If there are any NJ Waterfowlers curious as to how a PAC like the NJOA works I am pasting below an explanation by a lay-person, which I think desscribes it well.
Ant
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You have to understand how a PAC functions and why there are only five guys.
I don't speak on behlaf of NJOA here but this is what I know to be the case.
A PAC is primarily, if not strictly, a fund raising organization whose job it is to financially support the candidates it wants elected, in this case those opposed to Karcher, Panter and Greenstien, among others who have sponsored and or voted for anti sportsmen legislation in the last session.
Running a membership organization such as a 501 C3 or a 501 C4 is a lot more involved and a lot more administratively intense. The NRA, DU and RFA come to mind, and all are either C3 or C4 organizations. C3's and C4's are restricted in their ability to make campaign contributions, and a PAC fills that void. Think of this as the equivilent to the NRA-ILA or the RFA PAC. It's the funnel the money goes through.
Legislators doors are opened with financial support. Legislators in our corner are elected in part because they have strong campaign funding, in part from us. We can only donate a few thousand to each candidate per the rules, but with over 120 legislators, that can add up to a pretty big bill.
While NJOA is helping with financial contributions, the Sportsmen and women of this state need to get out and help these guys with hard labor, beating the streets looking for sportsmen voters. That rallying cry will come through the other organizations such as the FED, UBNJ and others whose job it is to educate the public.
It is the membership in the existing organizations and any new ones that might be formed, who are the ones who do the footwork. The PAC is the funnel for part of the funding, namely the campaign contributions we need to get us in the face of the right people THIS NOVEMBER.
I happen to know that the treasurer here is a good guy, and I have words on Ant and the others involved that are encouraging.
The main job here is to get your dollars pooled into one fund and get them to the right candidates.
That's not divulging the total action plan but it gives an idea. The antis know what PAC is and how it functions, so the formation alone tells them we (sportsmen, remember, I don't speak for NJOA) are rallying funds to support our candidates. Which ones in which districts? That will be easy to see when the statements are made as to where the donations went.
I don't know Ant personally nor the others here but I TRUST THEM TO GET THE MONEY TO THE RIGHT PLACE AND OPEN THE DOORS FOR US IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
From there, the long term plan will involve alot more strategy, but for now, we need to give them the funding they need to get this snowball rolling down hill, and fast.
That's what I know from my research about how a PAC functions. It doesn't require or even allow for members, and it doesn't need them, it just needs to manage the funding and contribute to the right campaigns. From there, the other organizations take over in grass roots public education and lobbying efforts.
The things are related, but they are done by seperate organizations, as necessitated by both the IRS and state rules.
I said I'm behind it because I have had people I trust vouch for the men involved, and I recognize that we have to make some contributions as part of an overall strategy. The overall strategy may still be in development and may be held close to the chest so as not to tip off the opposition too early. SOmetimes and army needs to sneak around the flank if ya know what I mean, but first and foremst we need to get some money together to open these political doors and get the attention of candidates who are potential supports of NJ's Sportsmen and women.
It's an unfortunate fact that you can all argue with me on (I expect a big rebuttal from Mike C) but it IS fact based on every person I have talked to who either runs or is involved with one of these efforts at a high level.
__________________
