NRA Club Connection, Volume 16, Issue 4

A Publication of the National Rifle Association of America volume 16, Number 4

Family Time

And Shooting Events

Inside 4 NRA National Awards 8 Winchester NRA Marskmanship Qualification Program

18 State Association Spotlight 20 Club News

Contents

8

20

Established 1995 and published quarterly by the Field Operations Division of the National Rifle Association of America.

David A. Keene

President

James W. Porter II

1st Vice President Allan D. Cors

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13

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Come Join Your “Friends” For Dinner And

3

Help Support The Shooting Sports

2nd Vice President Wayne R. LaPierre

Executive Vice President Edward J. Land, Jr.

Secretary

Wilson H. Phillips, Jr.

Treasurer

Kayne Robinson

Executive Director, General Operations Chris W. Cox

By David A. Keene, NRA President 2010-2011 NRA Award Winners

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2012 Youth Ambassadors

6

Winchester NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program

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Executive Director, Institute for Legislative Action NRA-affiliated clubs and associations are authorized to reproduce all or parts of this newsletter.

NRA Clubs & Associations

NRA-ILA Legal Update

12

NRA Gold Medal

13

Range Report

14

State Association’s Spotlight

18

Illinois State Rifle Association Club News

20

Tax Exempt Status and Your Club Part II

22

2012 NRA Club Leadership & Development Workshops

25

NRA Affiliated State Associations

28

NRA Field Representatives

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National Rifle Association Attn: Clubs & Associations 11250 Waples Mill Road Fairfax,VA 22030 (800) NRA – CLUB (672-2582) (703) 267-3939 fax clubs@nrahq.org Editors: Elizabeth Bush, National Manager Clubs, Associations, & Range Services Ebush@nrahq.org (703) 267-1348 Son Nguyen, Marketing Manager Snguyen@nrahq.org (703) 267-1345 Design & layout: Melissa Betts, Marketing Coordinator Mbetts@nrahq.org (703) 267-1343

© Copyright 2011 National Rifle Association

President’s Column

By David A. Keene, NRA President

Come Join Your “Friends” For Dinner And Help Support The Shooting Sports

Nearly 20 years ago, a few NRA members in Columbia, MO., got together to discuss ways to raise money to support the shooting sports. They put together a “Friends of NRA” dinner idea. They invited NRA members and non-members from the Columbia area for a night of fun combined with raffles offering attendees the chance to win sporting art, firearms, and other items donated by local sporting goods retailers and provided to them by The NRA Foundation.

It sounded like a good idea, so a host committee got to work. The NRA Foundation quickly agreed to support their efforts and that first dinner took place without a hitch. I don’t know how many attended that first Friends dinner (also called FONRA) nor how much money they raised, but I do know that they could not have envisioned the success this program would achieve.

Since that first Friends of NRA dinner, thousands of volunteers have organized and held more than 14,000 events.

They’ve been attended by more than 2.5 million NRA members, guests and family members, and raised more than $180 million that has gone directly to support

the shooting sports in all 50 states.

This year, more than 180,000 people have attended more than 900 Friends of NRA events; and another 100 events will take place before the year ends. Some $18 million has been donated to The NRA Foundation, half of which will stay under The NRA Foundation control and the other half will be distributed by the state fund committee members within the community in which the funds were

attend some when we travel. It’s one of the most enjoyable things I do for the NRA. I’ve never attended one where everyone wasn’t having a great time. They are like family gatherings or reunions where NRA members, their guests and friends get together to bond and share stories about shooting, hunting and having fun.

I have seen business owners, teachers, several generations of family and even two local candidates sparring to see who can

“This year, more than 180,000 people have attended more than 900 Friends of NRA events, and another 100 events will take place before the year ends.”

raised. The half distributed by the state fund committee is granted to qualifying applicants that include shooting ranges, local high school shooting teams and youth clubs to buy firearms, ammunition and uniforms, and to support the activities of young people just getting started in the shooting sports.

Our six NRA officers cannot possibly attend all of these events, but we try to

contribute the most at auction time.

The more than 25,000 volunteers who donate time to the local committees that organize these events are serious about reaching their fundraising goals and they devote an inordinate amount of time and effort to ensuring a successful, funfilled event. Many of them have worked together for a decade or more to organize local functions that attract anywhere from continued on page 12 Volume 16, Number 4 club connection l 3

NRA National Awards Each year the National Rifle Association recognizes outstanding clubs, state associations, youth clubs, and an individual for public service. The Annual Awards program recognizes significant accomplishments achieved in areas of organization, operation, and public service rendered. The four award categories include: Outstanding Club Award, Outstanding Youth Club Award, Outstanding State Association Award and Public Service Award.

Winners are invited as an official guest of the NRA at the Fall Board of Directors Meetings as well as the President’s Reception.

Your visit will include a trip to NRA Headquarters, allowing you to visit the NRA National Firearms Museum and the NRA’s state-of-the-art shooting range, in addition to a driving tour highlighting some of the historic sites and places of interest in Washington, D.C. The NRA covers the cost of travel expenses, meals and lodging for the award winners.

20 Club Award Winners 10 Donn C. DiBiasio Outstanding Club Award: Monumental Rifle and Pistol Club – Cantonsville, Maryland.

Public Service Award: Mr. David C. Baron, President of Baron Technology, Inc. in Trumbull, Connecticut

The Donn C. DiBiasio Outstanding Club Award is presented annually to an NRA-affiliated club with a highly distinguished record of service and organization. The club selected to receive this award must epitomize the ideals to which all NRA-affiliated clubs should strive.

The Public Service Award is presented to the individual or club whose volunteer activities have been instrumental in promoting objectives of the NRA on a national level or whose activities have had a national impact on the shooting sports.

The Monumental Rifle and Pistol Club had its origin in the late 1940s, about the same time that the Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore was created. Monumental was and is one of the original fifteen “Charter” member shooting clubs.

Monumental Rifle and Pistol Club offers its members — men and women, young and “young at heart” — the opportunity to enjoy all aspects of the shooting sports in a casual, clean, safe, friendly, and enjoyable environment.

In addition, the Monumental Rifle and Pistol Club sponsors over 200 intra-club shooting events, trap leagues, firearms clinics, NRA Instructor training, and NRA Basic Firearms training including a Wounded Warriors event attended by 40% of the club membership bringing approximately 100 service personnel from the Walter Reed Hospital and Bethesda Naval Medicine Center out to the range for a day out.

The Monumental Rifle and Pistol Club is an NRA Gold Medal Club with 100% NRA membership. Over the past two years, they have experienced a significant growth in membership, focusing on increasing participation in their active Junior programs.

4 l club connection l Volume 16, Number 4

Mr. David C. Baron was nominated for this prestigious award in recognition of his tireless efforts in conserving wildlife habitat across the nation and in creating more hunting and shooting opportunities for the next generation.

Dave has worked with the NRA Field Operations Division and The NRA Foundation since its inception to develop and bring to market the most exciting new hunting and shooting sports products for their fundraising efforts and has generously donated annually to local and national Friends of NRA auctions and events.

Among his many achievements, Dave has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the National 4-H Shooting Sports Foundation, as a Board member of the North American Moose Foundation, and served on shooting event committees of the Hunting Heritage Trust to create exciting items for their fundraising programs.

Dave additionally helped found the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance with other shooting industry colleagues to deliver more firearms, ammunition, targets and supplies to quality youth shooting programs around the nation.

2010/2011 NRA Award Winners 2010 Donn C. DiBiasio Outstanding Club Award - Monumental Rifle and Pistol Club of Cantonsville, Maryland 2010 Public Service Award - Mr. David C. Baron, President of Baron Technology, Inc., Trumbull, Connecticut 2010 Most Outstanding Friends of NRA Committee award - Colorado State Friends of NRA Committee, Westminster, CO 2011 NRA Outstanding Achievement Youth Award - Benjamin Zimmerer of Gainesville, Texas 2010 NRA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year - Wildlife Officer Michael Neal of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission 2011 Sybil Ludington Women’s Freedom Award - Marlene Duncan 2010 Jay M. Littlefield Memorial NRA-ILA Volunteer of the Year Award - Jeff Nass, of Pulaski, Wisconsin; Sean Maloney, of Liberty Township, Ohio; and Dave Battaglia, of Kittanning, Pennsylvania ILA Defender Award - Nevada State Senator Lee 2010 Gun Show Recruiter of the Year Award - Harry Jacobs from South Plainfield, New Jersey

2010 Dealer Recruiter of the Year Award - Sal Crivello, General Manager of Shoot Straight, Inc in Apopka, Florida 2010 Club Recruiter of the Year Award - Alan Woodside of Tulsa Red Castle Gun Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Applications can be downloaded on the NRA Clubs & Associations website at http://www.nrahq.org/clubs/club_awards.pdf or may be obtained by contacting the Clubs & Associations department at (800) NRA-CLUB or via email at clubs@nrahq.org.

Volume 16, Number 4 l club connection l 5

2012 Youth Ambassadors The National Rifle Association’s Youth Programs is pleased to announce the 2012 selection of the The National RifleYouth Association’s Youth Programs is pleased to These announce the 2012 of the Brownells/NRA Brownells/NRA National Shooting Sports Ambassadors.

6 young menselection and women that will join National Youth Shootingcome Sports to Ambassadors.

These six young men and women that will join the ranks of ambassadors the ranks of ambassadors us from the NRA’s Youth Cooperative Organization partners and are come to for us from the NRA’s Cooperative Organization partners andwith are chosen excellence at thetheir scholastic level, their chosen excellence at Youth the scholastic level, their involvement their for community and involvement withshooting their community, participation in the sports. and their participation in the shooting sports.

WillWill Turner Turner

Jesse JesseRogers Rogers

Brady BrandyDrozd Drozd

JaredJared HillHill

Josh Nolan Josh Nolan

OliviaCashman Cashman Olivia

of America: year Matthews, old Will Turner, Boy Scouts of America: 17 Boy yearScouts old Will Turner,17 from NCfrom Matthews, NC National High School Rodeo Association: 16 year old Jesse Rogers, from Bloomfield, NM National High School Rodeo Association: 16 year old Jesse Rogers, from Bloomfield, NM USA Shooting: Brandy Drozd from Bryant, TX is 17 years old

USA Shooting: Brandy Drozd from Bryant, TX is 17 years old

Royal Rangers: 17 year old Jared Hill is from Salem, NJ

Royal Rangers: 17 year old Jared Hill is from Salem, NJ

BSA Venturing: Josh Nolan is 20 years old and is from Dawsonville, GA

BSA Venturing: Josh Nolan is 20 years old and is from Dawsonville, GA

National Rifle Association: 18 year old Olivia Cashman calls Wisconsin her home state

National Rifle Association: 18 year old Olivia Cashman calls Wisconsin her home state.

The 2012 Ambassador’s will be attending the 2012 Shot Show held in January in Las Vegas, Nevada and The 2012 Ambassador’s will Annual be attending the 2012 Show heldthey in January in Las Vegas, andhosts they will they will also travel to the NRA’s meeting in SHOT St. Louis were will be called to Nevada serve as for also travel to the NRA’s Annual Meeting in St. Louis were they will be called to serve as hosts for attending youth. attending youth.

For more information about the Brownells/NRA National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassador Program contact Claudia Olsen at colsen@nrahq.org or call 703-267-1597. If you are a member of one of cooperative youth organizations please contact them directly to be considered as their 2013 nominee.

6 l club connection l Volume 16, Number 4

Another Exciting Season!

2 0 1 2 NRA Intercollegiate Pistol Championships FORT BENNING, GA MARCH 13-17

2 0 1 2 NRA Intercollegiate Rifle Club Championships

2012 NRA Intercollegiate Sectionals January 14 - February 12

RIFLE • PISTOL • SHOTGUN

FORT BENNING, GA MARCH 13-16

NRA Collegiate & School Programs Volume 16, Number 4 l club connection l 7 Established 1979

Winchester NRA Marksmanship

Qualification Program

Photo Left to right: Joseph Compton, Kelly Hagman, and Kelly Newboles of Eaton Employee’s Gun Club, Hutchison, KS

We would like to welcome you to the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program—an informal, year round activity that provides incentive awards for the developing and improving of marksmanship skills for everyone! The program is selfpaced with highly attainable awards for every level of shooter. The most prestigious level is the Distinguished Expert which with hard work and dedication you can achieve this nationally recognized award. Congratulations to all the new Distinguished Experts, Double Distinguished Experts and those that have earned their 4th Distinguished Expert! The NRA would like to congratulate the following shooters as the newest Distinguished Experts.

8 l club connection l Volume 16, Number 4

Pistol Richard Shapiro, Castle Rock, CO – 4th Distinguished Expert Casey Ipema, Littleton, CO – Double Distinguished Expert Elizabeth Brown, Manassas, VA – Double Distinguished Expert Victor D. Toy, Lehi, UT Douglas R. Justice, Manteca, CA Thomas E. Hirt, Lima, OH Roger Mower, Pleasant Grove, UT E. Cary Gimber, Aurora, IL Jonathan A. Cooke, New London, CT Karen A. Williams, Phoenix, AZ Michael W. Hirst, Lindon, UT John E. Turrentine, Crest Hill, IL Steven G. Baum, Akron, OH Robert H. Wuerth, Pottstown, PA Suzanne Berens, Conifer, CO John Matzko, Sterling, VA Zachary J. Arnold, Clover, SC Joel Boyer, Sparta, IL Krysta Sutterfield, Milwaukee, WI David Krause, Wood Dale, IL G. William Harper, Pataskala, OH Ken Gary, Castle Rock, CO Michael M. Fernandez, West Palm Beach, FL Troy Thorson, CA Russell Norton, UT

Rifle Pete Woffinden, Lehi, UT – Double Distinguished Expert Lisa M. Leonard, Kenova, WV – Double Distinguished Expert Chester L. Napier, Kenova, WV – Double Distinguished Expert Allen Hazen, Spencer, WV – Double Distinguished Expert Larry D. Martin, Ford, KS – Double Distinguished Expert Phil Shockley, Springfield, MO – Double Distinguished Expert Jason Jaskey, Pittsburgh, PA – Double Distinguished Expert Edmond A. Sierens, Denver, CO – Double Distinguished Expert April A. Winship, Clayton, CA Dustin M. Renfro, Celina, OH Robert F. Kelley, Spring, TX James W. Emert, Stroudsburg, PA Gary Lee Coning, Portage, MI Eric Hoskins, WV – Double Distinguished Richard Niehueser, WI Joseph Cummings, CO Ronald Savioni, CA

Catherine Dandurand, CO Debra Craig, IL John Frank, CO Patricia Frank, CO Blanco Williams, NC Esov Valezquez, PR Seth Foltz, UT Jeffrey Banke, CA Santos Ruiz Cintron, PR Richard Haugh, CO Mike Nixon, CA Robert Magill, PA Roger Vasilas, VA Derrick Smith, VA Paul Ewing, MI Rex Glasgow, IA Eric Hoskins, WV Kevin Geiss, VA Denise Penn, CO Cynthia Wright, KY Virginia Melzer, PA Gerard Melzer, PA Steven Piel, CO Kelly Newboles, KS Joseph Compton, KS Kelly Hagman, KS

Shotgun Gary D. Abercrombie, Plainview, TX – 4th Distinguished Expert Donald R. Dixon, Plainview TX – Double Distinguished Expert Donald G. Bailey, Aurora, CO – Double Distinguished Expert Tod Roberts, Tulsa, OK Gregor S. Chvisuk, Framingham, MA Ed Reinfeld, Windsor, CA Alex Wieczorek, Galena, AK Michael Hartman, Bear Lake, MI Steven Cadenazzi, Forest Ranch, CA Roy West, Paradise, CA William Cromarty, Palo Alto, CA Charles Tatman, OH – Triple Distinguished Neil Potts, CA – Double Distinguished David O’Shea, CO – Double Distinguished David Tehan, CA Kristhomas Snyder, CA Jeffrey Knauss, PA Terry Pepperdine, CA Duncan Way, CA

To learn more about the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program Volume 16, Number 4 l club connection l 9 email marksmanship@nrahq.org or visit www.nrahq.org/youth/index.asp.

The NRA Endorsed Insurance Program provides protection for many different types of firearm training and instruction, in addition to coverages for NRA members, business owners, volunteers, and clubs. There are often questions about the coverages and how they protect those involved. Below are some common questions with some brief answers from NRA Endorsed Insurance Program experts.

What coverages are provided to NRA Members and Certified Instructors?

The NRA Endorsed Insurance Program offers Instructor and Instructor Plus coverage, as well as coverage for club members who instruct at clubs with NRA Endorsed Club Affiliate coverage. Instructor coverage provides protection while a class is being held and is restricted to only NRA courses. Instructor Plus coverage provides protection while the class is being held (not just NRA courses), as well as Professional Liability for claims involving improper training.

Is protection for Training Counselors and Senior Training Counselors included?

The Instructor and Instructor Plus policies provide protection for Training Counselor and Senior Training Counselors.

Are NRA Members covered by the NRA while teaching an NRA Course?

No, members without Instructor coverage are not covered by the NRA when teaching an NRA course. If you are volunteering, or making a charge, the liability for incidents that occur is your responsibility.

What about other firearm training outside of what NRA offers?

The Instructor Plus policy is designed to provide protection for other firearm related courses.

Is my firearm training business protected?

Instructor Plus polices can be written in the name of an individual instructor/trainer or in the name of the business. Employees and officers of the company are provided protection under the policy and all share in the annual policy limit.

Are my employed instructors covered?

Employed instructors are covered under your Instructor Plus policy if it is written in the business name. They are not covered when they teach for others or on their own. We suggest they purchase their own policy to provide this additional protection.

I volunteer time to help out locally with firearm instruction. Do I need coverage?

Depending on the organization’s policy, their coverage may extend to you. We recommend asking the organization to explain their policy prior to volunteering.

I teach at my club and the club has insurance. Do I need my own coverage?

The NRA Endorsed Insurance Club Affiliate policy extends coverage for club members volunteering only at the club or as a club activity. If you are doing any other instruction you should seek your own coverage or get information from other organizations for which you are instructing.

What should I expect to pay for Instructors Liability coverage?

Costs depend on the limit being purchased. Premiums start at $150 for a $250,000 limit and extend up to $300 for a $1,000,000 limit of liability.

How do I purchase Instructor Plus coverage?

Visit www.NraInstructorInsurance.com to purchase online. Have additional questions or need clarification? Please call 1-877-672-3006 (Option #3) to speak directly to a representative NRA Endorsed Property & Casualty Insurance Program Administered by Lockton Risk Services, Inc. NRA Member dues or contributions are not used for this promotion, program or any other related expenses.

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Attention NRA Trainers In the past 10 years, the number of NRA Certified Instructors has more than doubled. In October 2011, NRA exceeded 80,000 NRA Certified Instructors and Range Safety Officers.

Congratulations and thank you to all the hard working Training Counselors.

With this huge increase in NRA training visibility, we have also been contacted by several state and local concealed carry issuing agencies, who asked us to remind our instructors about a couple of policies that they certainly are aware of and felt it was important that we emphasize once again. These issuing agencies use instructor ID numbers when verifying instructor credentials.

Please keep in mind that NRA courses are standardized across the nation. They adhere to the appropriate course outline and lesson plans and ensure students meet or exceed every learning objective.

One issue that has arisen in states that accept “non-NRA” training conducted

by NRA Certified instructors is the use of disclaimers. Since it is imperative that Instructors include their NRA Instructor ID number, legibly, on all certificates issued, remember to adhere to the NRA Trainer’s Guide, Policies and Procedures, pp 11-12, Use of NRA Name and Trademarks: “A clear disclaimer is required when an NRA trainer conducts a course that is not NRA approved or recognized. “NRA Certified Instructor” may not appear on materials for any non-NRA course, unless a written disclaimer (This is not an NRA-approved course) appears in the promotional material or advertising in print of at least the same size as the course title.”

Materials are defined as advertisement (both print and electronic) and certificates. As the national standard for firearm safety training, NRA cannot

be associated with training that does not meet the NRA standard.

NRA Instructors who have a desire to help develop the next generation of NRA Certified Instructors need to consider the NRA Training Counselor Program.

These counselors are experienced, active NRA member-instructors who have been appointed by the NRA to train NRA Certified Instructors. Training counselors make a commitment to conduct at least one instructor training course per year. At a three-day Training Counselor Development Workshop, one will have the opportunity to obtain in-depth training in how to teach discipline-specific teaching skills. Training counselors are authorized to train instructors in those disciplines in which they are certified as NRA instructors. For more information, visit www.nrahq.org/education/training/ trainingcounselors/index.asp.

With more than 4,700 NRA Coaches, trainers can reach and extend the student-trainer relationship. Focused on competitive shooting, the Coach Education Program training reflects the latest in coaching philosophy and presentation methodology along with the most up-to-date techniques and competition tactics necessary to help you and your team achieve your goals.

This program is also a cooperative effort of all the major competitive shooting organizations in the United States and offers courses for pistol, shotgun, and high power rifle. This program continuously strives to provide outstanding coach education and athlete training that provides a high-quality experience to every shooting athlete. For more information, visit www.nrahq.org/ education/training/coaching/index.asp.

NRA/NMLRA Muzzleloading Instructors, as well as those that may be interested in muzzleloading, will be happy

to learn about the new NRA/NMLRA video, “The Lure of Muzzleloading,” item ES30080, $9.95. This DVD, produced through a cooperative effort by NRA and NMLRA, integrates the history of muzzleloading with an overview of present day muzzleloading sports in rifle, shotgun, and pistol. Subjects include safety, loading techniques, maintenance and cleaning.

Many instructors believe liability insurance through the NRA Endorsed Insurance Program only covers NRA certified courses. That myth is false! The program understands the risks associated with providing firearm training and offers professional and general liability coverage for instructors and coaches teaching both NRA and non-NRA courses. For more information, or to purchase your coverage online, visit www.nrainstructorinsurance. com.

Please, do not forget the importance of spreading the word - and the strength - of NRA membership. In the face of upcoming legislative challenges to the shooting sports, it is of the utmost importance that you become NRA Recruiters. This program provides a great opportunity to strengthen NRA through membership recruitment. Information about the program, including the application form, is available at www. nrahq.org/recruiters/ As always we appreciate all that you do to advance the NRA Firearm Training Programs. Let us all move forward, as the NRA Training Team, to continue to carry the standard for safe, effective firearm training. We look forward to sharing information with you and we always welcome your suggestions!

Volume 16, Number 4 l club connection l 11

To give NRA members and gun owners the latest information on Second Amendment cases filed or supported by the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (www.nraila.org), NRA-ILA is pleased to announce a new online newsletter, the NRA-ILA Legal Update.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2008 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, holding that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms, hundreds of Second Amendment cases have been litigated in federal and state courts. The pace of litigation has only increased since the Court’s 2010 decision in McDonald v. City of Chicago, holding that the right to keep and bear arms is fundamental and protects all Americans.

Not all of those cases are ours, of course. Many have been brought by

other organizations or individuals, or raised by defendants in criminal cases.

As with any legal issue that comes up in a large and diverse variety of situations, the arguments put forward range from convincing to frivolous. NRA-ILA’s goal in every case we consider is to strategically advance the rights of gun owners, while not creating bad precedent. To that end, we routinely consider requests from attorneys in the field, as well as seek opportunities to advance key issues with the assistance of some of America’s top appellate lawyers.

Depending on the situation, our involvement can range from being a named plaintiff in a suit, to funding and supporting a suit, to intervening and becoming a party, to participating as an amicus, or in some instances to being designated by one of the parties in a suit

to lead the oral argument.

In addition to news and updates on our current cases, future issues of the NRA-ILA Legal Update will include short, plain-English articles explaining some of the key legal concepts that affect legislation and litigation on gun issues. Unfortunately, we cannot list each case in which we are involved at the moment, nor can we list each case we’re considering. At any given time, NRAILA is involved in more than dozens of cases, amounting to millions of dollars in legal bills every year. The generosity and commitment of Second Amendment supporters make our efforts possible.

For that, all of us at NRA-ILA are deeply grateful.

Visit,www.nra.org/ilanewsletter/ Default.aspx to subscribe to the new NRA-ILA Legal Update today!

President’s Column continued from page 3 100 attendees to more than a thousand.

The result is that the Friends of NRA program stands as the most successful financial undertaking of its kind. Even the hard economic times in which we now find ourselves haven’t stopped attendees from giving to support the shooting sports. This year we are projecting that more money will be raised than last year or the year before, it’s that important to the millions of NRA supporters.

I’ll never forget the first Friends dinner I attended as an NRA officer. I showed up and went to the registration desk to identify myself to the volunteer in charge. I told her that I’d been asked to say a few words at the dinner. She looked 12 l club connection l Volume 16, Number 4

at me and said, “That’s fine, but unless you come up with forty bucks you aren’t going to get anything to eat.” Needless to say, she got my money.

But the money raised by the amazing volunteers isn’t the whole story. They are much more than simple fundraising events and far more important to the NRA family than anyone attending that first dinner could have foreseen.

If you have not yet attended a Friends of NRA event, try it for fun or even better, join a local committee. You can find a committee near you by visiting the website www.friendsofnra.org and “clicking” on your state for the dates and locations of the events near you. And

when you’re traveling and have a free evening, do what I do. Attend a local event. You’ll have a great time, help us raise the money needed to promote our values, meet new friends and swap stories with folks who share your commitment to the shooting sports and the Second Amendment.

See you there!

NRA GOLD MEDAL The NRA offers special recognition by awarding Gold Medal status to NRA affiliated organizations that promote and support the purposes, objectives, policies, and programs of the NRA. Each year numerous organizations apply to achieve the Gold Medal status; an honor presented to clubs that meet the five specific criteria.

• Be a 100% NRA Club • Have a club newsletter •Belong to the NRA State Association of your state • Have administered, or currently incorporate an NRA Youth Program within the club’s agenda • Actively participate in NRA’s Membership Recruiting Program Clubs that meet the criteria above will be awarded a plaque along with an inscribed bar pertaining to the awarded year. Current Gold Medal clubs are

encouraged to renew their status each year and will continue to receive an inscribed bar for each renewed year that follows.

Becoming a Gold Medal club is a superior status every club should strive for each year. Clubs are granted this award for its continual participation at the club level and are honored for their great efforts and support to the NRA. This elite status will also give clubs a higher preference of standing when applying for an NRA Range Grant.

The Forks Rifle Club in Grand Forks, ND, has been a continuous NRA Gold Medal Club over the past 6 years.

“Maintaining NRA Gold Medal status helps the Forks Rifle Club both directly and indirectly. By requiring individual NRA memberships, it helps the NRA continue the battle to protect our Second Amendment rights. The club

requirement provides an incentive for individuals to become members and maintain their NRA memberships, which otherwise might be overlooked. Secondly, it helps the club qualify for NRA Range Development Grants, which helps the club improve its facilities. That in turn helps the club attract more members, so everyone benefits”, said Tom Reiten, Secretary-Treasurer.

The annual deadline for the NRA Gold Medal Awards is February 15.

Applications will be mailed out to all NRA affiliated clubs that have given proof of 100% NRA Membership in the month of December. To access the application online, please go to www. nrahq.org/clubs/goldmedal.asp.

For more information please contact the NRA Clubs & Associations department at 800-672-2582 or email us at clubs@ nrahq.org.

2012 Club Recruiting Challenge

By Randy Clark, Manager NRA Recruiting Programs

Another new Club Recruiting record. That’s the goal for 2012. NRA measures its growth in membership, an area where Club Recruiters have a direct impact. The challenge for 2012 is to reach 35,000 NRA members!

Club Recruiters met the 2011 challenge by signing up over 30,000 NRA members which also resulted in $125,000 in commissions going back into club treasuries. Now we must look at how we can continue to grow NRA as an organization in preparation for the 2012 elections.

• Set goals- Set a target for success.

Exceed last year’s results by 10%.

• Go 100% and verify annually

- Every member in your club should be an NRA member, right? Convince them to sign up. If the club is already 100%, look at ways to recruit non-club members as well. Example: sign up a club member’s spouse!

• Additional Venues- Does your club have a newsletter? Include a membership application. Website? Add a membership link. Have a range? Set up a recruitment table.

Growth in your recruiting numbers means extra money in your club’s treasury and a stronger, healthier NRA. I’m looking forward to the challenge of recruiting 35,000 members through our recruiting clubs. You should be too. But

we need every club to do their part.

Are you looking for a year round way to raise funds for your club or association?

The NRA Recruiting program provides your club with a year round opportunity to raise money while strengthening the NRA. For more information on how to join the NRA Recruiting Program call us at (800) 672-0004 (option 2), email us at recruiter@nrahq.org or visit us on the web at www.NRA.org/recruiter Are you already a part of the NRA Recruiting Program? We’d like to hear from you. Please email your suggestions to recruiter@nrahq.org and tell us how we can help you recruit more members.

Volume 16, Number 4 l club connection l 13

Written By Rebecca Maples, Photos By David Stonner

Aiming for

Reprinted with permission from Missouri Conservationist: Sept. 2011

“I grew up hunting. It’s just part of me,” said Keith Haley.

Haley, a volunteer shotgun and taxidermy instructor at Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center in Bois D’arc, Mo., loves wing shooting for duck, pheasant and quail.

He has been shooting at the range for seven years, and he put in almost 300 hours of volunteer work in 2010 alone.

Haley shares his passion for hunting and shooting sports with Missourians across the state. Some of the most treasured Missouri memories have been made in tree-stands, duck blinds and camouflage. However, shooting sports are enjoyed beyond the woods and bottomlands as well.

The Missouri Department of Conservation maintains five staffed and more than 70 unstaffed shooting facilities around the state to provide fun, safe places to practice shooting and archery skills.

Missouri has a rich history of hunting and shooting sports. With more government provided shooting ranges 14 l club connection l Volume 16, Number 4

than any other state, Missouri is a national leader in public range development. Such facilities date back to 1952 when August A. Busch Memorial Wildlife Area featured the state’s first archery range. Interest in range development rose with expanding population and rural development and peaked with the rise of hunter education.

“From its beginning in 1957, hunter education has always advocated that hunters practice shooting skills and sight in their firearms and bows,” said MDC State Hunter Education and Range Coordinator Tony Legg. “Shooting ranges provide safe opportunities to do that.”

As Missourians recognized the need for safe and accessible shooting ranges, MDC began developing these ranges in 1972 with the construction of a staffed range at August A. Busch Memorial Wildlife Area in Defiance, near St. Charles.

Range development grew to include Jay Henges Shooting Range in High Ridge near St. Louis; Lake City Shooting Range in Buckner, near Independence; Andy Dalton Shooting Range outside Bois D’arc, near Springfield; and Parma Woods

Shooting Range in Parkville, near Kansas City. Combined, these five facilities serve approximately 140,000 shooters and program attendees each year.

The staffed facilities provide rifle and pistol ranges with covered booths, training and meeting rooms, outdoor skills training programs and special events. Other services vary by range and include shotgun patterning ranges; field, broadhead and 3-D archery ranges; and trap and skeet ranges.

Each staffed shooting range is also an outdoor education center that provides shooting and non-shooting programs such as fishing, camping and Dutch-oven cooking courses for the whole family. The staffed ranges offer hundreds of shooting programs each year including classes in basic shotgun and handgun, archery, trap and skeet shooting, home firearms safety and advanced wing shooting for hunters.

In addition to regular programming, staffed shooting ranges and outdoor education centers host special events. For example, this year Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center

the Future organized its eighth annual “A Day at the Range” and Outdoor Adventure Fair, a free event open to people with disabilities and their families and friends. “‘A Day at the Range’ is an opportunity for people with disabilities to enjoy nature and learn shooting and outdoor skills at their own ability levels,” said Michael Brooks, outdoor education center supervisor at Andy Dalton Shooting Range. About 600 participants in 2011 attended the event to shoot pellet guns and .22 rifles, practice archery and fishing, and participate in assisted shotgun shooting.

According to Brooks, the outdoor education center also organizes a youth and women’s dove hunt, a youth waterfowl hunt, managed deer and turkey hunts, and a deer hunt for people with disabilities. All staffed ranges and outdoor education centers support programming and events for people of different ages and backgrounds and whole families.

“The staffed shooting ranges and outdoor education centers are able to take people from the novice level and, through training, to real hunting experience in the field, which is quite an accomplishment for all involved,” Legg said, noting

the importance of training proficient, responsible hunters.

“With hunting comes responsibility,” said Jeff Cockerham, MDC Outreach & Education supervisor for the Central Region and frequent hunter-education instructor. “This responsibility includes being safe, being respectful of the animals and being respectful of other hunters.

That’s what we teach at these programs.”

Staffed shooting ranges provide a safe place for Missourians to practice shooting skills. Safety considerations include handling equipment properly, using proper eye and ear protection, and considering the welfare of fellow hunters and trail companions.

“Safety is our main priority,” Haley said. “The ranges demonstrate that with every program they have, from fishing to shooting shotguns.”

Outdoor education center supervisors at each range receive training from the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) Range Development and Operations Conference and conduct training for outdoor education center staff along with the NRA’s Range Safety Officer course for all staff. They enforce safety measures such as muzzle control,

caliber limitation, mandatory ceasefires, no fully automatic firearms and much more.

Range staff are not the only ones maintaining the safety and cleanliness of the ranges. Staffed shooting ranges and outdoor education centers rely heavily on help from volunteer instructors like Haley, along with a significant amount of maintenance work.

John Zimmerly, 2010 volunteer of the year between the two staffed St. Louisarea ranges, has donated more than 1,500 hours to Jay Henges Shooting Range since 2009. Maintenance and safety also depend on the Department’s “adopt-arange” program. Individuals, families, shooting clubs or other organizations can adopt all or part of a staffed or unstaffed range. Special signage recognizes their support.

“The ranges are for the public, and the adopt a range program allows the public to take ownership of their ranges by helping keep them clean and safe,” Legg said. A range adoption can be arranged by contacting a range manager or local MDC office.

Youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult, both as a safety Volume 16, Number 4 l club connection l 15

precaution and as a way of helping them learn as they go.

“Hunter education is one of the main drivers behind shooting ranges,” Legg said. “Once you teach people how to hunt, they need a place where they can go to become proficient. That’s one of the big reasons the Department of Conservation developed these shooting ranges.”

According to Andy Dalton Shooting Range volunteer Louis Boos, the best feature of the staffed shooting ranges is the controlled environment that assures shooters.

“Some people see unsafe shooting practices and decide they don’t want to be a part of it. Then they see how it’s done at the staffed ranges, and they know that’s the way it should be,” Boos said. “People might be doing something wrong, but the staffed ranges always have someone there to correct mistakes.”

Brooks says that is exactly the goal.

“We have trained staff who have the ability to share their passion with new people who want to be involved in hunting or shooting but don’t know how to take the first step,” Brooks said. “These facilities give people the opportunity to develop their hands-on skills through practice and programs in a safe environment.”

“The programs and services that the staffed shooting ranges offer are important both for bringing in new hunters and for bringing people back to hunting,” Cockerham said.

Many program attendees are firsttime shooters who haven’t had the opportunity to develop their skills. For example, the hunting and shooting skills of youth might be limited by parents who don’t have the knowledge to teach them. However, many parents of aspiring young shooters often rise to the challenge of developing their own skills to help their children.

“We have a lot of opportunities for current hunters to take advantage of, but we also tailor many programs and 16 l club connection l Volume 16, Number 4

events to youth and families,” Brooks said. Targeting both youth and their families opens hunting and shooting fun to multiple generations. Each staffed range has its own Web page that lists information and upcoming programs.

“These programs mentor children as well as parents, who can develop their own shooting skills while learning how to help their kids develop theirs,” Cockerham said.

Family sharing in the shooting sports is not limited to parents and children. Jack Nicholson, who has shot trap at Jay Henges Shooting Range for six years, recently began going with his wife, who enjoys shooting small-caliber pistols and throwing targets for her husband.

“I taught her to shoot years ago, but she got out of it. She got to a point where she didn’t shoot regularly like I did,” Nicholson said. “It’s enjoyable to go shooting with her. We’re both retired, and it’s something we like to do together.”

Hunting and shooting sports are fun for friends, too. Len Hoffmeister and Jim Crowe met at Jay Henges Shooting Range while Len was an employee. They began shooting together and eventually formed a weekly retired men’s shooting group, which meets every Thursday morning at the range. While practicing with friends, Hoffmeister also recognizes the importance of sharing the shooting sports among families.

“It gives people a chance to pass the shooting ability on to their children, both through the programs and by just being able to take them to the range to show them how to use a firearm properly,” Hoffmeister said.

“We have a rich heritage in Missouri of hunters and shooters, and that’s a tradition that should be maintained,” Legg said.

As the state’s population becomes more urbanized, hunters and shooters must consider how residential and commercial development could affect

open-land areas and the opportunities they provide. Missouri’s five staffed shooting ranges are located near urban areas, which offsets this threat.

However, for hunting and shooting sports to continue thriving in Missouri, the role of family and tradition cannot be underestimated.

“I think these skills need to be passed on to other generations; otherwise they’re going to die out,” Haley said. New hunters and shooters need to discover the sport to maintain both hunting heritage and the health of Missouri’s wildlife.

“Hunting is the most economical and most humane way to manage wildlife populations and avoid conflicts between animals and humans,” Legg said.

Properly managing wildlife involves preventing overpopulation and subsequent disease. It also means using ethical and humane hunting methods to do so.

“The public expects hunters to be able to make quick, clean kills on the animals they pursue. The Department of Conservation sets up hunting seasons to allow us to harvest the excess of any given population of animals. Because the public expects us to be proficient at our sport, hunters need some place to help them build those skills,” Brooks said.

“In order for us to be able to continue the aggressive management it takes to control wildlife populations, we have to bring along a new generation of hunters to take an active role in conservation.”

“Shooting ranges and education centers give people a place to go where they can feel safe and participate in the hobbies and sports they enjoy,” Haley said. “I love to see people learning how to hunt and shoot and accomplish what they set out to do. I’m glad I can be a part of it.”

For more information on Department of Conservation staffed and unstaffed shooting ranges, visit http:// mdc.mo.gov/node/6209.

Electronic Target Systems

The National Rifle Association has developed a program to increase awareness of Electronic Target Systems and their use for recreational shooting. NRA members, recreational shooters, and first time shooters will be invited to participate in events throughout the country to try shooting on electronic target systems and see how fun and enjoyable of an experience it can be.

Select clubs/ranges will host shooting events with targets provided by NRA for the purpose of educating shooters on the recreational use of electronic targets to further promote the shooting sports. NRA will administer each event and collect data/feedback from these shooting events to determine future involvement and promotion of electronic target shooting.

The first Electronic Target Event was hosted at the Illinois State Rifle Association’s (ISRA) range outside of Kankakee on Saturday, August 20. This event had a little Camp Perry in it ... a lot of happy shooters and a touch of weather to spice things up. Members of ISRA shot along side NRA President David Keene, Executive Director of General Operations Kayne Robinson and ISRA President Richard Pearson from 10 am to 5pm on Saturday.

“It was pretty wild,” said one member. “Seeing where you hit right after pulling the trigger, that was great.”

Brought to the United States by ShotResponse through their parent company SIUS Electronic Target and Scoring Systems in Switzerland, this is the same company responsible for the electronic targets they’ll be using in London for the Olympic Games in 2012. Not too shabby for an afternoon shoot in Illinois.

“We’ve been working to bring this to the public for a while,” said Glenn from ShotResponse. “It’s great to be able

to work with the NRA and provide the people here with a great shooting experience.”

Using three infrared lasers, the ShotReponse targets determines a shot’s accuracy within a few hundredths of a millimeter. Working on standard bullseye targets along with a deer and boar, it had every smiling as we printed their targets and they reviewed their success.

“I wanted to see what all the fuss was about,” said Mark from Joilet. “Even with the rain, I’m real glad I came. This was a lot of fun.”

On Saturday, October 1, Belfast Shooting Range, in Kinards, SC hosted the second event for NRA. Belfast was the first range built through the NRA Public Range Fund Grant Program, a project that encourages local and state agencies to work with NRA in order to build or improve public ranges across the United States.

A little after the sun comes up in the Palmetto State, the Belfast Range was open for an Electronic Target Hunter Sight-In Day. Thanks to the electronic targets, plinkers, recreational shooters, and serious competitors were able to come on down to Belfast and give it a try.

Each shot was reflected and scored on a monitor to your right. All you had to do is readjust your sight, get comfortable and send another round down range. After all is said and done, NRA staff was on hand to print up your targets and hand out a few goodies while supplies lasted.

Interested in attending an event in 2012? Registration is available online at www.nrahq.org/shootingrange/ electronic_target_shooting_events.asp For questions or more information, contact us at range@nrahq.org or by phone at (877) NRA RANGE.

2012 Electronic Target System Events Saturday, May 19 – Peacemaker International Training Center – Inwood, WV Saturday, September 8 – The Original PA 1000 yard Benchrest Club, Inc – Williamsport, PA Volume 16, Number 4 l club connection l 17

State Association Spotlight:

Illinois State Ri Submitted By Richard A. Pearson, Executive Director Chatsworth, Illinois

2003 marked the 100th anniversary of the Illinois State Rifle Association. As that date approached, I couldn’t help but reflect on the circumstances that motivated our founders to forge what is now, more than 100 years later, one of the most active and respected state rifle associations in the nation. Our appearance may have altered since that time, but our mission remains unchanged. Frequently, our members ask: 1) how did the ISRA come into existence? and 2) who is the ISRA? Let me take you back – to how it all began …

The need for an “organized militia” to augment the U.S. Armed forces and the irregular militia (i.e. civilians – you and me) came to fruition when in 1903 the National Guard Act was passed by the Congress and signed by President Theodore Roosevelt. The most crucial challenge at the dawn of the 20th century, President Theodore Roosevelt and the Congress agreed, would be the protection of the United States against enemies, both foreign and domestic. Their foresight rings true today, more so than ever before.

Immediately after the National Guard Act was passed, it was recognized that civilians would form the core of the nation’s defense, either as part of the U.S. military, National Guard, or irregular militia. It was reasoned that good marksmanship would be required to keep the country safe, as well as assure the survival of the individual soldier. How right they were! A soldier cannot become a good marksman overnight, in one week, or even in the course of few weeks – basic training is simply to provide rudimentary military skills required to get men and materiel to the battle. Good marksmanship would be required to win the battle, and a soldier should know the fundamentals before he ever joins the National Guard or the U.S. military.

President Roosevelt and Congress’ answer was to train civilians as marksmen – consequently, a division of the army called The National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice was formed. Initially it was not clear how the marksmanship training was to be delivered to every state – the answer came from gun owners who formed state rifle associations. On June 3, 1903, the Illinois State Rifle Association was officially formed. Its purpose was to train civilians in marksmanship 18 l club connection l Volume 16, Number 4

skills, thus preparing them for the National Guard, the U.S. military or as a better trained element of the “irregular militia.”

Since that time, we have trained thousands of marksmen who have answered the call. Training civilians has worked, and worked well. It has been American marksmanship that has turned the tide of battle against impossible odds.

The Germans found out how good the American marksmanship was in both WW I and WW II; in WW II lessons were also given to the Italians and Japanese. The same holds true for Korea, Red China, and Vietnam. On the way to Korea, some troops were given their only marksmanship instruction while aboard the ship – there wasn’t time during basic training. It was fortunate that some of them had been trained before ever entering service.

When WW II broke out, American civilians answered the call – over 300,000 trained marksmen reported for duty.

Some were too old for active combat, but not too old to train new recruits – which they did. These soldiers, who were trained in marksmanship as civilians, held the enemies of the United States back and started us on the road to victory – a fact, the news media conveniently forgets. The Illinois State Rifle Association did its part. Its members served in all theaters in WW II, including Bataan and Corregidor, where excellent marksmanship prevented the rapid take-over of the Philippine Islands, giving the United States time to prepare for the war in the Pacific.

The mission of the Illinois State Rifle Association has not changed – only the challenges have become more taxing.

One of the greater challenges, on the foreign front especially, is the way our enemies go about attacking us. The most troubling though are our domestic adversaries – they want to disarm the civilians of Illinois and to prevent us from shooting, hunting, collecting, or even owning a firearm.

As we stand at the threshold of our second century, we are continuing to promote marksmanship and gun safety, but our role is widening beyond our Founders’ wildest dreams.

Politicians, whose actions 200 years ago formed us for the

ifle Association protection of the United States, now betray us, as well as the ideals that made this country great. Hunters are attacked by animal rights activists – and the law protects those activists.

Public hunting lands, purchased by special taxes imposed on hunters, are now closed to those same hunters; mayors and other politicians whose policies have caused segments of our society to go out of control blame gun owners for their failures; radical anti-gun organizations partnering with major news media seek to make gun ownership, sport shooting, hunting, collecting, and even self-defense illegal or impossible.

As you can see, we have come a long way since our beginnings and we are still in the forefront fighting for freedom. If you believe in personal freedom and want your children to have a fighting chance to taste it, you should join the Illinois State Rifle Association. We would like to have you as a member. You have made the right decision by joining the ISRA. We hope you will go out of your way and recruit other members that you know will have the same ideals and goals.

Contact ISRA today by calling (815) 635-3198 or visit www.isra.org

And who is still there, continually standing guard? The Illinois State Rifle Association.

Volume 16, Number 4 l club connection l 19

Women on Target Women’s Shotgun Clinic was a hit

Written By Kristen Monroe, WOTÂŽ Volunteer

W

hile many bowhunters sat in their treestands on October 1st, 14 women sat in a classroom as eight NRA instructors volunteered to teach them how to shot a shotgun. Many in the room never shot one before; some were there to brush up on their skills, though everyone was there to have fun. NRA instructor of 25 years, Kevin Monk and Executive Director of the Illinois State Rifle Association, Richard Pearson, made a dynamic duo as they taught and we all sat as students. Although some of us were already familiar with gun safely rules and shooting a shotgun, we all sat attentive and fully alert. The best students are the

20 l club connection l Volume 16, Number 4

ones that always take new things away from a lesson even if they think they have already heard it before. A good friend once told me, the best lessons in life are the ones you learn after you think you already know it all.

Surrounding yourself with knowledgeable and most importantly safe people is essential if you want to better yourself as an outdoor enthusiast. The first lesson we covered was of course gun safety.

Pearson and Monk worked well together as they joked back and forth. The best teachers can take a serious subject and entertain us in an impressionable way. After a thorough lesson in safety, we became well-

informed about shotgun characteristics. Selecting a shotgun to fit, ammunition, and how your shotgun works were all part of the classroom lessons.

I was disappointed earlier in the year as I searched for a new shotgun and could not get a straight answer on proper fit.

I knew it had something to do with length of pull, I just wasn’t exactly sure what it was. Pearson explained how to find a proper fitting shotgun. Bend your arm 90 degrees, then measure from the inside of the elbow, straight down the forearm to the middle of the pad on your trigger finger. Knowledgeable gun shops will always measure your length of pull when deciding what size stock will fit you best. If you can successfully reach the trigger while the butt of the gun is next to the inside of your elbow you have the right size. The brand new shotgun I purchased earlier in the year turned out to be a tad too long. Now I have an excuse to get a new one, and it will be a 12 gauge not a 20.

My confidence level is higher knowing the 5 fundamentals of shotgun shooting. It is much more enjoyable shooting a shotgun being consistent and effectively avoiding injury.

The five fundementals: 1.Stance-must be comfortable, align your body with expected target breaking area, bend your front knee slightly 2. Gun ready position-posture you adopt before shooting, grip the stock the same every time 3. Swing to target-keep both eyes focused on the target 4. Trigger pull-with the pad of your finger to the back of the gun 5. Follow through-the trigger should be pulled when the gun is moving and continue to move after the shot is fired We had a lesson on cleaning your gun after talking about grip, stance and positioning. Before you clean the gun make sure that it is not loaded and the action is open. For those of you cleaning your guns with WD-40, you had better find a new cleaner. Never use anything water based to clean your gun. Make certain you are using oil based cleaner and never mix them. Some of the chemicals can cause a reaction and you could ruin your barrel. They have special wipes to clean hands after handling lead. If you wash your hands to clean the lead off use cold water not hot, because hot water opens your pores and more lead gets absorbed into the body. Always be sure to clear

any obstructions in your barrel before you shoot. Monk’s friend saw that a spider had spun a web inside the barrel of his shotgun so he decided to shoot the spider out. The gun blew up in his face; the spider had won that battle.

The Illinois State Rifle Association fed us lunch and we were off to the range to put our shotgun knowledge to the test. This is when the class became even more fun. All of us gathered around the clay targets and listened to a quick safety review. Pearson and Monk had us stand in a line and point at a clay target that was launched. “Follow the moving target with your finger, that’s exactly what you want to do with your shotgun,” said Pearson.

“Keep your head down and move the shotgun pivoting from the waist up, not with your arms.” We all took turns shooting one-by one. The camaraderie of the class was fantastic, broken clays were followed by clapping and cheering by all. Monk continued to give lessons while each lady shot. We were taught to bring the stock of the gun to your face; don’t bring your face to your gun. It’s important to keep your face welded to the stock while following your target.

One of my classmates Diane Braner said, “I am scared to death; I haven’t fired a shotgun in 26 years.” Little did she know when she stepped up to shoot, Pearson said, “Diane is going to make a really good shooter.”

He could just tell her by her stance and her tenacity going after the clays. All the nervousness for nothing, she busted 4 out of 5 clays. Everyone had their own certified NRA instructors to assist, my instructor Gary Crank, had over 25 year’s experience.

Do not focus on your sight while shooting, keep your eyes on the target and point with your shotgun. In the past, I had always shut my left eye while shooting because I am right handed and left eyed dominate. One of the instructors put tape on my shooting glasses to cover my left eye. If I closed my left eye, my right eye would get over worked and tired. My shooting improved quite a bit after making a mock patch on my safety glasses.

All the women were grateful for the lessons and thanked the NRA instructors for volunteering their time. Hopefully you will make a call to the Illinois State Rifle Association to renew or obtain a membership; after all, they are fighting for your 2nd Amendment rights. You might get the chance to talk with Lori Shafer. Shafer said, “Richard is a very smart man who loves to teach people and it shows.” Visit www.isra.org to find out more.

Volume 16, Number 4 l club connection l 21

>>

TAX EXEMPT STATUS AND YOUR CLUB

Part II. The Effect of Tax Exempt Status

By Stefan B. Tahmassebi, Deputy General Counsel, NRA

Tax exempt status provides that income to the club, obtained during the course of its activities in furtherance of its tax exempt status, is not taxable. However, tax exempt status does not mean that all the income the organization receives is tax exempt. The organization’s “unrelated business income” will still be taxed even though the club has qualified as a Section 501(c) tax exempt organization. If income is derived from a trade or business, regularly carried on, that is not substantially related to the charitable, educational or other tax exempt purpose of the organization, then such income is taxable “unrelated business income.” Section 511 of the Internal Revenue Code imposes a federal tax on such unrelated business income. (This unrelated business income tax is often referred to as UBIT.) Therefore, certain income of the club may be taxable even if the organization is tax exempt. The idea is that a tax exempt organization should not be allowed to have an unfair advantage when competing in the commercial sector.

While it is legal for a tax exempt organization to have this type of income, it will be taxed under Section 511 of the IRC as UBIT. But be careful; if the IRS judges that the unrelated business income received by the tax exempt organization surpasses a certain threshold, the club may be endangering its tax exempt status. The IRS will look at the proportional amount of such unrelated business income relative to the organization’s non-taxable income (such as dues, fees, donations, etc.) to determine its tax status.

The fact that a tax exempt organization makes money in some of its activities does not mean that the organization

22 l club connection l Volume 16, Number 4

Copyright © 2011

must be treated as a business for profit. Thus, a tax exempt organization may make money by selling something but devote the money to the organization’s ultimate purposes, in which case “the unrelated business activity” is to be treated as a business operation (e.g. it is taxable) but the organization’s overall nonprofit status continues. You should consult with a tax attorney or a certified public accountant when planning your tax exempt organization’s finances, income and tax returns.

Please note that 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(7) status does not entitle a donor to seek a tax deduction for his donations. Only a Section 501(c)(3) (charitable, educational, religious) status organization can offer a donor that benefit. Seeking Section 501(c)(3) status is more complicated than seeking 501(c)(7) or 501(c)(4) status. The IRS often turns down applicants for 501(c)(3) status and requires them to jump through more hoops to obtain this status.

Note that all 501(c) tax exempt organizations must file an annual income tax return with the IRS. If the tax exempt organization’s gross income is $50,000 or less, the organization must file the Form 990-N (the e-post card), which asks only eight questions. If the Tax exempt organization has income greater than $50,000, it has to file either the Form 990EZ or the Form 990. The failure to file tax returns may result in the revocation of the organization’s tax-exempt status, and the failure to do so for three consecutive years will automatically result in such a revocation. Revocation may result in the taxing of the organization’s revenues.

God In The Hunt - Field Day 2011-

A Tremendous Success Submitted By Van McCall Snipesville, Georgia

Van McCall and McCall Ministries has been involved in ministry outreaches throughout the Southeast for 28 years, one of which is a Christian Character Development program - God in the Hunt. This program reinforces biblical based character development in youth through the platform of shooting and hunting activities. On October 1st , 2011, McCall Ministries presented the 7th edition of our “God In The Hunt Field Day”, the kickoff event for our hunting season. The day featured a field day in which area youth and their guardians will join together to participate in shooting stations with hunting themes designed to reinforce basic biblical themes, and to promote safety, ethics and morality in hunting and in life. God in the Hunt has a vision of investing into the spiritual, moral and ethical development of today’s youth.

This year’s was a tremendous success with twice the youth registered of any year in the past. We had 119 youth and 250 total youth and adults in attendance. Activities included Skeet, Ocmulgee Primitive Knifes, BB Gun, .22 Rifle; 3D Archery Range , Hunting Games (With the Water

Balloon Launcher Hunt), “Loud River’s Primitive Blacksmith and Black Powder Demonstration & “Word In The Woods.”

All events are designed to reinforce basic biblical themes, to promote safety and ethical hunting and integrity in life.

We would like to thank all of our sponsors and those making donations to make this day and all of our youth hunts a reality. Our organization’s 4 visions (Bible Based Character development; Spanning the generation gap; Safety and legal hunting training and Fun) are a reality due to our sponsors.

Remember that every time you go into the field to hunt, if you look you will find “God In The Hunt.” For more information check out our newly updated website & Calendar of events - www.mccallministries.org (then click on God In the Hunt logo at bottom). Also give us a call at 912-375-7614 and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube (search for Van McCall).

The God in the Hunt headquarters is in Jeff Davis County, Georgia 12 miles South from Hazlehurst in community of Snipesville, GA.

Volume 16, Number 4 l club connection l 23

NRA Competitive Shooting Division Unveils NRA Club Champion Challenge Program

NRA’s Competitive Shooting Division is unveiling the NRA Club Champion Challenge, a new recreational shooting event for people of all ages and skill levels held at the local clubs and ranges.

Geared towards local shooting clubs, ranges, and civic organizations, the NRA Club Champion Challenge is a fun and informal way to encourage recreational and competitive shooters to try a variety of disciplines and courses of fire. This friendly form of competition promotes participation among club or range members to compete in various courses of fire for awards and bragging rights.

The NRA Club Champion Challenge is not a high level competition using state-of-the-art competitive equipment.

Rather, the program is designed for all shooters, from beginners up to expert-level competitors. Through the NRA Club Champion Challenge, participants compete side-by-side, promoting sportsmanship and the ability for seasoned competitors to mentor those who are less experienced.

“New grassroots programs such as the NRA Club Champion Challenge are a fantastic way to get shooters of all skill levels out on the firing line,” said Mike Krei, Director of NRA Competitive Shooting. “This is a recreational and fun event designed to encourage participation and introduce people to competitive shooting or new disciplines.”

NRA created the courses of fire for the program and provides awards including champion belt buckles and medals for top finishers. Fourteen different courses of fire are offered through the NRA Club Champion Challenge and only three courses of fire are required to hold an event.

Fees for participation in an NRA Club Champion Challenge are just $10 per competitor and $5 for juniors. Any club or organization can participate and courses of fire are designed to be configured at any range. NRA membership is not a prerequisite to hold or participate in an NRA Club Champion Challenge event.

For more information on the NRA Club Champion Challenge including program standards and courses of fire, visit www.nraclubchamp.com or contact NRA’s Competitive Shooting Division at 877-NRA-MATCH or compadmin@nrahq. org. You can view an informative brochure online here: http://issuu.com/compshoot/docs/nraclubchamp/1

24 l club connection l Volume 16, Number 4

2 0 1 2

NRA Club Leadership

&

Development Webinar Series

Online Webcasts All webcasts - 1pm EST January 26 - Friends of NRA/ Grants/ Y.E.S. February 16 - NRA Endorsed Insurance March 22 - Youth/ Competitive Shooting

NRA Club Leadership & Development Webinar

May 24 - Communication/ Media Relations July 19 - Ranges/ NRA Business Alliance September 27 - NRA - ILA Update November 8 - Membership Retention/Recruitment December 13- Clubs & Associations Wrap-Up

2012 NRA Annual Meeting - St. Louis, MO NRA Clubs & Associations Workshop - April 15

Interested in learning more about how to make your club more successful? Learn how NRA can help! Join us to learn how to apply for grant funding, grow your membership, and develop club leadership! These one-hour webinar sessions will provide you with information on how NRA can help you with everything essential to club operation.

These webinars are for not just for club officers, so be sure to forward these dates to any club member interested in tuning in.

Can’t make these dates? Check back our website for links to pre-recorded webinars on the sessions in 2012

For more information and to register, please visit www.nrahq.org/club_university/registration.asp or call (800) NRA-CLUB Volume 16, Number 4 l club connection l 25

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Volume 16, Number 4 l club connection l 27

NRA - Affiliated Alabama State Rifle & Pistol Association

2244 Central Point Pkwy Birmingham, AL 35215 • Mr. James Moses, President J.moses1@comcast.net • Mr. Ramon J. Samaniego, Jr. Secretary/Treasurer 256-534-2644 www.alabamaservicerifleteam.com

Alaska Outdoor Council, Inc. PO Box 1069 Wasilla, AK 99687 907-841-6849 • Mr. Rod Arno, Executive Director aoc@alaskaoutdoorcouncil.org www.alaskaoutdoorcouncil.org

Arizona State Rifle & Pistol Association PO Box 74424 New River, AZ 85087 623-687-4251 • Mr. Noble C. Hathaway, President president@asrpa.com • Mr. Ed Roberts, Vice President edroberts@cox.net www.asrpa.com

Arkansas Rifle & Pistol Association PO Box 2348 Conway, AR 72033 501-327-4702 • Mr. David Joyner, President 479-263-6665 davidj@specent.com • Ms. Ann Fairless, Sec./Treas. annfairless@sbcglobal.net www.arpa-online.org

California Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc.

• Mr. Silvio M. Montanarella, President s.montanarella@crpa.org • Mr. John C. Fields, Executive Director jcfields@crpa.org www.crpa.org

Colorado State Shooting Association

609 W. Littleton Blvd, Ste 206 Littleton, CO 80120 720-283-1376 • Mr. Tony Fabian, President 303-663-9339 office tony@ajfabianlaw.com • Mr. David Gill, Vice President dave@dgillphoto.com www.cssa.org

Connecticut State Rifle & Revolver Association

PO Box 754 North Haven, CT 06473 • Mr. Brad Palmer, President 860-480-4600

28 l club connection l Volume 16, Number 4

csrra.president@gmail.com • Mr. Randy Bieler, Director 203-272-1725 cablerandy@snet.net www.csrra.com

Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association PO Box 1786 Wilmington, DE 19899 302-764-6899 • Mr. John J. Thompson, President Lawman515@comcast.net • Mr. Daniel Lindberg, Vice President 302-475-4228 nanadear@verizon.net www.delsports.net

Florida Sport Shooting Association, Inc.

PO Box 14024 Jacksonville, FL 32238 • Mr. Thomas Brusherd, President president2009@flssa.org • Mr. Michael D. Langfield, Secretary secretary2009@flssa.org www.flssa.org

Georgia Sport Shooting Association

PO Box 1733 Macon, GA 31202 478-275-2752 • Barbara Senbertrand, President beeranch@btconline.net • Mr. Tom E. Patton, Sec./Treasurer gssasectres@charter.net www.gssa.com

Hawaii Rifle Association

PO Box 543 Kailua, HI 96734 808-261-2754 info line • Mr. Harvey F. Gerwig, President hghawaii@gmail.com • Bill Richter, Secretary itsmeblr@gmail.com www.hawaiirifleassociation.org

Idaho State Rifle & Pistol Association • Mr. Neill Goodfellow, President njg308@fmtc.com • Mr. Jon Carter, Secretary jon@class3firearms.com www.idahosrpa.org

Illinois State Rifle Association, Inc.

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PO Box 637 Chatsworth, IL 60921 815-635-3198 office 815-635-3723 fax Mr. Richard Pearson, Exec. Dir. executive@isra.org Mr. Donald A. Moran, President donm@isra.org

www.isra.org

Indiana State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. c/o 7527 State Route 56 Rising Sun, IN 47040 812-534-3258 • Mr. Jerry Wehner, Executive VP vp@isrpa.org • Mr. William B. Thomas, Secretary 812-948-8226 billed2@insightbb.com www.isrpa.org

Iowa State Rifle & Pistol Association

240 Prospect Road North Liberty, IA 52317-9660 319-626-2710 • Mr. Bill Besgrove, Secretary besgrove@iowastateriflepistol.org • Mr. John Klopfenstein, President klopfenstein@iowastateriflepistol. org www.iowastateriflepistol.org

Kansas State Rifle Association

PO Box 219 Bonner Springs, KS 66012-0219 • Ms. Patricia Stoneking, President 913-667-3044 PStoneking@ksraweb.org • Ms. Elizabeth Brown, Secretary 913-608-1910 info@ksraweb.org www.ksraweb.net

League of Kentucky Sportsmen, Inc.

2500NRA Handy’s Bend Clubs & Road Associations Wilmore, KY 40390 • Rev.National Tom Cottingim, NRA Liaison Rifle Association t.cottingim@insightbb.com Attn: Clubs & Associations • Mr. Mark President 11250Nethery, Waples Mill Road markn11501@bellsouth.net Fairfax,VA 22030 www.kentuckysportsmen.com (800) NRA – CLUB (672-2582) (703) 267-3939 fax Louisiana Shooting clubs@nrahq.org Association

350 Quill Court Editors: Slidell, LA 70461 Elizabeth Bush, National Manager 985-781-4174 Clubs, Associations, & Range Services • Mr. Daniel Zelenka II, President Ebush@nrahq.org (703) 267-1348 dzelenka@louisianashooting.com • Mr. Danny Hudson, Secretary Son Nguyen, Marketing Manager danohudson@bellsouth.net Snguyen@nrahq.org (703) 267-1345 www.louisianashooting.com Design layout: (Maine) Pine&Tree State Rifle & Melissa Betts, Marketing Coordinator Pistol Association, Inc. Mbetts@nrahq.org (703) 267-1343 • Mr. Ronald Vaillancourt, President ronval@roadrunner.com • Mr. Angus N. Norcross, Treasurer gusnor@roadrunner.com www.mainerpa.org

State Associations Maryland State Rifle & Pistol Association 832 Bear Cabin Drive Forest Hill, MD 21050-2734 • Mr. Richard Kussman, President rkussma@msrpa.org • Mr. Douglas Self, 1st Vice President dself@msrpa.org www.msrpa.org

(Massachusetts) Gun Owners’ Action League – G.O.A.L. PO Box 567, 37 Pierce Street Northboro, MA 01532 508-393-5333 office 508-393-5222 fax • Mr. James Wallace, Executive Director jimwallace@goal.org • Mr. Jon Green, Jr., Dir. Training & Edu. jongreen@goal.org www.goal.org

Michigan Rifle & Pistol Association PO Box 485 Richmond, MI 48062 586-727-1977 • Mr. Leo Cebula, President icebula@hotmail.com • Mr. Gary Duda, Sec./Tres. keduda@provide.net www.michrpa.com

Minnesota Rifle & Revolver Association, Inc. MRRA Secretary 4737 CR 101, Box 114 Minnetonka, MN 55345-2634 • Mr. George Minerich, President george.minerich@q.com www.mrra.org

Mississippi State Firearm Owners Association

• Mr. Douglas Bowser, President douglasmbowser@yahoo.com • Ms. Deborah Withers, Secretary debbie@withersplace.com www.msfoa.com

Missouri Sport Shooting Association

PO Box 10170 Columbia, MO 65205-4002 573-449-2849 • Lee Koester, Secretary/Treasurer leekoester@hotmail.com • Mr. Kevin Jamison, President kjamison@missourisportshooting.org www.missourisportshooting.org

Montana Rifle & Pistol Association

PO Box 48 Ramsay, MT 59748 406-782-3450 • Mr. Jamey Williams, President jameydan@gmail.com

• Ms. Zona Mowrer, Sec./Membership secretary@mtrpa.org www.mtrpa.org

Nebraska Marksmanship Association

13105 Sky Park Drive Omaha, NE 68137 402-933-4881 • Mr. Bill J. Keil, President hpinne@cox.net • Mr. W. Aaron Woehler, Secretary wawoehler@msn.com www.nemarksmanship.org

Nevada State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. 5575 Simmons St, Ste I-176 North Las Vegas, NV 89031 • Mr. Don Turner, President don@nvfac.org • Mrs. Megan Ferrante, Secretary megan@nvfac.org www.nsrpa.us

Gun Owners of New Hampshire, Inc.

P.O. Box 847 Concord, NH 03302-0487 603-225-4664 (GO-NH) • Mr. Mitch Kopacz, President president@gonh.org • Mr. Ralph Demicco, Vice President www.gonh.org

Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs, Inc.

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5 Sicomac Road, Suite 292 North Haledon, NJ 07508 Mr. Scott L. Bach, President sbach@mindspring.com Ms. Kathy Chatterton, Exec. VP www.anjrpc.org

New Mexico Shooting Sports Association, Inc. PO Box 30850 Albuquerque, NM 87190-0850 505-856-6574 • Mr. Anthony Trennel, President ttrennel@msn.com • Ms. Karma Whelchel, Treasurer 505-872-5364 karmaw@howardcpa.com www.nmssa.org

New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc.

90 S. Swan Street, Suite 395 Albany, NY 12210 518-424-1349 518-449-1332 fax • Mr. Tom H. King, President tomkingnra@gmail.com • Mr. Joseph P. DeBergalis, Jr., VP jpd556@hotmail.com www.nysrpa.org

North Carolina Rifle & Pistol Association P.O. Box 4116 Pinehurst, NC 28374 910-295-2480 • Mr. David McFarling, President dhmcfarling@mindspring.com • Mr. David Prest, Membership Sec. 910-639-4742 office dprest@pinehurst.net www.ncrpa.org

North Dakota Shooting Sports Association

PO Box 228 Bismark, ND 58502-0028 • Mr. Eric Pueppke, President cpueppke@polarcom.com • Mr. James Ladwig, Vice President james@curtslock.com www.ndssa.org

Ohio Rifle & Pistol Association

P.O. Box 43083 Cincinnati, OH 45243-0083 513-891-1325 • Ms. Gwen Bailey, President Gwen175@neo.rr.com • Mr. Keith V. Bailey, Secretary kvbguns@msn.com www.orpa.net

Oklahoma Rifle Association

P.O. Box 850602 Yukon, OK 73085-0602 405-324-8498 • Mr. Charles Smtih, Executive Director 405-324-2450 office/fax okgun@cox.net • Mr. Rick N. Baker, Secretary 405-867-4460 x239 office/fax rbaker@burford.com www.oklarifle.org

Oregon State Shooting Association • Mr. Tim Pitzer, Vice President ossavp@ossa.org • Mr. Stan Pate, President president@ossa.org www.ossa.org

Pennsylvania Rifle & Pistol Association • Mr. Jack Lee, President 724-865-2597 phone/fax prpaleg@zoominternet.net • Mrs. Becky Dutra, Secretary jbd10@verizon.net www.pennarifleandpistol.org

Rhode Island State Rifle & Revolver Association

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PO Box 8537 Cranston, RI 02920 Ms. Gail Hogan, Secretary gahogan777@hotmail.com

Volume 16, Number 4 l club connection l 29

NRA-affiliated state associations www.risrara.org

Gun Owners of South Carolina

Virginia Shooting Sports Association

PO Box 211 Little Mountain, SC 29075 • Mr. Gerald Stoudemire, President 1mgs@sc.rr.com • Ms. Peggy Bodner mbodner@comporium.net www.gosc.org

P.O. Box 1258 Orange, VA 22960 540-672-5848 • Mr. Lucien Charette, Executive Director vssamain@verizon.net • Ms. Andrea T. Smith, Sec./Treas. andrea.smith@myvssa.org www.myvssa.orgsa.

South Dakota Shooting Sports Association

Washington State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc.

PO Box 3 Dell Rapids, SD 57022 605-428-5488 • Mr. Dan Anderson, Comm. Dir. dan@sdshootingsports.org • Mr. Tom Raines, President tom@sdshootingsports.org www.sdshooting.org

Tennessee Shooting Sports Association, Inc.

6653 Jocelyn Hollow Road Nashville, TN 37205 • Dr. Ray Harvey, President 615-352-3954 tnssa@earthlink.net • Mr. Eugene Paranick, Membership Dir. eparanick@comcast.net www. tennesseeshootingsportsassociation.org

Texas State Rifle Association

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314 E. Highland Mall Blvd., Ste 300 Austin, TX 78752 512-615-4200 office Mr. Stephen Hall, Exec. Director 512-615-4116 office execdir@tsra.com • Mr. Robert Butler, President butlerra@gvtc.com www.tsra.com

Utah State Rifle & Pistol Association

4834 Van Buren Avenue Ogden, UT 84403 801-449-9763 office 801-476-8274 fax • Mr. Elwood P. Powell, President 1dpowell@sisna.com • Mr. Ralph Schamel, Vice President 801-277-4016 ralph@xmission.com www.usrpa.org

P.O. Box 382 DuPont, WA 98327 • Mr. Duane Hatch, Secretary secretary@wsrpa.org • Mr. James Crosier, Vice President vicepresident@wsrpa.org www.wsrpa.org

West Virginia State Rifle & Pistol Association P.O. Box 2504 Buckhannon, WV 26201 304-472-5174 • Ms. Amy Tenney, Treasurer buckhannon@hotmail.com • Mr. Gary Bailey, President GLBFarm@aol.com www.wvasrpa.org

Wisconsin Firearm Owners, Ranges, Clubs and Educators • Mr. Jeff Nass, President 920-687-0505 president@wi-force.org • Mr. Gary Nichols, Secretary 262-246-3317 gnichols@wi-rr.com www.wi-force.org

WYOMING STATE SHOOTING ASSOCIATION, INC.

PO Box 94 Guernsey, WY 82214 • Mr. Mark Spungin, President • Mrs. Beverly Spungin, Vice President 307-836-2188 • Mr. Roger Sebesta, Secretary/Treasurer wssa@wyoming.com www.wyossa.com

Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Inc.

PO Box 225 Lyndonville, VT 05851 • Mr. Clint Gray, President 802-467-8445 • Mr. Evan Hughes, Vice President VTGUNS@aol.com www.vtfsc.org

30 l club connection l Volume 16, Number 4

NRA Endorsed Insurance Program Participant

NRA Field Representative Directory EASTERN REGION ●Eastern Regional Director Area 1 (ME, NH, VT, N. NY) Area 2 (NY) Area 3 (CT, MA, RI, Lower NY) Area 4 (DE, Eastern PA) Area 5 (Western PA) Area 6 (MD, NJ) Area 7 (DC, Western VA, WV) Area 8 (Eastern NC) Area 42 (Western NC) Area 45 (Eastern VA)

Brian Hyder Lauralee Lynch Jay Rusnock Eric Bieler Kory Enck Thomas Baldrige Brian Swartz Jim Kilgore Lloyd Edwards Robert Doug Merrill David Wells

276-579-9858 207-375-5143 845-298-7233 860-426-1478 717-689-3200 724-861-0447 973-343-2104 304-255-2916 419-234-0538 828-628-0410 434-696-2189

CENTRAL REGION ●Central Regional Director Area 12 (Southern OH) Area 14 (IN) Area 15 (KY) Area 17 (WI) Area 18 (Northern IL) Area 19 (MO) Area 43 (TN) Area 49 (Northern OH) Area 51 (Southern MI) Area 52 (Southern IL)

Philip Gray Bryan Hoover Steve Teutsch Larry Summarell, Jr. Scott Taetsch Michael F. Huber Gregg Pearre Mike Webb Marc Peugeot Allan Herman Chad Franklin

740-773-4119 740-297-4255 317-946-7260 270-586-5031 715-873-3360 815-652-0033 573-761-5466 901-382-4789 419-636-3171 989-686-3013 217-536-6978

Al Hammond Dale Carwile Brad Ward Howell Lancaster Dick Kingsafer Gene Newman Chris Griffin Liz Foley Greg Stephens Jack Cannon Tom Knight

386-462-5421 864-223-9900 770-228-8218 904-388-9782 601-794-0068 205-489-1288 817-637-4574 936-273-6397 479-705-1815 325-617-4460 941-923-7676

Tom Ulik Darren DeLong Scott Lembke Tim Bacon Rick Chrisman Peter Ide Joseph Crismore David Manzer Gwen Chermack Clay Pederson

509-895-9407 405-692-8672 218-844-2000 515-576-1285 913-294-9956 505-281-6721 406-293-2498 307-746-2520 719-539-9574 701-522-9622

Brad Kruger Donna Cassity VACANT Steve Vreeland Mike Carey Daniel Wilhelm Mike Davis Jason Quick Marc Steinke Keifer Lewis Steve Wilson

907-299-0784 520-316-0620 VACANT 208-286-0950 541-385-9404 707-994-5877 714-368-0451 805-239-4246 719-322-4072 360-985-7749 209-847-4826

SOUTHERN REGION ●Southern Regional Director Area 9 (SC) Area 10 (GA) Area 11 (Northern FL) Area 16 (LA, Southern MS) Area 22 (AL) Area 25 (Northern TX) Area 26 (Southern TX) Area 39 (AR, Northern MS) Area 47 (Western TX) Area 48 (Southern FL)

MID WEST REGION ●Mid West Regional Director Area 20 (OK) Area 21 (MN) Area 23 (IA, NE) Area 24 (KS) Area 27 (NM) Area 28 (MT) Area 29 (WY) Area 30 (CO) Area 41 (ND, SD) WESTERN REGION ●Western Regional Director Area 31 (AZ) Area 32 (S. ID, Eastern NV, UT) Area 33 (Northern ID, Eastern WA) Area 34 (HI, OR) Area 35 (Northern CA) Area 36 (Southern CA, S. NV) Area 37 (Central CA) Area 38 (AK) Area 40 (Western WA) Area 46 (E. CA, W. NV)

Volume 16, Number 4 l club connection l 31

Nonprofit Org U.S. POSTAGE PAID Dullas, VA Permit No. 67

Club Connection National Rifle Association 11250 Waples Mill Road Fairfax, VA 22030

NRA Needs Your Updated Info To ensure that your mailing is properly sent and online listing remains up-to-date, please be sure that your club and/or business affiliation is continually updated with the NRA Clubs and Associations Department.

Club officer contact information is current each term Mailing address Phone number E-mail address

Please call (800) NRA-CLUB or email clubs@nrahq.org to update your affiliations information