Scholarship?

[Dean Romig]

We continuously try to keep a cap on expenses despite the fact that those expenses that we have been absorbing for years continue to escalate with each new year... even more often in some cases. I don't pretend to speak for the Board of Directors nor especially for our treasurer Allan Swanson and CFO Mike McKinney but we are all very aware of where and how your money is spent. Such suggestions, even seemingly worthy ones like this suggestion of Allen's will warrant considerable discussion by the BOD and nobody can predict the outcome of such a discussion at this point. Our Annual Membership fee is a true bargain and the last thing we want to do is to raise it because there is a large silent core of members who are not connected to the internet and have no idea these discussions are going on... and despite all the positive responses here on the forum - there are probably a great number of 'silent' members who may not be in agreement. Your BOD has to be ever watchful of expenses bucause we owe it to ALL members.

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

We continuously try to keep a cap on expenses despite the fact that those expenses that we have been absorbing for years continue to escalate with each new year... even more often in some cases. I don't pretend to speak for the Board of Directors nor especially for our treasurer Allan Swanson and CFO Mike McKinney but we are all very aware of where and how your money is spent. Such suggestions, even seemingly worthy ones like this suggestion of Allen's will warrant considerable discussion by the BOD and nobody can predict the outcome of such a discussion at this point. Our Annual Membership fee is a true bargain and the last thing we want to do is to raise it because there is a large silent core of members who are not connected to the internet and have no idea these discussions are going on... and despite all the positive responses here on the forum - there are probably a great number of 'silent' members who may not be in agreement. Your BOD has to be ever watchful of expenses bucause we owe it to ALL members.

Dean I think the BOD has done a remarkable job, looking at the "books" from 2004-2010 shows we have been sailing on a pretty even keel, with a net revenue in the black in 5 out of those 7 years, and + far exceeded the - overall for the period. The 990's show net assets are 142% greater at the end of 2010 from the start of 2004.

[Bruce Day]

the annual membership fee of $40, about what it takes to fill a Honda, barely covers the cost of Parker Pages. By tradition, directors and those who some have termed "the inner circle" have covered all their expenses themselves without any recompense by the PGCA .

[Jeff K.]

Dean,
I would expect that such a fund would be a stand alone fund that members would donate to. I would not expect that it would come from the general fund.
Jeff

[BRDHNTR]

Jeff, that was my thinking as well. If the PGCA BOD were to decide this would be in the interests of the PGCA to promote, it should be funded from individual donations and not from the PGCA's operating revenues. At various PGCA events, we could also solicit donations.

[Bill Zachow]

Have the Bod consider setting it up as a function of the Parker Foundation which was established some years ago. Also, the PGCA had a fair amount of uncommitted funds (in excess of $100,000 3 or 4 years ago). What is the financial status today?

[C.O.B.]

As a PGCA member I don't recall ever getting a copy of a financial statement to see where the organization spends it's money or how much is in the treasury. $100K in uncomitted funds In today's political climate of gun grabbing politicians we need to promote not only the nich market that is the PGCA but also foster new generations of firearm enthusiasts. Just as there is a finite number of Parkers we need in isure that there will not become a finite number of people that enjoy them.
The idea of a scholarship to a gunsmithing trade school is a great idea and if it's supported by the PGCA and funded by contributions from both members and non members than it's a win win for everyone.

[Fishtail]

"The existing assault is on assault weapons, high capacity clips and those wanna be GI Joe's that play in that pool."

Wow, talk about divide and conquer working at it's finest. You're not looking very far into the deck if you think that's all that's going on. First they go after that crowd - then you're next. Don't kid yourself to think otherwise.

It's like they say - you peel an onion one layer at a time.

[Bill Zachow]

Yes, our organization did donate $10,000 to the NRA. I was there and saw the check presented.

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Bill Zachow

Yes, our organization did donate $10,000 to the NRA. I was there and saw the check presented.

I would keep this very quiet in the current political environment as it could jeopardize the non profit status 501(c)7 of the PGCA. The two things a non profit is prohibited from doing is transfering any profits to a private individual or shareholder and actively lobby for or against a political candidate. I don't know if financial support to the NRA, which lobbied against the re-election of the President would be a violation but it's close enough a case could be made.