SSAA NSW

Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. 3 would produce a better outcome for all NSW shooters. We have made offers but there has been no return attempt to manage a suitable time or agenda, just refusal. I encourage all SFFP members to ask their politicians to consider meeting with us. As an organisation we need stability so that we can provide the stable platform that encourages all shooting groups to work together. In May you will send your Branch delegates to the SSAA NSW AGM to represent your Branch and your interests in our organisation. It is important that Branch committees ensure that their delegates are prepared with information and the expectations of Branch members so the best outcomes are achieved for the members. This year it appears there will be two clearly defined leadership styles for the delegates to vote on at the AGM. It is good for the organisation to have a contest that presents different models for your review, this encourages thinking and soul searching and will define SSAA NSW for the next three years and beyond. The most important question in a democratic process like this is to ask yourself, what do you want from your SSAA NSW? Directors & leadership I would like to thank the people who have contacted me since becoming President. Many ideas and wants have been proffered from all aspects of our sport. Some ideas fit into plans already in place, some open new pathways of thinking and some give direct information on problems that can be fixed. Simple fixes are great – identify the problem, consult on how should it be fixed, fix it? Some problems are harder and they seem to always involve "personalities". SSAA NSW is committed to fixing the issues we are allowed to fix, for the benefit of the majority of members, as quickly as possible. Self-serving demands and personality conflicts will take longer! One interesting point that was regularly raised, as it was by a delegate at the last AGM, was the thought that the Directors are paid. The Directors are volunteers, the same as Branch committee members. The hard- working Directors often serve the Association to some detriment to their private work and incomes, as do many of our volunteers. Many Directors give up annual leave days to attend Board meetings while others have to pay staff to replace them at their work when SSAA NSW calls. The only remuneration available is the honorarium determined annually by delegates at the AGM. The Directors are members who volunteer their time, their commitment and their expertise to help our Association. An important difference is that the Directors are responsible and liable for their actions and decisions. In order to assist the Directors be the best they can be we have introduced director training by the Australian Institute of Company Directors. The first module was delivered at the December board meeting and all Directors learnt a lot about governance and best practice in decision making. Diana has done the full AICD course to enhance our Executive Director role and I have done a similar AICD course in a previous director role. These courses are extremely valuable in making our organisation progressive, legal, professional and delivering best outcomes for the members. We are a not for profit organisation, but we need income to provide the ranges and services the members want and need. We also need additional income strength to help us be a better lobby group and change community perceptions. So far at the coal face we return more money to Branches than any other state and we have a range development program to grow our member access to ranges. These are great programs already in place, but we are capable of doing so much more to increase our income. There is a plan - and it will take two years to turn on and then it will be a permanent part of the SSAA NSW income stream. Past experience indicates to me that we should produce a profit from this business model that more than doubles our current financial position. Other significant benefits will flow from this enterprise such as marketing to change the broader community emotional negativity to firearms, cash to purchase and manage new ranges and stronger relationships through the entire shooting community. Lance Miller President - SSAA (NSW) Inc.

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