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WI-FORCE RECOMMENDS NRA BOARD
CANDIDATES by Past President, Jon Wilcox The following Candidates for the 2010 NRA Board of Director Elections have been researched and are suggested for your consideration as you cast your Spring 2010 ballot for the NRA Board. Ballot deadline 25 is April 2009. The current leadership has won the last eleven elections of the NRA three year cycle. They clearly better understand the nature of politics in Washington, wherein victory demands finesse and incremental progress more than strident threats or brute actions. They have consistently maintained or grown membership AFTER pro-gun legislative victories in 2000, 2002 and again in the 2004 presidential elections. They are pro-active, not complacent. We are all nervous, but our freedoms remain intact - for now. Our current NRA has remained unbowed. Membership increases at the rate of 50,000 per month. Over the last decade, we have improved the environment for pro freedom citizens. Successes include product liability reform to protect the gun industry from groundless lawsuits designed only to make gun manufacturing economically impossible, range and hunter protection, reasonable lead rules, sunset of the AW ban, castle doctrine and CCW in nearly every state (expect CCW in WI in 2011). The national parks are now open to firearms just as in the state in which they are located. Destruction of serviceable small arms ammo and components has been prohibited, so surplus military brass and components will remain available for reloading. Friends of NRA banquets now raise charitable millions each year for safe range improvements and safe gun education for all shooters, especially women and children - raising two million dollars for WI alone. The American people now perceive that gun bans do not reduce crime. This is simply outstanding proof of better, visionary management for NRA. Since the 11 September 2001 terror strike, NRA leadership has demonstrated courage by displaying the unquestioned patriotism of NRA and its membership, supporting our troops and our way of life, while standing firm against the simple-minded relinquishment of essential liberties to obtain a little temporary security. NRA has been credited by our opponents with being the difference in this victory for freedom vs. statist social control. NRA can rightly claim title as the oldest and largest civil rights organization on the face of the planet. Presented for your consideration are only those candidates about whom we have knowledge and experience. Choose the best managers who can take NRA to the vision you support. The NRA Board is not a legislature, but a policy making body. The day-to-day decisions are still made by staff and management. The best NRA Board of Directors is that one which contains the "fire-in-the-belly" commitment to Second Amendment values and a balance of all the other necessary elements to provide staff and management with the best guidance and direction: 1 - Experienced and knowledgeable competitive shooters, to advocate NRA's safety, training, and shooting programs. 2 - Experienced, effective business and financial managers to plan and maintain NRA as a strong, going concern. 3 - Experienced, effective political, legislative and media-savvy advocates to champion our vision and block tyranny. The key is being effective. Candidates should have demonstrated dedication to our issues and competition, experience in association and business management, sound political and business judgment (often unpleasant and easily misunderstood choices), and statesmanlike behavior - both in internal NRA affairs and with those we wish to influence. There is no need to vote for the maximum possible number of candidates. We do not present a full 25 choices. We suggest you vote only for the best of which you know. National stature and visibility, without active board participation, generally limits a candidate's effectiveness to good public relations potential, unless the board member is a sitting politician who pitches our legislation. We are choosing LEADERS here. Leadership is action, not position, so we suggest you take the long view and choose those with a demonstrated track record of action and effective leadership. Favor candidates who are true believers on our issue, flexible, incremental if necessary, but effective overall. As a work in progress these past eighteen years, I have often found it useful to discuss NRA politics with others in my position. I am happy to receive and discuss your informed observations. The following list is one from which your picks should give no regret. Absent your independent knowledge of a candidate, WI-FORCE suggests you make your choices from our list. Vote for no more than 25 or you will void your ballot. CANDIDATES - 2010 NRA BOARD ELECTIONS - Alpha Order - no priority in listing. * = Nominated by Petition also. Others are by the nominating Committee.
Jon R. Wilcox is a Wisconsin attorney in private
practice in Waukesha, Wisconsin. He is a past president of Wisconsin Rifle &
Pistol Association, WRPA, renamed Wisconsin Firearm Owners, Ranges, Clubs, and
Educators, WI-FORCE, in 2008. Jon is an estate planning, business, property, and
family law attorney, a benefactor member of the NRA, a charter member of the
Heritage Society, co-chair of the Southeast Wisconsin Friends of NRA banquet
committee, a NRA Field Support Team Volunteer, and a member of the NRA
Foundation Volunteer Network of Estate Planning Professionals. |
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NRA Foundation Youth Education Summit (YES) and
Scholarships
The National Rifle Association launched the
National Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) in 1996 in an effort to encourage
America's youth to become active and knowledgeable citizens. The Summit is a
seven-day, expense-paid leadership week in Washington, D.C. Each year, the NRA
selects the best and the brightest students to visit the nation's capital where
participants learn the significance of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of
Rights while developing an understanding of federal government and the
importance of active participation.
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Doyle awards Sherman a
Judgeship
Jim Doyle has
announced the appointment of state Rep. Gary Sherman, D-Port Wing, to the
District IV Court of Appeals. Sherman, who served the 74th Assembly District
since 1999, will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Burnie
Bridge in January 2010. But just what kind of a reward was it?
Sherman is a conservative
democrat - his district is mostly that way as well. He will have to run for
office soon since this just fills a vacant appointment. Won’t he be more
likely to lose in more liberal Madison against more prepared and bitter
rivals who know the district better than he? What if Jim Doyle is simply a
very deceitful guy and he is not even that good for his “friends?” Gary is
not rich and the Madison lawyers who want to run will be well heeled against
him. That race will be 100k if it is a dime, maybe 250k. Good luck Mr. Sherman,
now you know what happens when you lay down with dogs... |
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Wi-FORCE
Wi-FORCE promotes and protects the shooting sports, hunting, and the lawful ownership and use of firearms in Wisconsin. We coordinate match schedules of member clubs, sanction the state championship matches, monitor and recommend legislation, and provide training and educational programs for our members, competitors and Wisconsin shooters. Wi-FORCE supports the interaction and education of all individuals and groups interested in the shooting sports and the natural right of citizens to own arms. These activities are carried out by member clubs and individuals under the loose direction of the officers and directors of Wi-FORCE. Directors are elected annually, following the statewide election. Various shooting disciplines form committees to coordinate their activities and report to the board. Individuals and clubs are encouraged to become members in order to receive association mailings and provide Wi-FORCE with a registry of interested people who support our purposes. Membership is open to all individuals and Wisconsin clubs of good repute.
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