USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- Dear Members of the Board of Directors:
I am writing to provide an update on the Grassroots’ campaign to encourage the NRA board of directors to “clean house” at the NRA, and implement fiscal responsibility.
Since our last communication to you, on the evening of Saturday, July 20, 2019, we can report both some regression and some progress. Concerning the regression, Mr. Joel Friedman’s grade has been changed to a “F” in accordance to its definition. Similarly, Ms. Maria Heil’s grade has been changed to a “D.”
These two Board members have chosen, in our opinion, to neglect their responsibilities of oversight and align themselves with Wayne LaPierre and his management team.
It saddens us to see Board Members fail to understand what constitutes “oversight,” which is not unequivocally endorsing Wayne LaPierre and restating “talking points”.
On a brighter note, a small group of Board members: Lt. Col. Robert Brown, Timothy Knight, Sean Maloney, and Esther Schneider, are fulfilling their duties of oversight and fiduciary responsibilities by sending a letter (see attached) to the NRA and we commend them for their efforts.
In the past year, a number of Board members have requested financial and other information (i.e., various contracts, articles which portray the NRA negatively, etc.) necessary for them to provide oversight to Mr. Lapierre so that they can fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities. It appears that Mr. Lapierre and his leadership team has blocked disclosure of the important information.
The days of Mr. LaPierre and his leadership team making important decisions without oversight from the Board are over. It is for these reasons that myself, our members and non-members no longer recognize Mr. LaPierre and his leadership team and will discuss matters directly with Board members.
Since Mr. Lapierre joined the NRA, he has seen Presidents of the United States come and go. During this time, Mr. Lapierre has apparently adopted a belief that he is beyond reproach. Existing management at the NRA no longer relates to the NRA’s rank-and-file members.
History will record that Mr. Lapierre, as well as Board Members with “F” grades are responsible for significantly damaging the integrity of the NRA, as we prepare for the upcoming election year.
Now on to addressing the remaining members of the Board of Directors:
- We look to you, as enforcers of New York non-profit law, to protect the integrity and welfare of the NRA.
- Think of our shared cause — and look only to fellow Board members — in the upcoming votes concerning the fiscal management for the NRA.
- Please identify a leader or group of leaders to address the following:
A process for which to send the petitions from members who have openly identified themselves by name and member number.
A protocol for the members who have requested total anonymity which is satisfactory to these members. I will get in touch with them to ascertain if there is a way for their voices and monies to be heard, such as a neutral third party in which anonymity will be guaranteed. Perhaps a neutral third party can certify the cumulative total of monies withheld so that they can, in essence, retain their anonymities. Of course, that final decision is theirs and only theirs!
- I request that the aforementioned leader or group of leaders from the Board step-up and forward my previous emails and this email to those members who have kept private their email addresses for obvious reasons.
Without substantial progress in finalizing an independent financial audit, our campaign will be forced to commence Phase 4 next week. The key operations of Phase 4 are Operations “Grassroots”, “Inside Out”, and “Clean-up.”
These are carefully arranged plans, intended to raise the public’s awareness of the issues at the NRA, and provide structure for better internal governance at the organization, and make the NRA accountable to all of its members. For example, Operation Clean-up will help the next CEO of the NRA — assuming such assistance is sought – in that position.
The next step is for the members of the Board of Directors to decide the fate of the NRA. When the dust settles, I am confident that history will find that we have strengthened the NRA for the next century of protecting gun rights.
With kind regards,
David Dell’Aquila, representing Grassroots NRA members and non-members as well as millions of voters.