Anyone got the new news letter. Someone said dues going up. I have not got my letter or information on dues increase. Anybody in the know on this one?

The last batch of newsletters were mailed yesterday. It is correct that there will be a dues increase of $50. There is a full explanation in the newsletter, but briefly the cost of everything to operate the facility has risen and we are anticipating having to hire some people because our reliable core of volunteers is drying up.
There will be different payment options available to you on the renewal notices which will be mailed out in February.
If you or anyone else does not receive the newsletter package in the next few days, please contact me at administration@kettlefootgunclub.org.
Thanks,
Lynne

Thanks Lynn

OK, I guess I'll be the first to complain. I've been a member for less than 2 years, but I think a $50/year increase is excessive, especially for any member who doesn't get to use the range as often as some do. I only shoot pistols, and only in the Auxiliary/IDPA range. I've never used any other Kettlefoot range, and I feel very safe in saying that I never will. I would gladly continue to pay my currrent yearly dues (or a slight increase) to use the IDPA range and no other range on the property. The increase you have imposed will leave me with a decision to make, especially since I can shoot my pistols on my own property.
I realize the costs of maintaining the property have risen, as have the costs of anything related to a shooting sport. I wish I had the time to volunteer at Kettlefoot, but I don't. With a very demanding job and my own acreage to take care of, I can't even get the time to shoot an IDPA match, muchless practice (which I DEARLY need). I donated the railroad ties for the new bays at the IDPA range through my employer, as well as some loaned tools that Kettlefoot still has and is still very welcome to use, but that's about all I can volunteer, especially with back surgery in the near future...I do clean up after myself (gottta have that brass), as well as cleaning up after the few inconsiderates who leave a mess behind, but that's all I can do.
I do know FOR A FACT that there is a new gun shop and indoor/outdoor pistol range coming to the Bristol-Abingdon area. The numerous permits have been applied for, with the hardest to obtain already approved. It may be another 9-12 months before we see it, but it's coming...
Just my personal ramble-does anyone else feel this way? I personally can pay the 5 extra bucks for a non-member to shoot in an IDPA match, and shoot in my back yard when and if my job will let me.
I love being a Kettlefoot member, but I'll have to decide in the next few months just how much.

Having read ontracks comments I feel I should explain the current dues increase more fully.
A little over 4 years ago I "volunteered to take the Treasurers job at Kettlefoot. At that time we had aproximately 800 members and 26 volunteers running the club.
We average loosing about 100 members per year and replacing them with new members. We are now at the 1000 member mark which means we have added 600 new members since I took office. From those 600 new members I have gotten no new volunteers.
We now have 21 volunteers with an average age of 62.
In 5 years their average age will be 67 and no doubt there will be even fewer volunteers.
I run my own business which demands 50+ hours of my time per week and My President/Treasurers position at Kettlefoot demands 30 hours per week. I am not complaining, but I am now nearly 61 and I cannot continue this workload indefinitely. I have actively looked for an assistant who could take over my job, but have had no success.
Every member of the board and all the volunteers pay dues like everyone else. I have heard none of them complain. Other clubs in the area charge a fee if you do not work so many hours...this is a bookkeepers nightmare and we feel it is not feasable.
In a weeks time I will hear several complaints and rarely a thank you for what has been happening at Kettlefoot. Many days my voluteers and the staff at Kettlefoot are discouraged and ready to quit. Then we receive a nice e-mail or thank you from someone and it lets us know someone appreciates our labor on behalf of all the shooting sports.
Up till now every dime of income at Kettlefoot has gone into maintenance and improvements. We have a full-time maintenance man and a part-time secretary who works full time for part time pay. There are no bonuses or big salaries at Kettlefoot. When you pay your dues it is to make our Club better. Sadly, we must start hiring people to take up the slack and do a lot of the work. This is not to "punish" our members, but to insure the survival of our facility.
Our budget this year is 80% dues, 15% Shotgun profits, and 5% Rimfire profit.Due to factors beyond our control IDPA will make no profit this fiscal year. I have no problem with that. Mark and Walt and staff are great people and do a great job. Ammo costs and availability have hurt all the disciplines probably IDPA the most. Regardless of these facts we have moved ahead with improvements to the IDPA range to the tune of 35,000.00.
We are as a board committed to building and maintaining the finest shooting facility between Roanoke and Knoxville. None of this is cheap. I am sure if a new range is opened in the area their costs will reflect all of the expenses we have and they will charge accordingly.
I sincerely hope that no one drops their membership. At .48 cents a day for a regular and .34 cents a day for senior membership, I see my membership as a bargain. If this places a hardship on you or your family, we as a board are more than willing to work with anyone who needs help.
If you wish to speak to me personaly, I will be more than happy to go into more detail with individuals or concerned groups by appointment at the Clubhouse, however; Please do not use the forum to "Bash" volunteers, staff or officers who with much deliberation have made a tough decision, who are overworked, underpaid, or not paid at all, and sometimes just fed up and ready to quit.
Now, I have vented my thoughts and concerns. Is anyone out there willing to donate time and efforts to volunteer? If your answer is Yes, then contact me and we will find something for you to do. If your answer is "No I would like to but can't". Please know that I understand, Just be willing to help pay someone to help get the jobs done. If anyone would like to be considered for the following positions let me know.
Club Manager
Maintenace Help/Safety Officer
Your help and kind words are always appreciated. Thanks to the many fine people who sacrifice time and money on a daily basis to make our club successful.


Sincerely,
Wayne Wills
President/Treasurer

I would like to be a volunteer to help out. My wife and I have been a member just this year but we are willing to do what we can.

Duane,
Thank you!!!...What is your primary shooting interest?...When can we meet? I will be at the Club house and upper range Saturday 12:00 til ???. I will also be at the Clubhouse Sunday afternoon.
Wayne

Wayne, I hope I didn't come across as "bashing" the club or any volunteers-that was certainly not my intention. I have enjoyed every minute that I have spent at the club, and have met a lot of nice people, including yourself. I have no idea what goes on at the club, or what costs are incurred, because when I come through the gate my only stop is at the IDPA range. And I will say that there has been a GREAT improvement to that range in the short time I've been a member. I'm lucky if I can get to the range twice per month, and this is not your fault, the club's fault, or my fault. I chose my career that I've given the last 30 years to, and I chose to buy high maintenance property that takes way too much of my time. On second thought, I guess it is my fault. I just have to decide if my range time versus price per visit is worth the increase. Again, I hope I didn't offend you, the board, the volunteers or any members by my previous post. If I did, then I apologize.

No offense taken. There was a time in my life when I could not have been a member or enjoyed the Club. I understand that life has many demands and we must all put our priorities in order. Thank you for your kind words. We have talked in the past and I know you want Kettlefoot to prosper. I hope your surgery goes well, Hope to see you soon.
Wayne

I, for one, want to take this opportunity to say 'Thank You' to Wayne, Bill, Lloyd, Bob, Lynn, Jeff, Jim, Terry, Kieth, et al, for all the work they do to make our club the best in the region!

I do regret that I just don't seem to have the time that I wish I had to devote to the club to volunteer for the much needed work that is required to maintain the first class facility that we have here at Kettlefoot. With that said, I would certainly not complain about about a nominal increase in the annual membership dues.

We have a great facility here at Kettlefoot...there is nothing close in the area. Let's keep it that way!

I have only been a Kettlefoot member for 2 years and am only there to stay familiar with my pistol. I am a "new shooter' a recent widow....I have no other place to shoot, as I live in the city. My friends think I am nuts when I tell them it is peaceful and relaxing to come up there to shoot! I have been very impressed with the folks I have come in contact with at Kettlefoot and all have been helpful. As a full time volunteer in another organization, I fully realize the need for volunteer help. I am willing to do what I can, but I am not able to do maintainence work, due to age and health. I can HELP with any office work, if needed or occasional cleaning of indoor facility. Let me have my say on the increase in dues....I realize that we have a need to hire help to run Kettlefoot, but I think $50 is a bit much. That is almost 100% increase for me as a senior, and close to 50% increase for others. I surely would like to remain a member at Kettlefoot, but am weighing the cost vs. how often I am there. If I do decide to stay I would be more than happy to volunteer to help with office work. Thank you to the few that do volunteer.

Just an opinion here about the dues increase.
While I think the club is a nice club and is most likely the best club around a 43.4 percent increase in dues is quite a jump.
If the powers that be here sees a trend of needing more money I would rather get the increase a little at a time than trying to hold down increases for 3 or 4 years, just to look good, then all of a sudden wham a 43.4 percent at one time. Especially in a time we all are going through a money crunch as we ALL have been this year.
I know that trying to hold off increases seems as a good thing but is it really. I know 50 dollars is 50 dollars but it seems to hurt far less when it is extracted a little at a time rather then all at once.
I will continue to pay the dues so I can have a good place to shoot. But maybe the method that is used to determine how, when and how much the dues need to be increased should be evaluated with a powerful magnifying glass. I am sure, as with most things, it can be improved on.

I agree that the percent of year to year increase is steep, but also agree that this is the best club in the area. I like others do not like such a steep increase but would rather pay the increase than move to another club. I've been to them all and Kettlefoot beats them all.

I agree. This is a nice club but a 43.4 percent increasew is STEEP I know Wayne is a business man and there are others in the club too but I bet they haven't marked up their products up that much nor haven't increaed their employees pay 43.4 percent in recent years.
I sure haven't gotten a raise like that in my life and probably never will.
But it is a nice place to shoot.

READ I repeat READ my post. This is not a raise for anyone. This is to Hire people to maintain our facility, and to insure its survival.
Wayne