By Sean G. Penney
Thus far, 2010 has been a truly momentous year for Canada’s National Firearms Association. Our new by-laws have been successfully adopted and we have successfully concluded our first election of NFA Directors under these new rules.
Voting concluded the last day of April and official results were published May 3rd on our website (www.nfa.ca). Below are the results, as provided by Chief Electoral Officer, Diane Laitila:
2010 Election of Directors: Results May 3, 2010
Dear NFA Members:
On behalf of Canada’s National Firearms Association I would like to thank all of you who voted or took the time to get informed throughout this electoral process. I am pleased to announce that all ballots are in and have been counted. I would like to extend my congratulations to all candidates who graciously gave of themselves by standing for election. Well done all!
The elected directors are:
Alberta-Northwest Territories & Out-of-Canada : Ed Lucas Ted Simmermon
British Columbia-Yukon : Sheldon Clare Blair Hagen
Manitoba-Nunavut : Vacant
Newfoundland & Labrador – Maritimes: Sean Penney
Ontario: Henry Atkinson Bill Rantz
Quebec : Stephen Buddo Phil Simmard
Saskatchewan : Vacant
Respectfully,
Diane Laitila
Elections Officer
Canada’s National Firearms Association
Ph: 1-877-818-0393
Email:diane@nfa.ca
2010 Annual General Meeting – Edmonton, AB
The first inaugural Annual General Meeting under our new official corporate name of Canada’s National Firearms Association took place the weekend of May 14th-16th at the Fantasyland Hotel & Conference Center in Edmonton, AB.
Day 1 –
Day 1 was occupied primarily with executive meetings and the election of officers. Under the new by-laws, the old organizational model, as established under former National President David A. Tomlinson, has been replaced by a completely new structure. Gone are the positions of “National President,” “National Vice-President, Communications,” & “National Vice-President, Finance.” In their place are five new executive positions including: President, Executive Vice-President Communications, Executive Vice-President Operations, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Following discussion of the new offices and their respective roles and responsibilities nominations were opened and votes cast. The new executive of Canada’s National Firearms Association includes:
President: Sheldon Clare
Executive Vice-President, Communications: Blair Hagen
Executive Vice-President, Operations: Diane Laitila
Treasurer: Henry Atkinson
Secretary: Ted Simmermon
Day 2 –
Day 2 was quite busy and started with a member’s buffet breakfast in the hotel’s dining room that was well attended and provided a very pleasant to the start of the day’s activities.
Insurance Presentation –
Breakfast was followed by a presentation by Mr. Murray Morrison, of All Sport Insurance Marketing Ltd. regarding the current National Firearms Association Liability Insurance policy. We’re pleased to announce that NFALI remains the benchmark liability insurance for the recreational firearms community we will be able to continue offering full liability coverage of $5 million for just $7.95 per year.
Keynote Address –
The keynote address was made by Professor Gary Mauser who has represented National Firearms Association exceptionally well these past years internationally as our official representative to the World Forum on the Future of Sport Shooting Activities, the United Nations, and International Association for the Protection of Civilian Arms Rights, as well as in Ottawa on the federal Firearms Advisory Council. In recognition of his years of dedicated service to National Firearms Association, Professor Mauser was presented with a Life Membership earlier this year.
Financial Statement –
After lunch the new Board of Directors and National Executive were officially introduced and the outgoing executive thanked for their service. Outgoing National Vice-President, Finance Mr. Henry Atkinson presented the financial statement and report for the organization and gave a detailed explanation as to the past and current state of the organizations finances. NFA bookkeeper Beverly Havens was also on hand to help answer specific questions from members. The motion was made to accept the financial statement and was carried unanimously.
Budget 2010-2011 –
Next the new 2010-2011 Budget was presented by Mr. Atkinson followed by discussion from the floor. It is anticipated that the expertise the NFA’s new marketing firm now brings to the table, along with the aggressive new lobbying efforts initiated by the outgoing executive, will see National Firearms Association experience significant additional growth in the upcoming year. Consequently, National Firearms Association will be working with a budget in excess of $1 million this year. Following further discussion, the motion was made to accept the new budget as presented and it was adopted unanimously.
By-law Amendment –
A motion was made to amend the new by-laws to change the date of future AGMs from a period no later than 30 days following end of the fiscal year to no later than June 1st. The current year end for NFA is officially December 31st which would necessitate a January AGM. Due to bad weather and travel concerns a spring AGM was much preferred sparking the motion to amend the by-laws. Motion was made and passed unanimously.
Report on Legal Affairs –
Outgoing National President Blair Hagen provided a comprehensive overview of current and past legal cases that National Firearms Association has been involved, including Coombes v. NFA, Henderson case, Montague case and Cankaid case involving various facets of firearms law.
Provincial Reports –
Provincial executives delivered “state-of-the-province” reports for their home province.
NFA Legacy Fund –
Motion was made from the floor to explore the idea of creating an NFA Legacy Fund similar to those created by other not-for-profit organizations. The proposed fund would operate in a similar fashion as other such funds and would provide members/supporters with the option of having donations made in their name to the fund in lieu of flowers following their passing. Several different variations of the fund were discussed with the motion being adopted to form a committee to study the concept.
New Marketing and Promotion –
NFA had opted to not renew the contract with their previous marketing company due to failures to meet organizational goals. A new firm has been retained locally that has a better grasp of current markets and what prospective members are looking for. Since signing on last November, the new firm has been working around the clock to increase membership and to promote the organization throughout the recreational firearms community. New marketing partnerships are being considered, including value-added membership exclusives such as preferential treatment on trips or flights offered via strategic partners.
As part of the new marketing strategy NFA is looking at undertaking a serious “re-branding” of the organization to better reflect the “new” Canada’s National Firearms Association. Current logo and crest are to be updated and a new official Coat of Arms is to be registered as part of this process that will appeal to both English and French speaking members across Canada. The motion to create and register a new Coat of Arms was made and passed.
Membership Fee Structure –
Current membership fees have remained unchanged for the better part of a decade while the costs associated with servicing those memberships have risen substantially. The new Board of Directors plans on striking a membership fee review committee to study the issue.
External Audits –
In order to ensure a proper accounting of NFA finances the new executive proposed that they be permitted to request external reviews and/or audits of the financial records as appropriate. A motion was made to this effect and was adopted.
Closing –
With all outstanding business concluded, the executive thanked all the hard work NFA staffers Diane Laitila, Bev Havens, Meg Hewitt and volunteer Ted Simmermon put into making the 2010 AGM such a rousing success. Motion to adjourn was made, seconded and adopted.
AGM after Hours –
The AGM was followed by an informal mixer in the hotel’s bar. The main NFA Banquet & Dinner started immediately thereafter. Guest speakers included Mrs. Judith Tomlinson and Professor Gary Mauser with official activities concluding at 10:00 PM.
Day 3 –
The final day of activities included an NFA Breakfast Buffet, followed by a short Q&A session for attendees taking later flights or having later travel plans. This concluded official activities related to the AGM. Overall, the weekend was very well organized thanks to the hard work of NFA staffers and was very productive.
The National Firearms Association would like to acknowledge the contributions made by our generous business supporters who helped make the 2010 AGM such a rousing success. Many thanks to: Sports Scene Publications, Barton's Big Country Outdoors, White Eagle Sporting Goods, Select Pro Shop, Warehouse Sports, Bull's Eye Bill's Trading Post Inc., The Bullet Barn, Milarm Co./Pol-Arm Corp., P & D Enterprises, Fergie's Follies.
NFA would also like to acknowledge the generous contributions of Mr. John Claydon, Mr. Ray Laitila & Mr. Ted Simmermon. Thanks to all!