NRA-ILA's Suzanne Anglewicz addressed the troops here at Club University in Orlando, Florida with a focus on Grassroots. "We've seen a lot of activity in Florida over the years and plan to keep up our vigilance for years to come."

When asked about ILA's primary message for the crowd, she had two. "You have to hunt where the ducks are," said Suzanne. "Know your people, know where they are, and know how to keep them informed."

Number two on the list was the importance of everyone getting involved early. "If there's an issue you feel passionate about, you need to organize early. Waiting until two weeks before decisions are made is waiting too long. Start right away and your chances for success are increased dramatically."

As ILA's Manager of Political & Legislative Activities, Suzanne also appreciates those who take the time to volunteer. "We're also looking for those willing and able to actively assist our fight to protect the Second Amendment."

There's a lot for NRAblog to see out here on the road. SHOT Show in Vegas, Eastern Outdoors in Harrisburg, and now Ron Rosenberg here at Club University in Orlando, Florida.

If you haven't seen the man in action then you don't truly understand what it is to market. What message are you trying to share? What market are you trying to reach? Are you using the same pitch to every group? Why?

These are the questions to which Ron has the answers. He pulls you in, gains your trust, and shows (instead of tells) you your real business goals. A nationally recognized, award-winning expert in marketing and customer service, Ron has been speaking at Club University events for almost a year.

If you'd like a high-energy, high-impact marking guru to speak at one of your events, contact Mr. Rosenberg at 800-260-0662 or email him at info@qualitytalk.com to receive proven step-by-step strategies to help your group significantly improve their bottom-line results.

He's been with the NRA for about three years, his title is "Range Services Coordinator," and he was one of the more popular speakers here at Club University in Orlando, Florida. Why do I think he was one of the more popular speakers? Because Eric Whitescarver was taking so many questions that we had to pull him off the stage.

"Sometimes they're interested and sometimes they're not," said Eric. "It all depends on the priorities of the crowd."

Range Services provides assistance for general range topics such as design, construction, maintenance and operations. And sometimes they can provide a little bit more.

"We've got a guy who is an audio design specialist -- he's an expert on sounds," Eric explained. "Most of his days are spent working on-site at race tracks, football stadiums, airports -- any place where there's a lot of noise. We like to call on him if a neighbor is complaining about the noise coming from your range. He can either show you how to fix or dampen the sound or demonstrate if your range falls within state or county parameters. How's that for service."

Though thousands of firearm-related groups throughout the United States are NRA Club & Association members, there are still some out there who haven't joined. Probably because they don't know about the benefits. But Jack knows.

Marketing Coordinator Jack Baker spent the better part of an hour telling Club University attendees here in Orlando why their operation should be more involved with the NRA.

"There are dozens of advantages when businesses become part of the NRA. They can learn how to set up additional shooting programs, increase membership, run an official match, find the right insurance, receive discounts from Federal Express -- it's great. And when they come out to Club University, we can run down all the details for them in person."

But if you weren't able to make it to Club U this weekend, you can still find most of the info at http://www.nrahq.org/clubs/ or call (800) NRA-CLUB.

The first Club University of 2010 kicked off this morning as our unofficial emcee Son Nguyen introduced Herb Lanford of Columbia, South Carolina. As the NRA Board chair of Clubs & Associations, Mr. Lanford travels to all Club U events to welcome the crowds and answer their questions.

"We are here to answer your questions," said Mr. Lanford. "We have to answer your questions and ask you for more. That's why we provide services like Club University to our members. It's a fabulous way to spend a little time and money so you can improve you operations and increase the benefits to your members."

NRA's Disabled Shooting ServicesManager Vanessa Warner sent NRAblog an update last night upon arriving at the latest Disabled Shooting Sectional match.

I arrived in Dallas Thursday night for the North Texas adaptive shooting clinic and Disabled Indoor Air Rifle Sectional Championship. Upon arrival, I drove to the Bachman Recreational Center to meet with North Texas Chapter Director for Turning Point Nation Jason Swanson to view the site and make sure that my equipment arrived unharmed.

Friday we held the adaptive shooting clinic and practice. We arrived at the Bachman Rec. Center at 11:00 a.m. to set up the Creedmoor Range. Competitors began arriving at 12:30 for the clinic. By 6:00 p.m., when we closed the range, we had 14 participants.

Turning point will run both International and 3-Position air rifle matches that start at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. We have six people scheduled for the International Match and 22 scheduled for 3-P. Competitors have come from as far away as California to take their shot. And it should be something to see as Turning Point has been running practices for the past month in preparation for today's matches. And, needless to say, everyone is really excited to compete.

The troops are on their way to the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Orlando International Airport for the first Club University of 2010. We'll be talking about everything from insurance to range specs to membership benefits to those interested in pepping up their firearms club operations.

NRAblog will be on hand to share some of the details while we blog live from the event. Hopefully, it will be enough to convince you to attend our next events in Indianapolis, Indiana or Albuquerque, New Mexico. It's the least you can do to ensure that your club or association is operating at top efficiency.

For all the details on the next Club Universities, go to www.nrahq.org/clubs/club_university or call (800) NRA-CLUB (672-2582) to register today.

Fresh from the National Firearms Museum's (NFM) studio we have another segment of Curator's Corner Goes to the Movies. This week, Senior Curator Phil Schreier and NRANews Executive Producer John Popp take at look at the guns used by Denzel Washington in 2009's The Book of Eli.

In Phil's hands you see a Remington 870 Shotgun. To coincide with the movie's timeline, the pump-action 12 gauge was sawed off on both ends, distressed, and taped at the butt.

John is holding a Heckler & Koch HK45. Also distressed and taped for a weathered look, the HK is a .45 caliber semi-auto with an ergonomic grip and a convertible backstrap. It also happens to be the first gun made at HK's new facility in Newington, New Hampshire.

For the rest of the story on these beauties from the soon to be revealed Hollywood Guns exhibit, you'll have to tune in tonight for the second in a six part serial presentation as Curator's Corner Goes to the Movies at 10:20 p.m. on NRANews.com or on Sirius Patriot channel 144.

When they aren't on the road or giving tours at the National Firearms Museum (NFM), how does the staff spend their time? The other day, Senior Curator Phil Schreier spent it in the Gun Vault working on the latest donations to NFM's "Hollywood Guns" collection. To the right, you see him working on two belt fed machine guns.

Heavy machine guns like the M240G or M60 receive their cartridges by way of an ammunition belt and are also referred to as belt feds. While the original belts were usually made of canvas, today's belts consist of individual rounds held together with metal clips. In addition to the advantage of providing continuous fire, belt feeders decreases the weight of the firearm and allows for greater mobility. The one in Phil's grasp is a Browning designed, Marlin manufactured M1895.

Also known as a Potato Digger, this M1895 was brought to shore by a group of sailors mounting an attack on Tangiers in the film The Wind and The Lion. And, as Phil likes to point out, Teddy Roosevelt brought two Potato Diggers with him during his charge up San Juan Hill. Just over his right shoulder is the Browning M1917 machine gun fired by various members of The Wild Bunch and their opposition. Each of these belt feeders are part of the much anticipated "Hollywood Guns" collection that goes on display later this year.

The National Firearms Museum (NFM) hosted their second "Night at the Museum" for 2010 on Friday. As luck would have it, Senior Curator Phil Schreier was on hand to report:

Boy Scout Troop 2010 from South Riding, Virginia visited the NRA National Firearms Museum Friday night for A Night at the Museum. Some of you might recognize Troop 2010 Committee member Mark A. Keefe IV as the Editor in Chief of NRA's own American Rifleman magazine. Mark and his son Duncan brought the troop out for a tour of the museum before everyone found a spot in the auditorium to watch "The Wind & the Lion", a classic film by NRA Board member John Milius.

After the movie, the troop was granted a VIP tour of the museum vault where guns from the upcoming "Hollywood Guns" exhibit were being staged. Firearms like the Remington 11-87 from "No Country for Old Men," Obi-Wan Kenobi's light saber from "Star Wars" (pictured at right), and a Colt 1895 Potato Digger from "The Wind & The Lion" were available for the guys to examine.

NFM hosts a variety of events throughout the year. A Night at the Museum is an opportunity for Boy Scouts and other NRA cooperative youth organizations to experience a behind the scenes look at the many treasures held here at headquarters. For more information or to become an affiliated club, contact the NRA Clubs and Associations Department at (800) NRA-CLUB.

As NRAblog told you yesterday, tonight marks the first in a new six-part series of our weekly feature "Curator's Corner."  This section is all about movies. Last year you saw as Curator's Corner went Film Noir -- now watch as Curator's Corner Goes to the Movies.

As luck would have it, first up to the plate is February's fill in -- the shotgun from "No Country for Old Men."

The "No Country" shotgun is a Remington 11-87 semi-auto fitted with a faux suppressor and will surely be a highlight in the National Firearms Museum's new "Hollywood Guns" exhibit. Shown here in the hands of NRANews Executive Producer John Popp, it was used in the movie when Javier Bardem was violently collecting stolen drug money from a rival gang.

But for all the details on Javier's Remington, you'll have to tune in tonight at 10:20 p.m. for this week's edition of Curator's Corner on NRANews.com or Sirius Patriot channel 144.

Always there to lend a hand promoting the National Firearms Museum's (NFM) latest efforts, NRANews stopped by to film the next few segments of Curator's Corner. And what theme did they go with this time? Why the museum's new Hollywood Guns exhibit due to come online later next month of course.

Hollywood Guns is a collection of firearms seen in some of the more popular movies over the last eighty years. Everyone from NFM's Director Jim Supica to Assistant Curator Amber Lammers have been scrambling over the last six months to gather guns from movies like 1934's The Thin Man to 2010's The Pacific. In true 'at the movies' style, we shot the series in our headquarter's conference center for a more balcony-like effect.

Just make sure to tune in tomorrow night for the first in a six part serial presentation of Curator's Corner Goes to the Movies at 10:20 p.m. on NRANews.com or on Sirius Patriot channel 144. Until then, the balcony is closed.

Officer Shay Wash of the Wichita Police Department held a press conference yesterday to introduced Eddie Eagle® to the community. A product of the 2009 nationwide Eddie Eagle® mascot costume contest, Wichita is one of many departments around that nation that received a mascot costume free of charge. So now that he's in town, where will Eddie be appearing?

"Our hope is to include a visit from Eddie Eagle at school assemblies, safety fairs, and other special events we are presenting to children," proclaimed Officer Wash.

Reaching over 23 million children since its inception in 1998, the Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program teaches pre-K through the third grade children simple, effective rules to follow should they encounter a firearm in an unsupervised setting: “If you see a gun: STOP! Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.”

You can watch the press conference here.

For more on the Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program, call the Eddie Eagle® Department at (800) 231-0752 or visit www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie/.

About a week ago, we told you how Moe Aguilar was going to lend a hand to Pintail Point's Mentored Youth Hunt. Finally back in the fold, Moe is here to tell you how things went:

The Maryland DNR Mentored Junior Hunter Day on February 20 at the River Plantation in Queenstown, Maryland was a big success.

All the youngsters made it through the instructional safety clinic in plenty of time to enjoy the sporting clays course. After the warm up, it was time to take aim at some mallard ducks.

The parents and the Maryland DNR staff was just as excited as the young hunters as they took their first shots. The biggest excitement was seeing the youngsters hit their first clays or mallards. One young hunter was so excited after hitting his first duck that he walked to his father, safely handed him the gun, and jumped up and down with his hands in the air.

Patricia Allen, Recruitment and Retention Coordinator for Maryland Department of Natural Resources truly enjoys welcoming young families into the tradition of hunting.

“It was a great opportunity to introduce newcomers to Maryland’s Hunting Heritage. It was also a great opportunity to reach out to their parents on the importance of being hunting mentors. It is my hope that this Mentored Youth Hunt helped create some life-long hunters.”

NRA’s Disabled Shooting Manager Vanessa Warner is once again on the road to kick off the 2010 National Disabled Indoor Air Gun Sectional season. This weekend, she'll be overseeing things for the NW Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America at American Legion Post 127 in Bothell, Washington.

Events for this week's competition include international rifle, precision 3-p & air pistol. Matches start at 10am on Saturday the 27th and conclude Sunday with the Awards Dinner. And as in the case will all Disabled Shooting Sectionals, winners in each category will be invited to Colorado Springs, Colorado for Paralympic training at the Olympic Training Center.

For a full recap of the event, check back next week for Vanessa's on-site report.