At the last Executive meeting I was appointed as the Workbee Coordinator due to some arm twisting of some of my colleagues on the Board of Directors. Although I have turned up for numerous workbees in the past, I have no real idea of the scope of my duties as the Coordinator. Therefore, I had a meeting with our Caretakers, Dave and Linda, in order to have an idea of the scope of what lies ahead. I understand that the turnout for these workbees has been either feast or famine, apparently the history reveals that turnout has been in the order of 8 to 20 souls out at various times. In order to successfully plan these workbees I would like to be able to count of a consistent number that turn out for these days. I will address this later in this memo.

Here are the Projects that need to be done in the near future

Painting:

  • Outside Concrete Blocks
  • Scrape and repaint sign in Board for Range 2
  • Repaint the lines on indoor range
  • Pressure wash and paint all containers
  • Stencil Paint of “Do Not Staple” on all Shooting benches and tables on all ranges.

All work projects for all Ranges, including the Archery Range:

  • Rake up all debris
  • Build another 500 target backer (April or May)
  • Pressure wash all ranges
  • Clean all windows
  • Clean all filters of the Makeup Air Unit
  • Re-stain all wood fences and archery building

In discussion with Dave I found out that our water line only reaches to Range 2, leaving 3 and 4 without water. I suggest we cost out how much it would cost to supply a waterline all the way to ranges 3 and 4. This would assist us in any cleaning, fire suppression etc. I would volunteer to be the project manager for this item if the Board agrees with the idea.

My Plan Suggestion

As most of our members work during the week the workbees have to take place on weekends. I would like to reserve the 3rd Saturday of every month a Workbee day. I understand, by looking at the calendar, that some of our sub-clubs have already spoken for some of these days for their events. So we as a Board have to decide on some priorities, I suggest maintenance of our buildings, ranges and grounds are of a high priority.

My reason for suggesting the 3rd Saturday is that at the end of the work of that day (From 8:30 to 14:00 hrs.) all ranges would be open again thereby allowing all members, including those that came to work, the opportunity to do some shooting. There should be some fun. For those Saturdays that have already been booked for events as of today, we will have to cancel that Workbee.

In talking to Mark Porter, he suggested that we make the Workbee on Archery Sunday, i.e. the 2nd Sunday of every month. He told me that since there are no firearm activities taking place on Range 2, 3 4 and 5, and the archers will be either on their trail or on the Archery Range. Using that day for Workbee activities would be not interfering with any events that are being planned by any of the sub clubs.

On the downside of this would be that I firmly doubt that we can motivate members to turn out on a Sunday morning without being able to use the ranges after the work is done. Quite a number of our members do not live near the club, some as far away as North Vancouver. I do not think that a $25 reduction of their membership fees would be enough incentive to give up their Sunday mornings.

I also want to make the Workbee a fun and fellowship event in order to motivate our members to take part. I plan for meeting at 08:30 hrs., start work at 09:00 and end at 14:00hrs. With a break at 10:30 for Coffee and a donut, and a light lunch at 12:00. (Hot dogs, and a beverage of some sort). Once in a while a Hamburger type BBQ. I have talked to Dave and Linda and they will be there, and Linda has kindly agreed to purchase and prepare any of the consumables. I am thinking that a budget of $ 100/month will cover the cost, perhaps even to obtain a door prize for turning out once in a while. In addition, I would ask that at the end of the year, at the AGM, 2 free memberships be awarded to the members that have been the most active Workbee workers during the year.

Regards,
Hardy Staub
Railroaded Workbee Coordinator