Officer and Board of Director's Elections: Branch Valley FGFA, Perkasie PA

**Karys** · November 1st, 2015, 06:57 PM

I am writing to the members of the Branch Valley Fish, Game and Forestry Association who may also be members of this board. I am seeking your vote in the upcoming board of director’s election which will be held in December. I am running against the current chairman of the outdoor range committee.

I am seeking this position due to the new rules that have been implemented by the board and officers of the club that include firearms cannot be loaded with more than ten rounds and there must be at least one second between shots. I am opposed to these rule changes because I cannot believe that an NRA affiliated club would impose range rules which contain the parts of the worst gun control law that our great country has ever been subjected to, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, otherwise known as the Federal Assault Weapons Ban (AWB). I am tired of the conscientious and safe members of the club being punished for the negligence or ignorance of others. More importantly, I am opposed to the way these rules were implemented. These rules changes were not communicated to the membership at large and were implemented with no input from the members.

It appears that our current leadership has held their positions too long and is no longer running the club for the benefit of the general members. The board of directors and officers at Branch Valley seem to have forgotten that their position in our organization is to serve all the members of the club and not just those that share their individual interests in the shooting sports. By enacting the current rules, it appears that the current leadership believes that the members of this club are not capable of safely using firearms and that our intent is to destroy club property while using the club facilities.

I have been an avid shooter and hunter for the last 21 years. I am a life member of the NRA and have been an NRA certified instructor for the last 15 years. I am certified to teach home firearms safety, basic pistol and personal protection inside the home. I have taught between two and five courses per year since I have been certified. I have competed in IDPA and GSSF matches as well as a few local NRA High Power Rifle and bullseye pistol matches. I hunt just about every big and small game species that is legal to hunt here in Pennsylvania with almost all means of equipment including archery, centerfire rifle and pistol, and flintlock for big game and shotgun, and rimfire rifle and pistol for small game. I have also hunted in Maine and South Carolina and I am a lifelong fisherman.

If elected to the board, I will do my best to ensure that the interests of all members are represented when leadership decisions are made. I believe I can do this because, unlike our current leadership, I use all the club facilities and participate in all the disciplines that are available to club members.

I do realize that I will not be able to turn the club around single handedly. If there are other members out there that feel the same way I do, please consider coming to the membership meeting this Tuesday, November 3rd at 7:30 PM and nominating others to run against the current leadership. You may nominate yourself for a position. All nominations are closed after the November meeting is concluded. Also, please attend the December membership meeting and encourage as many others that you know to attend and vote for me and others running against the incumbent leadership. As of right now, I am the only person nominated to run for any board member or officer position.

I would be happy to discuss any thoughts or concerns in this thread or via PM. I look forward to meeting you and thank you for your support.

**comsubin61** · November 1st, 2015, 08:04 PM

Finally. I would consider rejoining if the current leadership is removed.
Thank you for running.

**Karys** · November 1st, 2015, 08:21 PM

Unfortunately you are not alone. These rule changes and the way they were done was the straw that broke the camel's back for me.

Please put the word out to any members you know.

Thanks for any support.

**Karys** · November 3rd, 2015, 09:51 PM

I just returned from the membership meeting. There were no other nominations to run against the incumbent officers or board members.

Please note since the first Tuesday in December falls on the second day of buck season, the December meeting has been moved to December 8th. Please come out and vote.

**Karys** · December 7th, 2015, 06:14 PM

Just a reminder that elections for club officers and board of directors will be held tomorrow night at 7:30 PM.

Please come out and vote.

**jim-analog** · April 23rd, 2016, 05:44 PM

Greetings,

I realize this is an older thread that died out, but I just notices it. I wanted to add some comments to better describe the reasons for the updated regulations for those who may not be aware of them.

The current reality is that virtually all gun clubs are an endangered species. Between new neighbors, the EPA, general anti gun sentiment, noise complaints, safety concerns, new housing and business development around the clubs, etc. it's a near constant fight that we are up against, just to maintain what we have.

I was 100% opposed to these new directives and spoke up against them at the meetings when they were discussed. However, one board member made a point that I feel best described the situation. That being (to paraphrase) that the main responsibility of the board was to ensure the clubs' continuing existence. Please consider we may be ONE stray round away from losing our club!

Unfortunately the actions of a few who irresponsibly shoot up the infrastructure, allow shots to exit the range, do un-aimed mag dumps, etc. are what has caused these changes. I also noted at the meeting that punishing the entire membership for the actions of the few was wrong, but on reflection I don't see alternatives until those specific members are identified and removed from the club.

We (many members and the board) have gone to great lengths to attempt to find those who are causing these problems and get rid of them. Also, the new regulations are not necessarily permanent, but will be revisited as time goes on.

I ask any member who would like to see what we're up against to meet with me personally at the club so I can show them the constant damage and other issues that are causing these problems. Please PM me and I'll be glad to do this.

BTW, I am NOT on the board; I'm just an active member trying to help make the club a better place and ensure it remains there for future generations of shooters to enjoy.

Regards, Jim