SSAA NSW

8 BRANCH COMMUNICATION Branch visits are the best way to understand any issues and to engage face to face to ensure open communication, but Branch visits are not always simple to manage with time and availability, especially during a pandemic. For this reason, we have commenced the Branch Zoom Meetings. The model is quite simple – up to five Branches at a time with up to five committee members for each Branch which allows strong communication both ways. With more members per Branch participating and asking questions there will be a better cut through to the Branch members of news and feedback about their questions. We have almost completed the first round of these meetings, with only a small number of Branches left to be engaged. I can happily report that the results are very impressive and the feedback very positive. Obviously, this model will continue with the next round already being planned. Each senior member from an individual Branch is given time to outline their Branch plans and needs. This provides incredibly valuable feedback and sets the stage for grant funding and support, wherever it is needed. Because this form of communication is so direct, personal and quick to establish, we were able to virtually visit five Branches a night for three nights a week at virtually no cost. It is incredibly efficient and provides real solutions for Branches much faster. Throughout COVID-19 we have also been communicating via email much more often. The COVID-19 safety plan produced by our staff is an essential guide for ranges to operate within COVID-19 restrictions. This plan is very comprehensive and required a lot of research and work to complete. Our COVID-19 plans have been referred to by other organisations as the best example of safe practice and many are duplicating our plans. I do thank the staff on every range's behalf for this work, as it saves your Branch time and cost and allows our sport to continue safely. All email communications are distributed to Branches and some are shared with members so that those of you interested in the health of our sport, our ranges and our facilities are provided with updates. If you have feedback, please email the office for action. MANDATORY ATTENDANCE. There is some confusion around mandatory attendances this year. We recently sent out a memo to our members clarifying mandatory attendance, but it is worth repeating again. After advocacy from SSAA NSW and other peak shooting bodies, Registry took the initiative to support shooters through COVID-19, by allowing us two years to complete one year's worth of attendances. This was contingent upon COVID-19 conditions reducing dramatically but, at this time, I doubt that condition will ever be enacted. The timing for the beginning of this two years was 15th April 2019. This was a terrific outcome for legal NSW shooters, however, this start time was complicated for SSAA NSW members due to our reporting period ending in March. We further negotiated with registry to support our members through the difficulties of the COVID-19 onset, as well as the bushfires and floods that had affected our members throughout the previous SSAA reporting period. We achieved a successful outcome for the 2019/20 reporting period. While we continually advocate against mandatory attendances, as per a previous AGM resolution, it is still a legal requirement of shooters in NSW and we remain, first and foremost, law-abiding firearms owners. Soon, mandatory reporting will be policed more rigorously and you need to be aware of your attendances being monitored. Not having sufficient hunts or range visits annually could invalidate your licence. We encourage all members to continue completing their attendances and avoid leaving their requirements until the end of the extended reporting period. Last minute attendances in the January to March period will be significantly more challenging due to restricted numbers and physical distancing, as well as the possibility that the ongoing COVID-19 situation could restrict access to ranges or even close ranges in the event of an escalation. NATIONAL UPDATE – AGM. The National AGM was held recently after being postponed from May this year due to COVID-19. Restrictions on state travel blocked the potential for a National AGM via the conventional (and preferred) face-to-face model for SSAA Inc. The SSAA Inc. is incorporated in South Australia and SA Fair

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