Coaches in Charge (CIC)
Background
As more fully described in the History section of this Notebook, authority to open the range was modified in the summer of 2005. The changes initiated that summer have resulted in the concept of a Coach in Charge (“CIC”). It is critical to keep in mind that there is a practical and legal distinction between the 4-H Club and the Corporation. The 4-H Club is a part of the larger County/State organization. The Corporation is a separate non-profit entity, formed solely for the purpose of supporting the 4-H Club. The Corporation has been recognized as a 4-H affiliated organization.
The bylaws of the corporation do not establish the rules for authority to open and operate the range. The bylaws simply define what is required to be a Senior Member of the corporation.
The new operating rules are based on the concept that one person is “in charge” at the range at all times. The military concept is that one person is an “officer in charge” and that person “owns” the range until the range is closed. The officer in charge effectively outranks any other person on the range.
The qualifications to be a CIC and the responsibilities of a CIC follow on the next pages.
COACH IN CHARGE
1. Qualifications to be a CIC
a. Must be a Senior Member of the Corporation
b. Must have been an active participant in the Brazos County 4-H Sportsman’s Club for at least two (2) years
c. Must be approved by a committee of the board of directors.
d. Must participate in supplemental range operations training
e. Must maintain the trust and confidence of the board of directors
2. Procedures for a CIC
a. Will be given a handbook/notebook on range operations
b. All locks at the range will be changed to key locks of a type that the keys can only be duplicated by the owner of the locks
i. Each CIC will be given a key
ii. The key must not be duplicated, shared, loaned out or used by any other person
3. Responsibilities of a CIC
a. Fundamental to the concept of a CIC is that the CIC will not “coach” while in charge of the range.
i. The CIC “owns” the range from the time the front gate is opened until the front gate is closed
ii. The CIC is responsible for all activities on the range and is responsible for all fields on the range
b. Fundamental responsibility is safety
c. Other responsibilities include
i. Range opening procedures
ii. Range closing procedures
iii. Registration of rounds by all shooters
iv. Reporting problems
(1) Safety
(2) Mechanical
(3) Etc.
d. Enforcement of all rules related to range operations
i. We will continue requirement that a 4-H registered coach be physically present on each field at which 4-H kids are shooting
ii. All registered coaches must participate in annual range safety training
4. Implementation of new rules
a. Announce at meeting with all existing “registered coaches”
b. Club meeting
c. Training
5. Comments re Texas A&M Skeet & Trap Team
a. Same rules apply for CIC, no exceptions
b. All members of the A&M team must attend a safety briefing conducted by the corporation
i. Failure to attend will prohibit those students from shooting at the range
c. The corporation will work with the Team to identify “certified student leaders” who will undergo additional training, and a certified student leader will be required to be on each field where students are shooting
d. No use of 5-Stand or Bunker Trap without advance approval