Club Meetings
Club Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month. Dinner is generally available before each meeting at 7:00. Meetings start at 8:00 PM at which time general club business and activities are discussed.
Board of Directors Meetings
The Board of Directors meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 8:00 PM. Applications for new membership are received and prospective members are interviewed before the meeting at 7:30 PM. Detailed club business is reviewed at the meeting.If any club member has any function, activity or contact a Board member so that time can be scheduled to discuss the matter with the Board at their meeting.
Election of Officers and Trustees
Each year at the June meeting, elections are held for the following officers: President, Vice- President, Secretary and Treasurer. A nomination Committee is formed to nominate members for office. During the election for each office, nominations are open to the floor. Any paid up member in good standing for two consecutive years is eligible to run for one of the above offices. In addition, each year at the June meeting, two Trustees are elected for a three-year term. The election is handled the same way for officers. To qualify for Trustee, you must have been a member in good standing for three consecutive years.
Membership
Prospective members are required to submit an application and payment for first year dues and initiation fees, and be interviewed by the membership committee prior to a B.O.D. meeting. If approved by the B.O.D., the prospective member is voted by the general membership at the regular club meeting following the next B.O.D. meeting (about 6 weeks later). Prospective members may either be sponsored by a member or submit three letters of reference. In order to sponsor new club members, the sponsor must have been a club member in good standing for at least one year
Life Membership.
Life membership is offered to a member who is 62 years of age or older or is handicapped. To qualify a member must have a total of five years with the Club. Nominations should be brought to the Board of Directors. Life members are exempt from the club's work party system.
Junior Membership
Jr. Membership is open to youths between the ages of 14 to 17. Upon turning 18 or graduation from High School, Junior members become eligible for Sr. Membership. Junior members are not allowed to shoot unattended on any ranges without the approval of the respective range committee and the BOD.
Junior members do not have voting rights or privileges nor can they have a key to the clubhouse. Initiation fees are waived when a Jr. member becomes a senior member. Dues for junior members are $10 per year.
Work Party System
The Club has a mandatory work party system, which works as follows:
· A work party will be held each month, usually in conjunction with an event such as a registered shoot, party, BBQ, etc....
· Every member is notified via the newsletter of upcoming work party dates. Special work parties can be arranged in advance, with any Board of Director member, for those members who wish to complete their obligation' and who wish to select their own project. Each member must attend one work part, each year. If a member does not have credit for a work party by December 31, he will be assessed a fine equal to one years dues. That is, when he renews his membership the following year, he will be required to pay double the current annual dues. Life and Junior members are exempt from the work party system.
The Vice-President will keep a record of work party attendance. Each work party chairman will give the Vice-President the names of members who worked on his work party.
New members will be required to fulfill their work party obligation before receiving their membership card and key.
Ranges and Rules
General Range Rules
· Ranges are open to members and their invited guests only, except for "Open to the Public" events
· All outdoor shooting ranges are open from 9AM to 9PM.
· Drinking of alcoholic beverages on any range is prohibited.
· Carrying of loaded firearms off range is prohibited except while hunting and holstered handguns carried by properly licensed individuals.
· Specific range rules are posted on each range, and violators will be subject to disciplinary action by the BOD.
Safety Sign
There is a safety signboard, located in the parking lot, with a red/green indicator for each outdoor range. The appropriate flag should be set to red for any range in use. Extra care should be taken during hunting season. The flags are there for your own safety.
Rifle and Pistol Range
The rifle and pistol range offers target backstops at 25, 50, and 100 yards. Lighting is installed for night shooting at 25 yards. In general, only paper and approved metallic targets may be used. Other types of targets may be used in conjunction with club events (such as a bowling pin shoot).
Archery Ranges
· There is an indoor archery range set up in the clubhouse. The indoor range is generally available on Monday nights. All new shooters must qualify outside of the clubhouse before shooting indoors.
· Outdoor archery ranges consist of a multi- target field course set up in the woods and a large target butt with yardage markers adjacent to the parking lot. Use of broad-head (hunting) arrows is limited to specifically marked targets. Club events include a club league and sanctioned 3-D shoots.
Trap and Skeet Fields
The club has four Trap fields for your enjoyment. The first two fields have Automatic Trap machines; the others must be hand loaded. These fields are for SHOTGUNS ONLY!! The first trap field can also be used for skeet. There is a high and low house with automatic loading machines. This trap/skeet field is also lighted so that we can shoot after dark until 9PM. There is a nominal fee charged for each round of trap or skeet shot. Current prices and scheduled hours are posted in the Range house.
Sporting Clays
The club has an extensive sporting clays range with stations located all around the club property. Sporting clays practice is generally available Sundays by appointment. There are sanctioned events held throughout the year, details of which are always posted in the clubhouse and announced in the newsletter.
Fishing
The club has two ponds and a river on its land. Fishing is open to members only, and we encourage catch and release.
Hunting
Hunting on club property is limited to members only. In addition to specific club rules, all Mass. DFW regulations apply. There is good bird hunting on the club grounds. Each year we stock the property with pheasants and badges are sold to members who wish to hunt them. For safety reasons, only target loads are allowed (2-3/4", 3 dram maximum, no shot larger than #7-1/2) during pheasant shoots. A pheasant badge must be purchased for hunting during upland game season. There is also excellent deer hunting on club property, and again, all Mass. DFW regulations apply.
Social Functions
The Club runs a family chicken bake every summer, and a Christmas party every December with Santa in attendance for the children. These events are a good chance to invite your family or friends and neighbors to your club. Other functions held during the year include a Halloween party and a canoe regatta, Information about these events is published in the monthly newsletter and are also announced at the regular monthly meetings.
Club Rentals
The club is available on a rental basis to club members for private parties and gatherings. Rental fee and cleaning deposit information can be obtained from the Treasurer. A contract is negotiated with the person renting the club and scheduling is done through the Board of Directors. The club IS NOT available for rental to nonmembers, or on SUNDAYS.
Grievances
Any member with a complaint, grievance or any other matter which may deal with Club discipline are urged to address the issue with the Board of Directors. We want to hear your point of view in order to make your Club a more enjoyable place.