Fly- Let me say I appreciate what you are doing.
Rick- That does seem like a lot of money, Huh?
And I'll probably get in trouble for this; but anyone who has been involved with the workings of the organization knows that direct donations, such as those which Fly is soliciting, can, due to rules/ regulations of our non profit status, only be used for lobbying purposes. Our fight with the Victim Protection Act is one example of where that money can best be used. Obviously it worked because we got the attentions of certain senator(s) who in turn, well frankly, hosed us. We will be back and next time we have some deeper pockets to take things to the next level, thanks in part to the efforts of Mr. Fly. Personally I believe our immediate focus should be with the PAF- getting the right folks in place in at the Capitol this next go around. And frankly THAT'S gonna take putting money in the right places, along with volunteers helping with door to doors, phone calls, etc. for promising candidates.
There is money the NFOA donates to partners and/or uses for events such as the Annual Meeting (that went over seemingly well.) (Don't get me wrong, it was great to see so many folks come out, but really, should we have to put on a dog and pony show for folks to gather and discuss their 2nd Amendment Rights and how to protect them???) These monies must come from fundraising (Different from donation drives, I'm still sorting it all out myself).
As for the G&P grant, some may see this as money thrown away, but I see it as gaining a partner with a government agency. Through our assistance with data collecting, our direct involvement in the planning process, and our financial contribution, our organization's name will be tied into EVERY range the G&P builds, not just the WMA Ranges, but others such as Bosallis, among others in the planning stages yet. The folks down at HQ thank Ghost and I over and over for our organization's help. Our members voiced their concerns for the WMA ranges being systematically shut down, and what would it take to get a few "free" ranges built to go sight in a rifle or take the grand kids plinking without needing a membership to a range. Sadly, as we all know, or should, nothing is FREE. A couple of folks spent lots of time (and sleepless days, thank you) alongside the G&P folks to get us this far. In the world of politics one needs to make every friend they can. And if we can do that while more directly helping our fellow members? Brother- that's Sweet Honey on the Biscuit!
As for what are "WE" planning to use all this moldy money for? Who knows? I want to have a presence at the NE State Fair build awareness and membership (FarmerRick you of all folks should know we have tapped the gun show circuit for danged near all it's worth), work our way into some Health/Safety Fairs to promote Safety and awareness. We need to start thinking out of the box. My goal is to see the NFOA surpass 10,000 signed members in the next couple of years with at least 10% of those members active in one form or another.
Get more involved with organizations such as Boy Scouts, 4H, High School Trap, etc. More opportunities like the Women's Expo, WITO, etc.
We need not only input from our members, but members ready and willing to take the reins of their project.
Should we just throw money at it? Maybe not. But without more MEMBER INVOLVEMENT- folks with boots on the ground beating the bushes, making things happen, Writing checks is all we have left.
*Let me throw this conundrum at ya'll- folks want merchandise (no one more than I- love me some NFOA swag) Sure we could finance to start- but it needs to be a separate-ish entity, we need someone to run a point of sale website, someone(s) to procure suppliers (preferably within the state), somewhere and someone to pickup/ receive/store the product, some one(s) to pick and ship orders, most of all we would have to hire (or find someone to work pro bono) an accountant to deal with the sales tax and change in IRS filings, and maybe even folks to setup/work show booths and gun show tables (this and raffles is where gun shows still show cost worthiness) selling the gear.
I calculate this at 10 active members- Minimum! And that's the same couple of folks hitting every gun show in the state. (Been there, done that- got the burn marks to prove it, don't we Farmer Rick? )
Back to the Annual Meeting- It was great, huh? A good turn out, lots of different activities, classes, seminars, etc. Right? And what did it cost our members? Gas money and a $10 meal ticket? But if you look at the expenditures, there was very little of the organization's money invested. Wow! Why is that? Well, let's start with the facilities- Heartland Public Shooting Park graciously gave us run of the land for the day- KUDOS to Bill and the gang! All those classes/ seminars/ shooting opportunities everyone enjoyed so much, were funded by the individuals conducting the event- John's targets, guns and expertise, Thomas's guns, targets, expertise, Jeremy's own firearms, ammo, safety gear, course material, and animal cracker Toby's personal stash/ products and knowledge, Chris's course material, Brian and Dick and Co. and all the info and knowledge and experience, (Am I missing someone?) This stuff don't come free folks. (I know, I sent off for a new credit card,and maxed it out getting ready and getting to GI plus room and board) Many may not understand, but most of the courses given, many of those folks do this for a living, or at least a side business, and ya'll got it all and some good BBQ for $10?
(Not to mention those that camped over the night before, or were up, packed, and on the road at an ungodly hour in order to be at the park at the butt-crack of dawn
to get everything set-up and ready.)
Ok, I'll stop ranting for now, I have a Boy Scout Shooting event to finish planning and Lord willing, find Volunteers to help with. Anybody? Bueller? Bueller?
