YES!!!!
Appleseed has the potential to ensure that Florida remains one of the best states in the union, but we are not living up to our potential. Much like an above-average student who gets lazy, Project Appleseed in FL has seemingly reached a plateau, and we've still got a LOT of work to get done.
The reason that nothing is getting done, is that there are too few people who have stepped up to do *something*. Whether for fear of not being 'good enough' at it, or for fear of failure, I know not.
Right now, we've got a team of about a half-dozen volunteers committed to doing something. With as many folks as attend our events, and with as many events as we've got on our schedule for 2010, we need LOTS more people working toward our common goals.
I have compiled a list of the EASIEST jobs that someone fresh to Appleseed can start working on. If you would like to begin working on any of the tasks below, PM me, and I'll get you started. If you are doing something else, PM with that info, so I know what your up to, and I'll help in any way I can.
1) Local Promotions:
a) Gun/Sports Shops
b) Gun shows
c) Grocery Stores and Wal-marts
d) Community Centers: VFW, American Legions, Mason Halls, Church, work,
e) Barber shops
f) Local colleges, universities. Be sure to look for shooting programs on campus, they can be good partners in this effort!
g) Auto dealers, motorcycle dealers, surfboard dealers (gotta think of Ca.)
h) Assisted Living communities-Retirement homes
I) Fire Stations, Police Stations, Union halls, Volunteer fire departments, trade centers
j) Non-sponsoring gun clubs- Normally pistol/shotgun only ranges, sometimes indoors.
k) Book stores/magazine racks. Slide them inside gun magazines, as "inserts", be smart about it.
l) All Military installations, Guard base, Armory, Regular base, USO
m) Auto parts and Farm supply stores
n) BLM, DNR, Fish and Wildlife offices
o) Local fitness/wellness programs and centers. YMCA, YWCA, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Gold's Gym, etc.
2) Internet Liason
a) Spreads the word to other internet forums- ar15.com, flaguns.com, etc.
b) Community Calendars for surrounding towns/cities
c) GOA Event announcements--Other Press Release sites (free service)
d) Send announcements to your friends/family in your address book, ask them to forward it to those in their address book.
e) Sends notices via Twitter, facebook, myspace, and other social networking sites.
3) State-Wide Organization Liason.
a) State Shooter's associations
b) State gun rights political groups: Conceal carry, 2A groups, Campaign for Liberty, Democrats/Republican (must do both or neither)
c) Boy Scouts: Local troops
d) 4H: Local chapters.
e) DAR/SAR chapters
f) Four Wheeler groups, mud/ridge runner groups
4) Local Boots on the Ground:
a) ensure host ranges have plenty of flyers and they are hung up
b) ensure host ranges have event posted on their website/calendar
c) ensure host ranges have listed the event in club News letter
d) "advertise" at club for help with local promotions for this event, to get others to help distribute flyers in the community
5) Media Relations
a) informs local media outlets of upcoming events
b) provides press-releases to print, television and radio.
c) makes themselves available for interview