Candidate: John Serafin
John Serafin
Yuma, TN
I come from shooting Outlaw 3-gun back in the day, from there into IDPA in 2000. There I met a group of shooters wearing their USPSA shirts and they invited me to a USPSA match; I fell in love with the shooting competition. I joined Oak Park Sportsmen's club and started developing an IDPA and USPSA program and helped in designing and construction of the club with great help from a group that I cannot thank enough for the support and hard work to help in running it all. From what I understand, it is still going strong today. I was also on the board of the club. I managed and owned a construction business for 32 years, been in the industry for let's just say a bit longer!! I started out working as RO for a lot of state and national matches around 2005, and in 2014 started work as part of the setup crew and "Mr. Fix It" working every national event since then. I believe in our organization as one of the best shooting competitions in the world and like giving back in all of the support that I can.
1. What motivates you to serve as a USPSA Area Director?
I look at it this way, when I started out shooting, someone had to step-up and work for the organization. I believe that I have a good overall view of what our members are looking for. I hear what a lot of our members talk about working all the national matches and that will help in making decisions on the direction for us to go in. I would like to be part of that.
2. What actions have you taken to support and grow USPSA in your area prior to your candidacy?
To be honest I have not done much as far working as a candidate, on the other hand I have always promoted the sport and support new shooters to come into the sport and worked on the unity of our members.
3. What relevant experience or qualifications do you bring to the role of Area Director? (Include both volunteer and professional experience.)
I have worked on a couple of boards for different organizations and for a gun club and as I mentioned previously, I have been working every national match for the last 10 years as setup crew and Mr. Fix It during the match. I had my own Constuction company for 32 years working for other companies, managing employees, and job scheduling.
4. Based on your review of the USPSA bylaws, what are the responsibilities of an Area Director, and how do you plan to execute them?
I know that there's a lot of work to be done. Some clubs have gone independent, and I would like to change that. I will try to visit a lot of the clubs in the area, I would like to be very active and go hear what the clubs' concerns are and how we can support each other.
5. What are the top three challenges facing USPSA right now, and what would be your approach to addressing them as an Area Director?
I think the internet trolls are a big problem. we need to get "our" truth out about things that are being said on the internet, we do not need everyone making up stories. If we know that it is not the true story, we as board members should nip it in the bud and spell out what is truly happening as a united board. Looking at our budget and plan for our future events. Ways to retain our repeat membership numbers.
6. How will you support clubs, section coordinators, and members in your Area? How will you contribute to member recruitment and retention?
I think that every club will have a unique way to attract new membership because of location so we need to understand that and come up with a strategy to attract new shooters.
7. How will you ensure that your decisions as a Board member represent the interests and concerns of members in your Area?
There is one simple answer: going out and meeting with everyone, listening to their concerns, how do they feel as to what is in the best interest of the whole organization. Then you take everyone's feedback and try to come up with a compromise that works for all.
8. Are there any other specific issues you would work to address as Area Director?
Bring to bring more clubs into the fold and make us grow to 50 thousand members or better if possible. Also get everyone to understand we need each other to survive.
9. If not elected, how do you plan to continue contributing to USPSA and your Area?
If I am not elected, nothing is going to change. I will still do everything I can to support and grow the USPSA.
I look at it this way, when I started out shooting, someone had to step-up and work for the organization. I believe that I have a good overall view of what our members are looking for. I hear what a lot of our members talk about working all the national matches and that will help in making decisions on the direction for us to go in. I would like to be part of that.
2. What actions have you taken to support and grow USPSA in your area prior to your candidacy?
To be honest I have not done much as far working as a candidate, on the other hand I have always promoted the sport and support new shooters to come into the sport and worked on the unity of our members.
3. What relevant experience or qualifications do you bring to the role of Area Director? (Include both volunteer and professional experience.)
I have worked on a couple of boards for different organizations and for a gun club and as I mentioned previously, I have been working every national match for the last 10 years as setup crew and Mr. Fix It during the match. I had my own Constuction company for 32 years working for other companies, managing employees, and job scheduling.
4. Based on your review of the USPSA bylaws, what are the responsibilities of an Area Director, and how do you plan to execute them?
I know that there's a lot of work to be done. Some clubs have gone independent, and I would like to change that. I will try to visit a lot of the clubs in the area, I would like to be very active and go hear what the clubs' concerns are and how we can support each other.
5. What are the top three challenges facing USPSA right now, and what would be your approach to addressing them as an Area Director?
I think the internet trolls are a big problem. we need to get "our" truth out about things that are being said on the internet, we do not need everyone making up stories. If we know that it is not the true story, we as board members should nip it in the bud and spell out what is truly happening as a united board. Looking at our budget and plan for our future events. Ways to retain our repeat membership numbers.
6. How will you support clubs, section coordinators, and members in your Area? How will you contribute to member recruitment and retention?
I think that every club will have a unique way to attract new membership because of location so we need to understand that and come up with a strategy to attract new shooters.
7. How will you ensure that your decisions as a Board member represent the interests and concerns of members in your Area?
There is one simple answer: going out and meeting with everyone, listening to their concerns, how do they feel as to what is in the best interest of the whole organization. Then you take everyone's feedback and try to come up with a compromise that works for all.
8. Are there any other specific issues you would work to address as Area Director?
Bring to bring more clubs into the fold and make us grow to 50 thousand members or better if possible. Also get everyone to understand we need each other to survive.
9. If not elected, how do you plan to continue contributing to USPSA and your Area?
If I am not elected, nothing is going to change. I will still do everything I can to support and grow the USPSA.
I could say a hundred word here to tell you about myself, but I believe my action and devoted work on the range and working all the National events people have got to know me, so if you know of anyone that has work a national event ask them about me and see what they have to say about working alongside with me. I believe that will tell truth about where I stand.
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