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.

As I recall, the donation was made to a 501 (c) 3 arm of the NRA.

We have a few lawyer Members who could advise on this question. But let's try to keep this discussion on the merits of whether or not the PGCA should consider establishing a scholarship fund as previously proposed. I have served on a number of Boards and know full well that this is ultimately a matter for the PGCA Board/Powers That Be to take up for consideration or not. A healthy discussion and even debate on this idea within this Forum will be productive and may serve to guide the Board. Boards do benefit from knowing the sentiments of their organization's members and are often guided by them as they deliberate in determining what is in the best interests of their organizations.

Personnally I would rather see the PGCA sponsor any youth shooting in any recognized double gun event, the Southern, Northeast Side by Side Championship, Vintagers shoots etc as way to educate and support their interest and use of American classic double guns. It could be a competitve scholarship of sorts where we pay entry fees and shells and perhaps a daily per diem to those selected.

PGCA
 

PGCA Goals are:

Promote Parker Shotgun Collecting;

Publish our quarterly membership journal: Parker Pages;

Obtain the Parker records and offer a factory-type Letter to authenticate Parkers;

Provide members with a forum for their Parker research; and

Conduct an Annual Meeting.


Nothing in there about shooting events.

Fixed it for you.:)

Nor is there anything in there about gunsmithing school. Like any organization with income and assets, goals can be expanded or reduced as finances allow. However sponsorship of a youth interested in learning more and shooting a Parker in competition would seem to fit under "Promoting Parker Shotgun Collecting" listed above.

Hard to make money, easy to spend it.

Twenty years it took to build a comfortable pad through the hard work of a handful of people in order that the association might survive a hard time or be prepared for the unexpected. Thankfully we have tightfisted stewards who guard our assets.

If a person wants to be involved in a scholarship, there is always the Oscar Gaddy Fund. Donate to that, although we never could generate much interest in that beyond a talking phase, and it drew plenty of discussion when Dr.Gaddy passed, about how people were going to fund gunsmithing, young shooters, etc. Day after day of talk about how much money was going to pour in, and much discussion about a board to administer it. In the end; $1000, and the talk moved on to another subject.

You just lost me for a life membership. I've been considering it seriously for my years of enjoyment here. I'd contribute to a scholarship. Not to one of the most influential and well-heeled lobbies in Washington. I am not an admirer of NRA's leadership. I have no fears for the integrity of your Second Amendment on the evidence of a national debate about GI Joe wannabes, background checks and magazines. Twenty life memberships will pay for your $10,000 NRA gift and with my luck one of those would be mine.

King, the PGCA money did not go to the political action arm which is the one with tactics and statements that many find fault with. The PGCA money went to the charitable education side of the NRA that funds youth shoots, marksmanship training etc. I am involved with Boy Scout shooting sports and we partner with the NRA side that received the PGCA donation.

The NRA is not all black guns and rhetoric, regardless of where a person comes down on the gun control issues.

Also, on an accounting basis, at least when I was on the board, we set aside life member funds from general revenues knowing that they would eventually be used up , and depending upon longevity, perhaps even a loss. Dollars that were available for other than Parker Pages expenses were derived from raffle ticket sales and other income. Not being an accountant, perhaps I haven't used the proper terms, but that's the concept. So no, your life member money doesn't get sent to the NRA, not even the NRA education side. That is the status as I know it.