busch2fan 
Posts: 337
Wauconda, IL
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| 28 Mar 2007 7:30 PM |
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From time to time, every job has its unpleasant moments - and this is no different. I truly enjoy posting my "Word on the Line" updates, and I enjoy working on behalf of the PGR. But... it's not all dry roads and sunny skies - sometimes it's cold, raining, and just downright nasty. But, as with all my PGR brothers and sisters... I ride right through it in search of brighter miles that I know lie ahead.
Part of my job is making sure that the membership is up to speed and to try to answer any questions before they become questions. That's right - I'm supposed to be a mind reader of over 80,000 people and accurately predict their concerns! Good thing my salary is in direct proportion to my skills in doing that...
All kidding aside, I write this with nary a smile nor "glad to do it" emotion at heart. Sometimes the job just requires what the job requires... and so here I am..
I am writing this today to assuage alleged concerns regarding potential conflict of interests of a member of the current BOD.
Part of the new BOD's protocol is to be as transparent as possible. Does this mean every little decision is floated for consideration before being made? Of course not. But it does mean that they will - in thought, plan, and action - make information publicly available, especially when it concerns the core operations of this group that we all hold so near and dear to our hearts. Keep in mind that adopting this new protocol was not easy - nor was it met with immediate trust. Our BOD members were questioned repeatedly - through the forums, via telephone, 24/7 - they submitted to what most would call interrogation... and they took it. They not only took it - they welcomed it as they recognized the only way to run the PGR... was with no secrets.
Sadly, even after months of full financial disclosure, and reporting of BOD actions, it has been alleged that a member of our BOD has improper connections to the organization that is operating, manufacturing, and shipping items from the PGR Gear Store.
I am here to fully disclose the history... the relationship... and the current checks to ensure to you - the membership - that all the operations of the PGR, the BOD, and the PGR Gear Store are completed with only one goal - the best interest and advancement of the PGR.
When it was decided that the PGR would open up and operate its own store (separate from that of Jeff Brown) - it was clear that we needed to partner with an organization that could take this demanding workload off of a volunteer's plate, allow the PGR to maintain a respectable profit on goods sold, and focus on our core responsibilities --- the missions. As the BOD entered a discovery process with no guidance, no experience, and certainly no suggestions - a member of the BOD recalled a business associate that he had been a coworker with nearly 30 years ago. The BOD member had remained an acquaintance of this individual and thought that his current business may indeed be a fit for the PGR and its needs. With the BOD's approval, he held a meeting, described our organizational needs, solicited pricing, and reported back to the BOD the findings.
The BOD eventually approved the plan and thus the PGR Gear Store was born.
Now... to answer the alleged concerns...
Is there a back-door business relationship between a BOD member and the logistics partner operating the PGR Gear Store? No.
Does the logistics partner make money off of the PGR? Of course they do. They are in business to make money - as all businesses are.
Does the PGR make money off of the PGR Gear Store? Yes. 100% of the proceeds from all sales are retained directly by the PGR and financials are reported publicly on a regular basis as required by the federal government. There are no hold backs - no premiums - no fees. What is left after COGS (Cost Of Goods Sold) is profit and is retained by the PGR.
Do we do market analysis to ensure we are getting a competitive deal from our partner? Yes. The BOD, and members of the Marketing Team looked at other partners before setting up the store to check not only product pricing, but capabilities. And to this day, members of the Marketing Team regularly check our pricing to make sure that the PGR is appropriately indexed to the market and getting a fair deal.
Has this been a concern for the majority of the membership? I don't believe so. But... in sticking with the BOD's protocol of transparency and putting information in the public eye... here it is.
No strings attached...
No caveats saying "that's none of your business"...
The PGR is your business.
There are two guiding principles that the BOD and all PGR leaders operate within:
- Better the PGR
- Earn and maintain the member's trust and respect
Both require daily attention, commitment, and devotion.
As a steward of the PGR, I can confidently say that we are on that road and will never detour from it. I do hope that you - as our membership that gives this organization life, strength, and vigor - can feel secure in that you are riding the same road.
Respectfully,
Jeff
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"Life... Liberty... and the pursuit of all who threaten it."
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