HISTORY, POLICY AND PROTOCOLS
HISTORY
Canastota Conservation Club, Inc. was chartered by the State of New York in 1957 as a private non-profit corporation by three sportsmen who wanted a place to share their experiences in hunting and fishing among themselves and with the public. The original site of the clubhouse was on a lot just east of the village on Canal Street. The charter speaks of the protection of the habitat, propagation and conservation of fish and game, and education of the public in taking fish and game. The charter also speaks of encouraging a friendly relationship with the nearby landowners and the public in general.
Throughout the years, the mission of the Club has expanded to include the safe handling of firearms, marksmanship, and a strong relationship with the law enforcement community in Madison County and law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction in Central New York. We are looking forward in the future to establishing programs for school age youth in the safe handling of firearms and marksmanship.
ADMINISTRATION
The business of the Club is administered by two elected boards. The Executive Board has five elected members: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Membership Chairperson, all with voting privilege. There is another position on the Executive Board without voting privileges which is Community Relations. The Board of Directors has five elected members and a seat for the immediate Past President. All with voting Privilege. These boards combine to make up the leadership of Canastota Conservation Club, Inc. The duties of the leadership are defined by the by-laws of the organization and are mandatory.
Additionally, the leadership will establish rules and policies that are needed to continue the safe and efficient operation of the Club. The President is allowed to make decisions between leadership meeting that are essential and/or critical to the day today operation of the Club.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to any person of good moral standing, eighteen years or older. The first calendar year of membership is probationary beginning from the first day of the month in which your membership application was accepted. Membership can be suspended or revoked, without cause, during the probationary period. Member suspension or revocation decisions are decided by the leadership convened for that purpose. The decision is arbitrary and cannot be appealed in any form. The membership year is from April 1st through March 31st.
Should people join the Club during the fiscal year, April 1st through March 31st, the dues will be pro-rated from the first day of the probationary period to April 1st of the next year. Then dues for the coming fiscal year will be expected for the next fiscal year. However, the probationary period does not expire until one year has elapsed.Annual dues are decided by the Leadership for the coming year prior to the month of March. Membership in the Club is voluntary. Wherever and whenever possible the Club depends and encourages on the members to offer some of their time, manual skills, and intellectual skills to maintain the property or to enhance the facilities of the property.
DUES
Annual dues are decided by the leadership of the Club for the coming year prior to the month of March for the next fiscal year beginning on April1st. The Club has implemented an electronic funds transfer system using a QR symbol, created by our bank which has a unique URL address, to receive your dues payment. The funds transfer is from your VISA or MasterCard account to the Club account electronically. It is just the same as ordering something from Amazon online. The Club officers DO NOT have access to your card information other than what you enter for name and amount. The Treasurer can see the transaction on our bank account and then updates your Club account record.
A membership card will be mailed to your address on record. Dues may be paid with a check or with cash at a monthly membership meeting or mailed to Canastota Conservation Club, Inc., P.O. Box 363, Wampsville, NY 13163. The Club has no provision for “Family Membership” accounts. Every person intending to use our ranges Must be a member of the Club.A Temporary Member (Per Diem) Application is available in the clubhouse for those peoplewanting only to use our ranges daily, at a nominal fee of $20.00 per day. The fee will be waived for close family relationships. However, the Temporary Member (Per Diem) Application must be completed for person of close family relationship.
BUILDINGS AND RANGES
The use of the buildings and ranges are available to members every calendar day within the limits of the Range Rules and Policies of the Club. There are exceptions when certain buildings and ranges are not available to members because of scheduled events posted on the Club website Calendar, www.Canastotaclub.com. There is a calendar posted in the clubhouse with scheduled building and range reservationsposted.During the first week of NYS-DEC big game hunting season the ranges are closed to shooting. The property is available to members during this week to hunt on the property. Members wanting to hunt must sign in and out so that anyone else wanting to hunt knows that others are in the woods too. There are no exceptions to the NYS-DEC rules for hunting game on Club property.
The lock codes are on the back of your membership I.D. card. Please ensure that doors and gates are locked when you leave the property. Bathrooms are always available in the clubhouse, regardless of a scheduled event taking place in the clubhouse. Seasonal refreshments are also available in the clubhouse and always chilled and hot water, coffee, tea, and cocoa,is available too. Please dispose of your trash in the trash receptacles provided. If an event is taking place in the clubhouse, be courteous to the instructors conducting the class.
Live rounds are not permitted in the clubhouse at any time. Long rifles and shotguns brought into the clubhouse must have the breech open and a breech safety flag inserted. For permitted pistol and revolver members, any loaded handgun must remain in a holster without exception. Law enforcement officers in uniform or otherwise identified as law enforcement officers are the exception to the loaded handgun policy. When arriving on the property, please wear your member I.D. in a conspicuous place on your clothing. Always sign in and out when using the ranges and complete the other columns on the sheet. The information is particularly useful for the leadership to evaluate when improvements should be made and funds budgeted for improvement.
GENERAL LIMITATIONS ON THE USE OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
A) Prior consumption or use of alcohol or a mind-altering substance to the level that your ability to legally operate a motor vehicle shall prohibit your presence and use of the buildings, grounds, and ranges.
B) Prior consumption or use of a drug, whether prescribed or over the counter, which has on the label a warning regarding operating amotor vehicle or operating machinery, shall prohibit your presence and use of the buildings, grounds, and ranges.
C) Only legal firearms are allowed on the ranges. Know if your firearm is legal.
D) Animals, including service animals, are not permitted on the property.
E) Temporary (Per Diem) Members are the responsibility of the sponsor member. This is agreed on the application by both parties.
F) Canastota Conservation Club,Inc., does not offer training in the operation, care, or use of firearms. No person may represent themselves as a Club firearms trainer. There are certified firearms trainers that use the buildings, grounds, and ranges for training. Their contact information is posted on the bulletin board in the clubhouse.
G) When you activate, both audibly and visually, theRed Range Alarm SafetyLights,you are alerting other shooters to the fact that you are going beyond the firing line.
H) The member who activates the Red Range Alarm SafetyLightsmust be the member who deactivates the safety system. You affirm that the range is safe with regard you your activities beyond the firing line.
I) If possible, coordinate yourintentions with the other shooters before activating theRed Range Alarm SafetyLights
J) For access to the berms to set or retrievea target, there is a golf cart available for your use. You may also use a motor vehicle for access to the berms and targets.