imported post
I agree with many of your points Aaron.
The reality is that though Wisconsin and Illinois share a border, and are the only 2 remaining CC prohibited states, we are worlds apart in many ways.
Wisconsin and Illinois have completely different political environments, 2 entirely separate legislatures 2 entirely separate state judicial systems, 2 entirely different voting constituencies.
This does NOT mean there are not opportunities to work "together". Its easy to make a broad statement "work together". but making 2 separate organizations work together effectively would be a very complex process requiring a great deal of planning and discussion and an agreed upon framework that will take a great deal of time to establish. The time required to make that happen may well be at the opportunity cost of what we could be doing focusing on our core role of advancing carry in Wisconsin. Organizations also have a leadership structure for effectiveness and there is a reason why cars don't have 2 steering wheels, sports teams only have 1 head coach, the analogies could go on and on.
I'm confident our members in Wisconsin do not want WCI expending resources traveling down to Springfield Illinois to lobby Illinois legislatures. Likewise, when we have an idea that works well up here, if we have a good working relationship with ICarry, we will be happy to share those ideas for ICarry to implement if they wish in Illinois (and in fact, some of our ideas, I believe have been implemented by ICarry already) That is a good example of how we could work together without duplicating efforts, nor stepping on each others toes.
Anyway... The details of how, if, and to what extent we work together would be hashed out in private.
I will say that I'm a very blunt and honest person. And I'll be blunt and honest and say that if ICarry is in Wisconsin trying to raise money and membership for their organization from Wisconsin residents, we are in competition. (Of course competition isn't always a bad thing, its often a very good thing) but we can pretend all we want and talk about "working together" but we would be in competition. People have finite resources (time and money) and its naive for anyone to think that ICarry and WCI would NOT be "competing" with each other if they seek $ and membership up here amongst the same potential membership base.
But I'll also restate what I've said many times before. WCI has no 'moral' claim to the right to carry issue in Wisconsin (nor does ICarry, the NRA, WGO, WCCA, WI Pro-Gun Movement, WI-Force.. well, you get the idea) We will push forward with our mission... not considering ourselves "entitled" to membership up here, despite how fast we are growing and how large of a membership base we have (and how much larger it will be in the months and years ahead) but because we will stick to our principles. if we stick to our principles, stick to our mission, and how we execute that mission nets results, membership will want to join and help move the ball forward. If we do not net results, I would expect AND encourage people to give their resources (time and money) to a group that DOES net results. Do not support Wisconsin Carry for any other reason than that we are effective (if you believe we are) If out methods fail to net results, speak with your voice as a consumer and support a different organization that does.
We (the current board of WCI) strongly resisted taking on the task of forming an official non-profit corporation last year when we were collectively and individually lobbied to do so by individuals who are part of similar organizations in other states. However, no other group was willing to do what we thought was an effective method to advance rights. No one was receptive to filing a constitutional challenge to the GFSZ (yes, I asked) We formed WCI to do what no one else was willing to. We have done what other groups have not done. (not disparaging, just pointing out facts) Now that we have the organization in place and we take an "all of the above" approach to advancing carry-rights in Wisconsin, we may end up doing the some of the same things other groups do. Hopefully we can do them better because if we do, carry rights will be advanced.
I believe we have a mission, a purpose, and a plan to execute that mission that will continue to be effective and continue to achieve documented results. Part of that method is to communicate a clear mission and set of principles to prospective members and in turn grow membership as quickly as possible.
It should go without saying that the leverage that we will have in MANY facets; the ability to finance things (lawsuits or other) the ability to create quick action (voting, showing up to rallies, contacting legislators, contacting media, witnessing to the general public) will all be greatest with the greatest number of members and if we build the largest member base we can.
Hopefully that will put the misguided comments of "turf war" to rest and whatever capacity WCI does or doesn't work with other groups will be based on what advances carry rights the most. No other reason.
Maybe Doug's tipping some fine DC wine back. 
