As I prepare this update we, in the tropical southern part of the province, are preparing for what is certain to be one of Old Man winters final gasps. I am currently looking forward to black fly season but before that, we will still have to suffer through maple sugar season and all the temptations that presents. Every Herring Choker that has yet to experience the pleasures of a working sugar camp is missing an important part of our heritage.
OK - enough rambling. The first thing I'd like to report is the success of our Canada Winter Games Team. Despite several challenges which included an accelerated program to identify and train the team, our shooters were able to perform very well in the competition held not long ago in B.C. Their performances included several personal best scores as well as a silver medal in the women's rifle team event and, to cap our teams performance, a gold medal in men's individual pistol. These young athletes represented New Brunswick with pride and effort truly representative of young champions. Their performance helped Team New Brunswick to be awarded the trophy for the most improved province competing at the games. Of course our team could not have achieved the level of proficiency displayed without the hard work and commitment of the RNBRA coaches as well as the club coaches and parents that commit uncountable hours to the development of these future leaders in our society.
Next, I'd like to let you know that this summer two of our senior Fullbore rifle shooters will represent Canada as part of the Canadian team to the World Long Range Championships which is the historically significant Palma Team Match.
I am pleased to report that I have appointed, and the board has unanimously approved, Shelley Gregan to be our new Treasurer. She has demonstrated knowledge, professionalism and initiative since she began working with Michelle, our retiring Treasurer, and Lorraine, our Secretary, to learn and take over the vital job of Treasurer of the RNBRA. Shelley is known to many in the NB shooting community and comes highly recommended. We are fortunate to have her commitment to help move the RNBRA forward.
Michelle had indicated quite some time ago that she would like to retire from her position as treasurer when we could find someone to take over from her. I'll take this opportunity to say "Thankyou Michelle" for taking over one of the most important jobs on the RNBRA executive at short notice without the benefit of continuity or help from the past RNBRA bookkeeper.
I regret to have to inform you that I recently accepted the sudden resignation of the RNBRA First Vice President April Brewer and Raoul Leblanc the Airgun Section Representative to the RNBRA governing board. April Brewer is the chairperson of the RNBRA Airgun Section and the NB Airgun Association. April is also the RNBRA coaching committee coordinator. I look forward to the Airgun Section having a general meeting and electing or appointing a new representative to the RNBRA governing board as well as the decision from the NB Airgun Association as to whether or not they will affiliate with the RNBRA and continue to work as a Section in order to develop a provincial Airgun program. I remain hopeful that the NB Airgun Association will remain within the RNBRA and continue to operate as a section according to their constitution under the RNBRA umbrella.
Due to the resignation of our First Vice President, I have been obliged as President to appoint an acting First Vice President subject to Board approval. I'm very pleased to report that Gordon Holloway has a accepted the position and has the unanimous approval of all Board members present at our previously scheduled meeting held on March 7, 2015. Gordon brings to the board varied experience in different shooting disciplines as well as considerable experience in administration, education and mechanical engineering. He is currently Vice Chair of the Fullbore Section and we are fortunate that he has made the time to work as part of our team to help promote shooting sports in NB.
During our most recent board meeting we were able to finalize our plan to reconstitute and properly invest several trust funds that had been set up many years ago for the financial security of our Association. Along with these funds we were able to identify several other trust funds that were given by members, most now deceased, for the promotion of Fullbore shooting in NB. The RNBRA and it's Fullbore section will cooperate to ensure these funds are protected and used as intended in the future by allowing the Fullbore section to look after them while the RNBRA retains ownership and oversight. As you might imagine the research and investigation required to find information and the discussion and deliberation undertaken in order to make fact-based decisions to honour the intentions of the people who left this money for the promotion of shooting was substantial. I'd like to thank all those who contributed to getting this done.
Other business of the meeting will be available in the minutes when published on our website and I encourage you to contact any board member with questions or concerns. Daniel Chisholm and I will be representing the RNBRA at the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association Annual General Meeting and several committee meetings in Ottawa at the end of March.
I will represent the RNBRA at the change of command ceremony for Canadian Forces Base Gagetown on the first of April.
Finally I'd like to thank those of you who have renewed your membership. I remind those who haven't had a chance yet that this will be the last RNBRA communication you receive until you renew your membership, there is a late fee for renewing membership after the end of March which is our fiscal year end.
Spring is coming let's get ready for a busy summer of shooting :-)
Michael Lutes, President
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