[glock fan]

I wasn't sure where to put this, so if there's a better place, I'd appreciate if a MOD would move it. With that said, I'd like to know if anyone would be interested in setting up a "Legal Action Fund". This wouldn't necessarily be for "Legal Defense", but more for any type of legal fees that would help protect our 2A rights as well as further our 2A promotion efforts through "Legal Action". If it's more appropriate, we could have a "general" fund that can be used to set up public events, etc. Here in HI (where I'll be for at least 6 more months), I belong two a few pro 2A organizations that have a fund that's set up to help in "Legal" situations. We have a group that votes on the issues and amounts spent. Kind of like your typical small non-profit organization.

With the recent incident that "cityslicker" was involved in, I don't think the fund is necessarily a bad idea. Any opinions, comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

gf

 

[divegeek]

We talked a little about the idea at lunch yesterday. And, although for legal reasons there hasn't been much discussion here, we already have one member who needs help with a legal defense fund right now.

I expect there will be plenty of support for the idea, but we need to figure out how to handle the money legally and financially.

 

[xmirage2kx]

I looked into something like this about 6 months ago, there is a lot more to it than opening an account and throwing in money.

Its a good idea and it @#$% me off to no end that we might needs something like this.

 

[GeneticsDave]

I wasn't sure where to put this, so if there's a better place, I'd appreciate if a MOD would move it.

I moved it to Chit Chat for the time being. If this takes off I can make it a global announcement.

 

[Jeff Johnson]

That might not be a bad idea, but we do have some existing pro-gun organizations here in Utah, such as one that I belong to, the Utah Shooting Sports Council.

There's also GOUtah!

Those are organizations that are active proponents of pro-gun legislation.

 

[divegeek]

That might not be a bad idea, but we do have some existing pro-gun organizations here in Utah, such as one that I belong to, the Utah Shooting Sports Council.

There's also GOUtah!

Those are organizations that are active proponents of pro-gun legislation.

I think the idea is more to have a fund to pro-actively follow up on bad OC stops, like cityslicker's, rather than add another lobbying effort.

 

[glock fan]

The intent would be to follow-up on situations or we could use the money to do pro-active measures like retaining an attorney to review documents or possibly provide legal opinions before we decide on a particular action.

gf

 

[jaredbelch]

I like the idea of setting up a fund, and having forum members vote on whether to use money on specific issues that affect our forum.

One way I've seen this done very successfully is to have the voting "panel" or "committee" chosen at random from a pool of forum members who are actively involved and who support the goals the forum is trying to reach. The founders or others could have full veto powers of who is in the pool, and each time an issue is submitted for review, a new panel of 5 or so are chosen to review and vote on the issue.

The pool of members could be as small or as large as needed and could be determined however we want. (Post count, Date Joined, Last Login, Nominations, Post Quality, Donation Amount, etc) Members could opt-in or opt-out of the pool beforehand or during the process if they wanted. Also it might be wise to keep the list of the pool and panel members private so they are less likely to be harassed or pressured into the decisions they make.

Obviously this solution takes quite a bit of management, so it's merely a suggestion... Although I am willing to help in any way I can.

Feel free to pick apart my suggestion... I'm always up for criticism.

 

[Outsider]

I like the idea of setting up a fund, and having forum members vote on whether to use money on specific issues that affect our forum.

One way I've seen this done very successfully is to have the voting "panel" or "committee" chosen at random from a pool of forum members who are actively involved and who support the goals the forum is trying to reach. The founders or others could have full veto powers of who is in the pool, and each time an issue is submitted for review, a new panel of 5 or so are chosen to review and vote on the issue.

The pool of members could be as small or as large as needed and could be determined however we want. (Post count, Date Joined, Last Login, Nominations, Post Quality, Donation Amount, etc) Members could opt-in or opt-out of the pool beforehand or during the process if they wanted. Also it might be wise to keep the list of the pool and panel members private so they are less likely to be harassed or pressured into the decisions they make.

Obviously this solution takes quite a bit of management, so it's merely a suggestion... Although I am willing to help in any way I can.

Feel free to pick apart my suggestion... I'm always up for criticism.

I agree with the panel, but elected after a nomination other then appointed.

-Committee Chairman
-Vice Chairman
-Treasure (one to keep track of donations)
-Secretary (keeps notes)
-Panel Members (3)

That would give seven positions and majority rules, just like the Supreme Court (right?).

I don't agree however that the pool and panel members should be kept private. It makes them accountable to those that donate to the legal action fund. But setting up a private forum for them that they can see and no one else, that way they can discuss what is going on and keep track of things.

I would say that we'd need to create some bylaws and small "constitution" about voting, who can be appointed, where they are appointed, etc. Probably do some of this at a OC dinner, but nothing can be decided until it is voting upon on the forums because some in Logan and St George wouldn't be able to get to those dinners.

I'm just throwing out my $.02 here.

 

[UTOC-45-44]

I wasn't sure where to put this, so if there's a better place, I'd appreciate if a MOD would move it. With that said, I'd like to know if anyone would be interested in setting up a "Legal Action Fund". This wouldn't necessarily be for "Legal Defense", but more for any type of legal fees that would help protect our 2A rights as well as further our 2A promotion efforts through "Legal Action". If it's more appropriate, we could have a "general" fund that can be used to set up public events, etc. Here in HI (where I'll be for at least 6 more months), I belong two a few pro 2A organizations that have a fund that's set up to help in "Legal" situations. We have a group that votes on the issues and amounts spent. Kind of like your typical small non-profit organization.

With the recent incident that "cityslicker" was involved in, I don't think the fund is necessarily a bad idea. Any opinions, comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

gf

I don't believe there are ANY if's and but's about it. We NEED to do it. As was said, swillden, said there is one member that REALLT needs it. His family is suffering financially do to an Officer that does NOT understand the leagality about OCing. I believe that this IS in the best interest of us all.

I may not be able to throw in a bit chunk every month but it's a better goal then stuffing my face with food and beverages that I DON'T need.

TJ

 

[Outsider]

I wasn't sure where to put this, so if there's a better place, I'd appreciate if a MOD would move it. With that said, I'd like to know if anyone would be interested in setting up a "Legal Action Fund". This wouldn't necessarily be for "Legal Defense", but more for any type of legal fees that would help protect our 2A rights as well as further our 2A promotion efforts through "Legal Action". If it's more appropriate, we could have a "general" fund that can be used to set up public events, etc. Here in HI (where I'll be for at least 6 more months), I belong two a few pro 2A organizations that have a fund that's set up to help in "Legal" situations. We have a group that votes on the issues and amounts spent. Kind of like your typical small non-profit organization.

With the recent incident that "cityslicker" was involved in, I don't think the fund is necessarily a bad idea. Any opinions, comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

gf

I don't believe there are ANY if's and but's about it. We NEED to do it. As was said, swillden, said there is one member that REALLT needs it. His family is suffering financially do to an Officer that does NOT understand the leagality about OCing. I believe that this IS in the best interest of us all.

I may not be able to throw in a bit chunk every month but it's a better goal then stuffing my face with food and beverages that I DON'T need.

TJ

I see that we only needed like, what, $150 for moving the forums and website to some else and got over $300? I believe this is very do able.

 

[usSiR]

this is an idea I've thought of too

Most everyone can spare some money, but when it comes to bigger issues most everyone cannot afford a large sum of money,

I'm all for a fund, I like the ideas of a committee.

I agree with TJ, its a must.

 

[Cinhil]

I believe that this is a must which we should all be willing to step up and donate either time, energy or money to do.
One way we could do this could be by actively requesting donations on the site for this fund.
Another way is to collect monies for this fund at any monthly dinner.luncheon.
A third option is to prepare a large summer Barbecue in a location the majority could get to. At this event have a raffle for some prizes from local gun shops. The amount of donation for the raffle prizes should include sufficient to pay for those items, and to have monies remaining for this pot. It would also be good to request everyone attending to provide something to share and a small donation of 5$ or so to cover meat and any park fees. Remaining monies could be placed in this fund. Then it ought to become a annual event. We could invite the news media to attend. This could not only bring us tremendous growth, but it could help us bring in much more in donations than we could do otherwise.
Now these are all good ideas, and I am willing to help, but I don't believe I would be the best at organizing something like this either.
I know many of us are involved in many things which keep us quite busy, and we want to be able to stay close with our families, the question is; Is this something we want to begin a tradition of? If so have we any volunteers?
I will help if wanted. Again a committee of several forum members may be best suited for this.
Comment?

 

[glock fan]

I like the BBQ idea. If you really want to do something different, I could set up an authentic "Hawaiian Luau".

gf

 

[divegeek]

One way we could do this could be by actively requesting donations on the site for this fund.
Another way is to collect monies for this fund at any monthly dinner.luncheon.
A third option is to prepare a large summer Barbecue in a location the majority could get to. At this event have a raffle for some prizes from local gun shops.

I like all these ideas, and especially the summer fundraiser. On the raffle, I'll bet that if we asked around we could get some gun shops to completely or partially donate prizes. I've been involved with some other organizations and always been amazed at how willing businesses are to donate, even to organizations that aren't legally non-profits (which makes the donations tax-deductible, of course). They mostly see it as advertising, so it's a good deal for them.

Also, I don't see any need to pick from the ideas. Do them all.

First, though, we need to get a place to put the money, which probably means we need an attorney's help. We could just pick a trustworthy member to hold it, but I certainly wouldn't volunteer for that job. Too risky, even with very complete records.

 

[divegeek]

I like the BBQ idea. If you really want to do something different, I could set up an authentic "Hawaiian Luau"

In Oahu?

 

[glock fan]

I like the BBQ idea. If you really want to do something different, I could set up an authentic "Hawaiian Luau"

In Oahu?

No, in Utah. I've done several Hawaiian Luaus' for friends in Las Vegas, NV. It was fun, but did take a lot of work. One was to help raise money for medical expenses and the other was to celebrate a child's first b-day. The b-day luau got some coverage from the local news media.

gf

 

[jaredbelch]

I like the BBQ idea. If you really want to do something different, I could set up an authentic "Hawaiian Luau".

gf

Yes Please! :eat:

 

[glock fan]

Sounds like we have a good interest in setting up some type of "Legal Action Fund". I'd take the lead, but I'm not in UT yet. We need to come up with a plan as to how we're going to select the folks who will be deciding on how the fund is used, and most importantly, set up some sort of bank account.

Any takers?

gf

 

[usSiR]

What happen to this topic did it die?? :nilly:

My first suggestion for a bank: Zions
There are multiple locations all over UT, making it easy for any member to make a deposit/donation. There could be some sort of name attached to it, like UCC Fund, maybe not that but something where anyone can donate. There should be 3 people on the account.

People and positions:
Chairman, VC, Treasure, and Sec.
(not in any particular order) Glock Fan, Outsider, swillden, xmirage2kx, GeneticsDave, UTOC-45-44, and me (usSiR)

This is just my personal preference; they are active here, knowledgeable, and show interest in this topic.
This would cover the top 4 slots and provide a panel.

As far as some rules to benefit from the fund, must have donated at least "X" amount, been a member or member on the UCC forum "X" amount of days/weeks, provide a case number and/or other evidence for use of funds.

These are just some of my ideas. This needs some more forward momentum, I'm tired of hearing about people being harassed and potentially charged with some bogus law. I help people that I work with when management steps on them, I point them in the right direction with the union, and I’m working to be a union representative in my work area.

:taz: