Just an observation here...
I'm sure others wil chime in on this, but in addition to the Nov.-Dec. issue, the Sept.-Oct. issue of THE SHOOTIST also had the candidate breakdown/platforms and ballot, the ballot was on page 17.
Granted there have been delays in getting the mag to the membership and for some unknown reason in 'Printing & Shipping Hell', it doesn't make any difference if you live 20 or 200 miles away from NCOWS HQ and the shipping dock, but generally the mag gets there close to the time needed when a ballot or registration form is required.
Now, I'm not making any apologies here, this is just a simple observation, but with any volunteer-run org this can and does happen, but, with the ballot in two back-to-back issues, unless a member only joined recently and did not get the Sept.-Oct. issue, he/she would have access to a ballot and could have voted in a timely fashion.
In addition, with the increased access to the candidates here and on TFS, it has been very easy to get information to and from the candidates, except those that do not for whatever reason, deem it necesary to not utilize this and the TFS open forums to help promote and explain their individual platforms and or NCOWS ideals. In fact, many of the candidates attended the GRONINGA HILLS ROUND UP this past summer, posted their platforms and took questions at several informal round table discussions offering those members in attendance a rare one-on-one chance to bump elbows with candidates.
That said, I find it unfortunate that anyone using any of the available electronic forums, THE SHOOTIST, telephone or e-mail addresses of the candidates, that they would not take advantage of them and give them a call or post an e-question. All but 3 of those running are regularly listed with e-addresses, home addresses and telephone numbers as Officers/Senators/Posse Reps under THE CONGRESSIONAL REPORT that appears in each issue of THE SHOOTIST. Perhaps the 3 that are not listed should have included their phone, e-address or some way to contact them in their individual platform, that could have helped quantify their platform and made them more available on their part, but again, this is just an observation and no opinion is implied.
All the candidates are our fellow members and are/were running for office to maintain and promote the concept, ideals and agenda of NCOWS for all the membership as a whole, and any member in good standing should never, ever feel that anyone elected to an official position in this or any organization are not accessible, for on the contrary, all you have to do is ask! We are blessed with multiple electronic forums, a bi-monthly mag, a website, e-mail and shooting events where these kind folks can be addressed or button-holed on any given topic, just ask and you'll be surprised how important they think your ideas are!
Best regards and good shooting!
'Ol Gabe