To Explore the Internet Websites of Various Interest Groups, and Become Familiar with
The National Rifle Group, http://www.nra.org, was founded on November 17th, 1871, after it was granted an operation charter. Its official address includes 11250, Wapples Mill Road, and official contacts (800) 672-3888. NRA came to the public as early as 1934 when there were protests and political lobbying by members when different members started sending letters to each other on matters relating to firearms. The Union veterans founded the association, Gen. gorge Wingate and Col. William C. Church. The association supported significant gun control acts, which included the National Firearms Act, the Gun control Act of 1968, and the passage of the GCA in the 1970s period. Through its support, the NRA became more politically active than before, and it began to influence a change in policies directly nationally and later formed a lobbying arm, the Institute for Legislative Action. In 1977 it established its Political Action Committee (PAC) that was aimed at funding legislators. It is currently head the executive vice president Wayne LaPierre. NRA was formed as a recreation group whose purpose was to encourage rifle shooting as a scientific basis.
The association has approximately 5 million members, and it is categorized to be one of the most prominent associations in the U.S. The association boast to have hosted some of the highest-profile members such as George Bush. He later resigned from the association in 1995. Other high profiled current members include Sarah Palin, Whoopi Goldenberg, Tom Selleck, and Charlton Heston. As earlier noted, the NRA is among the most influential and powerful lobbying groups in the U.S, and it has a substantial budget of approximately $ 250m per year. On average, the association spends about $ 3m in lobbying and influencing congress on different gun policies in the country. For members of the public to members of NRA, they are required to pay a yearly membership fee of $ 45, which automatically unlocks the members’ benefits giving them access to their savings.
Further, interested members may also be interested in gaining more savings for a medium level, which is $ 100 and the best value ad highest membership fee for $ 150 and are all eligible for annual renewal. Registered NRA members get to enjoy free NRA decal. Official membership card and five-star exclusive saving benefits.
The National Education Association is a voluntary association composed of administrators, teachers, aspiring educators, tutors, higher education faculty and staff, NEA retired members, Education support professions, among other educators within the elementary, secondary, college and universities. Its official website is http://www.nea.org, while its official address is 1201 16th street NW Washington, DC, and phone contacts 202-833-4000. It is categorized as the world’s largest professional organization, with an estimated population of three million members. The NEA was formed in 1857 and was initially recognized as the National Teachers Association and was headquartered in Washington, D.C. Later it 1870, the association created a merger with the American Normal School Association, resulting in the National Education Association (NEA). It was founded with a purpose to advance the teaching profession and promote the cause for accessible education in the U.S. The association did not allow female teachers to be members as well as men who taught in private schools until the year 1866. NEA aims at benefitting both students and teachers in the U.S by making the education system in America better by coming up with a conducive curriculum for all parties. As of the 20th century, NEA was elevated to a union whereby it takes part in representing its members on salaries and benefits negotiations with the government.
Currently, the association is head by Lily Eskelsen, who is the president, and Becky Pringle assists her as the vice president. Once one registers for NEA, they become members of the National Council of Urban Education Association. Eligible members have to be aspiring educators and have to pay an annual fee of $ 15. Eligible members gain several insurance benefits such as life, casualty program, and life insurance. Further, they are qualified to access loans, credits, savings, investments, and job liability insurance that could amount to $ 1million. NEA operates on an average of 341 million annual budget and has pending dues of $ 295 million. As a democratic association, the structures and policies are jointly formed and outlined in NEA’s constitution and by-laws. The association may change its policies and regulations through the Repressive Annual Assembly that is held every July. NEA members are eligible to participate in the national lobbying efforts that relate to policymaking, students’ requirements, federal funding, and school funding issues.
Comparison
In terms of operation and functionality, the National Rifle Association is more of a political lobbying group while the National Education Association is a labor union group. Further, NEA is composed of professional members who are in education departments, while members who form the NRA are not necessarily professionals in any department. Also, NEA members have to be aspiring educators in public school institutions, while NRA does not discriminate against its eligible members. However, both associations are located in the U.S, and for one to be an active member, they have to pay a membership fee that is renewed on an annual basis.