Hey Michael. My name is Jim Finnerty. You know me (or at least we've met). We were in Jon Green's pistol instructor class together.
I'm running for the BoD, and I happen to help out here at NES. I'm not running as an NES member, I'm running as a Massachusetts gun owner and GOAL member. I'm a 30-year marketing professional, and I think I can help. We (NES and GOAL) all want the same thing, and we need a strong organization to get there.
GOAL membership is at an all-time high (thanks in no small part to NES) yet GOAL is losing money. This is not the recipe for a strong organization. GOAL's biggest expense (after payroll) is TOM, so a GOAL member went to a meeting to ask if it was worth it.
Here's a simplified version of the way the conversation looks since then:
GOAL MEMBER: That's a lot of money going to TOM, what's it being used for?
BoD: Good question. We'll get back to you later.
Later...
A FEW GOAL MEMBERS: So, what's up with TOM? Something looks fishy.
BoD: It does look fishy. We'll get back to you later.
Later...
EVEN MORE GOAL MEMBERS: Why is GOAL spending so much money on a newspaper?
BoD: We're not telling. Stop asking.
A FRUSTRATED GUY ON NES: What the **** is going on?
BoD: YOU SWORE!!! WE'RE NOT TALKING TO YOU ANY MORE!!!
Is any of that factually incorrect? Has the BoD provided any information so far that would make a sane person think that there isn't something going on? This is like the Clintons and Whitewater.
People are understandably frustrated. They're further confused by the murky relationship between GOAL, the GOAL Foundation, and TOM, and the cross-pollinated boards of directors for these organizations.
A few answers a few months ago would've completely defused this situation, but there was nothing but obfuscation and silence from the BoD. This is a failure in leadership that falls squarely and entirely on the BoD. There may be nothing shady going on, but that's not the way it looks from the outside - and every GOAL member not on the BoD is on the outside. The frequent 'executive sessions' are a constant reminder of this fact.
You want to know what I'd 'fix' and how I'd further 'the cause'? How's this:
I'd propose ways to cut GOAL's expenses and raise revenue. GOAL as an organization cannot continue to exist unless it is financially healthy. With more revenue, GOAL can do more to introduce new shooters to the sport.
If you want specifics, I can provide them, but this post is long enough already.
The BoD needs to uncirlce the wagons, provide some transparency, and stop alienating a few thousand gun owners because they happen to post on NES.