Sneak Peak of Items to be Auctioned at the 137th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits A PUBLICATION OF THE NRA FOUNDATION Quarter 1: 2008 Planned Giving Donors Recognized at Fall in Fairfax Conservation Big Sky Carvers and Friends of NRA TABLE OF CONTENTS BOARD OF TRUSTEES EATURING F ALLAN D. CORS Guest Editorial – Philip Gray 3 President & Trustee FRANK R. BROWNELL III Vice President & Trustee OVER TORY C S WILLIAM A. BACHENBERG Trustee Big Sky Carvers and Friends of NRA Working Together 4 GERALD W. BERSETT Trustee FOUNDATION NEWS HON. DAVID O. BOEHM Trustee NRA Whittington Center Adventure Camp 10 RONALD CRAWFORD Trustee NRA Foundation National Event Sponsorships in Louisville, Ky. 12 GENERAL P.X. KELLEY, USMC (RET.) Trustee Help Finance The NRA Foundation – Without Spending Anything 14 HERBERT A. LANFORD, JR. Trustee NRA Auction Gazette – Louisville 2008 15 WAYNE R. LAPIERRE, JR. Ring of Freedom Recognizes NRA Foundation Donors 23 Trustee JAMES W. PORTER II Trustee NDOWMENT LANNED IVING E & P G RONALD SCHMEITS Trustee Heritage Society Holds Fall in Fairfax to Recognize H. WAYNE SHEETS Planned Giving Donors 6 Executive Director WILSON H. PHILLIPS JR. FRIENDS UPDATE Treasurer SANDY S. ELKIN 2008 Merchandise Preview Meeting 24 Secretary BENJAMIN R. CASE Western Region 26 Executive Director Office of Advancement Mid West Region 26 JOHN R. WOODS President Emeritus Central Region 28 Eastern Region 31 MISSION STATEMENT Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. Southern Region 32 (“NRA Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contribu- tions in support of a wide range of firearms-related NRA FOUNDATION DONORS 34 public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. These activities are designed to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shooting sports, and to educate the general public about firearms in their historic, ABOUT THE COVER: technological, and artistic con-text. Funds granted Big Sky Carvers Co-Founder Marc Pierce and oldest son Bridger, 13, on an Elk Hunt in by The NRA Foundation benefit a variety of constituencies throughout the United States, Montana. In 2006, Big Sky Carvers and Montana Silversmiths joined forces with additional including children, youth, women, individuals with investors to form an umbrella company called Group Montana, Inc. Group Montana physical disabilities, gun collectors, law enforcement and Big Sky Carvers have been a leading influence on the success of the Friends of NRA officers, hunters, and competitive shooters. program and their products have assisted in a joint effort to raise millions in fundraising to The NRA Foundation. Photo: Denver Bryan TRADITIONS STAFF Editors: ELIZABETH M. BUSH Traditions is published quarterly by The NRA Foundation, Inc., for the benefit of its donors and other interested parties. LAURA DINDAL 11250 Waples Mill Road • Fairfax, VA 22030 • (800) 423-6894 • www.nrafoundation.org Design: VANN DESiGN, LLC 2 TRADITIONS • Quarter 1: 2008 GUEST EDITORIAL PHILIP GRAY Sr. Field Rep. for Southern Ohio Chillicothe, Ohio Greetings from Southern Ohio ’m Philip Gray, the Senior Field Representative covering Southern Ohio and a member of the merchandise selection committee. I would like to give a little insight into how the selection Icommittee picks the products for the Friends of NRA banquets. We meet every March to pick items for the upcoming years’ banquets. The merchandise selection committee is made up of four senior field representatives from around the country who are very successful in promoting the Friends of NRA program. As a team, we look for items that meet all or most of a pre-determined list of requirements. These requirements range from perceived value, marketability in all states, and costs associated with the purchase of the item, as well as the shipment. Other factors that the committee considers during this selection process are: if the product will be offered as an NRA exclusive, can the vendor deliver the product at requested times, and the fund- raising capacity of the item. All of the field representatives are looking for new items to include in the Friends of NRA program throughout the year. If you come across any items that you feel would meet most of the requirements I listed above, please contact your field representative. We purchase items from very small vendors to the major gun companies. We are making an effort to purchase more American made products, but the reality is we will always have items from around the world. We cannot thank you enough for all the work and time you give to the Friends of NRA program. We are making a difference in the youth of this great nation and the shooting sports. As you look through your Friends of NRA merchandise catalog and ask yourself “what were they thinking,” now you know. TRADITIONS • Quarter 1: 2008 3 COVER STORY Big Sky Carvers and Friends of NRA Tradition Conservation ig Sky Carvers, based out of Manhattan, Mont., talents of Big Sky Carvers artists to bring another great is still doing what they’ve always done— relationship to a higher level, with sculptor Rick Terry. passionately creating lifestyle products for the Rick’s highly successful career working with bronze Bdiscriminating sportsman and nature-lover with casting was a perfect match in bringing the National their highly skilled team of artists and sculptors. Given Sponsor program to life with a sculpture series, beginning their love of tradition, history and conservation, it seems with “The Patriot” in 2002. Telling the story of how almost fate-driven that passion would tie-in perfectly with firearm ownership has played a role in shaping our the Friends of NRA National Sponsor program. country, Big Sky Carvers continued to provide a new “The NRA Foundation and particularly its initiatives sculpture each year, generating millions of dollars for the involving habitat conservation and youth education Friends of NRA and The NRA Foundation. struck a big chord with our team,” says Big Sky Carvers Terry is especially proud of his involvement. “For me, Co-Founder, Marc Pierce. “We live in Montana where as an artist, it is a personal privilege& to have, through we are proud of our heritage as gun owners, hunters these NRA projects, the opportunity to indulge my and conservationists. We support passion for American History. Knowing that these The NRA Foundation in a big way sculptures are being used to preserve our American because they support our lifestyle in culture and helping to pass along to future generations a big way.” this proud heritage is immensely gratifying.” Founded 28 years ago by Marc Another significant member of fueling this and his father Eric, Big Sky Carvers relationship, Kern Stevenson, Big Sky Carvers VP of began specializing in wooden duck Marketing, adds, “In working with The NRA Foundation decoy carvings. Their decoys and and John da Silva, I have found it deeply rewarding later bears and other wildlife grew knowing our partnership is a contributing factor to the to achieve worldwide recognition. success of The NRA Foundation.” Big Sky Carvers That success allowed them to National Manager of Volunteer Fund-raising for sculptor Rick Terry gather a team of dedicated artists Friends of NRA, John C. da Silva further commented, to delve into further expressions in other mediums such “Our success with Friends of NRA is dependant upon as sculpture, home accent and gallery pieces. Thus, the great volunteers and numerous relationships we build foundation was set to be in a position to promote wildlife within the industry with companies like Big Sky Carvers. and hunting conservation—a cause very near and dear to They believe in our mission and support our cause. This the company’s heart. It seems only fitting that the road interdependent relationship is continuously evolving, would eventually lead to the NRA. and our success at the grassroots level is dependant upon “Our relationship with the NRA’s Kyle Weaver began, vendor support and great products. Over the years, Big frankly, as simply a merchandise vendor,” notes Pierce. Sky Carvers has been a leader and their products have “But as we developed a closer working relationship enabled Friends of NRA to generate several millions in with Kyle and other staff members, we came to better fund-raising to The NRA Foundation.” understand the mission and objectives of the organization. At that point we really got caught up in the spirit and To learn more about Big Sky Carvers, attend a Friends of have prioritized NRA support since then.” NRA banquet in your area today! Visit www.friendsofnra.org That NRA support meant easily dipping into the or call (800) 672-3888 x1354 for more information. Denver Bryan Photo: 4 TRADITIONS • Quarter 1: 2008 Big Sky Carvers and Friends of NRA Tradition Conservation In 2006, Big Sky Carvers and Montana Silversmiths joined forces with additional investors to form an umbrella company called Group Montana, Inc. Under this umbrella both brands operate independently & while sharing resources to help each brand reach higher ground. The Group Montana, Inc. family of brands includes Big Sky Silver, Montana Lifestyles, Big Sky Gifts, Cowboy Kickers and Big Sky Candle Company. Additional information may be found at www. bigskycarvers.com and www.montanasilversmiths. com. TRADITIONS • Quarter 1: 2008 5 ENDOWMENT & PLANNED GIVING Heritage Society Holds Annual Event in Fall Honors Planned Giving Donors By Brooke A. Berthelsen Assistant Director, Planned Giving n October 11-13, 2007, the It was a beautiful weekend as approximately 50 Heritage Society members and guests enjoyed the three-day event. Heritage Society, NRA’s Attendees had a chance to visit with NRA officers and Fairfaxstaff and take in the sights at NRA headquarters, as well as planned giving donor recog- Washington, D.C.