Friends of NRA Event Services Coordinator Nicole McMahon, who works directly with NRA Field Representatives throughout the country, brings NRAblog.com readers as many profiles of Field Representatives as possible. This week, we’re headed to Wyoming to meet Field Representative David Manzer.
Nicole McMahon: Which geographic area(s) do you cover?
Dave Manzer: The entire area of the least populated state in the Union – the great state of Wyoming.
NM: When did you start your NRA Field Rep career?
DM: March 1, 2004.
NM: What drew you to the job?
DM: Over the years I had been involved with several clubs and organizations in the Shooting Sports that benefited from the Friends of NRA. I was also involved with the Friends program as a volunteer, Committee Chairperson, State Fund committee officer and Area Coordinator for the former Field Representative.
NM: What is unique about your particular geographic area?
DM: Wyoming is a very geographically diverse region, from the high-plains, short-grass prairies to the alpine summits. It is a beautiful place – rich in wildlife and Western history. It is home.
NM: How many traveled miles do you average a year?
DM: 50,000 miles give or take.
NM: What’s the best part of your job?
DM: There are two things that stand out for me. One is the State Grant Board meeting; and the other is simply meeting so many interesting people along the way. The State Fund meeting generates a great sense of accomplishment, associated with the task of distributing the money for which we all work so hard. It is what sold me on this program as a volunteer, and what keeps me going as the Field Rep. There is an overwhelming sense of pride that together, we are doing something to help the Shooting Sports and our communities.
Another ‘best part of my job’ is meeting the people. The folks all across Wyoming amaze me with their friendship, their sense of ‘all-for-one’, and their generosity. It is a privilege to know them.
NM: Do you have a particularly memorable story about a banquet from your area?
DM: I have one story that I have probably told more than others: All of our events are family-oriented, and one of the largest is in Niobrara County, in the small town of Lusk, WY – population, 1200. There are always a good number of kids in the audience, and we have some “kid-games” to play. A young man of about 6 years old had won a BB gun earlier in the evening. As we were into the live auction by just a few items, I was catching bids for the auctioneer, and the “Vanna Whites” were carrying the items around the room. The young man walked past me with his new “prize rifle” held high in the air. I paused. The auctioneer paused. Everyone’s attention was drawn to the youngster. Simultaneously, it dawned on us that he was showing off the item he had won; as he assumed the young ladies were exhibiting the items THEY had won. He just wanted to show everyone HIS new rifle too. All of us can remember the pride we felt over our first new rifle. It was great. Nearly 400 people, remembering that pride, cheering for the 6-year-old, and his “new rifle”!
NM: Is there anything else about your Friends of NRA experience you’d like to share?
DM: I have never seen or been associated with a program that has had more impact on helping ranges expand with new shooting venues and members. I see it help youth shooting groups, such as 4-H shooting sports, and watch, as the number of kids participating in the shooting sports swell. People approach me and thank me that their kids have the items necessary to participate in shooting sports programs. I tell them that it happens because of our volunteers. For many of us, in years past, we were members of the NRA; but it ended there. The Friends of NRA has given us the avenue to BECOME the NRA. It has given us ‘ownership.’ We are working for a cause. That changes everything.
Attend a 2009 Friends of NRA event in Wyoming, or find an event near you.