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Membership News - August 24, 2009

Protecting Guides & the Natural Resources
We Depend On for 30 Years -- 1979-2009

1. MPGA Meetings:

• Board of Directors - Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 9:00 AM. Location is the Holiday Inn on Odlin Road in Bangor.
• Membership - Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 9:00 AM. Super Raffle winners will be drawn. Location is the Holiday Inn on Odlin Road in Bangor.

Members are welcome to attend all Board meetings.

2. Urgent Message from Bert Goodman

Dear Maine Guides:

Summer is nearly over and the Super Raffle is going strong. Many new members have stepped up and gotten involved by selling Super Raffle Tickets. We hope to see even more of you join in this year. When you sell Super Raffle tickets you can be proud of accomplishing:

• Support for a cause that is dedicated in preserving your outdoor heritage and livelihood in the Great state of Maine.
• Raising the Funds needed to keep MPGA on the front lines with constant lobbying and policy advocacy campaigns.
• Recognition Rewards that are available to you depending on the amount of tickets you sell.
• If you sell $1,500 worth of tickets, you win a Marlin Rifle custom engraved with the MPGA logo.
• If you sell $1,000 worth of tickets, you win a $200 L.L.Bean gift certificate.
• If you sell $500.00 worth of tickets, you win a $100 L.L.Bean gift certificate.

Fight for your Survival

Protecting Guides. It's all about the fundamentals that allow us to participate in such a fantastic Maine tradition.

It’s no secret that outsiders away from this state, and some from within, spend many countless hours plotting and seeking to dismantle this historic tradition, and for most of us, our livelihoods. Although it pains me to think that some with nothing at stake would take time out of their lives to harass us for doing the honorable thing that we do, it is sad but true…

They are out there. They want to put you out of business. And they work hard raising money every day to fight us in the legislature, elsewhere in Augusta, in the courts, and at the polls.

We must not forget that each and every one of us has an ultimate responsibility to defend what we know is right. What we know is ours. Despite the flurry of things we must take care of in the upcoming months, we must not forget to also fuel our defenses, so to speak.

You Make the Difference

The Super Raffle has historically been our most effective and successful way to do this. In the last three seasons the Super Raffle has increased by leaps and bounds. We grossed $38,000 last year through your hard work and dedication. We can do even better this year if every member pitches in just a little bit.

I’m positive that by giving your guests the opportunity to participate themselves, by supporting MPGA, we will have another record-breaking year. This is a fundraiser that everyone can get behind. There are no losers! Your guests clearly want to participate, because they enjoy coming to our great state and engaging in our fascinating traditions with all of the talented guides who are reading this letter right now.

All of you can help fuel the fires for defending your livelihood, and assure that MPGA will have the funds it needs to protect your heritage. Super Raffle tickets must be sold during the upcoming season. Your participation will make a difference. Your action is vital.

Prizes for Selling Tickets

There are three levels of prize rewards for those of you who sell lots of Super Raffle tickets:

• Sell $1,500 - Receive a beautiful Marlin Rifle, complete with the MPGA Logo engraved in the stock.
• First-time winners receive a blued model Marlin 45/70 “Guide’s Model” rifle.
• Second-time winners receive a stainless model Marlin 45/70 “Guide’s Model” rifle.
• Third-time winners receive a Marlin 308MX Express.
• Sell $1,000 - Receive a $200 L.L. Bean Gift Certificate.
• Sell $500  - Receive a $100 L.L. Bean Gift Certificate.

Retain Your Customers

Every year the Super Raffle has a bonus draw. Everyone who purchases a ticket becomes eligible for this draw. This years bonus draw is donated by a very generous member of the MPGA, Joe Cabral. Joe is owner of Russell Pond Camps here in Maine and B-bar-C Outfitters in Idaho. The trip that he has donated is a Guided Elk Hunt in Idaho for one person. This hunt is 8 days, 6 day hunt, meals, transportation, and fully guided . Thank you very much Joe. It is dedication and support like Joe’s that keeps the MPGA as strong as it is.

The Super Raffle depends on many members like Joe, who each pledge one or more trips. Join with these other committed members, and pledge a trip. Then, if your guests win a trip, they can return to you. MPGA wants them to return to your outfit! You can assure this by becoming a trip donor. It takes less than one minute to do this.

Members who donate trips will have their prize info added to our Super Raffle website. Each donated trip is listed with a description and link to your own website.

Simply CLICK HERE to download a trip donor form. PRINT it. Fill out the form by hand. Mail it immediately to:

John Rust
P.O. Box 459
Hampden, ME 04444

Raffle Questions

If you run into any troubles or have any questions (i.e. you need more tickets!), please get in touch with me, Bert Goodman, at:

Tel: 207-528-2320
E-mail: bgoodman@fairpoint.net
Mail Address: P.O. Box 323, Patten Maine 04765

Thank you all very much, and good luck this season.

Sincerely,

Bert Goodman,
Super Raffle Committee Chairman

2. Events Committee Activity

Thanks to Milt Baston, Roger Lambert, Wayne Plummer, Lee Schanz and new member Jim Estabrook for helping at the L.L.Bean "Moose Hunting Clinic" on Saturday, August 15.

Despite low traffic in the store on that 90 degree day, their presence in the store made a big impression on L.L.Bean's management. When Maine Professional Guides make a commitment, we follow through and deliver as promised like no others.

The MPGA "Events Committee" will be at these coming events:

• L.L.Bean's "Fall Sports Expo" in Freeport on Saturday and Sunday, August 29 & 30.
• Kittery Trading Post on Saturday and Sunday, September 12 & 13 for SeptemberFest.
• Kittery Trading Post on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 & 27 to celebrate National Hunting & Fishing Day.
• L.L.Bean's "Hunting Expo" in Freeport on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 & 27 to celebrate National Hunting & Fishing Day. MPGA is sponsoring a "Deer Hunting" panel discussion on Saturday at 4:30 pm.
• Kittery Trading Post on Saturday and Sunday, October 17 & 18 for their "Hunters Gear-Up" sale.

Helpers Needed

The MPGA "Events Committee" needs additional help at these events. Please let us know if you can help out.

First and foremost, helpers are needed at L.L.Bean on Saturday and Sunday, August 29 & 30, and at Kittery Trading Post on Saturday and Sunday, September 12 & 13, to staff our display, answer visitors' questions and to discuss the Association's activities and Maine Guides in particular.

Please contact Don Dudley at ddudley@hughes.net if you are able to help or would like more information.

Trailblazer Adventure Sweepstakes

MPGA's Events Committee kicked off a special MPGA effort to help support the United States Sportsmen's Alliance by selling tickets to the USSA's "Trailblazer Adventure Sweepstakes."  First prize is $10,000 in cash or a two year lease on a new Toyota Tundra. Tickets are $5 each. Proceeds are split between the USSA and MPGA.

The Events Committee needs you to help sell these raffle tickets. Volunteer to help at our events or contact us for tickets and sell them to your clients and friends.

Please contact Don Dudley at ddudley@hughes.net if you are able to help or would like more information.

Visit the MPGA Website for more news and info.