Please, this kind of dialogue does not boost the issue at hand. To simply say that you were treated great by a business that feels that they may have an opportunity to sell you an expensive item by “stroking you” and you fell for it is an insult to your intelligence. I could explain this in the context of my political career, but I will spare you the details. Lets just say that if your feel your were treated special due your being a “life” member of the Parker Collectors Association, and not an “annual member” of the Parkers Association, or just "Joe American off the street" then you were had. Allen, you are smarter that than that. Pure and simple. I am not saying that being a life member is not nice, but we do not need to set up a class struggle between life and annual members. This serves no purpose. All members should feel that they are contributing to the cause of collecting and appreciating the Parker Guns.

Steve, all I merely said to the gentleman at Purdeys was that I was a member of the PGCA, that I collected and shot the American Parker. I do not feel there is a class struggle within the PGCA, others may but I don't act on that feeling at all. When I decided to become a Life Member, I had the money at hand so I sent in my payment. I could give a whit to whether or not only life members are permitted to vote. Others are free to feel otherwise. The governance of the PGCA is not an issue with me. I have enjoyed the opportunity to share my love of Parkers with other members and couldn't care less whether they are life Members or regular members. I have learned much from many of you and appreciate belonging to an organization that shares my belief that Parkers are one of America's finest shotguns and we need to promote this wonderful heritage. My mentioning to the gentleman at Purdey's that I was a member of the PGCA only served to communicate to him how much I valued the double gun world of shotguns, be they English or American. In that sense he knew we had a shared common value and interest. He then asked me if I would like to enter their room where they kept all their records, I forget the name of the room but my understanding was/is that this was a very special room. Sometimes I do feel that at one time I fell off the turnip truck but then my mind reminds me that it was probably being hit too many times playing football. I am not running for office, nor will I accept any such nomination. I'm just too dam happy being a member of the PGCA.

[QUOTE=allen newell;193509] I could give a whit to whether or not only life members are permitted to vote. I am not running for office, nor will I accept any such nomination. ]

The available pool of leaders shrinks yet again:eek:

Wow.
I just read this entire thread.
I have to confess. I have never once had any desire to vote for anyone running for BOD. My member number is 28 so I have been around a long time.
Frankly, if you are willing to be on the BOD they should just sign you up. No vote whatsoever. Take the job- do the work.
I am happy to have more people setting up tables, carting this PGCA stuff from venue to venue, selling tickets, writing articles, writing Challenge rules, editing drivel written by illiterate dopes (me), making arrangements with shooting venues, etc., etc., etc.
Frankly, if you don't do any of that for the PGCA whether you are a PGCA member- annual or life- or a BOD member or innocent bystander, then just shut up.
And Rich, you are not a PGCA member. I still like you. But don't criticize OUR website. I don't even know who does the pictures or the web crap, but you insulted them.
We are a volunteer organization. We live on volunteers help. We have an amazing group of volunteers. We produce an amazing website and quarterly publication and amazing events.
Some of my very best friends are among these PGCA members.
So let's cut the drama.

I never once criticized the web site, this is one of the best out there. I simply stated that the home page picture had been the same for a long time. Just an observation no criticism.

There are several reasons I am no longer a member.

Shhhhhhh, not so loud George. He sits two desks behind the guy who does the law crap!!

But, hey....how ' bout that Home Page photo??? Hey Rich, the good news is those mallards are now sporting 10" beards!!! :whistle: :bigbye::whistle:


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A good duck gun usually makes for a good turkey gun. I'd love to see it up close. Perhaps you'll bring it to either the Southern or Hausmanns. Either way it's a great gun.:bowdown:

Its more fun to stand outside the open door and complain that they won't let you in and are being mean to you. And you get attention.

Now that everyone has given an opinion, how about someone chime in and give a good reason why annual members can't vote. I have yet to see one.

I'd feel a lot less like this was one of those entitlement issues if we had people advocating for the change who were active and participatory life members. Otherwise it sounds like it comes from Bernie.