Notes From The Field #1

CRPA is Everywhere!

I am happy to report that the CRPA and its outstanding team of volunteers is promoting your organization and making an impact. They once again have proven why the CRPA has the best team in the state. This last weekend, there were multiple events being held throughout the state that ranged from gun shows to shooting sports, conferences to youth events, training to recruiting and legislative outreach.

The plan was to demonstrate our capabilities to be in multiple places in one weekend and make a significant difference in the lives of many. I am happy to report that the plan was executed and a huge success. A claim this big needs proof and that’s what this report is all about. So let’s take a tour of the statewide events together.

Starting in the far Northeast corner of the state, volunteers Kathy and Galvan Graham braved 45-degree weather and fog so thick it deterred the usual attendees but not our team. They set up the booth at the Crescent City Gun Show held at the Del Norte County Fair Grounds and represented both the CRPA and NRA! Attendees were given the latest information and several new members were added to the rolls of both organizations.

Moving across the state to Lake Tahoe, both CRPA Legislative Director Tom Pedersen and I represented CRPA at the 2015 Hunter Education Instructor Conference hosted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Tom gave legislative updates to hunting policies in the state and hosted a rousing question and answer session to the 500+ attendees who train over 30,000 new hunters annually. Our booth was operated by CRPA recruiters and added, even more, members to our ranks and saw several others thank us for our hard work by upgrading to Life Member Status. (Pictured above at the conference, left to right: Bill Adams, Roy Griffith, Steven Rinella, Jim Russell, Scott Mc Intyre, Larry Nelson.)

Sacramento had a Gun Store grand opening where Regional Recruiter Tim McMahon set up shop and helped usher in another place for sportspeople to attain their goods. The event was well attended and again…more members were added to the rolls of CRPA! Good Job Tim!

Moving South to the Oaktree Gun Club, CRPA set up shop near the NRA to assist people with information during the 2015 Summer Blast. Manufactures from across the nation were there and the ranges were jammed packed with new and experienced shooters. Our own Marketing Assistant Rebeca Sanchez greeted people and fielded questions along with Operations Director Tiffany Cheuvront. The Dynamic Duo demonstrated that women are prominent players in the industry.

The newest addition to the CRPA staff, Ashley Maxfeldt, Event/Marketing Specialist, along with Steve Childs (both pictured above), manned the booth at the Los Angeles Council of the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th Anniversary celebration held at Firestone Scout Reservation in Brea. The event was supported by over 80 volunteers who were on hand to meet the needs of over 600 scouts in various shooting activities. A big shout out to the NRA and T.J. Johnson for all of their support in rounding up an incredibly talented staff that was rewarded with smiling faces all day long. Great work on developing the next generation of competitive shooters, law enforcement, military, and hunters!!!

Moving on to the desert community, we were in the Lucerne Valley where the High Desert Shooting Fun Fair was held. Volunteer Manny Verdugo represented CRPA at our booth, meeting people and encouraging them to have a great time. Thanks to his efforts people who came with questions left the booth with answers and as new members.

To support these activities the CRPA ran a special training course earlier in the week to provide new Range Safety Officers for the scout events and we are continuing to offer training to bolster both our capabilities to meet the needs of events throughout the state as well as provide more trainers to meet new and existing shooters educational needs.

Summer is around the corner and as it heats up so will our schedule of activities. If you want to be a part of our amazing team of volunteers let us know!

Your CRPA Field Director,
Rick Travis