially with the on-site range setup, moving targets etc…Why not take the opportunity to help out? Call Larry Heise email

Wayne Christensen reported at the meeting about a proposed plan to re-open the Minnesota Shooting Sports Education Center under the direction of a group of directors made up of past directors, new members and competitive shooting personalities. Under the new plan, the MSSEC would be operated under some sort of simple lease arrangement between the DNR and the MSSEC group. Members of the group are optimistic that they will reach a workable agreement, but until the DNR delivers its proposal, the terms of any lease agreement remain unknown.
According to Christensen, the new group includes US Olympic Shooting Gold Medal Winner Matt Emmons who will assist with efforts to raise funds and attract a broad group of competitors with tie-ins to the Olympics and other international shooting connections.
Wayne gave assurances to the IGC that the primary focus of the effort will be on classroom training, matches and youth development. The MSSEC group does not plan to offer scheduled service of the facility as an open shooting range and he asked that IGC support the effort.

Itasca Gun Club News List
During the past few months, I’ve been trying to add more features to the website for members who want to share photos, field reports or pass along information about upcoming events. The next time you log on to www.itascagunclub.org be sure to check out the member news and field reports sections.
In particular, check out the latest article posted by club member Lloyd Smrkovski who has a great report about Exotic Big Game Hunting.
We want to hear from you so send your photos or written reports about hunting trips, shooting matches or interesting news to me by email.

Indoor Range Winter Shooting Times
A reminder, Indoor Open shooting Mondays 5:00 – 7:00 PM Tuesdays 10:00 AM –1:00 PM Bullseye League Thursdays 4:30 – 7:00 PM. Check the calendar on our website for details.

Jerry Jolicoeur Memorial Pistol Match
Itasca Gun Club will be holding the annual Jerry Jolicoeur memorial pistol shoot at its indoor pistol range on Saturday, March 6, 2010. The public is invited and the shooting will start at 10:30 AM. This year there will be six lanes per relay. With relays starting every hour until 3:30 PM.
Scoring = 60-round, 600-point match, 20 rounds slow fire, 20-timed fire and 20-rapid fire. Competitors may use .22 caliber pistol only. There will be three classes; optical sights, open sights and ladies combined. There will be a $5.00 entry fee per class. Trophies awarded to the first place in all three classes. Medals awarded to second and third place competitors.
During this event, we will conduct the poker shoot again. There will be a 50% payback, open to any 22-caliber rim fire rifle or pistol.
We’ll have lunch available for purchase on site. Advance reservations will ensure both shooting time and lane position so call early to reserve your spot. Contact Joe Oliver at 326-8812 or WWW.ITASCAGUNCLUB.ORG.

Range Safety Officer Training Offer
Bob Ross has announced plans to offer a Range Officer Certification training session this spring. There have been several inquiries already, but to conduct a class, we’ll need at least a half dozen people in attendance. For anyone who supervises matches, conducts pistol, rifle or DNR hunter safety training, this is a good idea. Inquire about the training by calling Bob Ross 218-326-6223

Pistol Carry Permits Renewal Classes
Triple T-C announces “advanced pistol” classes for people who need to renew their MN permit to carry or for those who would like to expand on their previous class before applying for a new permit. The class is limited to those that have already taken the triple T-C basic pistol course. Course schedules are available by contacting Conley 218-244-2841 or check www.itscagunclub.org for a link to the class schedules.

2010 Itasca Gun Club Gun Show
Joe Oliver announced that we would be having another gun show at the range this year. The tentative date for the event is July 24, 2010. We need to start lining up some volunteer help right now. If you’ll lend a hand, please contact Joe Oliver.