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Patriot Guard Riders Forum
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busch2fan 
Posts: 337
Wauconda, IL
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| 21 Mar 2007 10:20 PM |
 Alert
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It's been awhile since we've talked... I'd like to say that we've solved a laundry list of issues and that everything is running as smoothly as a Zipper Performance 117 with ported heads and high compression pistons...
But, unfortunately, that's not the case. We're still running... we're still getting down the road. But maybe more like and old shovelhead - belching oil every now and then and kicking out some smoke... just to keep the mosquitoes away.
Seriously though, there has been a rash of KIA's recently. While one is too many... what we've seen over recent weeks has tore at each and every one of us.
Lord, watch over my PGR brothers and sisters... we've got some work to do as you welcome home some of your finest soldiers that you sent to us just a short time ago. Keep us safe - keep the soldiers still deployed safe - and give the families strength as they shoulder their sacrifice. Amen.
With that said... lets talk shop...
MEMBER QUESTIONS
IT'S TAX TIME!!! If you're just learning this from me... well... nevermind, it'll just ruin your day. With folks doing their taxes I've been asked, "How do I claim my donations to the PGR as tax deductible when the PGR has not been issued their 501c3 number yet? Answer: In my update regarding the 501c3, I included an attachment from our lawyer certifying our application and stating per IRS regulations that our approval will be retroactive. If you include this letter (and an explanation to your accountant) you should be ok. Once I explained it to my accountant - all was fine. He simply said that if the IRS ever came back to audit me, I would need to get the PGR 501c3 number once it was issued to shore up any loose ends.
HELP ON THE HOMEFRONT / PROJECTS
We got a request from a state for some funds to assist with printing up some flyers and PR handouts for a local rally that is being planned. The BOD agreed to send them $400 requesting receipts in return to validate what was spent. Any monies not spent on the flyers and/or printing costs would be returned to National.
ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS
Website
- There is a strong possibility that a major computer manufacturer will be donating some equipment to the PGR as soon as our 501c3 # is issued. This will be used to replace the server that is currently maxed out running our website and mail system.
- Our Spam software has officially expired. We are looking at options of outsourcing this to a third party who specializes in this area. We have assigned an OPS member to look at the cost feasibility of this.
- Our mail system is currently well outside of it's capabilities. Or let me put it this way... the hamster that powered our mail system and membership lists finally kicked the bucket. He sleeps with the fishes now. We have finally secured the man power to work on this issue and have begun soliciting input from the Regional Captains as to what functionality we need to build into the system. We recognize that this is an ongoing thorn in people's backsides. However, we want to build it once - and build it right. If we rush something just to have something it could be nothing more than a band-aid fix and we end up right back here in another few months. The end is in sight...
FINANCIAL ITEMS
- The BOD voted and approved offering a corporate donor a refund of the $2500 they donated to the PGR. We are doing this as the way we handle and recognize donors changed after we accepted this donation.
- The PGR Store took in $43,921.78 with a rough profit of $14,500.
- The BOD is looking into the requirements to set up a separate bank account for the Fallen Warrior Scholarship fund.
PGR GEAR STORE
We are purchasing a second URL to operate a secure store for purchasing Captain PGR gear. This has been a struggle as currently RC's have been unable to order hats, patches, etc. Now that we have a decided path to create a secured store - rather than create a secured area WITHIN the current store - we should start to see iminent progress on getting this accessible to all PGR Captains.
CLOSING
It's been a rough few weeks folks. I've watched some heated discussions come and go through the forums. I've watched people threaten to quit over something that they feel very passionate about, and I've watched others let people quit because they feel just as passionate about the opposing view. I've watched all this and plenty more... and I've learned from it. Hopefully you have as well.
You see, I'm the youngest of three brothers. I'd like to say I had the hardest go of it being picked on and the like as I grew up. Yet my brothers would say the opposite cause they thought I got the best toys, etc. We got in some pretty heated arguements over the years. Me breaking my oldest brother's science project. My middle brother - Mark (a PGR District Captain in Ohio) - tearing my Hank Aaron rookie card in half. All arguements and fights that... at the time... seemed like the end of the world. Enough to say, "I wish we weren't brothers". I'm sure I've said it --- and I'm QUITE sure that Dave and Mark have felt it. But the good thing is... you can't undo family. I've got 'em for life and I couldn't be prouder. Why? Because regardless of all the petty fights and things that I thought were just cause to declare my independence and go it alone -- when the time came that we needed each other -- everything else went away. The family took over, as it should.
I've watched people argue through a forum for a week, then embrace each other and struggle to get each other through another tearful mission. The family took over.
I've watched people disagree on everything from a logo to a web page design to a t-shirt to a leadership title, then drop everything at a moments notice because another soldier is coming home... under a flag. The family took over.
The family watches out for it's own.
It fights amongst itself...
It heals itself...
It strenghtens itself...
I leave you with a request... in all things PGR...
Let the family take over.
Respectfully,
Jeff |
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"Life... Liberty... and the pursuit of all who threaten it."
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