Date: March 9, 2009
To: Artifact Collectors
From: Karl Kilguss
RE: The Authentic Artifact Owners Preservation Association ( AAOPA )
Hello Fellow Collectors,
For those of you who are not familiar with the AAOPA, here is a brief synopsis: The AAOPA is founded by James Crawford of Missouri along with a group of other concerned private collectors committed to preserving your legal rights to collect artifacts. Using the NRA (National Rifle Association) as a blueprint, the AAOPA will champion safeguarding the legal right to collect, trade, buy, sell and transport authentic Native American artifacts. Its other activities will include preservation issues such as: the proper handling/storage/display of artifacts, preservation of important archeological sites from destruction and the preservation of data retrieved from amateurs and other every day finders by promoting proper record keeping and marking of artifacts (historical preservation). "Preservation" is a massive word used strategically to create the ability for the AAOPA to become an organized political entity with the ability to act in representation of artifact collectors, in the same way the NRA protects and shields gun owners. We recognize there is a sentient attack upon our legal rights to collect artifacts.
` I have been asked to serve as Legal Counsel to the AAOPA and will do so. I have also been asked to assist in the completion of the initial formation and to participate in important fundraising activities. As an attorney, I recognize the mechanisms and political strategies employed to pass laws that are jeopardizing the very existence of our hobby. I am committed to joining the effort to protect all of our legal rights equally. I simply will not sit by and watch as other try to criminalize our hobby.
Organization Structure:
In the structuring the organization, there is a great need for collectors from each jurisdiction to volunteer to be placed on regional committees acting as Advisors to the Board of Directors. The committees will, among other things, monitor legislative Bills and law enforcement actions within the states of that particular region. Suspicious Bills or actions should be discussed between committee members and reported to either the Legal Counsel or a member of the Board of Directors directly for a decision from the Board on what action will be taken. Committees may make recommendations based on the information gathered and will help guide the Board in its decisions. Committee members serve as Special Advisors to the Board of Directors. This is a critical function.
Fundraising:
It is now time to begin the major initial funding run for the AAOPA. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status under the IRS Code means every contribution made is tax deductible for each donor. The AAOPA is currently focusing on pulling in contributions for the necessary expenses associated with its formation, web hosting, domain registrations, website generation, advertising, printing, etc. More than a few of you have already sent in checks, which have been deposited into the AAOPA's account. I will be forwarding the spreadsheets later for the letters that will be sent to each donor stating the amount and tax year of the donation.
Personally, I can't imagine a single collector who would not consider this cause of paramount importance to the hobby's future. Everyone I have talked with thus far is either already aware of the problem or has been directly impacted by the laws recently passed in their states. These people have been the first to send in contributions. We should all thank them for that. Now it is your turn to act.
The AAOPA is asking everyone to grab the tug line and pull, "grass roots" style. Its membership base will measure the political power of the AAOPA. The ability to act will be proportionate to its funding. Therefore, each contribution carries two distinct purposes: 1) Raising the necessary capital, and 2) Raising the necessary numbers. Like always, it boils down to money and politics.
Grass Roots:
Here is what every collector needs to do:
Should you wish to volunteer for consideration as an Advisor to the Board of Directors please call or email below and I will see you are placed on the list for consideration. The Board itself will make the selections. Questions? Don't hesitate to call me at (513) 410-4847. I will be happy to discuss the situation with anyone (if I don't answer please leave a message and I will call you back). Or, email to kkilguss@gmail.com with AAOPA in the title.
Membership:
I urge everyone to become an annual contributor at whatever level your finances allow.
Be it $20 or $250 or $5,000, it is that we are all counted together that matters most. As a contributing member of the AAOPA, you will rest assured you are acting to help save the legal rights of all collectors on into the future.
As a bonus, the AAOPA will be putting out a publication. More will be announced on that later as it is still in planning. All contributors will receive the publications produced during the year of the contribution and it will be a terrific launch pad for information dissemination and more.
Here is what everyone should do:
Make your check payable to "The AAOPA" and mail it to either:
The AAOPA The AAOPA
C/O Karl Kilguss, Legal Counsel OR C/O Jon Dickinson, Interim Treasurer
P.O. Box 498721 PO Box 30276
Cincinnati, OH 45249 Cincinnati, OH 45230
It will take every collector to commit to preserving our hobby in order to do so. Your voice matters. Please urge your friends to do the same.
Karl Kilguss
AAOPA Legal Counsel
To: Artifact Collectors
From: Karl Kilguss
RE: The Authentic Artifact Owners Preservation Association ( AAOPA )
Hello Fellow Collectors,
For those of you who are not familiar with the AAOPA, here is a brief synopsis: The AAOPA is founded by James Crawford of Missouri along with a group of other concerned private collectors committed to preserving your legal rights to collect artifacts. Using the NRA (National Rifle Association) as a blueprint, the AAOPA will champion safeguarding the legal right to collect, trade, buy, sell and transport authentic Native American artifacts. Its other activities will include preservation issues such as: the proper handling/storage/display of artifacts, preservation of important archeological sites from destruction and the preservation of data retrieved from amateurs and other every day finders by promoting proper record keeping and marking of artifacts (historical preservation). "Preservation" is a massive word used strategically to create the ability for the AAOPA to become an organized political entity with the ability to act in representation of artifact collectors, in the same way the NRA protects and shields gun owners. We recognize there is a sentient attack upon our legal rights to collect artifacts.
` I have been asked to serve as Legal Counsel to the AAOPA and will do so. I have also been asked to assist in the completion of the initial formation and to participate in important fundraising activities. As an attorney, I recognize the mechanisms and political strategies employed to pass laws that are jeopardizing the very existence of our hobby. I am committed to joining the effort to protect all of our legal rights equally. I simply will not sit by and watch as other try to criminalize our hobby.
Organization Structure:
In the structuring the organization, there is a great need for collectors from each jurisdiction to volunteer to be placed on regional committees acting as Advisors to the Board of Directors. The committees will, among other things, monitor legislative Bills and law enforcement actions within the states of that particular region. Suspicious Bills or actions should be discussed between committee members and reported to either the Legal Counsel or a member of the Board of Directors directly for a decision from the Board on what action will be taken. Committees may make recommendations based on the information gathered and will help guide the Board in its decisions. Committee members serve as Special Advisors to the Board of Directors. This is a critical function.
Fundraising:
It is now time to begin the major initial funding run for the AAOPA. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status under the IRS Code means every contribution made is tax deductible for each donor. The AAOPA is currently focusing on pulling in contributions for the necessary expenses associated with its formation, web hosting, domain registrations, website generation, advertising, printing, etc. More than a few of you have already sent in checks, which have been deposited into the AAOPA's account. I will be forwarding the spreadsheets later for the letters that will be sent to each donor stating the amount and tax year of the donation.
Personally, I can't imagine a single collector who would not consider this cause of paramount importance to the hobby's future. Everyone I have talked with thus far is either already aware of the problem or has been directly impacted by the laws recently passed in their states. These people have been the first to send in contributions. We should all thank them for that. Now it is your turn to act.
The AAOPA is asking everyone to grab the tug line and pull, "grass roots" style. Its membership base will measure the political power of the AAOPA. The ability to act will be proportionate to its funding. Therefore, each contribution carries two distinct purposes: 1) Raising the necessary capital, and 2) Raising the necessary numbers. Like always, it boils down to money and politics.
Grass Roots:
Here is what every collector needs to do:
- Write a check and send it in with your address and email (you decide the amount).
- Forward this email to every collector in your address book with a personal note from you urging each of him or her to make a similar contribution (tax deductible). Treat it like a chain letter for a good cause.
- Be ready to send a quick letter by mail followed by a 2-minute phone call to a local Representative lodging your objection to a Bill whenever the AAOPA disseminates the information to the membership to act. You will be supplied with phone numbers, addresses and sample wording. This only takes place when a dangerous piece of legislation is proposed and pending passage through the legislative bodies.
Should you wish to volunteer for consideration as an Advisor to the Board of Directors please call or email below and I will see you are placed on the list for consideration. The Board itself will make the selections. Questions? Don't hesitate to call me at (513) 410-4847. I will be happy to discuss the situation with anyone (if I don't answer please leave a message and I will call you back). Or, email to kkilguss@gmail.com with AAOPA in the title.
Membership:
I urge everyone to become an annual contributor at whatever level your finances allow.
Be it $20 or $250 or $5,000, it is that we are all counted together that matters most. As a contributing member of the AAOPA, you will rest assured you are acting to help save the legal rights of all collectors on into the future.
As a bonus, the AAOPA will be putting out a publication. More will be announced on that later as it is still in planning. All contributors will receive the publications produced during the year of the contribution and it will be a terrific launch pad for information dissemination and more.
Here is what everyone should do:
Make your check payable to "The AAOPA" and mail it to either:
The AAOPA The AAOPA
C/O Karl Kilguss, Legal Counsel OR C/O Jon Dickinson, Interim Treasurer
P.O. Box 498721 PO Box 30276
Cincinnati, OH 45249 Cincinnati, OH 45230
It will take every collector to commit to preserving our hobby in order to do so. Your voice matters. Please urge your friends to do the same.
Karl Kilguss
AAOPA Legal Counsel
We at The Artifact Vault have received this letter from Karl Kilguss regarding the formation of a new organization, The Authentic Artifact Owners Preservation Association (AAOPA). We believe this to be a worthwhile organization and choose to support it and, correspondingly, our rights as artifact owners. We are reproducing the letter, as received by us.
