PAFOA Mission Statement Version 1.0 - Need constructive criticism and comments.

[danp]

Ok guys, we're starting to think that it's time that we move beyond our forum and start actually doing things. As some people have seen we've talked about incorporating as a 501(c)4 Non-Profit Organization and a few of you expressed interest in writing about what we actually want to do.

I've been educating myself over the past few weeks on the ins and outs of running an NPO and I went ahead and wrote a mission statement that reflects what I would personally like to see the PAFOA embody. I'd really like your guys thoughts and comments on it.

The mission of the Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association is to preserve the rights of firearm owners in the State of Pennsylvania as guaranteed by Article 21 of the Pennsylvania State Constitution and the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. To achieve this goal the Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association will participate, and encourage its members to participate in the political process through activism, lobbying, and voter education.

In addition to our primary goal, the Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association also seeks to provide the public with the necessary resources to educate themselves on the safe and legal ownership of firearms.

I think that that mission statement is narrow wenough to give the group a focus but still broad enough to let us grow as we figure out exactly what path we will take in a month, a year, a decade and beyond.

So what do you all think? Does this sound like a group that you'd be proud to be a part of? Do you think that if we can do what we're talking about that we would be a beneficial force to firearm owners in the state? Let's hear it.

[billamj]

That certainly sounds good to me Dan. I like the emphasis on education in both the primary statement and in the secondary phrase. I don't think any major anti could argue that too much.

[ChamberedRound]

Looks good Dan.

[TotalNewbie]

Thanks for doing this Dan! Looks good! I know how hard i can be to put administrative documents like this together.

In the second paragraph you talk about activity that leads to education of public. While I certainly agree that public will benefit from our activity, I think that most members woud agree that our activity on this forum, or at any future get togethers promotes safety, responsible gun ownership, and enjoyment of shooting among the members themselves. Can we amend the second paragraph to include club member as being receipients of our beneficial activities? (I for one, am learning quite a bit on this forum!)

Thanks again for doing this!

[exceltoexcel]

+1 from me!

[GRoPA]

Looks good Dan. Good job!

[klpolk3]

+1 Very well said!

[dmg1969]

I like it. I have just a few ideas, if you would humor me.

1. In the first sentence, I would change the word protect to preserve. Protect seems a bit defensive.

2. Also in the first sentence...maybe add the word "legal" (before firearm owners).

Other than that, it looks good. I had played with the idea of suggesting one small phrase regarding the history behind firearms for those not familiar. Let me run it by you.

Throughout history, firearms have been one of Man's greatest tools. They have been a tool of both sport and necessity, whether that necessity has been hunting for food, fighting for your country in war or protecting your loved ones from criminals. It is hard to imagine life in historic or modern times without the firearm.

Just my two cents.

Dave G.

[IceFire]

Looks good to me. Thanks for doing this, Dan, and count me in!

[danp]

Originally Posted by dmg1969

1. In the first sentence, I would change the word protect to preserve. Protect seems a bit defensive.

Good catch, I agree and have changed it accordingly.

Originally Posted by dmg1969

2. Also in the first sentence...maybe add the word "legal" (before firearm owners).

I had thought about that too, but here lies the problem: Tomorrow they pass a law banning guns. Does that mean we stop trying to preserve firearm rights because the current law means there are no 'legal firearm owners' anymore? I think it will be evident through our site and our actions that we're not here to try to make sure al qaeda has unfettered access to firearms.

Originally Posted by dmg1969

Other than that, it looks good. I had played with the idea of suggesting one small phrase regarding the history behind firearms for those not familiar. Let me run it by you.
...

I like the phrase, but for the purpose of a NPO Mission Statement it doesn't really belong, I will probably include something similar to that in a more general "About the PAFOA" page.