President's Page

Dear Folsom Shooting Club Member:

We are about to start a new era in the history of Folsom Shooting Club. I took on the Chair 3 years ago with a promise to John Stowell that I would sit for at least 2 years and carry on with the reforms that he helped bring about. John and the members of his board had just undertaken a very painful and contentious change in range structure. John gave up commodity more precious than gold, friendship, on behalf of this club. For that we all owe him a great deal. He and his compatriots had taken the beach. My goal was, in his words, "to take the inlands." My objective was to maximize the sacrifice he and the other board members had made. I hope I have made them all proud.

The last 3 years have been tremendous for FSC. We have reworked our management structure. Range maintenance has leaped far ahead, the property has never looked better. Our business practices have been dragged screaming into the modern era. Words like budget, regulatory compliance, inventory control, growth management, human resources have taken a new meaning and interest in our club. What was once a band of 300 guys in the forgotten corners of Sacramento County has come roaring into the 21st century. No longer are we an unknown gun club in the forgotten corners of Northern California. No longer are we "too small to be big, and big to be small" as long time board member Ed Vernon said.

We have 2 full time managers and full time maintenance staff. We have a temporary classroom and plans to replace it with a permanent building in the near future. Today our member count stands at 2039 active members, a record for this time of year. Our growth has been phenomenal, and so far we have managed it with minimal pain.

There is a lot of work left to do. Many challenges face us. Laws will change. Political winds will blow in different directions. Staff and board members will come and go. This club and its members must prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.

Our new president, Vu Pham, is embarking on his first year in the chair. I have no idea what challenges he faces, but speaking from experience they will be many, varied and some will be trying. He will need help from the board and club members. I urge you to step up and get involved. Help make things run and help the club move forward.

I leave the chair knowing that I worked hard to get things done, to move the club forward. In many ways I was successful, though there was far more I wanted to do. Nothing would have been accomplished without the assistance of the board, staff and members of this club. I'd like to say thank you to everyone that was there when I needed them. This has been a tremendous experience for me, thank you for giving me the honor of leading this fine organization and serving with you.

Before I close I would like to call out one member in particular, Ed Vernon. He has been on the board in one seat or another for 20 years. Ed has stepped away from the board as of this election. Through law suits, financial storms, good times and bad, Ed has participated selflessly. He has been instrumental in the success and sometimes the very survival of this club and our range. As is customary Ed has never seen a penny in salary for his work, and never accepted any other remuneration. He worked often times unseen in the background in thankless jobs doing the things necessary to keep our ship off the rocks. He has given untold hours to Folsom Shooting Club. If you see him on the range tell him thanks, then get the heck out of the way and let the man shoot. He has earned it!

Thank you for all your help Ed, I personally appreciate it. FSC is here and better for your service. Enjoy your hard earned "retirement."

Respectfully,
Jim Bass
Past President