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Hey Jim, Thanks for sharing this. You're building a great program with awesome growth! It’s exciting, but it comes with pressure, no doubt about it.

On the Athletic Director side, I try to keep consistent communication. We use the SportsYou App as our primary communication platform and the AD is part of the group. He stays looped in on schedules, highlights, growth, and wins. The more he sees the program as part of the school culture, the more support we get over time.

Now, on the club side and the 501(c)(3) conversation - I’ve walked that road a couple years ago.

We run our club as a 501(c)(7) social club that is member driven, and when we looked at converting to a 501(c)(3), it didn’t pencil out for us. It’s not really an “upgrade” - it’s a shift in mission. You trade flexibility for structure, compliance, and ongoing administrative work. If your primary purpose is still a member-driven club, that can become a burden pretty quickly.

Where a 501(c)(3) can make sense is if you’re focused heavily on youth development, scholarships, and grants - but even then, a lot of clubs are better off keeping the club as-is and building a separate charitable arm if needed. That's what we did with our youth program. We keep the money separate and our accountant keeps us straight financially. It's way easier filing our 990 to the IRS for our taxes this way.

As far as professional help - before you spend money there, I’d really make sure it’s the right move. Once you go down that path, there’s no halfway.

On the league side, that’s a grind everywhere right now. What’s worked best for us is using the youth program as the front door - get families involved, keep them around, and over time they turn into league shooters, volunteers, and leaders.

You’re in the thick of it right now, but you’re doing it the right way. Stay focused on people, build your bench, and don’t rush into structural changes just because they sound like the “next step.”

Recoil Sensitive follow up: The shooter now is shooting a Browning semi (gas operated) 20ga and is really starting to enjoy trap shooting. He shot his first 50 with no recoil issues, in fact he asked to shoot another round that night. He is more engaged with his team now and is asking the more experienced shooters questions. Probably will introduce him to a 12ga semi after the season, with that said what woud be a good semi (gas operarated) for a left handed shooter? I'm a Beretta fan myself but I would like to give his dad multiple models and brands to choose from.

Thank you to everyone who left comments and advice about this young man.

Tim Hein

We have 3 total 1 12 gauge tristar trinity and 1 20 gauge we also have a triastar raptor 20 gauge that has a youth and full size but stock. We received these through a NRA grant. We hoped they would get used more but most of our shooters only want to shoot what they brought. Most times when I hand them a different gun they perform better but seem to go back to there own gun quickly

We have a good shooter who is cross eye dominant. Right dominate left shooter. It also changes. We tried switching to right hand shooter but it hasn’t been successful. We also tried taping right lens but hasn’t worked for her. I’m pretty sure a different coach could help in this case. Found 2 others like that on our team and we have a new shooter coming in left dominate right hand shooter. His dad insists he can switch. I’m fortunate to have a couple lefty’s to help. Toughest obstacle to overcome is getting enough time to help them one on one.

With above being said it can be challenging to get them settled down and coach quiet eye. I know it works!

Randall probably knows who the first athlete is.

Thank you, I will get him to the board. Thanks for giving me another tool for my toolbox.

Jim, great topic, likely one that every youth trap program eventually has to face. FIrst off congrats on the growth from 8 to 32. That doesn't happen by accident. That happens because someone built something worth joining.

On the line of succession piece, here are my thoughts...

1. Don't wait for volunteers - Develop them. Most parents don't step forward because they don't know what's needed or they don't feel qualified. Get to know your parents. Start with small talk and be genuinely interested in them and their story. Eventually you will notice a talent in them or a characteristic that would fit for a specific task that needs done. Ask that person for help with the specific task in mind and say "Hey, you'd be great at this". Demonstrate sincere gratitude and thank them for the help.

2. Recruit for STRENGTHS, not just warm bodies. Some folks are natural admin people. Some are good on the line. Some have the gift of gab. Some are great salesman. Some have the gift of gab. Match the person to the role and suddenly they thrive.

3. Create a structure that survives you. This is something I am refining now. An actual team handbook. I'll attach it for your review (and anyone else that would like it). We started the Crivitz Trap Team in the spring of 2022 with a hope and a dream and this spring we are headed into our fifth season. During all that time we had a very crude two page document as our official handbook. In all honesty, it didn't hold any real weight or value. So at the start of last fall season, I started drafting a fully comprehensive Youth Trap Handbook and we will be reviewing it at our next youth committee meeting in a couple weeks. This document defines the youth program and the roles there in. When parents see a real structure, they're more willing to plug in - because it feels organized and not overwhelming.

4. Start with a small leadership ask. Instead of "Can you help the team?", try - "Can you help the Communications Lead this season?", "Would you mind serving as a Squad Manager this season?". Most people say yes when the ask is specific.

5. Build culture early. If your athlete see leadership modeled, and your parents see that the program is bigger than one person, you'll eventually have families who want to continue the legacy.

You're doing the right thing by thinking ahead Jim. Programs don't grow on accident - and they don't survive on accident either. With the right structure and a little intentional recruiting, you'll find the next generation of leaders faster than you think.

We are doing that this year too. One issue is our top shooters are in other programs too. Sporting, AIM and local leagues. Funding is not easy too.