Thanks David/2005 SC TFA

[Pat McGarrity]

Shelby County TFA Members:

I can't imagine anyone doing a more perfect job than David has done, and we couldn't have hoped for a more credible spokesman for our cause. It's been an honor to work with David to regain and advance our civil rights in Tennessee and it is an honor to serve all of you in the Shelby County TFA. We will always be advancing our rights, never retreating!

In 2005, I look forward to hearing all of your thoughts on how we can bring positive recognition & publicity to our TFA, and grow the membership. This will surely help John Harris when he lobbies to advance our firearms freedoms with our representatives in Nashville. One goal I'd like to pursue more is a little less "perching to the choir" and more exposure in venues where we could find new members, such as town fairs like The Germantown Festival. Another example would be hosting safety classes that focus on crime awareness/avoidence for single mothers. That may spark their interest in joining TFA and illustrate that the gun rights community is a positive force, whether or not they choose to own a firearm.

Additionally, I thought we might work with organizations such as the Memphis Sport Shooters Association, Range USA, Range Master and the Shelby County Public Range (if we can keep it open) for charity fund raisers/TFA membership drives.

The last goal I'll mention today is that I'd like to expand on our letter generator that we offer on the TFA site and send GOA style pre-written e-mail letters to our representatives in the e-mail alerts. Of course, it's preferable that we contact them by phone or write them via snail-mail or fax, however, most people outside of TFA don't even know who their state Representative or Senator is, and have never contacted them. At least this way it would be easy and they will be more likely to hear from us.

My most sincere thanks again to David for his leadership and for giving me the opportunity to serve our Shelby County TFA. I've asked Capt. Bobby Simmons with the Shelby County Sheriff's Dept., who is also a newly elected Bartlett Alderman, to be our guest speaker Jan. 20th but have not confirmed that yet. I look forward to hearing everyone's ideas regarding our goals in 2005 at the meeting. See you there!

In Liberty,

Pat McGarrity - Director
Shelby County Chapter