Let's throw a raffle for the MBBA Legal Defense Fund

[BasicPatrick]

There are two threads on this board that talk about what is going on regarding access with the Cape Cod National Seashore, including Nauset Beach. The only realistic answer for this community to have some real effect is to support the Masachusetts Beach Buggy Association in thier efforts to effect changes centered around the Piping Plover Recovery Plan. More info can be found on the MBBA web site. Make no mistake, support means money and a hundred will not cut the mustard when we are talking national lawyers. We on this board throw fundraisers for a wide variety of reasons and this is as good a reason as any. Let's be the first web site to kick in and maybe some of the others will follow.

I think a raffle is the way.

I will donate the following to start a list of prizes.

Basic Plug Package
1 Tattoo Spook
2 Gag's Mambo Minnows-blurple
2 Gag's Mambo Minnows-bubble gum

I have to go dig in the Basic Garage but I am sure I can kick in some more also.

So the question is, do we do this or not?????

[fishonnelsons]

Obviously, I'm in - 9 ' custom Ron Arra Lamiglass with SIC Guides.

Question - how does the "happen"? Do we take a bunchof donations and then sell tickets at the winter fishing shows? or someting like that?

[tattoobob]

Let's do it,

[Bronko]

Great idea Patrick. I'll buy a bunch of tickets when they are available.

[Squid kids Dad]

Probably should get JohnR'S ok 1st...Otherwise i'm in

[Slipknot]

I'm sure it will be fine with John, that's what's great about this site


I'm in!

[JohnR]

I am for it (as long as me and Slip don't need to collect the tickets and organize the prizes and mail this and that )

What is the time frame for doing this? Reason I ask is that this is a tough time of year for some. Anything we do should run into the beginning of the year 07.

I've been thinking about this and I don't want to do a raffle at every turn BUT I think we take care of our people here and I think we need to take care of our beaches. I feel that if everyone here that stepped foot on a Cape Cod Back Beach this year gave $10 to help fight for it, we could raise a few grand. I know some will have negative thoughts about kicking in a couple bucks for something like that but what is the price for access? If the Over Sand Vehicles go, what's next? No fishing from parking lots? No weekends?

WE need to get our proverbial sheet together and kick in for this. We will never match these groups 10 cents on the dollar yet alone 1 to 1 but we NEED to make effort here...

[BasicPatrick]

I just spoke with the chief cook & bottlewasher ?Mr. John R. and we are going to form a small group to manage a S-B fundraiser for the MBBA Legal Defense fund.

First we need a few volunteers willing to join us in managing the fundraiser. If interested, please post here. Once we pick a few names to join in, that group will hash out a plan and then we will solicit donations of prizes from those willing to do so.

[JohnR]

Just so people know, this stuff won't really kick in until after the begining of the year. I just think we need a few people to help organize and come up with a plan which works.

S-B and moi are assisting in this for the MBBA Legal Fund...

Thanks,

John

(PS - I'd like to see Flap and Karl volunteer )

[Karl F]

Great Idea Patrick.. check your PM's, please...


John.. I got an Iron in the "fire" on this one already

[Skitterpop]

I will have stuff to donate if you do raffles.... Just a thought.... maybe make tickets relatively expensive....say $10 or $20 each because it is a fundraiser for very very important issues/causes....


A defense of this nature is an ongoing need for continually replenished funding....we could do a running raffle that extends throughout the years.


Or.... I don`t know but its exciting to think there is something we can do to fight the increasing lack of access in OUR COUNTRY.......

[BasicPatrick]

Though I think we will all see other fundraising for this cause, I was thinking a raffle here on this site amongst this community with prizes donated by "our members" and tickets sold to "our members".

I highly second that I would love KArl and Flap to be in this group to oversee this raffle.

KArl, pm answered.

I want to thank John for once again letting the members do something via the site to better our community.

[piemma]

I'll donate a couple of my big swimmers.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by BasicPatrick

The only realistic answer for this community to have some real effect is to support the Masachusetts Beach Buggy Association in thier efforts to effect changes centered around the Piping Plover Recovery Plan. Make no mistake, support means money and a hundred will not cut the mustard when we are talking national lawyers. We on this board throw fundraisers for a wide variety of reasons and this is as good a reason as any. Let's be the first web site to kick in and maybe some of the others will follow.

So the question is, do we do this or not?????

BP,

It would probably be helpful if you explained what role the MBBA legal fund plays in this picture other than just paying attorney fees, and what has been done in the past. Seeing there are a number of other players involved, describe MBBA's role as it pertains/relates to the other allied groups from the legal perspective. I ask because I was in the MBBA at one time, and on occasions they bang the tin cup for money without telling people what its for other than saying "this is a good thing for beach access". Many here may not know what happens after a donation is made, that's why I ask. Will also be happy to donate whatever is needed.

[Karl F]

Back Beach.. did you ever go to any of the monthly meetings?
All moneys are accounted for, and explained there.
I know a couple years ago it was voted to give money to the Outer Banks group, in their fight to protect access.. all the Beach Buggy groups that are affiliated with UMS work together, for access.
If I remeber correctly, a lobbyist for Beacon Hill was hired for a brief time, a few years ago, to work on some sportsman issues, and that money came out of the legal fund. A lot of folks that belong don't go to the meetings, but if you have any questions, that is the best place to go for answers. First Wednesday of the Month 7 PM Lakeville Lions Club, 10 months of the year, no meetings July and August.
Or, go to the MBBA Web site, the officers all have email links off the site, shoot them an email, with whatever questions you have.

[Krispy]

Originally Posted by Karl F

Back Beach.. did you ever go to any of the monthly meetings?
All moneys are accounted for, and explained there.
I know a couple years ago it was voted to give money to the Outer Banks group, in their fight to protect access.. all the Beach Buggy groups that are affiliated with UMS work together, for access.
If I remeber correctly, a lobbyist for Beacon Hill was hired for a brief time, a few years ago, to work on some sportsman issues, and that money came out of the legal fund. A lot of folks that belong don't go to the meetings, but if you have any questions, that is the best place to go for answers. First Wednesday of the Month 7 PM Lakeville Lions Club, 10 months of the year, no meetings July and August.
Or, go to the MBBA Web site, the officers all have email links off the site, shoot them an email, with whatever questions you have.

Right, but your asking for money from non-MBBA members on S-B.com. I'd like to add to the raffle and donate some $, but I think BackBeach is right and dont want to blindly pay out without some deeper info on how the funds are used.
This could be one of the most important fights for acces on the NE coast, everybody should be involved or at least interested in the Capes outcome.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by Karl F

Back Beach.. did you ever go to any of the monthly meetings?
All moneys are accounted for, and explained there.

I know that, and have attended many meetings in the past. As Krispy said, most here don't know where the $$ goes and how.If you're asking non members for contributions, it makes sense to explain it here before soliciting them.They shouldn't have to dig for it.Transparency=Trust

[JohnR]

That's OK gents - we want to come up with a plan and map this all out so everyone knows where things are going to go and how we will get there. Willing to help us out and join the planning team for this?

Nothing is at this time set in stone but we do want to come up with a plan that will work and is just. In order to do that I think we need a couple volunteers (preferably with some time here) from the site to help with that.

Thanks !

[BasicPatrick]

I can appreciate members of this board asking why some of us want to do this fundraiser and wanting some info on the MBBA Legal fund. Information can be taken directly from www.mbba.net and the Presidents letter regarding the ongoing actions. For those who need more than this regarding the actual issue, please attend the next MBBA BOD meeting in Lakeville MA or the next MSBA meeting in Braintree MA, or e-mail an officer of one of these two longstanding representatives of our MA recreational fishing community.

From the MBBA Web Site:
"Special Notices Lower Cape Beach Access Issues
Hello to all, I would like to bring everyone up to date on what actions the MBBA has been pursuing since July of this year. I wrote the USF&W and recieved a reply, and we met with them in October in Chatham. We had a productive meeting and came up with some goals and an understanding to work with the towns of Chatham and Orleans and the State of Mass to try to get a viable section ten permit in place for the upcoming season. The terms of this setion ten will be evaluated and hopefully made into a management process that will work in these type of situations. We are in the process of making that happen as we speak. Our Nauset Beach Rep has been attending numerous amounts of meetings and we hope to make further progress on this issue as we near the holidays. We are also working on the CCNS and its Off Road Sub Committee. We would like to try and see if we can do the same things at the CCNS that we are trying for in Nauset. Since neither myself or any of the board are Environmental Lawyers, the MBBA has engaged the services of Holland & Knight out of Washington DC. This is the best top notch Law firm, which specialises in environmental law. They will help us and all involved with the wording of these permits, show us the ins and outs of how Federal agencies can negociate with each other, and they are looking over all the State and Federal Laws and Acts to see if there is any other relief that is available to us in these instances. This does not come without a hefty price tag! 7k - 9K just for the review phase. I have contacted all the lower cape Boards of Selectman and the Chambers of Commerce, and the local business associations, everyone has backed the MBBA in its efforts to try and come up with a balenced approach to the access problems we had last season, and the work has started to try and not have a reply of last year. BUT, I need everyones help! This year when it comes time to renew your dues, I will be asking for a doanation to the MBBA Legal Fund. To anyone who wishes to make a doanation to the MBBA Legal Fund, we will be posting a form and address on the Home Page to make it easy for you to do so. Please lend us a hand and help us strike a balence to help keep our access. As always, you can contact me directly at mbba201@adelphia.net, thanks for everyones help! Don"

Back to my answers:
It is my opinion that MBBA should not be the only group funding this effort. The right people are in place to execute this plan and have been for many years. The people that truely repaired the sticker sales, went through the negotiated rulemaking that ensured our accdess to begin with, won the Critical Wintering Habitat Law suit on Cape Hatteras, and already have the correct relationship with beach managers are the "who" in this issue.

All MA clubs shoule feel they have a responsibility to the members they claim to represent by putting on fundraisers to help pay the lawyers fees on this issue and trust me we will not raise any more money in this fundraiser than to assist a little bit in paying the lawyers bill.

The money is going through the MBBA Legal fund because:

1)MBBA Board of Directors is the "formal client" of the lawyers and are our MA experts in this area. This group had the courage to begin this endeavour and has the political connections to get somethign accomplished.

2)The MBBA legal fund has been in existance for many years (over 25years that I know of) and is administered in the public's eye at the monthly MBBA BOD meetings in Lakeville, MA.

3)The MBBA is a completely legal entity registered both in the Commonwealth of MA and with the Federal Government and is subect to and meets the audit and financial reporting requirements (I know for a fact that most fishing clubs can not make this claim).

Running a S-B fundraiser should not be a big deal. We (S-B) have run many raffles that have not been a big deal and this should not be either. Trust is the issue and to be honest, If members here can not give up some trust then we all should be very worried as thesekind of efforts are going to be the norm under the current state of political affairs in this county.

The plan is simple
A)Get a few trusted members together to run the fundraiser
b)That group will plan the specifics of the raffle & post them on the site
c)Solicit prize donations from the members & sponsors
d)Sell raffle tickets over the month of January so we are done before TFCTFN activities ramp up
e)E-mail ticket numbers or mail tickets to those donating the set amount via the site.
f)Have the drawing at a public location
g)Send prizes to winners & post results
h)Send a check to the MBBA legal fund
d)Game Over

This is simple and over complicating small things like this is why we as a recreational community frequently loose. Lets come together, raise some money and support our representives by helping pay the bills.

It's time to do our part

I hope this answered most of the questions and look forward to hearing from those that want more info.