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Membership News - December 23, 2008

Happy Holidays

Today's News:

1. Meetings
2. L.L.Bean Discount Program
3. Super Raffle Winners
4. Super Sellers
5. 2008 Tax Deduction

1. MPGA Meetings:

• Board of Directors - Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 9:00 AM. Location is the Holiday Inn on Odlin Road in Bangor.
• Board of Directors - Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 9:00 AM. Location is the Holiday Inn on Odlin Road in Bangor.
• Board of Directors - Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 9:00 AM. Location is the Holiday Inn on Odlin Road in Bangor.
• Annual Membership Meeting & Banquet - Saturday, April 11, 2009. Location is Jeff's Catering in Brewer.

Members are welcome to attend all Board meetings.

No More Discounts at L.L.Bean!

2. Urgent - Impending Changes:

You read that right. It is almost true. Due to very unprofessional behavior by MPGA members while shopping at L.L.Bean's Freeport store, MPGA's Board of Directors have decided that this ENTIRE DISCOUNT PROGRAM MAY END SOON.

MPGA's Board will not put up with any abuses of this generous program, or of any disrespect being shown to L.L.Bean's store staff.

MPGA members are expected to:

1. Be a Professional both when guiding and when interacting with the public at all times. Doing otherwise is unacceptable. MPGA members must stand out as exemplary representatives of Maine Guides, of Maine, and of MPGA. At all times. Including when shopping at L.L.Bean or other retailers who support guides with special discounts and donations.
2. Know and abide by the discount program's rules that we have negotiated with L.L.Bean. It is up to you to know what products are covered and what are not, not the store staff.
3. Present a current MPGA Membership Card, a photo ID, and a telephone number. NO EXCEPTIONS. This is very simple. No card, no discount. It is not L.L.Bean's problem if you forgot your card.
4. Respect L.L.Bean's returns policy - that of taking back items that are defective or unsatisfactory - and to not use this as a way to outfit your clients for a few days in the field. This abuse of a business' good will is unacceptable, and unfortunately a number of Maine Guides are known by L.L.Bean to do this on a regular basis. Don't do it. Be fair, and be professional. Ask yourself if you would want your clients to do these things to you or your staff.

MPGA members have been recently abusing these expectations. Unfortunately, these have placed the entire discount program in jeopardy. The unacceptable behavior of a few will cost all other MPGA members a great deal. Every time this happens, MPGA gets a call. Sometimes within minutes. The next call may be the last straw.

You must take responsibility for this program, and make sure there are no more calls. Be sure to thank L.L.Bean's staff for making your discount possible.

Follow these Simple Rules

Store Discounts only apply to:

• Freeport retail store only
• Items that are actually in the store and on the shelf at the time of your purchase.
• These items are for your own personal use and for use in your professional guiding activities.

• Outdoor Sporting Equipment

• Items in the Hunting/Fishing Department.

• Items in the Boat/Bike/Ski Store

• Men's & Women's Apparel

• Footwear

• Note: The discount varies by product, and certain products have no discount.

Discounts DO NOT apply to:

• Freeport Outlet store, or any other retail outlet locations.
• Items that are not in the store and on the shelf at the time of purchase. The store will not order an item for you. Go home first, and then order through our Special Discount Order contact.
• All Items in the following departments:

• Kids Department.

• Home Department.

• Travel Department.

• Items to be given as gifts.
• Gift Cards
• Boot repairs.
• Online orders.

Other restrictions may apply. For more info on the discount program, and how to order by telephone from the Special Discount Orders line, visit MPGA's website where you can read the rules, and also download a brochure to take with you.

WARNING:

Arguing with store staff, raising your voice, swearing, insults, yelling, or even more extreme behaviors ARE NOT PROFESSIONAL. Any member doing so will be identified, reported to MPGA, and will have their MPGA membership suspended or terminated, along with privileges like receiving discounts at L.L.Bean and other stores.

3. Super Raffle Winners:

Our 2008 Super Raffle was a huge success. We grossed over $38,000.00, assuring that MPGA will be able to tackle the busy legislative session this winter!

Super Raffle winners were drawn at the membership meeting on December 7, 2008. The ten winners, from six states, are:

1. Freshwater Fishing Trip - Gaylon Bridges, MD
2. Black Bear Hunt over Bait - Thomas Lee Jr, ME
3. Saltwater Fishing Trip - Randy Ballenger, ME
4. Whitetail Deer Hunt - Howie Bamforth, ME
5. Canoeing Adventure - Miranda Brannigan, ME
6. Bobcat Hunt over Hounds - Russell Renninger, PA
7. Vacation Package - Stacy Freeman, ME
8. Black Bear Hunt over Hounds - Adrian Pollard, NC
9. Upland Game Hunt - Dave Simmons, NY
10. Bonus Prize: Alaskan Fishing Trip for Two - Cliff Libby, CT

Congratulations to all winners, and thank you to all who supported MPGA by buying tickets, selling tickets, and by donating a prize trip.

Visit our Super Raffle section for prize info, and watch for our 2009 raffle kickoff this winter. It promises to be even better!

4. Super Sellers:

We owe our special thanks to these “Super Sellers” and all others who sold one or more Super raffle tickets. It all helps. It all counts. The following 24 Super Sellers accounted to 90% of all ticket sales! Imagine how strong MPGA would be if all 700 members pitched in just a little bit.

Ticket sellers who sold $1,500 in tickets will receive a collectors' edition Marlin 45/70 "Guides Rifle”, personalized with the MPGA logo emblazoned on the stock. Those who sold $1,000 will receive a $200 L.L.Bean Gift Certificate, and sellers of $500 will receive a $100 L.L.Bean Gift Certificate.

The rifles will be presented at the Annual Banquet on April 11, 2009. The LL Bean Certificates were mailed in time for Christmas shopping.

5. Help MPGA - Get a 2008 Tax Deduction:

Did you know that your membership dues covers only one third of MPGA's operating expenses? Fortunately, the Super Raffle provides enough extra funds to keep MPGA strong at the state legislature.

But this still leaves MPGA without funds to stay involved in the many statewide activities where rules, regulations and decisions are being made that affect guides. MPGA needs a large amount of donations from members, corporations and the public in order to fully participate in protecting sporting opportunities and keeping guides in business.

Your Donation is Vital

Now is the time to make an extra donation. Our opposition is well funded and is hard at work. MPGA needs to be too. Your donation to the "Maine Guides Education Fund" will let us get out our messages about recreation, land use, and wildlife policies, so we might not have to face more gates, doors and rules shutting us out.

Plus, putting your donation into the mail before December 31 allows you to take a charitable deduction on your 2008 tax return. The “Maine Guides Education Fund” is recognized by the IRS as a public charity – so donations made payable to the “Maine Guides Education Fund” are tax deductible charitable donations.

Member donations typically range from $50 to $500. We hope you will consider what is at stake, and join others in making a year end donation.

Be sure to make your check Payable to “Maine Guides Education Fund” and Mail it to:

Maine Guides Education Fund
Attn: John Rust
PO Box 336
Augusta, ME 04332

You will receive in return a letter of acknowledgement and thanks that you can keep with your tax records.

Note: Donations made payable to MPGA are not deductible as charitable donations.

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