NOTICE

ASSRA targets are sold as a service to ASSRA MEMBERS. No target order will be processed which is not accompanied by a member number which will be found on membership card.

Unfortunately, not only are target sales a task, tax-wise, etc., but they are also a major PITA for storage, shipping, etc, etc.  When Keith was saddled with the target sales job, a goodly portion of his garage was taken up with targets, special shipping boxes and other needs for the job.  I was on the infamous BofD at that time and AFAIK, he was reimbursed for expenses, but got nothing for the storage space he donated, and precious little reimbursement for the time and hassle.  As with all shooting stuff, people waited until the last minute, wanted a lot of targets for their match "next weekend" ad nauseum.  Keith did this job and did it well for as long as anybody else in recent memory. 

When he gave up the job and passed it on to Monte, I hauled them from Keith's (with special thanks to Ms Keith for helping load my van!) across the state to Monte's place, where I thought his wife would have a heart attack when she saw the sheer volume.  The association's budget does not allow a stipend to pay for the rather capacious storage needed for this function, and space became a problem for Monte and his successor, Barry who took up the target mantle next, and who also apparently experienced space problems.

Since that time, there has been an attempt to do more drop shipping directly from the printer, group shipping to several centrally located clubs at once, and probably other strategies of which I am not aware.  Just getting the printer to give us a consistent product on the basis of our needs has been a chore.  So you see, there is no great plot being foisted off on the general public about our targets and all the profit and joy and wonder of owning them.  Just getting them for our local affiliates and those members who buy them for practice and getting them shipped at a cost less than the targets themselves (this last for the big 200 yd targets of course) is a job I wouldn't wish off on my worst enemy.  There may be some good solution on the horizon, but it hasn't shown itself yet.  BTW, if someone has been able to bypass or beat the system, I guess they can consider themselves lucky and be done with it.  I know I have put in a lot of e-mailing, phone calling, and driving with increasingly expensive gas to insure that CSV has had the targets we need for our matches.

You will note that each sanctioning body for single shot events seems to have their own specialized target for the events they sanction.  I have seen or heard about targets for Coors, Budweiser, ISSA, WSU and NMLRA, and I would expect there are others about whom I have never heard.  Also, there has been a bit of a problem with "counterfeiting" of targets by folks who (without authorization) take it upon themselves to print up a batch or more of ASSRA (or other?) specialty targets. 

Now, I've seen the target situation as shooter, match organizer, orderer, hauler and BofD member.  I hope my explanation will be of some help in preventing a long wrangle on this topic, which really doesn't need one.  Then again, maybe the BofD will see fit to use its black helicopter to solve the problem for its inner circle! (That's a JOKE, guys!!

Charlie Shaeff
the Green Frog

if you still happen to have a copy of any of the targets from the various sanctioning bodies, I believe you will find printed somewhere on them the word "official."  I am fairly certain this is the case for all the different ASSRA targets which were drawn by members years ago and periodically "upgraded" for color, etc.  This is to insure that in all ASSRA sanctioned matches, everyone is shooting on the same target.  At a gun show Saturday I saw a dealer with pads of single sided 100 yd targets marked "Official ASSRA" even though our targets seem to all be two sided and I've never seen them padded, always loose.  Are they exactly the same color of red;  are they exactly the same size?  I just don't know, but that's what we are dealing with.

BTW, the black helicopter is just out making experimental deliveries.  Just keep your tin foil hat on firmly and you should be fine!  

Froggie

Let's not lose sight of the idea that if there's a sales tax question, any profits generated will be eaten up by the expense of keeping books and generating tax payments and reports to forty plus state governments!   

David
Montezuma, IA

Posting of the notice had NOTHING to do with anything else going on this forum. I was told of the policy early on but in the flurry of activity related to getting things up and going, frankly I forgot about it. If my understanding of things is incorrect I am sure the BoD will set me straight and I will gladly comply. 

Regarding the issue of clubs buying ASSRA targets, there ia very nominal cost per year to affilaite with ASSRA. It (the cost) is so minor that if there is any interest in using our targets there is really no reason not to affilaite. This same applies equally to WSU and NMLRA. If they are not nor we of them, then shame on us all. We are all in this boat together. On the personal level, being able to buy the targets at will is just one more reason (along with a maybe-not-perfect but nonetheless good magazine and the camaraderie of lots of good knowledgeable folks) to send in your membership fees. All for hardly more than it costs to take the little lady to a movie and treat her to popcorn and a drink - ONCE.

Gentlemen and Ladies if applicable, I am not a "saint" and am just as subject to anger, speaking before I think, etc. as anyone else is. If you all knew me personally you would not all like me and that is OK. I think I can truthfully say that those who know me well can agree that I work  hard to not live life on a reactionary basis. Please, if in doubt about something, don't just assume vindictiveness or exclusionary mindset Just ask me the reason(s). As has been said many times before, this medium does not permit judging a person's tone, demeanor nor even intention. In the meantime, I don't question policy, I just try to do my best at the job I promised to do. When I can no longer do that physically or logistically or cannot as a matter of principle I will gladly pass it on. Volunteers?

Respectfully
Don Howe

Sounds like a simple, straightforward policy to me! If you want official targets at cost, join ASSRA.

The intent of the use of capitol letters was to differentiate assn. vs forum members. In hindsight, I could have used a few more words.

40_Rod;  PM sent.  GF