Minutes May 30, 2009 WSSA Annual Meeting

President Mark Spungin called the meeting to order at 10:10AM at the Parkway Plaza, Casper, WY.  Sixteen members had expressed interest in attending but the gathering soon overloaded the reserved room.  The Parkway staff accommodated the meeting by helping a move to a larger area.  Additional BOD members in attendance: VP Beverly Spungin, Competitions Roy Bane, Hunter/Conservation Peter Moore, & Sebesta Sec/trea.  Members and guests numbered near 30.

Minutes from the 2008 annual meeting and the Dec 13th, 2008 meeting were read.  M and 2nd to approve as read. VV +.  The financial report was handed out with the agenda and reviewed.  Membership stands at 855.  Sec/trea reviewed several of the tems and reported the checking balance stood at $16,419.05 on May 29, 2009.  The balance includes about $13k  that will be transferred to the LIFE CD and PAC account.

OLD BUSINESS   1]  Membership drive has brought in about 350 new members, including 87 life and 2 patron.  Total coat was $8939.04 of which the NRA Clubs grant paid $5000.  About $4250 was added to the PAC fund.  The mailing went to 15181 WY NRA members. [2.3% return].   2]  Ed Cassidy has web site under control, but still lacks articles from Board members.   3]   Nat Park Service told by Oboma administration to NOT allow concealed carry by licensed individuals.  An amendment to ‘Credit card holder’s bill of rights of 2009’ will  again allow CC carry IF PASSED.   4]  Dustin Chesbro, Laramie rec’d air rifle distinguished #243.  Congratulations.  

NEW BUSINESS   1]  Election-  There were no write-ins and only a few ballots returned.  The call to the floor for nominations drew out none.  Re-elected for another 2 years are: President Mark Spungin, VicePresident Beverly Spungin, Competitions Roy Bane, Hunting/Conservation Peter Moore, Junior programs Dudley Irvine and Legislation Richard Bohling.  No one was elected to fill the Sec/trea office.  2]  The WY State Fair has requested the WSSA air gun range to be part of the activities at the fair.  Bev Spungin asked for help to set uo Aug 10, 10AM and staff until take down Aug 14.  Dennis French offered to pull the trailed to the fair grounds and expected to be able to help some of the days.  Peter Moore also expected to be able to help as did a couple of members.  3]  WY Hunting & Fishing Heritage EXPO will be Sept 10-11-12 with set up the 9th at 10AM.   4]   Camp Perry and Whittington Center have building projects that call for donations to have bricks or tiles with donors name engraved on them.  M & 2nd that we purchase one each for WSSA.  VV+.   5]   Discussion to inform that Shooting Sports-USA will be no longer published and available as e-copy only.  Sebesta voiced hopes that the time frame to have matches listed would be shorted than at present.    6]  Upton Gun Club held  WY Youth Hunter Challenge on May 9.  A report was expected from Dave Manzer, but didn’t happen.   7]   Rep Lorraine Quarberg, Thermopolis drew M1 ticket winner listing Thomas Wolff, 1319 Eagles Nest-A, Gillette, WY 82716, 231-675-8540 as the winner.   An attempt to reach him by phone only resulted in a message being left.   [S# 654827 is the 2009 rifle].   8]   Roy Bane asked for support for the JR HP team to attend Camp Perry.  Trea reviewed the motion giving 25% of the M1 raffle to the JR HP shooters and expected $800 to be available.  Jr Programs Irvine has approved $500 for the JR 4 person air gun teams and $100 to JR individuals earning/attending National Championships.   Sebesta felt Tyler Kamp, Daniel, WY should be aided also on his trip to Raton, NM for the SB & HP rifle silhouette championships.  M & 2nd to award $150 each to Kamp and the 2 juniors heading to Camp Perry.  VV+   9]  The fall meeting will be Sept 9th after set up at EXPO.  Meeting to be  coffee shop or pool side at the Ramada in Casper about 5PM   10]  Sec/trea asked for thoughts if WSSA desired pins or decals to issue at matches or for sales.  He displayed samples from 2 firms.  Roy Bane moved we get pins to issue at WY championships and include cost in entry fee. 2nd and VV+.

Competitions report-Roy Bane-  He attended the NRA National Convention in Phoenix and said the dry heat at 110 was HOT.  The meetings were very well attended.  He also took part in the leadership forum and encouraged everyone to attend when possible.  The ’09 WY dates:  June 6 @Cheyenne  Team Championships; Jun 13-14 @Cody HP 300 to 900 yards w/F class; Jul 11-12 @Cody HP with 600 yard on Sat and 2-300 on Sun;  Sept 12-13 @ Cheyenne.  The 2700 pistol championship organizer has dropped out of contact, nothing has been filed w/NRA. So until further notice it is doubtful that it will happen.  Lander Valley Sportsmen will host all 4 rifle divisions of silhouette on Jun 20-21.  Junior team to head to Perry Jul 29.

Club reports    Jeff Stone, John Holtgreve & Dave Salvador officers of Western WY Riflemen have 120 members; rec’d 40yr lease on 120A; 20 mi S of StarValley; expect 300-600 yard rifle area, 2 pistol area to 25 yards; IPSIC & IPDA; rim fire area; shotgun field; archery, Simplot has help along with FNRA, NGuard and CoSheriff Dept.   John Popelka, Casper Shooters  said Stuckenhoff still active.  

GUEST SPEAKER  Rep Lorraine Quarberg, Thermopolis from House District 28 which is generally Hot Springs and southern Big Horn counties.  Her address started with a recap of her political and employment duties.  She served as police officer and now is in Economic development for Hot Springs CO.   Reflecting on democracy she said of the people . by the people takes more than just putting a check on a ballot, but also includes supporting candidates with leg work and $.  In reflecting on the Second Amendment- the Declaration of Independence was the promise and the Constitution was the fulfillment.  The incremental encroachments dilute or nullify ‘rights’, often with the ‘little bit doesn’t hurt’ mentality.    Quarberg was involved with the ‘WY gun right protection during disaster’ legislation passed last year and also the Castle Doctrine.  She told of the wrangling that ensued to get ‘right to protect in residence’ passed and that the ‘outside of residence’ was lost.  She is confident the ‘no duty to retreat’ will be reintroduced.  Already in the write-up stage are bills to affirm States Rights  and an Alaska style carry with hopes to get the needed 2/3 vote to be debated in the 2010 budget session.

Adjourned at 2:30PM   Roger Sebesta Sec/trea   emailed to BOD 5-31-09