IPSC Ontario must be doing so well that it turns away new members
- Thread starter ckc123
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The first thing to understand is that IPSC-ON does not run the BB courses. The courses are run by independent instructors, IPSC approves of the instructors and accepts your completion of one of their courses as your "price of entry" into IPSC.
Each instructor usually works their local geography, working with local IPSC clubs to schedule and run BB courses. There are only a limited number of authorized instructors in Ontario, so supply is fairly tight.
As Dexter said, start checking with local clubs to see if they are aware of any upcoming courses, this will be much more effective than trying to get the info via IPSC-ON. Also remember there are not very many indoor ranges that have an IPSC section that also run courses in the winter. In Eastern Ontario, there is currently only one instructor that I know of and his courses fill up pretty quickly just by word of mouth.
ckc123: if you PM me your location, I can give you the list of local clubs to contact if you like.
Each instructor usually works their local geography, working with local IPSC clubs to schedule and run BB courses. There are only a limited number of authorized instructors in Ontario, so supply is fairly tight.
As Dexter said, start checking with local clubs to see if they are aware of any upcoming courses, this will be much more effective than trying to get the info via IPSC-ON. Also remember there are not very many indoor ranges that have an IPSC section that also run courses in the winter. In Eastern Ontario, there is currently only one instructor that I know of and his courses fill up pretty quickly just by word of mouth.
ckc123: if you PM me your location, I can give you the list of local clubs to contact if you like.
It used to be BB coordinator job to put a candidate in contact with BB instructor in the candidate's area.
There also used to be a global waiting list for BB candidates. But it was scraped off, because BB coordinator and instructors couldn't figure out how to use it, and also many candidates were registering and then declining upcoming courses (inconvenient dates, location, etc). I still think it was possible to fix it and to make it work, but the org had preferred the word of mouth and still does.
There also used to be a global waiting list for BB candidates. But it was scraped off, because BB coordinator and instructors couldn't figure out how to use it, and also many candidates were registering and then declining upcoming courses (inconvenient dates, location, etc). I still think it was possible to fix it and to make it work, but the org had preferred the word of mouth and still does.
Musky Hunter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I am in the same situation, i got into contact with the Ontario IPSC co-ordinator and he has been a great help.
I don't see why the angst towards the IPSC community, it's not like they have anything against new members. It's volunteer work basically and sometimes schedules conflict, each case is different and location/timing.
I don't see why the angst towards the IPSC community, it's not like they have anything against new members. It's volunteer work basically and sometimes schedules conflict, each case is different and location/timing.
So, how does a non-member see the list of upcoming BB courses? I recall this being a problem for a while. The Calendar is in the Members section, and not accessible by non-members.
The Training Program page has this link:
To see a list of Black Badge Courses, please use this link.
IPSC Ontario Black Badge Courses. https://www.ipsc-ont.org/wordpress/bbcourse.htm
but it comes back as not found.
As an active member and as a club that tries to encourage as many new shooters as possible, it would be helpful if there was an easier way to get them pointed to the training courses.
For future reference, what IS the correct process to get a new shooter to the course calendar??
The Training Program page has this link:
To see a list of Black Badge Courses, please use this link.
IPSC Ontario Black Badge Courses. https://www.ipsc-ont.org/wordpress/bbcourse.htm
but it comes back as not found.
As an active member and as a club that tries to encourage as many new shooters as possible, it would be helpful if there was an easier way to get them pointed to the training courses.
For future reference, what IS the correct process to get a new shooter to the course calendar??
For what it's worth, here's NB's system. Keep in mind our section has less than 300 members. But hey 15ish years ago we had 65.
BB instructors contact IPSC NB (specifically me) with the dates and locations of the courses they want to teach. Those details are sent out to their respective club members, posted on our website and FB.
All interested candidates email IPSC NB to register. We reply with a general form email that included the course requirements and a registration form. If they want to register they return the registration form and payment (EMT only) to IPSC NB. I compile class lists and two week's before a class we close registration. I submit all paperwork to the instructor. The instructors have also been provided with manuals and rule books. They need to order the pins and print the certificates using our BB Cert Template.
The class takes place on a Thur and Friday night in two 3 hour sessions or one 6 hour session on a Friday. Range qualifications (min 10hrs) happen Saturday. Sunday the students shoot a level 2 match. The students receive their pin, certificate and membership card. No tracking required. They've met the published IPSC Canada BB requirements and are set free into the wild. The instructors then complete and return a course completion for to IPSC NB and we're done.
Classes are a max 10 students with a 3-1 instructor to student ratio.
We charge $150 for a BB. IPSC NB keeps $100 (this includes their first year's membership). The instructor keeps $50 per student to cover any course related expenses.
We have been averaging 10 BBs pers year.
We also offer one CRO and RO course per year but that's a conversation for another day.
BB instructors contact IPSC NB (specifically me) with the dates and locations of the courses they want to teach. Those details are sent out to their respective club members, posted on our website and FB.
All interested candidates email IPSC NB to register. We reply with a general form email that included the course requirements and a registration form. If they want to register they return the registration form and payment (EMT only) to IPSC NB. I compile class lists and two week's before a class we close registration. I submit all paperwork to the instructor. The instructors have also been provided with manuals and rule books. They need to order the pins and print the certificates using our BB Cert Template.
The class takes place on a Thur and Friday night in two 3 hour sessions or one 6 hour session on a Friday. Range qualifications (min 10hrs) happen Saturday. Sunday the students shoot a level 2 match. The students receive their pin, certificate and membership card. No tracking required. They've met the published IPSC Canada BB requirements and are set free into the wild. The instructors then complete and return a course completion for to IPSC NB and we're done.
Classes are a max 10 students with a 3-1 instructor to student ratio.
We charge $150 for a BB. IPSC NB keeps $100 (this includes their first year's membership). The instructor keeps $50 per student to cover any course related expenses.
We have been averaging 10 BBs pers year.
We also offer one CRO and RO course per year but that's a conversation for another day.
FreedomIsn'tFree
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Buffalo.
This.
He would be the one who hasn't answered the original poster emails, him being the BB coordinator.
Weird to expect communication over CGN PMs work, but not the official email.
You really have a thing against the guys on the IPSC Board of Directors. The fact that they volunteer their time to do this - and all you do is tear them down about anything/everything you don't agree with doesn't work for me and probably many others here and on the IPSC forum I'm sure.
Which part of my comment suggested I have a thing against anyone? Or which part of my comment wasn't accurate in regards to situation described in the first post of this topic?
Volunteer or not, when person runs for and accepts a position at the board, wouldn't you expect him to act accordingly?
Or that's too much to expect from a volunteer? Like answer on an official email, especially when he had posted in this topic.
Volunteer or not, when person runs for and accepts a position at the board, wouldn't you expect him to act accordingly?
Or that's too much to expect from a volunteer? Like answer on an official email, especially when he had posted in this topic.
Dexter Morgan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Going after the Black Badge coordinator is pretty pointless.
If he isn't giving you the information you seek; It's simply because he couldn't possibly have that information to give you.
He doesn't order anyone to run a Black Badge course.
Course instructors let him know when they've decided to run a course at their club. And by that time the course is already full.
If he isn't giving you the information you seek; It's simply because he couldn't possibly have that information to give you.
He doesn't order anyone to run a Black Badge course.
Course instructors let him know when they've decided to run a course at their club. And by that time the course is already full.
It is responsibility of BB coordinator to coordinate. He could also recommend BB instructors or clubs that can run courses to host courses due to higher demand in the area or send some of the instructors their way, coordinating with instructors.
Response like "we put you in a wait list and contact you when course available" or "here is contact info of BB instructor in your area" would go a long way.
Response like "we put you in a wait list and contact you when course available" or "here is contact info of BB instructor in your area" would go a long way.
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MikeyScuba
CGN Regular
- Location
- GTA, Ontario
Both clubs I belong to has/had bb courses. In fact we only took the course so we could use the bb ranges at our club.
Given that most matches are filled within minutes having a huge influx of new members is not going to help anything. Other than helping the coffers of clubs or MD's as match fees follow the simple economics of supply and demand.
Given that most matches are filled within minutes having a huge influx of new members is not going to help anything. Other than helping the coffers of clubs or MD's as match fees follow the simple economics of supply and demand.
MikeyScuba matches might be filled, but you can still shoot if you work/volunteer. Also people are dropping off after sign up and you can shoot if you sign up for the wait list.
But neither of those issues are relevant to the problem with signing up for BB courses.
I don't see that you or I have any more privilege to be a BB holder than original poster
But neither of those issues are relevant to the problem with signing up for BB courses.
I don't see that you or I have any more privilege to be a BB holder than original poster
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