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So here are some facts for everyone and some thoughts....

As a point of reference here are what some people in the NRA are paid:

As for salaries, fifty-six people in the organization earned more than $100,000 in 2010—and 10 made more than $250,000. Lapierre does not top the list. Kayne B. Robinson, the executive director of general operations does. He was paid just over $1 million. Lapierre was second, pulling in $970,000 in reportable and estimated comp.

Chris W. Cox, the executive director of the group’s lobbying efforts, was third. He earned just over $666,000.

What does the RFA spend on lobbying?

Don't just look at 11- D, that $4626 is what was spent on external lobbying. In other words what was spent on external activities like contributing to fund raisers for our political allies.

You need to look at Column B on page 10.... Column B is Program Service Expenses. Program Service Expenses in are expenses undertaken to directly to advance the purpose of the organization which is to protect recreational fishing interests. If you look at the total in line 25, you see that total expenses were $480k and Program Expenses were $367k.

That means that the RFA spent $367k or 76 cents of every dollar on political action and lobbying.

Don't throw the baby out with the bath water

At the end of the day I can understand people's frustration with the regulations being what they are. The question is what would they be if we didn't have the RFA fighting in Washington for us... The next question is what other National organization is there to support us? Find me one or organize one and I'll be happy to help.

Yes we do have local organizations and they are important to represent our interests here in NJ. But local organizations have little to no Washington support or influence so they end up helping decide how we carve up the measly quotas that Washington and NOAA throws us... That's a vicious cycle that will not change unless changes are made in Washington.

If you don't want to support the RFA that's your choice.... There are people who do and let's not deter them from doing so. Lets also not throw people who are trying to help under the bus and who happen to be at the scene of the fisheries management crisis we have on our hands now.

If you'd like to know how some of our anti fishing adversaries feel about the RFA, take the time to read some of these excerpts in a paper they published.

Founded less than a decade ago, RFA proposed from the beginning that the problems facing recreational anglers were political in nature and would require a political solution. Its mission statement begins “Create a national grassroots, political action organization to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers ....” It is structured in a way that it can endorse/oppose candidates and participate in unlimited lobbying. This was by design, as its
founders felt a 501(c)(3) structure would be too “restrictive.”
RFA has never shied away from a fight and has ruffled more than a few feathers.

However, it has in a very short period of time shown the ability to gain access to key people in the Administration, Congress, and certain state legislatures. When RFA formed, Representative James Saxton (R-NJ), who represented a district with both recreational and commercial fishermen, often split the difference on difficult fisheries management and allocation issues. He cared about conservation, but worked hard to keep all his constituents happy. RFA used its whole suite of political tools (electoral, lobbying, grassroots and communications) to show Mr.Saxton, as well as other representatives and senators, that there was widespread constituent
support for anglers’ issues and he would be well served to support them. When the participants at a fundraising event, including Mr. Saxton, had to walk past picketing recreational fishermen, who otherwise would have been inside making a donation, the point was driven home. Mr. Saxton has since become a champion for RFA and recreational anglers.

Personal contact and grassroots lobbying is RFA’s focus. Executive Director Jim Donofrio likes to say that “Democracy is not a spectator sport.” He has found that people have a tendency to forget what a great system we have and need to be reminded. He adds, “We make it easy for them to participate in Democracy.” RFA publishes a newsletter and maintains a web page, in part, to keep its members informed and engaged. It recognizes the power of
grassroots lobbying is in the grassroots. The organization has three registered lobbyists who lobby only on behalf of RFA. Like NFI and CCA, its lobbyists work to establish and maintain close, long-term relationships with members of key committees and their staffs. And they spend a considerable amount of time in members’ offices.

RFA has had a number of successes, including the “Battle of Charleston.” In this particular case, its goal was to prevent pelagic longliners from using the Charleston Maritime Center as a home port. RFA was alerted to the problem by local members. By the time the organization became involved in the situation, the commercial fishermen already had the endorsement of a popular mayor and other important people in Charleston. RFA responded by
organizing a grassroots effort. The group did not attack the mayor, but rather voiced concerns and “re-educated” him along with the Parks and Recreation commissioners. Ultimately, through lobbying and grassroots, the mayor reversed his position and the longliners were not allowed
into Charleston. The commercial industry filed a lawsuit against the city and RFA. RFA and the city defeated the lawsuit. Today, longliners are not docked at the Charleston Maritime Center.

A key aspect of RFA’s strategy is to build strategic alliances with other groups, in particular fishing clubs. RFA recognizes that it needs members in a particular state to back up its lobbying efforts. Thus, the organization helps local groups or clubs understand that the action of a single member of Congress is not enough, and that, by teaming with RFA, which can
bring broader support, those local groups are more likely to win. Those that would quibble over how many members RFA actually has are missing the point that RFA is broadening its base, which in the long run, can be far more powerful than only expanding membership.

Final Report 111
Lessons Learned: : RFA recognized from the start that the problems anglers face are political and require a political solution. It uses a full suite of political tools to build political champions who will introduce legislation for it and block legislation it opposes. Its strength comes from a mix of limited electoral involvement, personal-contact lobbying, and the ability to mobilize its base. Moreover, RFA knows how to pick a battle, figure out what it needs to get done, and take steps to get there. Finally, RFA has a constant presence on Capitol Hill, state legislatures, and federal agencies, and this presence pays off in policy success.