2013 PGCA Annual Meeting Silent Auction Results

[Dean Romig]

First, we would like to express our most sincere "Thank You" to all those members and businesses alike, for your very generous donations of fine and desirable auction items. More on that later, but here are the results of the Silent Auction;

2013 gross sales $4,789.00

2012 gross sales $2,363.00

2011 gross sales $2,590.00

And a big "Thank You" to the bidders who obviously liked the array of fine auction items.

[Mills Morrison]

That is great! Particularly since I heard there was a lower turnout. There were certainly some desirable auction items this year.

[Dean Romig]

The attendance at the Banquet was about 50 which I don't really consider a "lower turnout". We have had a few Banquets with similar attendance.

The real lower turnout was at Addieville which I don't think anyone could have predicted and which I'm certain is a direct result of three big events in three consecutive weekends at widely distanced geographical locations. For as long as I can remember the PGCA Annual Meeting has been held on the last weekend of September and maybe its time to take a hard look at that.

Dean

[Mills Morrison]

The Fall Southern was a similar story. A smaller crowd than last year. From my perspective, that was the only one we could go to, due to distance.

[Dean Romig]

Mills, and everyone - That is exactly the perception we, the BOD, have about these events. On average, it will cost a person about $1,000 to attend one of these events. This includes travel expenses, lodging, meals, and spending money on other sundry things. In this economy most people have to decide which one they will be attending.... if any.

We do the very best we can to try to determine where to hold the Annual Meeting and how it will give the PGCA Membership the very best "bang for the buck" and we always keep our fingers crossed that we have made the right decision for the majority of Members. It is a very tough economy and everyone is affected in some way.

[Mills Morrison]

The board has my full support. I am not complaining in the least. Last year the annual meeting was very convenient for me and this year it was more convenient to members in the northeast. I like the idea of the annual meeting moving around to give members in different parts of the country the opportunity to attend one. Also, for those able to travel further, having the event in different locales gives them the opportunity to visit different shooting/show venues. Just my .02

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Jent - I mostly agree with Mr. Barclay's assessment of where the Vintage Cup is going.

I am not a member of the Vintagers.

The PGCA on the other hand, is healthier than ever and has been increasing in membership in very healthy numbers for the last several years.

[Larry Frey]

Hello Dean, Did I understand correctly ??? We had ONLY 50 members of our PGCA show up at the annual members meeting of the PGCA ??? Please confirm the attendance at our PGCA annual members meeting in Rhode Island for me and all other concerned members. If only 50 PGCA members, plus or minus a few, showed up something went wrong. Thank You for your reporting to those of us located South of the Mason Dixon Line. Can any other member here on the bbs give an eyewitness report on the attendance at our annual members meeting in Rhode Island ??? Good Shooting To Us All, Jent

Jent,
If you don't believe Dean then I can give you an eyewitness accounting. We sold 54 tickets to the event which is on par with the last two years events which were held in South Carolina last year and Louisville Kentucky the year before. As for your concern about what went wrong I would say absolutely nothing, as I had people coming up to me for two days telling me it was the best Annual Meeting they had ever attended. If I had to find one thing wrong it would be that after all the time and effort so many people put into creating a first class experience we still have "concerned members" who "did not attend" that want to know "what went wrong". See you at the Spring Southern.:bigbye:

[Brian Dudley]

Regarding the silent auction... This year, the club let loose a lot of nice items from their collection in order to put them out into the hands of the members. A good amount of original factory tools and memorabilia. As well as a lot of other high quality contributions from individuals.
A big thank you to the PGCA and other contributors for this!

[Bill Murphy]

I'm sorry I missed Allan's coffee grinders. Linda tells me we need more at our house. :):):)

[Josh Loewensteiner]

Special congratulations are in order for all those who helped assemble this years annual meeting and banquet. A great deal of effort goes in to making it a special weekend each and every year. The silent auction- along with the raffle gun- are two of the more important fundraising activities we do each year. Big time kudos and thanks are in order to all who volunteered their valuable time to make it successful!

[edgarspencer]

I don't agree with the idea that something was wrong with the choice for this year's annual meeting. While the absence of a few members from the Northeast was noticed, what I noticed, when comparing this year's meeting with last years, is that far fewer members made the trip north this year, than those who traveled south last year. The net return from the silent auction is more indicative of the number and quality of items available for bidding, and has little to do with the number of members present.
While this year's event was held in conjunction with the Vintage Cup, and the number of 'Vintagers' may have been down, the number of those who came through the PGCA tent was encouraging and the display they saw was first class. I can't imagine anyone could find the least bit of issue with the venue, the decorum of the Trappers or the variety of stations. If someone didn't attend, they ought not make judgements and think something was 'wrong'.

[FRANK HALSEY]

I would love to go to one of these shoots but I have a limit on how far I can go and how much time it takes. Can this ever be done in the Midwest somewhere?? It seems that all the big shoots are on the east coast. Thanks, Frank

[Dean Romig]

Our primary intent when choosing a site for the Annual Meeting is not necessarily to hold it in conjunction with a shoot per se, but rather to draw as many Collectors, Collector/Shooters and Shooters only as possible in order to simply have a good representative attendance of all three types of Parker Gun Collectors Assoc as possible. That seems to include having a decent sporting clays range and a great collectors venue as well. The Annual Meeting we held in Louisville two years ago was geographically in the middle of the country and drew only a similar attendance as this year's event.

[edgarspencer]

Umm, Mr. Editor............. did you mean to say that?

[Chuck Bishop]

I'm all for getting more hooters to our shoots:shock:

[edgarspencer]

Easy for you to say Chuck. Your wife only goes to keep a watchful eye on you. If my wife gets wind that we go to look at hooters, I'll get grounded.
I wonder if that was a Freudian Slip on Dean's part?

[Jean Swanson]

Frank :

It is a difficult job to select an event location that pleases everyone . The event locations that were selected while I was events coordinator for some 12 plus years considered several things ,not limited to just one feeling .

Factually-----the demographics of the PGCA says that approximately 75% of the membership live east of the Mississippi ,with the geographic center of the mass within a one days drive from Louisville ,KY. , the center !!! I personally took time to fly or drive from Vermont to check out places in Willington ,OH-- Columbus ,OH-- Cincinnati ,OH --Lexington ,KY---and Louisville , KY. I know that there were MANY people that did not show up for the annual meeting that are PGCA members , even though it was within the one day drive limit .

There is one other question that comes to mind----------Who is willing to spend the necessary hours of organizing the event to make it a successful turnout ???? It is not easy, believe me .

The PGCA also has a presence at Pheasant Fest that has been held in Minneapolis , MN and other Midwest locations that VOLUNTEERS are always welcome .

Allan

[Bill Murphy]

Allan, you don't have to apologize for your choices. Many Parker collectors go to Las Vegas every January regardless of where they live. It was always a cheap trip for me when I went, even though I live on the East Coast. If the PGCA annual meeting is at a California Side by Side Association event, I will consider going, even if I have to fly. I didn't like Louisville as much as Vintagers, because it was a gun show venue rather than a shooting venue, but I am an old Louisville attendee, so I went. I even liked Richmond, because we drew some collectors and guns out of the brush. I think we should go to Cody because most of us have never been there. Did we have a Cody meeting? I would be willing to do it again, even if we have been there.

[Dean Romig]

I wonder if that was a Freudian Slip on Dean's part?

I'm blushing...

My shift key doesn't always work and I have to proof read everything I type...

I missed that one apparently. I have edited my post so as not to offend the oderators.

[edgarspencer]

mmmhmm. Yea, sure. I bet the odoreaters got a chuckle too. Why do you need the shift key to type an 's' ?

[Rich Anderson]

spending money on other sundry things.

Those "other sundry things" get me every time.:rotf:

[John Dallas]

So --Dean's keyboard is missing the "S" and "M"?

Hmmmm

[Robin Lewis]

I guess I disagree with the view point on no shooting and not attending. I have attended several PGCA meetings that were in conjunction with gun shows (no shooting) and had a wonderful time. I can shoot any week of the year near home but I only get to hang out with Parker enthusiasts at the PGCA sponsored events.

Sure, the shooting is fun but for myself, it's the friendships made that draws me to attend. I observe that many at the PGCA annual meeting don't shoot but only one or two rounds but do hang out in the tent visiting with friends that they only get to see at these events.

Personally, the high point for me is the banquet, not the shooting. If you don't attend because there is no shooting, you are missing out on a good time.

[Eric Eis]

I guess I disagree with the view point on no shooting and not attending. I have attended several PGCA meetings that were in conjunction with gun shows (no shooting) and had a wonderful time. I can shoot any week of the year near home but I only get to hang out with Parker enthusiasts at the PGCA sponsored events.

Sure, the shooting is fun but for myself, it's the friendships made that draws me to attend. I observe that many at the PGCA annual meeting don't shoot but only one or two rounds but do hang out in the tent visiting with friends that they only get to see at these events.

Personally, the high point for me is the banquet, not the shooting. If you don't attend because there is no shooting, you are missing out on a good time.

Another thing I would like to point out, we had the same number of members at the meeting this year and also last year as we did at Louisville so Jent it is more then just shooting.. The LC Smith boys did an interesting meeting last year at the OGCA show (very nice show and central too), they setup a sporting clays shoot at one of the clubs on Friday before the show and then had their meeting and the show. Something to think about.

[Rich Anderson]

First off I have never attended an annual meeting. IMHO combining it with a gun show such as Louisville or a shooting venue such as the Vintagers makes good sence.

The attendance seemed to be on a par with previous years with somewhere around 50+ participants so once again IMHO it was a successfull event.

I don't know how someone can say this wasn't a successfull event if they didn't attend:nono:

[CraigThompson]

I'm not a member so this really is none of my buisness .

However ...........................................,

If I were a member a sporting clays course would not be a selling point for me .

Having shot skeet and trap for a good many years I still have a target shooters mentality and don't like shooting sporting competitively just for the simple fact that I'm 100% sure a 100 straight is out of the question . But then my years of 100 straights on the skeet or trap field aren't what they used to be either .

Anyway "if" I were a member something other then a sporting clays venue would be a better draw for me personally . Perhaps someplace like the Homestead in VA or the Greenbrier in WVA . Or Pinehurst in Carolina .

Actually a PGCA meeting/shoot at the Homestead or Greenbrier would be intresting something in the shooting of say 50 skeet , 50 trap , 50 5 stand and 50 Sporting Clays .

[Dean Romig]

The primary idea is to provide a venue of interest for the Collector while not leaving the shooters out. What I'm saying is that we don't decide on a venue for our Annual Meeting based primarily on what it can offer the shooters. In 1993 the PGCA was founded as a 'Collectors organization' but renewed interest in shooting old doubles over the last few decades has brought many hundreds of new members on board and we are delighted to have them and learn from them as well as from our very savvy Collectors. Probably the best way to "please most of the people all of the time" is to provide a venue which might offer something for those on both ends of the spectrum.

[CraigThompson]

The primary idea is to provide a venue of interest for the Collector while not leaving the shooters out. What I'm saying is that we don't decide on a venue for our Annual Meeting based primarily on what it can offer the shooters. In 1993 the PGCA was founded as a 'Collectors organization' but renewed interest in shooting old doubles over the last few decades has brought many hundreds of new members on board and we are delighted to have them and learn from them as well as from our very savvy Collectors. Probably the best way to "please most of the people all of the time" is to provide a venue which might offer something for those on both ends of the spectrum.

Thats all good and fine so why not consider one of the places I mentioned and see if you could coordinate it with the Fox Collectors and LC Smith Collectors associations and bring all three together ?

I'm sure you could find enough so called "expert collectors" that would be willing to give seminars on their own area of expertiese . Hell I'd even be willing to come to the Homestead or Greenbrier as a guest speaker and tell some self proclaimed lies of my own LOL's !

And of course send invites to certain venders !

Maybe even make it a team challenge type thing etc etc .

I suppose my idea's versus those of others explains why I usually prefer to be a GDI :whistle:

But then it's like I said in my earlier post , this is none of my buisness !

[Bruce Day]

Its two days drive for me to the Southern , three to Rhode Island. That's two days enroute, two days return. If I fly, its one full day and haul one gun, drive then I can haul many more for exhibit.

So last year we ran the PGCA exhibits at the PF and NRA shows, that's close to $1000 each time, each person , and it was a two day drive to Houston. After all the talk about how the PGCA never does anything beyond the east coast and how much people would like to see a Parker exhibit, the PGCA membership turnout at the NRA show and who came by the 50 gun Parker exhibit was more than mildly disappointing. There were even those who lived less than 40 miles away who had complained about the PGCA not doing anything in their area who did not show. The NRA show and Parker exhibit was a major event with evening dinners after and I counted less than 20 PGCA members who identified themselves among close to 200,000 in attendance.

Over the years , seven years of Pheasant Fests, and two of NRA shows, I figure we have brought the Parker and PGCA message to close to one million firearms enthusiasts, made close to $50,000 for the PGCA and cost the association almost nothing. We've sent the Parker message out through free radio, television and print advertising paid for by the NRA or PF....who knows how many people that went out to.

So I'm surprised when people say that the PGCA is involved in only one or two events per year at the Southern or Vintagers. I guess our efforts don't count.


Louisville is a one day drive, Ohio is one day. Much easier for me to make those, and I would. Most members are east coast but occasionally there is a good Parker out here in fly over country.

[John Dallas]

:dh:

[Josh Loewensteiner]

Well said, Mr. Day. This organization is in better shape today than it has ever been and many thanks are in order to members like you, Charlie Herzog, Ed Morgan, Dean Romig, Chuck Bishop, and others who freely give of their time, talent, and treasure. It takes a lot more to keep the PGCA humming than many folks think.

As with any organization made up of volunteers, lots of "you should do this" and "you should do that" followed up with "I am too busy to help make it happen...."

[Mills Morrison]

[/QUOTE]As with any organization made up of volunteers, lots of "you should do this" and "you should do that" followed up with "I am too busy to help make it happen...."[/QUOTE]


Here here. I agree completely

[Bruce Day]

:dh:

John, maybe I'm dense but I don't understand. Is me saying that the PGCA has had yearly major events beyond the east coast beating a dead horse?

[Robin Lewis]

Bruce, thanks for the work at PH and NRA! I know it takes a lot of effort by the folks that put any event together. Don't let the low PGCA member attendance discourage you, I'll bet a lot of people at the show really enjoy what you do and maybe we gain a new member or two in the process.

Also, I would like to point out that I t doesn't take the PGCA directors to put a Parker event together and I suggest anyone wanting to gather Parker shooters together in their area to set one up.

I attend two Parker events each year that is all Parker and not "paid for" by anyone other than the shooters. A PGCA member gets his club to allow us to dominate their trap &skeet range on the first day of the year here in New Hampshire. We pay for each round shot and the club makes some good money; people bring a hot dish to share at lunch and we all eat well. Also, in the spring we get together any PGCA members and guests (Fox guys) interested and meet at Addieville, RI and shoot sporting clays. Again, we all bring something to eat and because we have a good history as PGCA members they allow us to use their clocking facilities. Each of these events grows in attendance each year.

There is more than a little Parker talk and show and tell going on too, all great fun. No tents or sponsors but none the less all Parker and a lot of fun.

I am not sure what the "paid for by the PGCA" is all about. At the annual meeting I don't seem to get discounts or free stuff. Actually, at The annual meeting at Addieville I pay more to shoot a round of sporting clays than I do at the spring shoot and on top of that I shoot 1/2 as many birds, no discount there. I also pay to attend the banquet, nothing free there either. The PGCA does the leg work to find a good place to stay and works to get a discounted rate, although I'm not sure it is any better than my "old person" or AAA discount?

I suggest you set up a shoot at one of these places suggested and let us know and I for one will make every effort to attend. I have never been to any of these locations and I am sure they are nice places. I think I would enjoy a visit there and the opportunity to meet new Parker shooters!

[Bruce Day]

The 2015 NRA meeting will be in Nashville. A PGCA member there owns a private sporting clays course and has told me that he would love to have members shoot if they can tear themselves away.

If the directors want to give serious consideration about a venue different from the usual routine, this might be a good opportunity.

[John Dallas]

Bruce - Not directed to you alone. It appears to me that nothing new has been presented in the last two pages of postings.

[Bruce Day]

The PGCA exhibits at the Pheasant Fest and NRA shows are and have been since the inception, PGCA sanctioned events, insured by PGCA insurance carriers, approved by the board, making money for the PGCA and soliciting members for the PGCA. PGCA owned guns and accessories are shown. Although expenses have been minimal, where they have occurred, they have been paid by the PGCA. For example, the Houston show, it was too far for Charlie and me to haul tables, so tables were rented by the PGCA. The monies brought in at Houston far exceeded the expenses incurred.

Past board members such as Charlie or me lead the effort and are responsible to the board for the appropriate conduct of the event, and we usually have one or more present board members assisting. We have evening dinners and have usually identified them as PGCA dinner meetings and all in the area are invited to join us. Usually Charlie or sometimes me has a short talk about where the PGCA has been and where headed, in a positive and encouraging manner.

Unless a PGCA event is defined solely as an event where there is shooting as opposed to collecting and fellowship, IMHO, these events are PGCA events.

[Larry Stauch]

"Allan, you don't have to apologize for your choices. Many Parker collectors go to Las Vegas every January regardless of where they live. It was always a cheap trip for me when I went, even though I live on the East Coast. If the PGCA annual meeting is at a California Side by Side Association event, I will consider going, even if I have to fly. I didn't like Louisville as much as Vintagers, because it was a gun show venue rather than a shooting venue, but I am an old Louisville attendee, so I went. I even liked Richmond, because we drew some collectors and guns out of the brush. I think we should go to Cody because most of us have never been there. Did we have a Cody meeting? I would be willing to do it again, even if we have been there."


Cody has a great gun club too!!

[Bruce Day]

How about an annual meeting at Fort Smith, Montana, on the Big Horn River, where I can use my Parker-Hawes fly rod for brown trout?

[Mills Morrison]

These are all some great suggestions. I like the idea of PGCA having a smaller presence at other venues as well. The Brays Island show in SC, for example. Julia and I would be willing to volunteer for at least that Saturday if there is interest.

[John Gardner]

Gentlemen,
I have read through all the previous posts and, as a new member that has not yet attended a PGCA AGM and thus a person who some of the above ideas are directed towards, my comments:

1) Be relaxed.

I have been very impressed with the quality of the discussions, advice, and genuine support that is demonstrated across this entire forum. That is what first attracted me to become a member and subsequently gave me the confidence to make purchases from the membership. - Every single interaction, whether I ended up buying or not, has been a positive experience. I truly look forward to eventual meeting each member I interacted with over the forum.

2) Be relaxed.
ALL AGM's, shooting events, and gun shows go through a natural cycle of up and downs. Good points were made about where/when to hold the AGM whether in conjunction with shows, shoots, different regions etc. Personally I deeply regret not being able to attend this year. I wanted to, yes it was a little far for me to go and logistically not as easy as a simple fly in - out or a same day drive. But I intended to go any way and I will plan better next year in hopes of attending.

3) Be relaxed.
This club seems to me, as a new member, that the Board and the membership in general are very engaged in this club. If you hold it next year with the Vintager's Shoot, I plan to attend. If you hold it at a major collector show, I plan to attend. If you hold it in the North, South, East, West - sounds good, I plan to attend.

I am not suggesting that certain locales may or may not allow more people to attend but the reason their attending is mainly to meet the other members and get a chance to see and discuss Parker's and associated items of interest.

In short I plan to attend because I want to get to meet the people that I share an interest with and respect. The rest, for me, is window dressing.

I suspect I am not alone with that thought.

Congratulations to the Board and the dedicated members that have made this such a good association.


Cheers JG