I apparently read Punchmaster' s post differently than some. I see nothing which would promote or suggest a disregard for the opinions of the membership on the part of the IBO. Quite the contrary. He points out that although The BOD is under no direct obligation to obtain input from their members, they choose to do so in a variety of ways. Polls have been attempted. (with less than enthusiastic results) This very forum has been established to provide for a source of input. They have established a network of State Representatives from across the country to act as a direct liason to the organization. The office staff have provided an open door policy to encourage questions and offer answers. And Ken and various Board members personally monitor this forum and provide insight into the decision process. ( at least when they are not being personally attacked.)

I have been giving this poll business a great deal of thought. You have to know that mail in polls are basically a huge waste of our resources. The cost is extreme when you factor in the 5 to 10% responce that you will recieve. AT that point the results are no more a mandate than is this forum. A survey was taken at Erie this year which saw less than a 25% return on forms handed to shooters at registration. In my mind that qualifies as less than enthusiastic. A further complication of the mail in polls is that once they are complete, no one wants to believe the results. My opinions and information presented have been questioned and dismissed recently by fastfletch simply because I' m a State Rep for the organization. With that as the guiding mindset, any possible benefit from a membership poll will largely be nullified. I have, however, come up with a possible solution to offer for discussion.

Reasonable progress demands that the BOD and IBO staff continue to function as they have been doing. However, if a given situation is such that 25% of the membership petitions for a general membership vote, then the opportunity for such a vote to occur could be provided. Concievably we could establish a yearly convention or some other venue to act as a gathering point. Due to the cost of providing such a resource, we would need pre-registration with a non-refundable fee to cover the rental of facilities adequate for the event. At that point a 2/3 majority vote could overturn a Board decision. If we are unable to obtain at least a 2/3 membership attendance, then the meeting and vote would be cancelled indicating an absentee vote in favor of the boards decision. Operating in this manner could work in several ways. First, the results would not be so quickly questioned because you were actually present for the vote. Second, the resources would only be dedicated to such an event when the membership displayed sufficient concern or interest to make it happen. At the point when a vote would be called, everyone would know that in fact a large concern was present, and not just a few disgruntled individuals beating a drum and trying to drown out the support of the quiet majority.

Please keep in mind these are just my thoughts presented for discussion purposes only at this time. As always, your thoughts, opinions, and ideas are always welcome.