Posts Tagged: Shooting Sports
ANR to seek alternate funding for 4-H shooting sports
Many of you may have seen the article that was published last Friday in the Sacramento Bee: “This Sacramento-area school district gets more NRA money than any other in the U.S.” It reported that several local school districts and the University of California system received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the National Rifle Association between 2010 and 2016. UCOP spokeswoman Dianne Klein was interviewed and explained that UC ANR runs the statewide 4-H youth development program and that the NRA grants went to 4-H shooting clubs. "Going forward, ANR will not apply for any such grants from the NRA Foundation," Klein said.
We have received many questions concerning this article and the position that UC has taken. Although I was unavailable to give an official UC ANR comment that day, we had already begun looking into this situation and were developing a similar message. The challenge for ANR is that this is a very polarizing issue and there is no position we can take that will satisfy everyone. We have stakeholders who passionately believe 4-H should not offer the Shooting Sports program at all while others feel that we are questioning their support for gun ownership if we discontinue accepting funds from the NRA. There are many perspectives on this challenging issue; ANR will do our best to serve most of our stakeholders while not yielding to societal pressures at either extreme.
The 4-H Shooting Sports program is popular among 4-H families and based on a National 4-H curriculum that provides instruction in the safe handling of firearms and archery equipment, develops self-confidence and leadership skills in 4-H participants, and instills appreciation for conservation and outdoor recreation. Youth have opportunities to compete in state and national meets and strive to qualify for Olympic teams. We have had 4-H youth in California earn college scholarships in the shooting sports.
As with all 4-H programs, the Shooting Sports program relies on adult volunteers who are trained in positive youth development and to deliver curriculum developed by academics. Furthermore:
- 4-H Shooting Sports programs are offered in most UCCE county programs, with more than 4,000 youths enrolled in California.
- ANR Risk & Safety Services has participated in the development and implementation of the 4-H Shooting Sports policies, procedures and specific safety protocols; and monitors compliance with UC ANR Firearms Policy & Procedures in an ongoing basis.
- Disciplines include archery, muzzle loading, air pistol, rifle and shotgun along with hunting and outdoor skills.
- 4-H Shooting Sports programs do not involve or endorse assault style weapons and do not use any humanoid targets or images.
As one of the nation's largest youth development programs, Cooperative Extension stands behind the integrity of our research-based programs that produce hands-on learning in science, health and well-being and civic engagement. 4-H does not endorse or oppose any legislation or political stance.
Having said that, there are times when we must demonstrate our values. UC has done that previously by divesting to end apartheid and refusing to accept funds from tobacco sales. Our decision to not pursue NRA funding for youth programs has nothing to do with the Second Amendment or opinions on best ways to ensure child safety. We are parting ways with the NRA now because they have become a polarizing, divisive force across the US and their recent treatment of young adults does not align with 4-H values on civic engagement.
UC ANR will continue to support our 4-H Shooting Sports program while also joining with the many sporting goods stores, corporations, and school systems that are rejecting ties to the NRA. We hope that you will work with us to use this as a teachable moment on public discourse and the responsibilities of major institutions to take a stand on behalf of their values. We will need your support to develop alternate funding moving forward, while also helping to promote civil dialogue on a challenging issue.
Sincerely,
Glenda Humiston
vice president
View or leave comments for ANR Leadership at http://ucanr.edu/sites/ANRUpdate/Comments.
This announcement is also posted and archived on the ANR Update pages
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Shooting Sports - Pistol Class Available
4-H Shooting Sports Leader Certification for Pistol
A shooting sports training workshop for the pistol discipline will be held in central California on:
Saturday, May 22 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Stanislaus County Ag Center, Modesto
Sunday, May 23 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Safety First Shooting Association, Winton
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be certified as pistol trainers and can instruct pistol club/county projects and certify pistol volunteers. Attendance at both days is required. The class size is limited and restricted to adults only who are age 21 or older.
The first day of the course will be held at the Stanislaus County Ag Center Room G, 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto. The second day will take place at the Safety First Shooting Association in Winton (Merced County).
For more information, contact Jim Atherstone 209-993-7971 or email: jatherstone@ssjid.com
News You Can Use
Teen 'n Teacher Training (T3)
T3 Workshop Dates and Topic Flyer
Teen 'n Teacher Training (T3) is a series of workshops and sessions conducted by the UCCE 4-H Program. The sessions are geared to develop skills in presenting science topics in non formal settings such as youth groups, afterschool, and park and rec programs. The trainings are for both teens and adults.
Teens, volunteers, and teachers are invited to attend our monthly T3 - Teen and Teacher Training. January 27, 2010 we will be working on developing presentation, demonstration and interview skills. This session is entitled Tell It, Show It, Sell It.Afterschool programs often serve youth ages 5 to 14. Recognizing the different ages and stages of youth and applying this to science, engineering, and technology (SET) programming is critical to achieving desired youth outcomes. In this session, staff will review developmental stages of afterschool youth and learn how to do SET with mixed-age groups. Applying the National Science Education Standards to age-appropriate practice will also be covered.
Management Team Meeting - January 4, 2010 6 pm
Join us at our NEW TIME of 6 PM for the December Management Team meeting. We will be discussing funding our county budget and support for summer camp, Old Mac Donald's Farm, and Friends Helping Friends. We are also in need of assistance with facilitating the Management Team meetings and note taking. If you are interested, please call or email Russ Hill.
Teen Leadership Opportunities
We are still looking for teens who would like to take on the lead role for coordinating a few countywide and a sectional 4-H event. This is a great opportunity for those who would like to work on and achieve the rank of Emerald or All Star. Events include fishing derby, communications day, sectional communications day and a person to assist with the foods and nutrition portion of Fashion Review and Foods Fiesta. Contact the 4-H office if you are interested.
4-H Shooting Sports Workshop
Rifle Discipline
Tulare, CA
Saturday, January 9, 2010 – 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 10, 2010 – 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
A 4-H shooting sports workshop for the rifle discipline will be held at Rankin Field Range, 20000 Road 140 in Tulare. Participants must attend both days of training to receive certification. Upon successful completion of the course, the participant will be certified as rifle trainer and can lead a rifle project at the club level or serve as county trainer to certify other leaders. There is no cost for the course. To register for the course and receive more information contact John Borba at: jaborba@ucdavis.edu
For information about the facility and a map, please visit the range website at:
http://www.tcdsa.org/documents/rankin_field.htm
Fur and Feather's Show
4-H members are invited to participate in the Fur and Feathers show, a small animal breed show and showmanship event hosted by Ventura County 4-H and planned for January 16, 2010. Entry deadline is December 15, 2009. The event is for 4-H members statewide in Cavy, Poultry and Rabbit projects. Click here for more information. You may contact Jenean Bass at jeneanbass@roadrunner.com for questions.
Baby Sitting Curriculum from Military 4-H Program
The 4-H Military Partnership Program is offering free Training courses on the 4-H Babysitting Curriculum at the following locations:
Kern County 4-H Office. January 16, 9:30-4:30
Ventura County 4-H Office. January 30, 9:30-4:30
Los Banos Spring Fair
Los Banos Spring Fair premium books and online registration is now available. For more information and deadlines visit http://co.merced.ca.us/springfair