participation awards

[evil dogooder]

Winter is here so let's beat a dead horse.

 

What does everybody think about participation awards?

 

 

 

My opinion has changed in the last few years. At first i was really happy because i actually received something. It was something to show for all the money i was buring into a new hobby. As i gained experience and skills my thoughts have changed a bit.

 

I love seeing the look on the face of the new shooters or those who have never buckled before as they have their name called. However i have seen a distinct change in myself in matches that do it. Our state match everyone gets a buckle. It doesn't matter if you get 1st or 50th in your category. Its a good match done by great people and i wouldn't want to take anything from them, but i see that i don't put half the effort into it as i do regionals where you have to work for your buckle.

 

 

Anyway what is the crowds thoughts on this?

[J-BAR #18287]

You and everyone else at the match get to see the rankings, so everyone knows who beat who. (Whom beat whom? I always had trouble with that...)

 

Look at the "award" you bring home as a tangible reminder of the fun you had with friends. The amount of effort you invest is a very personal choice.

Edited December 19, 2016 by J-BAR #18287

[Mud Marine,SASS#54686 Life]

The Wyoming match hands out a new buckle every year. I enjoy the nice collection. Because of my age, I have received an attractive buckle for being first in my category. The fact that smetimes there's no one else in it is no big deal.

 

The ONLY trophy that I treasure is the memory of how much I enjoyed the match. Baubles, geegaws and trinkets are unimportant in the scheme of things!!! It's what you give to your sport and not what you get out of it..

[Pat Riot]

Souvenirs are nice. Of course I have never received a "participation award" but it would be nice to get one. It's the thought that counts. Somebody went to the trouble of making them up or having them made. That is very cool.

[Grizzly Dave]

Lots of matches give out a hat pin to everyone, I like that. As far as awards I'd like it if they went deeper in each category, as I might have a better chance, but I don't reckon that giving everyone something at the awards would mean a whole lot to me.

[Cat Brules]

When we were actively showing horses, the 1st thru 5th got awards. I personally believe that the shows should have awarded only the top 3. I believe the same should be done for CAS matches....top 3 only.

 

I do like the idea of nice pin for all participants to commemorate that specific event. But then, a name-tag-pin with Alias, date and other pertinent information serves that dual purpose.

[Major Crimes]

Hang round for the 3rd verse.

 

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=millenials+song&view=detail&mid=F08DBD62AB8973000068F08DBD62AB8973000068&FORM=VIRE

[BLACKFOOT SASS #11947]

Awards for zero accomplishment, another way to spell it-- SOCIALISM!

 

Blackfoot

[Pit Bull Tex]

I never win but the fun never stops.I have a buckle that I did not win that was given to me by the winner.I sent the money to sponsor Painted Filly in the Breast Cancer Shoot that they had in CO.She won it and sent me the buckle and I think that it is the greatest buckle in the world.I have it on my shotgun belt.Thanks again Mrs.Filly.

[Lunger]

I doubt most people really care. I bet they wanna see how they did with their competition though. The middle of the pac guy has several folks he's competing with just like the top five, overall guys are. I bet there's a little competition going on with the bottom of the pack folks too. Competition is fun, and its healthy! I do think everyone should get something from the shoot that they paid to go to.... coffee mug with the name of the shoot on it is a favorite of mine, and it's even useful! I've got a WR buckle that they threw in all the shooter packets that I keep threatening to wear. I think that stuff is pretty fun, and it reminds me of the shoot. Not sure it's a participation award,it just a trinket that makes us smile. We all can see where we landed once the scores are printed up, and posted. Maybe it wasn'ta parparticipation award after all?

[Dragon Hill Dave #59561]

I think it is a good idea for every annual to give the shooter something to remember the shoot by. But I wouldn't call it a "participation award " as that has some bad overtones in today's world.

 

At Plum Creek we reserve the buckles or trophies for those who place in the top 5 or top 3 depending on the category and number of folks in the category. What we give away to all shooters I would not call it an award--we include them in the shooter's packet when they check in.

 

We always provide the shooter with an identification pin with their name on it and the name and date of the shoot. We also have given out a coffee mug, a pen, a bag for empties with the name of the shoot on it, and other similar items with the view that someone who pays a fee to attend an annual should have something tangible to remember the shoot by even if they don't place high enough to win a buckle.

 

I have a whole collection of the shooter identification pins from annuals that I keep around, and I use the bags and coffee cups and pens I have gotten from other shoots regularly. Every time I pick one up it recalls to me that fun I had there. Such gifts provide a longer term value in addition to the memories.

[Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L]

As a retired elementary teacher we had many discussions on participation trophies and NO, I'm not calling anyone children here.

 

for the younger elves who probably don't know what in the world is going on they are getting something and seem generally happy.

 

at about 2nd grade they understand the competition part of it and participation prizes are pretty much ignored by them

 

As Evil Dog-ooder says in the OP, most folks like to get something at the beginning besides a bag of empty brass but as time passes their views change.

 

It's just that the change happens at different times for different people: some by the second match; others maybe a few years down the trail and finally some never go through the change.

 

This is a hobby/sport/obsession people take up for fun and I'm all about allowing them to have fun according to their own criteria

[Blackey Cole]

We get a door prize or lately it is tickets to put into a raffle for different items. It's better than getting a shirt four sizes to small or a box of ammo you can't use or a can of bp when you shoot smokeless. I shot a regional that had the raffle thing but each shoot got a choice of a brass bag or a towel both with the matches logo great idea. I tookthe towel as I'm stocked in bags and the towel can alternate with the one from my rugged gear cart instead of me buying a golf towel. Really a great idea the towel is. For plaques I used to like to get them but they stack up after a while one of the best awards I got was a scarf slide with the place category and match on it. I've yet to use it yet as designed because it been on my old brass bag with my clean match brass from the early years.

[Marshal Chance Morgun]

participation awards? participation awards? I don't want no stinking participation award.

I guess you could call the name badge from an event, if offered, participation award.

Edited December 19, 2016 by Marshal Chance Morgun

[Dr. O. R. Vet]

I think maybe we need to make more of a distinction here between the words “participation” and “awards”. In my book, you get a participation souvenir for showing up and paying your money. An award is something you earn by achieving something difficult and/or outstanding—whether it is a fireman rescuing a child from a burning building or shooting the quickest time with the fewest mistakes at a match.

 

We all like to take back souvenirs from a match; it shows that we were there and “participated”. That for some, is a big deal. For me, as a first year beginner in CAS, just making an out of state match will be a big deal for me—and I would love to have something tangible to show for it when I get back home. However, I am also realistic enough—and know my age, weight and lack of quickness are all factors—that I will probably never get an award for my shooting ability. Doesn’t mean I don’t have a good time or that I am not competitive.

 

As has already been said, we’re here for the fun and stay for the people—but it doesn’t mean we don’t like to have some kind of acknowledgement of at least being in attendance.

 

That's just MHO.

 

Dr. O. R.

[Cat Brules]

Awards for zero accomplishment, another way to spell it-- SOCIALISM!

 

Blackfoot

-- DITTO --

Socialism is a stopping point on the road to Communism.

It's also a direct threat to our robust Constitution and our Democracy.

 

Make no mistake. Socialism is also a tool of entrenched socialists to chip away at our way of life and to subjugate and guarantee votes from a population intoxicated by government handouts.

Edited December 19, 2016 by Cat Brules, SASS #14086

[Tennessee Trapper Tom]

Back in my military years, whenever I was stationed in Germany my wife and I would go to as many volksmarches as we could. These were usually 5k or more walks thru the german countryside endin in a town for a festival. When you did an event you would get a small pin specific to that event. We would stick them on our walking cane. It was a "Thing" to get as many on your cane as you could. Don't recall any winners, I'm sure there were, but mainly most came to "participate" and socialize more than to win something.

 

I HATE the idea of participation "Trophies" . However, I see the value in a club making there own unique pin for their annual. I would love to just travel and collect event pins. I go for the fun and yet I "TRY" to compete. As for the little specific name tags and such, most of the ones I've collected are cheap paper stuff that fall apart

 

Money will always be an issue! But if a club could afford to make a metal pin, once the upfront cost is done, follow on orders are less expensive. I think people would travel just to collect the event pins.

[Blackey Cole]

I like the pin idea

[Frontier Lone Rider]

Here in West Virginia we say, what are these buckles you speak of? I have won six state competitions and have the certificates for proof, but no buckles. If you want a buckle for winning, you buy it yourself.

 

We do get a mug and sometimes a plaque, but mostly just make a lot of noise and smoke along with the fun.

[evil dogooder]

Here in West Virginia we say, what are these buckles you speak of? I have won six state competitions and have the certificates for proof, but no buckles. If you want a buckle for winning, you buy it yourself.

 

We do get a mug and sometimes a plaque, but mostly just make a lot of noise and smoke along with the fun.

 

I've never one state. I was 2nd in gf a couple times. I have bought my first top five in state it was my first year. Now regionals i have won gf and placed 4th overall. Gunsmoke our regional gives some nice buckles. My wife wants me to buy the buckle from sass but funds are needed elsewhere.

I like the pins that some clubs give out too. My hat has been decorated with them.

[Smokestack SASS#87384]

I guess I can only speak for myself but I have never, ever left a match upset about an award someone else took home. I may not be completely content with my own performance at times but never have I lost any sleep about what someone else had to accomplish to get an award. Life is too short....

 

One of the best things about this game is that there are 100 different ways and reasons to play it. We all play together in our own ways and have a great time. If another persons award bothers you maybe taking a closer look at what you want to get out of this game and focusing on that would do you well. (No disrespect meant by this post at all) like I said, we all play our own way but if it's not making you happy, maybe there is a better way.

[evil dogooder]

Smokestack no offense taken. I really don't have a set opinion either way. I don't value a shoot by how i place. Or what hardware i bring home. Anyone that has shot with me can attest that i don't give two hoots about misses or how i place. I value it by who I'm with, what i learn, and by how much of a smile i have at the end of the day. What i get out of this game is a way to forget life for a few hours and enjoy a hobby that i can do with my family. As at any big shoot they are with me.

 

What caused me to post this was a question my son asked. He's 6 and was wondering why everyone got a buckle at state and not regionals. I just was curious what others thought.

[Chancy Shot, SASS #67163]

At my club, the Illowa irregulars, a poker chip is awarded to the winner of each category if there was any competition. You have to beat somebody to get a chip. Everyone seems to enjoy the announcements as each winner is announced.

 

Chancy Shot - First Place FCGF --- No chip

 

Someday I will beat somebody.

 

Chancy

[Griff]

I recently shot a match, competing with our club Pres... at the first stage I halved my normal speed for the past few years... I overheard several comments... I was outclassed, as he normally shoots ~10 seconds faster than the time I had on that stage... but I don't think it diminished the fun both of us had! In many matches over the past few years, I've purposely set out the finish dead last, among those that finished every stage... (it's harder than you might think). Pins, etc. to commemorate one's attendance at a particular match, is one thing... receiving a prize when you're the only one in your category... not so much. Less so if you've pushed yourself, for competing with yourself is often the most difficult. However, when you find out after the fact... However, with several plaques for 1st Place Frontiersman... I must still say, "I beat all those who felt the category was too difficult for them!"

[Four Bucks #36386 Life]

Well...the way I look at it...and it's just that, my opinion...I don't concern myself with what others get or how many got it. Why would you care. If it makes them happy then they got their money's worth. I work hard to do well in my chosen categories. I look at my award (or lack thereof) in reference to how I did against my fellow competitors. I know in my heart if I performed well and value any award based on that. Anything that I see no value in goes in the trash or a junk drawer. Each shooter must make this judgement themselves. Who are we to place value on their sense of accomplishment. As an example, say there are 5 competitors in category X but the winner finishes 95th out of 100 shooters. Does his award mean less than the overall winner? Probably not to him/her and it's not my place to say.

 

I guess my point to this rambling mess is who cares? If a match gives everyone a buckle and you don't think yours means anything...throw it in the trash or give it to a neighborhood kid.

 

Just my $4 worth.

 

Four Bucks

[Singin' Sue 71615]

I like you more and more 4 Bucks!!!

I am not a 'great shooter', probably because I am not competitive.

Some feel I get 'participation awards'

But....let me tell ya...

I cast my own bulletts, load my own ammo, shot shells included...

I clean my own guns also.

I volunteer at matches...I work on my posse....

Where exactly does that fit in the thinking?

I have improved my times...that is my game.

Edited December 20, 2016 by singin' sue

[Gold Canyon Kid #43974]

IMHO at least half of match attendees should be awarded in some fashion. New shooters, say first year or so should have an opportunity to be rewarded even special awards for a new shooter category or whatever you want to call it.

[Totes Magoats]

I like seeing a lot of awards at a big match. I have no problem with awards outside the top 5 or top 10 overall or in each catagory as long as only the top overall receive the Cadillac.

 

Totes

[Tombstone Tex]

I have to say, I am one of those fortunate people who is never in contention for a buckle or any award ... I am certainly trying to get faster, climb through the ranks etc. In fact, at the 2016 PA State Match, I think I was doing pretty well in the standings going into day 2, but I had 4 misses on one stage, that was enough to completely take me out of the running for anything. I tend to like it this way though. I have the name tag from the match, which would be the "participation souvenir" but to get a buckle, you had to be overall I believe, and to get a plaque, you had to be in I think the top 3. I like the name tag as a souvenir and I have my memories from the match, new friends etc. I was upset with myself from those misses, but that is how you get better. If I had gotten an award just for being in the category, I probably wouldn't appreciate it as much because there were other competitors that didn't have those problems.

 

I think it goes to a bigger philosophy anyway and I disagree with participation awards. I am 31, and not long ago, you didn't receive a trophy or award unless you did something to deserve it, and showing up wasn't the thing you did to deserve an award. I think it is setting up people for failure in the long run for coddling them. As for the matches that give out buckles for being there, that is pretty sweet to remember the match, but I hope there is a better award for the actual winners of the match. Something to set them apart.

[Deuce Stevens SASS#55996]

Interesting topic,with some good thoughts being shared. The match director side of me recognizes that we are in the entertainment business. I am all for recognizing as many shooters as a mach sees fit to. How a shooter chooses to feel about their own accomplishments is up to them. Recently at a board meeting for our state match the question was posed would shooters rather see a smaller amount of buckles awarded but make the buckles higher quality or more buckles making them not as "fancy" due to cost, the first reaction was higher quality buckles but stick with more of them LOL. It seems a lot of our shooters sport wide like lots of awards given. As Four Bucks pointed out what does it really matter. The core of this game is meeting individual goals and self satisfaction, because in the end there really is not anything else. Not to switch subjects but I always scratch my head when people talk about all that shooters have sacrificed to be successful in this game. Sacrifice is something that a soldier does,something a LEO or Fireman does, or even a Mom and Dad, not someone who chose to dryfire more than the next guy. I can speak with 100% certainty that the biggest award you will receive comes from within knowing that for that particular few days you happened to put together a match that got you to your finish. If you are expecting more you will be disappointed. Probably not a popular view but hey I've been there before. It's the contributions that folks make on and off the range that labels champions. Anyway thats the view from this old busted up soon to be wranglers saddle LOL.

[Tennessee Stud]

From kids up... folks need to know where they stand. I am not in favor of random awards.

 

ts

[Yusta B.]

From kids up... folks need to know where they stand. I am not in favor of random awards.

 

ts

Amen. Teach them the real world - not the everybody is a winner stuff they get in school ........

[Texas John Ringo, SASS #10138]

I don't want a "participation" award. If I don't place I don't want anything, period. Less is more.

[40Chev]

Interesting question. My category has some mighty good shooters in it and the only way I place near the top is when I'm at a

local match and they're off at a bigger match somewhere.

 

Did manage to come in ahead of one guy once who had a passel of gun trouble. Went up to him afterwards and told him I always

wanted to beat him - but not that way. Same situation with another fellow who I aspired to best who has some health issues and has slowed down considerably.

 

Several years ago I bought a buckle and had these words inscribed on it - "I bought this buckle".

That said - I've gotten some certificates, but I'm more interested in how I placed in my category and overall than if I get an award or not.

 

I will always remember my first "clean shoot".

 

I don't know the answer - like you I keep coming back for a number of reasons - trying to better myself, trying to outdo the

good shooters, watching them to see what they're doing that I'm not - but most of all getting and giving some BS, hearing the

steel ring and being with a great bunch of people.

 

So, I guess my input is that it is nice to be recognized, but in my head and heart I know how I got there and if it wasn't head to head, toe to toe, all things equal and no hiccups - I still didn't "win".

Edited December 21, 2016 by 40Chev

[Augustus Goodnight]

The short and sweet of it IMO;

 

Participation Awards, No. Never. An Award, like Buckles, Trophies & Plaques, should be earned and not easy to get. TJR said it right, Less is More.

 

Participation Souveneers/Momentos, Yes. The little pins they give out at Bordertown, Eldorado, EoT, WR etc. are great. I think they're perfect little reminders of good times had by all.