Communication at shoots

[Roy Hayward]

I have attended several shoots in the West Country and get quite annoyed every time. At the 'assembly' when an organiser of the shoot calls everyone together for the mandatory announcements a large group of archers assemble in a semi-circle in front of three (usually) green-jacketed elderly gentlemen with a collection of badges down each lapel introduced as 'judges'. As soon as there is silence the organiser asks for all the archers to 'come closer' . How stupid is that! The three (or four) judges only have to take a couple of paces forward - but NO, nearly a hundred have to shuffle begrudgingly forward and even then some at the back can hardly hear what is being said. When it comes to a judge addressing the entire shoot at the end of a set piece no-one along the shooting line can hear him however loudly he shoots. Then again, at the conclusion of the competition, the calling out of raffle numbers followed by the presentation of prizes can be another problem. My question is simply; WHY OH WHY HAVE ORGANISING CLUBS NOT DRAGGED THEMSELVES INTO THE 21st CENTURY AND GOT THEMSELVES AT LEAST ONE ELECTRONIC, PORTABLE SOUND RE-INFORCEMENT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. If for no other reason, the calling of "FAST", if the occasion should arise, would be a bit more effective than a plaintive scream from a distant judge who cannot be heard anyway.

[Kae]

Feel better for that?

Originally Posted by Roy Hayward

I have attended several shoots in the West Country and get quite annoyed every time. At the 'assembly' when an organiser of the shoot calls everyone together for the mandatory announcements a large group of archers assemble in a semi-circle in front of three (usually) green-jacketed elderly gentlemen with a collection of badges down each lapel introduced as 'judges'. As soon as there is silence the organiser asks for all the archers to 'come closer' . How stupid is that! The three (or four) judges only have to take a couple of paces forward - but NO, nearly a hundred have to shuffle begrudgingly forward and even then some at the back can hardly hear what is being said. When it comes to a judge addressing the entire shoot at the end of a set piece no-one along the shooting line can hear him however loudly he shoots. Then again, at the conclusion of the competition, the calling out of raffle numbers followed by the presentation of prizes can be another problem. My question is simply; WHY OH WHY HAVE ORGANISING CLUBS NOT DRAGGED THEMSELVES INTO THE 21st CENTURY AND GOT THEMSELVES AT LEAST ONE ELECTRONIC, PORTABLE SOUND RE-INFORCEMENT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. If for no other reason, the calling of "FAST", if the occasion should arise, would be a bit more effective than a plaintive scream from a distant judge who cannot be heard anyway.

Chill out...they have to stand about all day while we have a good time

[Capt. Al]

Know what he means because at one shoot I was the archer at the back and I couldn't hear anything. Didn't want to be rude as it was my first shoot so asked if I could just get a bit closer to the judge which got me funny looks.It was as if I should know all this stuff he's talking about anyway so stayed at the back and heard nothing.

Lesson learned I walk a bit faster to make sure I get near enough to hear.

Also for my Club's first Comp this year I got a lend of a Portable PA system from the local council's PR department for our shoot outdoor.

Hope it doesn't rain

[Murray]

They had a PA at Penicuik, unfortunately a lot of archers were caught out on the Sunday after lunch when few people heard the five minute warning because the judges didn't bother using it! Very annoying, especially when the judge with the whistle (who should've seen that not everyone was ready), still allowed only 10 seconds between the first whistle (to get on the line) and the second (to start shooting)! Grrrrrrrr.

[phillc]

we bought a pa system a couple of years ago with water proof speakers after four shoots and the warranty expiring so did the speakers so we will have to invest in more this year (probably bull horn type which may last longer), as to assembly i think that there are an increasing number of archers that think I don't need to go there ill just sit in my tent (the same people complain that no one told me that was happening ) moan over

Lets not get stuck into the judges this early....give it another month. then we'll have loads more ammo

[darthTer]

Originally Posted by phillc

we bought a pa system a couple of years ago with water proof speakers after four shoots and the warranty expiring so did the speakers so we will have to invest in more this year (probably bull horn type which may last longer), as to assembly i think that there are an increasing number of archers that think I don't need to go there ill just sit in my tent (the same people complain that no one told me that was happening ) moan over

Whats wrong with a simple mega-phone???

what's wrong with texting us ?

[Mad Archer]

Originally Posted by Roy Hayward

I have attended several shoots in the West Country and get quite annoyed every time. At the 'assembly' when an organiser of the shoot calls everyone together for the mandatory announcements a large group of archers assemble in a semi-circle in front of three (usually) green-jacketed elderly gentlemen with a collection of badges down each lapel introduced as 'judges'. As soon as there is silence the organiser asks for all the archers to 'come closer' . How stupid is that! The three (or four) judges only have to take a couple of paces forward - but NO, nearly a hundred have to shuffle begrudgingly forward and even then some at the back can hardly hear what is being said. When it comes to a judge addressing the entire shoot at the end of a set piece no-one along the shooting line can hear him however loudly he shoots. Then again, at the conclusion of the competition, the calling out of raffle numbers followed by the presentation of prizes can be another problem. My question is simply; WHY OH WHY HAVE ORGANISING CLUBS NOT DRAGGED THEMSELVES INTO THE 21st CENTURY AND GOT THEMSELVES AT LEAST ONE ELECTRONIC, PORTABLE SOUND RE-INFORCEMENT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. If for no other reason, the calling of "FAST", if the occasion should arise, would be a bit more effective than a plaintive scream from a distant judge who cannot be heard anyway.

I wonder if the maxim that 'you should never worry when your audience walks away from you, only when they walk towards you' should apply here?