GOAL Annual Meeting and Awards Breakfast.

Saturday, 2/20/2010

Over 100 GOAL Members attended the GOAL Annual Meeting this past Saturday at the Storrowton Tavern and Carriage House on the Big E Fairgrounds in West Springfield, MA.

A buffet breakfast spread got the morning off to a great start as everyone had their fill of pancakes, homefries, sausage, bacon, coffee, and juice.  Many old friends caught up with another, new friendships were made and fun was had by all.

After everyone had their fill we settled into the GOAL Awards.  Executive Director Jim Wallace did a great job of hosting the events for the entire morning and he kicked it right off by introducing the GOAL Board Members and distinguished guests, then with some great stories to get everyone laughing, the awards presentation began with Derryl Cobbett receiving the Presidents Award for Service from GOAL President Jack Durkin.  Next up was the Richard T. Moore Legislature of the Year Award presented to Jim's "brother" Representative Don Humason of Westfield.  Don was honored to receive the award and gave a great acceptance speech.  Following that was the Don Kusser Citizen Activist Award which was presented to Paul Johnson.  Paul was the first ever recipient of this award! Next up was another inaugural award, the GOAL Hunter award given to Herman Drost for the largest Antlered Deer, a big 166 lb buck that he got just behind his house!  Lynne Roberts, a GOAL Director at large was the next award recipient.  She was presented with the inaugural Nancy N. Snow Women Activist of the Year Award for all of her great work both teaching, and educating many men and women about the virtues of the Second Amendment.  

GOAL Director of Education Jon Green presented the next award, the Robert (Bob) Luz Club Rep Award to Paul Marier of Fin Fur and Feather Club of Natick and Wellesley.  Paul has been a diligent supporter of the Scholastic Clay Target program, and has run a great Women On Target event for years, thank you Paul!

Mike Yacino, GOAL's former Executive Director presented the last award of the day, the Mike Yacino Distinguished Achievement Award to Seth Wesson.  The Wesson family have been avid supporters of GOAL almost since the beginning and have always been there in times of need.  As a representative of his family, Seth was honored and humbled to accept the award from Mike.  Jim wrapped up the awards with a bit of fun, handing out awards to the oldest and youngest GOAL members in attendance.  Who knew that we'd have two 82 year olds in attendance, and born only 2 months apart! Bob Miller was the oldest, born in June and gave a speech that brought the crowd to its feet!  Next, little Sarah Parsons was presented with the youngest, a cutie in her camouflage outfit!

With that we wrapped up the awards and began the business of the day.  GOAL Director of Training Jon Green, GOAL Treasurer Judy Candage, and GOAL Executive Director all did a great job wrapping up the year that was 2009.  Pie charts, graphs, and even a few funny stories followed leaving everybody in attendance looking forward to a fantastic 2010.

The GOAL Staff, and Board Members would like to thank all of our members in attendance, without you we couldn't do the work that we do, thank you all!

Check out the slideshow from the day!

Annual Meeting 2/20/10 

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