WSSA ANNUAL MEETING MAY 5, 2012
Casper’s Parkway Plaza- Tiffany Room
President Mark Spungin called the meeting to order at 10AM. Other officers present: VP Bev Spungin, Sec/Trea R Sebesta, Hunt/Cons P Morgan and 13 members.
The minutes from the Jan 21, 2012 meeting were read. M by P Morgan, 2nd B Spungin to approve as read. VV+. Membership at 794, an increase of 2 since Jan. The checking balance was $3453.59 on April 30. The year to date checking report was handed out.
Old Business 1] The membership has only requested 1 hard copy. The printing and mailing cost of the newsletter should make a major drop in the future mailings. 2] The Richard Kern case is being appealed; no word rec’d on future court dates. 3] Joe DeBergallis, WSSA life member from NY and a NRA BOD returned the support check we had sent him. He wished to be ‘considered the WSSA personal NRA BOD member’. The results of the NRA election have not been rec’d.
Guest speaker Kendell Kroeker, Evansville told of his views on the WY budget session. He wrote a bill to put teeth [penalties] in the pre-emption law. It fell short of the 2/3 vote needed but had enough to pass in a general session. The bill will be re-introduced in the next general session. Gillette, Pinedale, & Casper have all attempted to dodge the pre-emption law with Casper succeeding by adding additional ‘gun free’ areas. He also co-sponsored the ‘Doomsday Bill’ that drew satiric remarks form newspaper, TV and made national broadcasts when amended to include an aircraft carrier. His comment was has anyone ever said they were ‘too prepared’ after a disaster? Wyomingites have a legitimate claim at too much government; there are about 330 gov’mt jobs for every private sector job. That is the highest ratio of all states.
New Business 1] EXPO is Sept 13-15; set up the 10AM the 12th . Nat CO HiSchool ROTC leader Mack Riggs has orally agreed to having his members help again. M/ D French, 2nd P Morgan that we set up at EXPO again. VV+. 2] Rep Kroeker drew the winning ticket for the M1 Garand in 308. Don Westall, Morrill, NB [ ticket sold by Frank Sawyer] gets the 2012 rifle. A phone message was left. The Spungin’s will make arrangements to deliver the rifle. 3] NRA field rep Dave Manzer did not attend or furnish an update. 4] John Lancaster asked about the Daisy 888 air rifle and TV/VCR that have been unused and taking up space in the EXPO trailer. He plans to use them with the 4-H shooting program he runs. M/D French, 2nd J Michaels to allow D French to arrange for the transfer of the equipment to Lancaster. VV+. 5] J Lancaster suggested having a listing of candidates placed on the web site. Discussion felt it would have to be under the PAC heading. No motion presented. Rep Kroeker suggested watching the ranking posted by the Wyoming Liberty Group. 6] Sebesta reported his trials with the WSSFoundation and that he rec’d notification that the tax exempt status had been lost about a year before being notified. In the 5 years that the foundation has been advertised in the newsletters, only 2 individuals have contributed. The WY non-profit tax of $25/year is more that the fund is earning. The notification had led him to believe a $100 payment would regain the 503c(3) status. NOT SO! A letter has been sent to IRS asking that the $100 payment be refunded . M/Sebesta, 2nd B Spungin to dissolve the foundation. VV+. 6] No one present had attended the NRA annual meeting in St Louis.
The PAC officers voted to donate $250 to ‘Committee to elect Kendell Kroeker’
Hunting & Conservation P Morgan advised each interested in obtaining limited quota hunting licenses to have their applications to G&F before the May 31st deadline. Several management units have had the quotas adjusted.
No report from Junior programs or legislative officers.
Competitions Roy Bane furnished a report that was read. A copy is added to the file.
Club updates Lander Valley had a visit by 3 EPA members looking to conduct soil sampling. Is this part of the Obama jobs program? The 3 each arrived in a separate vehicle and are not taking the samples but are deciding where they want the sub-contractor to do so. LVSA has 289 members; conducted the Championships in 3 & 4Position SB and 3Position air rifle; held 1st NMC & rifle silhouette events of the year. All safe shooter welcome to participate in events and most are listed on the club web.
Thermopolis Gun Club holds 4-H rifle & shotgun practice weekly. The adult shotgun trap shooters alternate with sporting clays on Tuesday evenings.
Laramie Rifle Range Inc increased dues; will host Championships in long range and Match & service rifle;
Platte River Rod & Gun Club will host the Mid-range Championships & a Garand match; have added gravel to roads; adding to existing pits; using CO land that BLM had transferred to the CO; 200 members; lowered dues to $50/yr; targets out to 970 yards, considering limiting total memberships;.
Door prizes were won by John Popelka, John Lancaster and Mark Spungin.
Next meeting Sept 12th after the EXPO setup completed at Ramada pool side.
Adjourned at 3PM Have a safe and enjoyable summer.
Roger Sebesta Sec/Trea emailed to BOD 5-6-2012