noharleyyet
Well-known member
...looks like a $585 Thanksgiving tie was returned in 2014.
NRA On The Hot Seat - Exposed or Attacked?
- Thread starter Big Fin
- Start date
Straight Arrow
Well-known member
... but with a gravy stain. WL never passes on the NRA gravy train.
BackofBeyond
Well-known member
Wayne! You’re on a gravy train with biscuit wheels and you’re throwing it all AWAY!
3855WIN
Well-known member
IF Wayne cares about the NRA, it’s membership, and goals, he should retire.
By attempting to stay in office, he’s showing that he cares more about his own ego and financial interest. The fight to protect 2nd Amendment Rights is certainly larger than Wayne.
By attempting to stay in office, he’s showing that he cares more about his own ego and financial interest. The fight to protect 2nd Amendment Rights is certainly larger than Wayne.
antelopedundee
Well-known member
BackofBeyond
Well-known member
And get shot in the face? Nah. Retire yes, go bird hunting with Dick Cheney... no way in h-e-double hockey sticks.
COEngineer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2016
- Messages
- 1,510
Received this via e-mail today:
Since the NRA was founded almost 150 years ago, our adversaries have repeatedly tried to take us down. Today is no different. A recent burst of media claims the NRA is vulnerable, financially unstable, and weakened in its fight to defend the Second Amendment. Obviously intent on not letting the facts get in the way of a good story, most reports offer a distorted and inaccurate view of the NRA. As officers and past presidents of the NRA, we write today to set the record straight.
As you may know, we recently convened in Indianapolis for one of the largest NRA conventions in our history. More than 80,000 of our members showed up to gather as one NRA family - to support our Association and celebrate our nation's constitutional freedoms. During our annual Members Meeting on April 27, some asked for greater insight into three issues: the NRA's financial affairs, our direction and strategy, and the supervisory role being played by our board of directors. We had an open forum and spirited discussion.
Of course, our discussions were portrayed as a sort of family feud. (Infighting at the NRA - Chaos and Controversy!). At the NRA, we take pride in the fact that our Association is inclusive and invites the active participation of every member. Every member has an opportunity to voice any concern they may have at the Members Meeting. In fact, our greatest privilege is hearing from our members. Like many of you, that's why we were at the Members Meeting in the first place and spent countless hours on the convention floor.
Fact: During a board of directors meeting on April 29, Wayne LaPierre was elected by acclamation to continue serving as our CEO and Executive Vice President. The board also unanimously elected Carolyn D. Meadows to serve as our new president.
Perhaps looking for a way to counter the narrative about a stronger, more unified NRA, questions have now conveniently surfaced about our financial situation and our standing in the regulatory arena. There also have been frequent attacks on Wayne's personal character.
Fact: According to the NRA's chief financial officer, we are on budget in 2019. The NRA is meeting all banking and supplier financial obligations and we continue to aggressively manage our cost structure to offset the orchestrated and calculated attacks against NRA's finances in 2018. Put another way, our financial house is in order - we aren't going away.
We have full confidence in the NRA's accounting practices and commitment to good governance.
Fact: The Association's financials are audited and its tax filings are verified by one of the most reputable firms in the world. Internally, the Association has a conflict of interest policy and, where appropriate, related-party transactions are reviewed and approved by the board's Audit Committee.
Simply put, we are well-positioned on the regulatory front and poised to handle all challenges that confront us.
Personal attacks against the NRA's leaders are nothing new. Recent ones have focused on wardrobe purchases and travel expenses incurred by Wayne. If members hear of an allegation, they can be assured that it has been or will be addressed by the appropriate committees within our board of directors.
Fact: We have committees in place to oversee issues relating to Accounting, Legal Affairs, and Ethics, among others - and every board member is invited to attend these meetings. Please remember that all of us are elected by you - our members. We are not elected by Wayne or anyone on the NRA executive team. We serve as your elected representatives.
Fact: Over the years, Wayne had been advised by the NRA's advertising professionals to invest in his professional wardrobe due to his numerous public and media appearances. We understand that this was the same agency that facilitated the clothing purchases. What wasn't as evident in this "disclosure" is that the clothing expenses referenced in media reports dated back to expenses from 15 years ago! To put it in perspective, over this time period, Wayne has participated in thousands of events and hundreds of TV appearances, and personally directed fundraising efforts that total in the hundreds of millions of dollars. In any event, this practice was discontinued some time ago.
Fact: The vast majority of the travel in question involved donor outreach, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement. As an example, The Wall Street Journal reported that a trip to Italy was "tied to a 2015 documentary feature on the Italian gun maker posted on NRATV." Beretta, as you may know, is a major supporter of the NRA and our Second Amendment.
We are not inclined to further discuss unfounded attacks on our organization, political infighting, or a "weakened" NRA.
However, we will say this: Our adversaries will not divide us and any further discussion about the so-called "demise of the NRA" is only meant to distract us from our mission. This is how it goes when you stand on the bedrock of constitutional freedom - and represent the last line of defense against a campaign to take down the Second Amendment.
While board members may argue, and perhaps even disagree as to tactics, the support Wayne and the current leadership enjoys reflects our assessment of his past and future value to the association as well as our realization that our opponents know they have to take him down if they want to weaken the NRA.
As one NRA member recently said, the true story of the NRA won't be found in today's press clippings. It will be written in the history books.
Wayne has been standing shoulder-to-shoulder with all of us for most of his professional life. He has our support. A campaign to oust him failed - as the facts emerged, true motivations became apparent, and we agreed as to who should lead our fight for freedom. We are now moving forward.
Fact: We will confront our opponents, defend our values, and proudly continue our tradition as the greatest civil rights organization in the world.
Just like you, we care about the Second Amendment and our NRA. Just as you do, we know that our fights today are less for us and more for our children and our grandchildren. Just like you, we are all courageous foot soldiers in our fight for freedom. Every single one of us in this fight matters. The Second Amendment is where it is today because of all of OUR efforts. That's why you matter to our cause and our Association.
We are the NRA. United we stand. And together, we'll win.
Signed,
Carolyn D. Meadows
President
Charles L. Cotton
First Vice President
Lt. Col. Willes K. Lee USA (Ret)
Second Vice President
Allan D. Cors
Past President
James W. Porter
Past President
David A. Keene
Past President
Ronald L. Schmeits
Past President
John C. Sigler
Past President
Sandra S. Froman
Past President
Kayne B. Robinson
Past President
Marion P. Hammer
Past President
Robert K. Corbin
Past President
May 22, 2019
Dear Fellow NRA Member:Since the NRA was founded almost 150 years ago, our adversaries have repeatedly tried to take us down. Today is no different. A recent burst of media claims the NRA is vulnerable, financially unstable, and weakened in its fight to defend the Second Amendment. Obviously intent on not letting the facts get in the way of a good story, most reports offer a distorted and inaccurate view of the NRA. As officers and past presidents of the NRA, we write today to set the record straight.
As you may know, we recently convened in Indianapolis for one of the largest NRA conventions in our history. More than 80,000 of our members showed up to gather as one NRA family - to support our Association and celebrate our nation's constitutional freedoms. During our annual Members Meeting on April 27, some asked for greater insight into three issues: the NRA's financial affairs, our direction and strategy, and the supervisory role being played by our board of directors. We had an open forum and spirited discussion.
Of course, our discussions were portrayed as a sort of family feud. (Infighting at the NRA - Chaos and Controversy!). At the NRA, we take pride in the fact that our Association is inclusive and invites the active participation of every member. Every member has an opportunity to voice any concern they may have at the Members Meeting. In fact, our greatest privilege is hearing from our members. Like many of you, that's why we were at the Members Meeting in the first place and spent countless hours on the convention floor.
Fact: During a board of directors meeting on April 29, Wayne LaPierre was elected by acclamation to continue serving as our CEO and Executive Vice President. The board also unanimously elected Carolyn D. Meadows to serve as our new president.
Perhaps looking for a way to counter the narrative about a stronger, more unified NRA, questions have now conveniently surfaced about our financial situation and our standing in the regulatory arena. There also have been frequent attacks on Wayne's personal character.
Fact: According to the NRA's chief financial officer, we are on budget in 2019. The NRA is meeting all banking and supplier financial obligations and we continue to aggressively manage our cost structure to offset the orchestrated and calculated attacks against NRA's finances in 2018. Put another way, our financial house is in order - we aren't going away.
We have full confidence in the NRA's accounting practices and commitment to good governance.
Fact: The Association's financials are audited and its tax filings are verified by one of the most reputable firms in the world. Internally, the Association has a conflict of interest policy and, where appropriate, related-party transactions are reviewed and approved by the board's Audit Committee.
Simply put, we are well-positioned on the regulatory front and poised to handle all challenges that confront us.
Personal attacks against the NRA's leaders are nothing new. Recent ones have focused on wardrobe purchases and travel expenses incurred by Wayne. If members hear of an allegation, they can be assured that it has been or will be addressed by the appropriate committees within our board of directors.
Fact: We have committees in place to oversee issues relating to Accounting, Legal Affairs, and Ethics, among others - and every board member is invited to attend these meetings. Please remember that all of us are elected by you - our members. We are not elected by Wayne or anyone on the NRA executive team. We serve as your elected representatives.
Fact: Over the years, Wayne had been advised by the NRA's advertising professionals to invest in his professional wardrobe due to his numerous public and media appearances. We understand that this was the same agency that facilitated the clothing purchases. What wasn't as evident in this "disclosure" is that the clothing expenses referenced in media reports dated back to expenses from 15 years ago! To put it in perspective, over this time period, Wayne has participated in thousands of events and hundreds of TV appearances, and personally directed fundraising efforts that total in the hundreds of millions of dollars. In any event, this practice was discontinued some time ago.
Fact: The vast majority of the travel in question involved donor outreach, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement. As an example, The Wall Street Journal reported that a trip to Italy was "tied to a 2015 documentary feature on the Italian gun maker posted on NRATV." Beretta, as you may know, is a major supporter of the NRA and our Second Amendment.
We are not inclined to further discuss unfounded attacks on our organization, political infighting, or a "weakened" NRA.
However, we will say this: Our adversaries will not divide us and any further discussion about the so-called "demise of the NRA" is only meant to distract us from our mission. This is how it goes when you stand on the bedrock of constitutional freedom - and represent the last line of defense against a campaign to take down the Second Amendment.
While board members may argue, and perhaps even disagree as to tactics, the support Wayne and the current leadership enjoys reflects our assessment of his past and future value to the association as well as our realization that our opponents know they have to take him down if they want to weaken the NRA.
As one NRA member recently said, the true story of the NRA won't be found in today's press clippings. It will be written in the history books.
Wayne has been standing shoulder-to-shoulder with all of us for most of his professional life. He has our support. A campaign to oust him failed - as the facts emerged, true motivations became apparent, and we agreed as to who should lead our fight for freedom. We are now moving forward.
Fact: We will confront our opponents, defend our values, and proudly continue our tradition as the greatest civil rights organization in the world.
Just like you, we care about the Second Amendment and our NRA. Just as you do, we know that our fights today are less for us and more for our children and our grandchildren. Just like you, we are all courageous foot soldiers in our fight for freedom. Every single one of us in this fight matters. The Second Amendment is where it is today because of all of OUR efforts. That's why you matter to our cause and our Association.
We are the NRA. United we stand. And together, we'll win.
Signed,
Carolyn D. Meadows
President
Charles L. Cotton
First Vice President
Lt. Col. Willes K. Lee USA (Ret)
Second Vice President
Allan D. Cors
Past President
James W. Porter
Past President
David A. Keene
Past President
Ronald L. Schmeits
Past President
John C. Sigler
Past President
Sandra S. Froman
Past President
Kayne B. Robinson
Past President
Marion P. Hammer
Past President
Robert K. Corbin
Past President
noharleyyet
Well-known member
LopeHunter
Well-known member
What about the intern lodging? Was that on the advice of the PR consultant? Can we hear from the intern? Would enjoy learning more about how ol' Wayne picked that intern out of dozens to provide lodging. Perhaps was a preference point system or maybe a bonus point one. Was anyone else in the intern draw or just Wayne? If just Wayne, that is more like a landowner tag system when you think about it.
MtnRambler
Active member
New article (will be page 1 of the Washington Post tomorrow) on NRA board member payments:
COEngineer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2016
- Messages
- 1,510
It's hard to know if some of the numbers listed in that article are worth worrying about. I'm not saying that we should ignore conflicts of interest or that even 1 dollar should be spent inappropriately, but some of those numbers are so small ($1,000s) compared to the NRA's budget (~$300 Million).
I guess I feel like this article is trying to say, "The NRA is a shambles" when really, it has/had serious issues ($10's millions) with it's attorney and PR firm, which it is addressing, and a bunch of to-be-expected minor issues for a huge organization with 75 directors. I hope the attention this article and others has brought to this issue re-focuses the board on what is/is not appropriate, and doesn't detract too much time and energy from getting the mission done.
I guess I feel like this article is trying to say, "The NRA is a shambles" when really, it has/had serious issues ($10's millions) with it's attorney and PR firm, which it is addressing, and a bunch of to-be-expected minor issues for a huge organization with 75 directors. I hope the attention this article and others has brought to this issue re-focuses the board on what is/is not appropriate, and doesn't detract too much time and energy from getting the mission done.
I think there's some truth to that. Lots of boards will get some kind of reimbursement for travel, per diem, etc. but rarely for donating their time & product as that's been part of the commitment as board members to help raise funds for an org. Its also telling that there is no give or get policy for board members either. Most ngo's have strong policies on having board members raise a specific amount of money for the organization, not the other way around. While many board members seem to get some small payouts, a few are making significant coin at the expense of the members. Having worked in & with non-profits for a while now, and after having worked with boards, etc., I can say that the NRA's board policies invite conflict of interest & make them look like grifters. No board or non-profit that I've ever seen would approve such contracts as what North had, nor would they approve the lavish lifestyle they did for Lapierre.
beginnerhunter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2016
- Messages
- 1,320
Those seemed less like "facts" and more like opinions and anecdotes. Doesn't mean they are false, but just seems like they are trying to brush things aside. Will probably work of course.
COEngineer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2016
- Messages
- 1,510
I get where you are coming from, but do you think it is really that bad? I haven't spent that much time reading up on all the details, so I'm genuinely curious if a lot of people feel that way. If that's the way it goes, I hope it is done quickly. I can just imagine the anti's rubbing their hands with glee at the demise of the NRA and the number of laws they would try to pass in the interim.
Unfortunately, I suspect it is worse than reported.
BrentD
Well-known member
I think I have to agree with Randy. Much worse, but also probably not really going to change much, except make them better at covering their tracks.
As an NRA member, I am sorely disappointed in them on several fronts. I don't expect any dramatic improvement or changes either. Just the way it is.
As an NRA member, I am sorely disappointed in them on several fronts. I don't expect any dramatic improvement or changes either. Just the way it is.
