Scholarship?

[John Davis]

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

[Big D]

I've been a member of, and chaired a number of 501(c3) organizations (OK, I realize PGCA is not a charity) but an surprised that the finances of our organization are not open to the members who pay dies.

[Hammer Gun]

I think it is a good idea to fund it with donations from the membership, We need this interest in double guns to pass to the next generation, Did not know if any one has noticed but the membership is greying rapidly! Gary

[Twice Shooter]

When you say sponsor a youth in gunsmithing, what age group are you refering to? Gunsmithing schools are trade schools with some students minimum ages around 20 years old, and right out of high school. Not old enough to own a hand gun. The course of instruction covers all aspects of gunsmithing. I am not particularly interested in sponsoring a student to study AR-15's. I would be interested in sponsoring a student who participated in an extended specified course of study on side by side shotguns taught by a well qualified instructor like Dennis Potter or someone of his caliber and I don't especially care how old the student is as long as the student has productive years left.
I have looked for such a course on side by sides for several years and all I can find are 2 week NRA courses at Trinidad, Colorado. Montgomery Community College in Troy, North Carolina, has an excellent gunsmithing course but they can't find an instructor to teach the 2 week NRA side by side course.
Something to consider might be an internship for a promising student at one of our better gunsmiths after the student graduates from the gunsmith school. A 12 month internship with emphasis on side by side shotguns should produce a pretty gun gunsmith. And if you would want to establish a maximum age, great.

Just an old man think out loud.
Cheers, Tom

[J.B. Books]

The organizations finances are matter of public record (IRS Form 990) available to anyone as the PGCA is a 501(c)7 organization in the states of VT, MN and VA over the years.

This is easy information to find but it will be 2 years behind at best.

[Bindlestiff]

Originally Posted by Pete Lester

The organizations finances are matter of public record (IRS Form 990) available to anyone as the PGCA is a 501(c)7 organization in the states of VT, MN and VA over the years.

This is easy information to find but it will be 2 years behind at best.

Not out of date at all! This is found on the web at
http://nonprofitdirectory.com/vermon...ated/541725809

IRS Financial Data for 2011:
Assets: $247,009.00
Income: $84,158.00
990 Revenue: $68,745.00

[Bindlestiff]

Have you looked here....
http://www.pagunsmith.edu/index.php

[Twice Shooter]

Hi Robin, Thank you. Yes I did, but it was a few years ago. And like the others, very little on side by side shotguns. Very good coverage on handguns, bolt action rifles, auto loading shotguns over/unders, and black guns. There just is not very much formal instruction out there for those wanting to learn side by side shotguns.

If our group is serious about this I suggest we sponsor an internship for a graduate from a gunsmithing school for about $6000 a year ($500 a month) to help cover living expenses. The gunsmith would pay the intern some salary and we would supplement that salary. Establish a committee to develope an application and qualifications and send an announcement and application to all the recognized gunsmithing schools. I think we would need a contract with the sponsoring gunsmith saying the intern would have to spend X amount of time on side by side shotguns. I don't think there is enough time for this graduating year but 2014 could work. I would certainly donate to that.

Cheers, Tom

PS: I don't think this money should come directly from the PGCA. I think it should come from donations from members and the PGCA should recognize these members in some fashon.

[Dennis]

Forgive me but I am thinking out loud here; what about somebody such as Keith Kearcher or Brad Batchelder who are already recognized gunsmiths who deal with double guns to possibly take somebody who is interested in double guns to train that person such as an apprentice. I don't mean Brad or Keith necessarily but somebody in that capacity who does the type of work they do. It would sure save money for the membership and might be a great find for the gunsmith and for the membership over the years. Obviously I am not speaking for anybody but myself but that seems to me like a better idea than sponsoring somebody on a scholarship to a gunsmithing school.
I sure hope this makes sense.

Dennis

[Bindlestiff]

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