PRESIDENTS CORNER 

February 25, 2021

Dear Florida Sport Shooting Association (FSSA) Members,

Welcome to all our members.  Thank you for your new, continued or Life membership, and your support of our state association. 

Despite all the challenges faced in 2020, there is good news to report.  I am happy to tell you that membership is increasing and that our financial position is in very good shape.  It was disappointing not having the NRA, USAS and CMP National Championships this past summer, all cancelled due to COVID-19.  However, FSSA was able to provide our junior teams and individuals, funding support needed to help with travel and compete in other tournaments.  FSSA also supported several junior shooters through our ongoing grant program.  2020 State championships were held in Smallbore, Silhouette and High Power Rifle as well as Precision Pistol.  FSSA also supported a shooting day of safety and orientation attended by nearly 60 women.

Your donations and membership dues make it possible for FSSA to continue to support our shooters and shooting programs.  THANK YOU, to the clubs, coaches, and match support personnel who continue to volunteer their time and resources to run shooting events and offer training.  It is needed, and very much appreciated. 

In completing another year as President, a priority goal continues to be to improve the relevancy of FSSA to law abiding gun owners and enthusiasts, attracting more juniors and women to the shooting sports, and enhancing cooperation and communication with our shooting clubs across the state.  The events of 2020 challenged that goal.   Bottom line, there are opportunities ahead enabling FSSA to be a more responsive and effective state association, and we will continue to work to make that happen.

Enhancing our Association’s support to our members and clubs takes a fully staffed Board of Directors.  This must remain a priority of effort for FSSA – to attract new Board members in traditional and non-traditional disciplines, and in the day-to-day operations of FSSA.  While FSSA is blessed to have a team of dedicated and knowledgeable directors, we continue to have open director positions to fill.  I encourage members to consider a position as one of FSSA's directors.  You will have a direct and positive opportunity to make FSSA a better state association.   FSSA continues to look for a public affairs director, who can post news and events on our website and on our Facebook page.  Please contact me if interested or want more information.

Over the past few years, we have been unsuccessful in attracting enough voting members to our annual meeting to have a quorum, necessary for voting on such things as bylaw changes and annual grant funding.  Thanks to one of our Board members who put in a significant amount of personal time, FSSA was able to draft and approve a change to our Articles of Incorporation allowing the Board to approve much needed bylaw changes. Among the most significant changes is allowing for member proxy vote.  Both the updated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are posted on the FSSA website and are available for our members to review.

Several months ago, I received news of a generous donation to FSSA’s junior shooting programs from the estate of Mr. George A. Riquelme.  George gave generously of his time to south Florida’s clubs, coaching junior shooters and arranging matches for them.  Despite a tragic accident that cut off four fingers on his left hand, George never let that accident impair his shooting or gunsmithing.  He served as a positive role model to many shooters, young and not so young alike.  Some years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting George.  I remember him as a very giving individual who loved the shooting sports and would do almost anything to help his fellow shooters, especially juniors.  Beginning in 2021 the FSSA will establish the George A. Riquelme memorial award to be given to the top junior competitor in a FSSA state championship.  Additionally, funds from the estate will also be used to help junior shooters advance to national and international level competition.  

I am also pleased to tell you that last year FSSA received a generous donation of used reloading equipment.  The equipment is being sold, with monies going to support our general fund.

As we move into 2021, it is obvious that we will have another challenging year.  Our Second Amendment Freedoms are again under attack.  We must remain alert and involved in exercising and protecting our “2A” freedoms at the local, state, and national level.  I encourage you to stay informed and be as active as you can in defending our Second Amendment rights. 

Florida remains a great place to shoot, hunt and enjoy the shooting sports.  I encourage you to get out and enjoy some “trigger time”.  Invite a family member or friend and introduce them to the fun of shooting.   Consider volunteering at your local club to help with an event or perhaps start an event. 

In January, FSSA held its annual meeting at the Wyoming Antelope Club (WAC) in Clearwater.  What a great place to shoot and hold our meeting.  Thanks to the WAC for their excellent hospitality in hosting our annual meeting of members.  Thanks to outgoing directors Lake Yoke and Bill Hyde for their support and leadership to our state association.  FSSA welcomes new directors Tom Vollman (High Power Rifle), Stephen Price (Pistol), Ed Hess (Smallbore rifle), Clark Vargas (Director-at-Large) and reelected member Bob Grimes (Junior Activities).  Officers for 2021 are: Ted Carter (President), Joe Waldron (Vice President), Sue Carter (Secretary/Treasurer).

Thank you for your membership in FSSA.  I encourage you to look at ways you may be able to help FSSA with our programs and our support to shooting activities around the state.

The FSSA website has a link for members and non-members to make a charitable contribution to our state association.  Please consider a 2021 donation at http://www.flssa.org.  Click the link "Make a donation to FSSA".  The donation can be designated to any of our discipline programs, our junior activities, or our general fund. 

Please contact me or any of your officers and directors with any questions or comments.  We welcome your thoughts and suggestions on ways to improve our Association.

I wish you all the best of health, happiness, and good shooting for 2021.

Ted

Ted Carter

President, Florida Sport Shooting Association

president@flssa.org

www.flssa.org