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Make Our Program the Best it Can Be! Best Practices in Hunting and Shooting Recruitment and Retention Programs

Best Practices A program or practice with specific outcomes that has been clearly defined, refined through repeated delivery and evaluation, and supported by a substantial body of research.

Best Practices enable users to:  Plan and evaluate their efforts to ensure maximum effectiveness.  Gain support for their efforts from supervisors and external funding sources.

Not a New Program!  Best Practices Enhance (don’t replace) Existing Efforts

Best Practices can help you be more effective in:  Planning, development, and implementation of R&R efforts  Program evaluation  Selecting and training instructors  Identifying relevant research

Why Should We Care?  Accountability  Life-long supporters  Recruitment and Retention  More effective

Process Based Content Based Applies to all hunting and shooting R&R programs

Well researched and well thought out!

Best Practices Workbook

Worksheets

Fact Sheets

PowerPoint Presentation

Trainer’s Guide & Training Workshops

Best Practices Tools available from:

Chapter 1. Understanding the R & R Process  Recruitment – become a member  Retention – continuing long-term behavior  Classification System

Hunting/Shooting Participation Classification System  Awareness Stage  Interest Stage  Trial Stage  Continuation with Support Stage  Continuation without Support Stage  Proponent Stage  Cessation/Desertion Stage

For Each Stage In the System:  Definition  Facilitating Factors  Recommended Strategies  Research and Evaluation Needs

Chapter 2. Plan Ahead for Success  Nine Best Practices  Mission/Goals/Objectives  Logic Model for Program Development  Proven Methods for Program Planning

Chapter 3. Building Your Program  Thirteen BPs for program development.  After you have planned everything out, what are the proven ways to get a program “on the ground?”

Chapter 4. Well-Trained Instructors  Twelve BPs in 4 Categories: PlanningPlanning SelectionSelection Training/WorkshopsTraining/Workshops EvaluationEvaluation

Chapter 5. Evaluation  Probably most neglected component of R&R programs  Nine BPs for evaluating programs  Methods of evaluation  Resources for more information

Chapters 6-7. Expanding Your Reach  Diverse Audiences  Persons with Disabilities  Together, 18 BPs about reducing barriers

Chapter 8. Enhancing Hunter Education Programs  Incorporates standards from IHEA  Based on extensive education research  Contains specific recommendations for: HE program administratorsHE program administrators Agencies that administer HE programsAgencies that administer HE programs Industry and other stakeholders/cooperatorsIndustry and other stakeholders/cooperators

Chapter 9. Let Research Help  There is research going on all the time.  Four important BPs for using what other people are learning.

Chapter 10. Mentoring  Social Support is critical to success.  Mentors provide social support.  Seven BPs that cover: RecruitingRecruiting TrainingTraining Evaluation/terminationEvaluation/termination Recognition, and moreRecognition, and more

Chapters Creating Opportunities and Access  Access is consistently a concern.  Fourteen BPs regarding creating, enhancing, publicizing, and promoting shooting and hunting opportunities.

Chapter 13. Integrating Programs  If agency R&R programs focus on every stage of the Classification System (which they should), they must be integrated across the agency and beyond. No single division can handle it all.

Chapters  Outreach and Awareness Seven Recommendations for creating awareness – communicating availabilitySeven Recommendations for creating awareness – communicating availability  Marketing and Promotion Seven BPs for understanding marketing and using its body of knowledge for R&RSeven BPs for understanding marketing and using its body of knowledge for R&R

Chapters  Maximizing Opportunities  Shooting Sports in Schools  Special Events/Hunts

-Summary-  Research-based  Developed and Reviewed by Experts  Intended to Enhance, not Replace Existing Programs  Increase Effectiveness and Efficiency  Help Ensure Support of Programs

Best Practices Tools:  Workbook  Worksheets  Fact Sheets  Trainer’s Guide & Training Workshops  PowerPoint Modules

Questions?

Get the Materials Today! National Shooting Sports Foundation 11 Mile Hill Road Newtown, CT