Gents, I have been following this thread with interest as this topic has come up before when I was serving on the board. Trust me this topic was discussed by our board and it was decided at that time to leave well enough alone. Weather the current sitting board will see's fit to change our by-laws to allow annual members with some let's say for the sake of argument 10 years of continuing membership to vote remains to be seen.

But let's first look at a few things....Number one. Our organization is driven by volunteers. So with that in mind. Who is going to keep track of who has been a member for 10 years running? I don't even know if our membership data base has that info. Okay so lets say we clear that hurdle....Who is going to print and mail all the ballots? Also with annual members voting there will be alot more for our election committee to tabulate.

These are just a couple things to consider and I am in no way against this change as any organization needs new ideas and new blood to grow. The old saying"If your not growing your going" applies here.

The point I am trying to make is that for this to take affect we need someone who can do this work.Actions speak louder than words.

Any volunteers?

I volunteer C.O.B. Oh wait, he's not a member.

I am a new life member and happy to be one. I have met dedicated members such as Larry Frey and Dave Suponski in person and have had numerous dealings with other life members whose objective I believe is to grow and progress this organisation. Do I understand the politics that may be or may have been going which have left some members soured in view towards this group, no. Do I care and do the majority of those on this forum care, no. At some point I may be willing to commit my precious free time and limited vacation that my full time job allows to carry the PGCA torch and at that point I will probably be more vocal in my position.

If you want to change it then join up and take a stand. Its sort of like those that complained about two terms of a certain gentleman, I always ask the bar room and coffee bar whiners what did you personally do to prevent that from happening..................most have nothing to offer of substance beyond break room B.S.

Gentlemen,

Kindly keep any reference to national politics off the PGCA forum.

Mark

My apology, post revised.

The right to vote by annual members is an " entitlement issue. " Really ? And only those who can vote decide who can or can not vote ? Well now, it all makes sense. I was confused that we live in the USA where everyone has the right to vote. Maybe those in powder, like here, will call it a " entitlement " and revoke our right to vote. Glad someone explained it, I was confused.

How is the PGCA different than your right to vote, visiting aliens or those on one year work permits are not allowed to vote, full citizens are. You are in, you are a one year visitor who can join another year if you choose or you are on the outside looking in. Make your choice.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Righ..._United_States

I don't consider myself as a one year visitor, a alien, or here on a work permit; and I would sincerely hope other life members don't think of annual members as you do. Thanks for the link to Wikipedia so I know where I stand in your mind as a annual member. I'm a full fledge dues paying member. In any of the other organizations that I'm in such as the NRA, NMLRA, and the RSA, as a annual member I can vote. No one yet as given me a valid reason why annual members can't vote in the PGCA. But I will agree with you on one thing - annual members are on the outside looking in. But then, we're just aliens.

i think it's great that the other organizations allow you to vote, they have the right to put those rules and regulations in their bylaws. It's great that you are a dedicated annual member. I assume when you joined you read through the opportunities afforded annual vs. life members and still joined as the dedicated contributing annual member that you are. The great part about this organization and other like it is that the bylaws and rules are made by a group of individuals who were dedicated enough to start such an endevor as this one, the PGCA. I was not there at the time but I will make an assumption that they believed that life membership was indicative of those that will to make a commitment and watch things evolve and grow. There are most certainly many members like you who have dedicated years to this cause but there are also many one and done annual members who find a small window of time in their lives with Parker's.

I also believe that there is nothing to prevent a change, become a life member and lobby for the change. I personally do not care if annual member votes or not and did not become a life member to vote and may or may not choose to do so. I became a life member to show my dedication and support.

"I became a life member to show my dedication and support." My sentiments exactly