Teller Rifles Mission / GOVERNANCE
Teller Rifles Mission: To create local communities within Teller County, the state of Colorado and the United States of America which foster marksmanship, self-defense and readiness skills, through firearms safety and hands-on training.
Teller Rifles Motto: Rights. Respect. Rifles.
Rights: The United States Constitution's Second Amendment guarantees the right to own firearms regardless of the reason or purpose. Gun owners hunt, target shoot, trap shoot, skeet shoot and engage in firearm competitions. A growing number of Americans use firearms solely for personal protection and home defense.
Respect: Teller Rifles (TR) believes in individual responsibility and accountability for choices. Thus, TR focuses on the individual, not the weapon. TR collaborates with government agencies, non-profit groups, and individuals to create a culture of respect and responsibility related to the ownership and use of firearms.
Rifles: Teller Rifles hosts a variety of hands-on training programs for firearm marksmanship, gun safety and self-defense skills. Specific programs include "An Intro to Handguns," "Safety Officer Training," "Advanced Training for Seasoned Gun Owners," "Concealed Carry Certification," "Tactical Awareness Training," adult competitive shooting events, and youth competitive shooting events. TR offers non-shooting training for youth.
More about Teller Rifles:
Teller Rifles is not just a shooting club. We are committed to improving the wellbeing and safety of Teller County, the state of Colorado, and the nation. TR's efforts have two overarching goals: first, to provide skills-based training to improve a gun owner’s ability to safely and effectively utilize firearms; and second, to create a culture of respect and responsibility for the use and ownership of firearms.
Teller Rifles website: www.teller-rifles.org.
Teller Rifles email: teller-rifles@proton.me
TELLER RIFLES MEMBERSHIP (OPEN TO ALL)
Teller Rifles currently lists 693 active members. TR continues to grow its membership through word-of-mouth, TR programs and TR-sponsored community events.
If you would like to join Teller Rifles, please email the Teller Rifles President, Charles S. at teller-rifles@proton.me.
At this time, membership is FREE.
-----------------------------------------------------------
TELLER RIFLES HISTORY
In November of 2017 a few of us got together and formed the Cripple Creek Marksmanship and Self-Defense Group.
In April of 2018 we had our first community meeting at Ralfs Breakroom in Cripple creek with about 25 in attendance. Our second meeting, in September of that year, was again at Ralfs with about 35. Our next was at the CC-V High School in February of 2019 and that time we had about 45 attended for a hearty pizza dinner catered by Ralfs.
Our growth and evolution have been slow but steady. For instance, our name: after we started off as a Cripple Creek-centric group, the addition of members from other parts of Teller County caused us to change our name to Teller County Marksmanship and Self-Defense Group. After struggling with this mouthful for a few years we decided to simply become the Teller Rifles.
Our slow-but-steady growth approach has also been evidenced in our annual gathering to shoot our weapons and enjoy our company. Our 1st Fall Shoot-Fest, at the Grainger ranch, had six Rifles in attendance and the 2nd had eight. This, our third year, we had twelve.
The growth in interest in Teller Rifles is also evidenced by our email list, now 498, of which approximately 410 are in Teller County. (It should be noted that we have members as far away as New Jersey, the Carolinas, California, New Jersey, Australia, and Brazil. Some have expressed interest in starting their own Rifles.)
As opposed to being the typical gun/shooting club, we always envisioned ourselves as a training and informational venue. To this end we have had an RSO (Range Safety Officer) certification class (2019); 4, Stop-the-Bleed classes (2020/21); and Situational Awareness training (2021); and a Handgun Introduction class and an Active-Shooter training session in (December 2021).
We are recognized as a non-profit organization by both the State of Colorado and the IRS. We are neither just a shooting club nor are we a radical political organization. We are a community of marksmanship and self-defense enthusiasts made up of strong men and strong women ready to face today’s adversity and challenges.
Our philosophy is stated in our motto, Rights - Respect - Rifles, and can be summarized as:
Rights
· Insist on Your 2A Rights
· Insist on Your Honor
· Insist on Your Dignity
· Insist on Your Liberty
Respect
· For the Law
· For All Others
· For Property
· For Your Weapons
Rifles
· Know Your Weapon
· Know How to Use It
· Know When to Use It
· Know Yourself
Who are We?
We are the original Rifles started in 2017 in Teller County, Colorado.
We presently number approximately four hundred and ten and are a group of shooting enthusiasts with extensive military and law enforcement experience who wanted to band together to encourage a greater appreciation and use of firearms in our community while emphasizing education and training.
What are We?
Teller Rifles is neither just a shooting club nor are we a radical political organization. We are a community of marksmanship and self-defense enthusiasts made up of strong men and strong women ready to face adversity and challenge.
What is Our Purpose?
We are committed to improving the wellbeing and safety of our Communities, our States, and the Nation. We have organized to implement activities that have two overarching goals: first, to provide skills-based training to improve an owner’s ability to utilize firearms safely and effectively and second, to create a culture of respect and responsibility for the use and ownership of firearms.
2020/21 has shown us that what was normal yesterday may not be tomorrow. We are in a time of pandemic and widespread social unrest in a rapidly changing environment. In times like these, we may only have each other to rely on. TR’s is a great place to get to know each other and start to build and strengthen a community of like-minded folks who can form a dependable alliance sharing and pooling resources and risk.
Find a sense of community. Join friends and neighbors.
Want to become more involved in the growth and evolution of Teller Rifles? Our board meetings are held monthly and are open to members. Email if you'd like to attend.
Know somebody you think would be interested in becoming one of us? Forward this, tell them to email us, and we'll add them to our list.
It doesn't cost a thing to become a Rifle.
Teller Rifles website: www.teller-rifles.org.
Teller Rifles email: teller-rifles@proton.me
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TR GOVERNANCE
The Board:
The board’s role shall include establishing mission and direction, ensuring the necessary resources of funds and leadership to implement the mission, and providing fiduciary oversight.
The board, officers, and key staff are responsible for defining and upholding the organization’s mission, vision, and values, and for providing overall strategic direction to the organization.
The board will manage its officer’s staff and volunteers to ensure that the organization operates in furtherance of our mission and status as a charitable and tax-exempt organization.
The board will operationalize this responsibility through the creation of policy that provides foundational guidance related to our mission and values, and follows applicable laws and regulations of the Federal Government the State of Colorado and the local jurisdictions in which we are based. Consequently, the board shall establish and follow policies and practices to protect against a waste of charitable assets, justify the reasonableness of compensation paid to members, directors, or officers, honor donor intent, and prevent improper personal benefit by insiders.
The board shall be responsible for raising funds to meet our mission goals, review and approve new or revised fiscal and governance policies including a conflict of interest policy, whistleblower policy, document retention and destruction policy, personal giving and gift acceptance policies, and an executive compensation policy.
The board shall ensure that proper accounting systems and internal controls are in place to detect and prevent fraud and embezzlement, including, as appropriate, background checks for employees and volunteers and insurance coverage.
The board and key staff shall develop a matrix to clearly delineate the spending and decision- making authority of staff throughout the organization and the types and amounts of decisions that require board approval. This information should be shared with the board, staff, and the nonprofit’s banking entities.
The board shall have an executive committee comprised of four officers who will have the authority to seek funding, communicate to media, governmental entities, other not-for profits or other interested individuals or groups. These positions are President of the Board, Secretary, Treasurer, and Training/Programs Coordinator.
The board shall have the authority to establish committees with respective goals and objectives and assign each committee a Chairperson. In addition the board will have an additional number of members up to 16 who will assist the executive committee in order to meet the legal, financial, and mission of our organization.
Executive Committee:
President:
The President shall act to convene all organizational meetings, facilitate discussion, clarify and communicate decisions, oversee reporting functions, act as a facilitator for discussions and ensure with other officers the overall adherence to mission values and achievement of goals and objectives.
Secretary:
The Secretary shall record all executive committee meetings as well as the meetings of the overall board. They will disseminate to the board and the membership a summary of these meetings. They will act as the archivist for all non-fiscal written communications between government, media, or other individuals and groups.
Treasurer:
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the accounting process and expenditures of all funds. Because there is a fee associated with membership the treasurer shall be the point of contact for membership application and along with the chair of the membership committee ensures that all policies related to membership are followed. They will work with the executive director to submit all required financial reports to the appropriate governmental organizations.
Training/Programs Coordinator:
The Training/Programs Coordinator will establish working committees to create and implement the mission of our organization. The Coordinator will work with other board members to identify resources that will enable us to create and deliver the highest quality training and education programs designed to establish both skills and values related to the
ownership and use of firearms.
Committees:
Youth Shooting
Bleed Out
Sharp Shooters
Open Carry
Range Safety
Self Defense
Board Members:
Cassandra B.
Chris B.
Mark F.
Jeff G.
Mark G.
Tom L.
Charles S.
Officers:
President: Charles S.
Secretary: Tom L.
Treasurer: Mark F.
Training Coordinator: Jeff G.
Information Technology Manager: Chris B.
Media / Events: Cassandra B.
Founders:
Annie Durham
Mike Elliott
Mark Fox
Jeff Gillis
Reed Grainger
Mark Green
Chris Hazlett
Beva Laylery
Gary Ledford
Michael Lindsey
Tom Litherland
Sharon Monroe
Zeb Pennock
Charles Solomone
John Winchester
Doug Walker
Dean Winn
Teller Rifles website: www.teller-rifles.org.
Teller Rifles email: teller-rifles@proton.me
Teller Rifles Motto: Rights. Respect. Rifles.
Rights: The United States Constitution's Second Amendment guarantees the right to own firearms regardless of the reason or purpose. Gun owners hunt, target shoot, trap shoot, skeet shoot and engage in firearm competitions. A growing number of Americans use firearms solely for personal protection and home defense.
Respect: Teller Rifles (TR) believes in individual responsibility and accountability for choices. Thus, TR focuses on the individual, not the weapon. TR collaborates with government agencies, non-profit groups, and individuals to create a culture of respect and responsibility related to the ownership and use of firearms.
Rifles: Teller Rifles hosts a variety of hands-on training programs for firearm marksmanship, gun safety and self-defense skills. Specific programs include "An Intro to Handguns," "Safety Officer Training," "Advanced Training for Seasoned Gun Owners," "Concealed Carry Certification," "Tactical Awareness Training," adult competitive shooting events, and youth competitive shooting events. TR offers non-shooting training for youth.
More about Teller Rifles:
Teller Rifles is not just a shooting club. We are committed to improving the wellbeing and safety of Teller County, the state of Colorado, and the nation. TR's efforts have two overarching goals: first, to provide skills-based training to improve a gun owner’s ability to safely and effectively utilize firearms; and second, to create a culture of respect and responsibility for the use and ownership of firearms.
Teller Rifles website: www.teller-rifles.org.
Teller Rifles email: teller-rifles@proton.me
TELLER RIFLES MEMBERSHIP (OPEN TO ALL)
Teller Rifles currently lists 693 active members. TR continues to grow its membership through word-of-mouth, TR programs and TR-sponsored community events.
If you would like to join Teller Rifles, please email the Teller Rifles President, Charles S. at teller-rifles@proton.me.
At this time, membership is FREE.
-----------------------------------------------------------
TELLER RIFLES HISTORY
In November of 2017 a few of us got together and formed the Cripple Creek Marksmanship and Self-Defense Group.
In April of 2018 we had our first community meeting at Ralfs Breakroom in Cripple creek with about 25 in attendance. Our second meeting, in September of that year, was again at Ralfs with about 35. Our next was at the CC-V High School in February of 2019 and that time we had about 45 attended for a hearty pizza dinner catered by Ralfs.
Our growth and evolution have been slow but steady. For instance, our name: after we started off as a Cripple Creek-centric group, the addition of members from other parts of Teller County caused us to change our name to Teller County Marksmanship and Self-Defense Group. After struggling with this mouthful for a few years we decided to simply become the Teller Rifles.
Our slow-but-steady growth approach has also been evidenced in our annual gathering to shoot our weapons and enjoy our company. Our 1st Fall Shoot-Fest, at the Grainger ranch, had six Rifles in attendance and the 2nd had eight. This, our third year, we had twelve.
The growth in interest in Teller Rifles is also evidenced by our email list, now 498, of which approximately 410 are in Teller County. (It should be noted that we have members as far away as New Jersey, the Carolinas, California, New Jersey, Australia, and Brazil. Some have expressed interest in starting their own Rifles.)
As opposed to being the typical gun/shooting club, we always envisioned ourselves as a training and informational venue. To this end we have had an RSO (Range Safety Officer) certification class (2019); 4, Stop-the-Bleed classes (2020/21); and Situational Awareness training (2021); and a Handgun Introduction class and an Active-Shooter training session in (December 2021).
We are recognized as a non-profit organization by both the State of Colorado and the IRS. We are neither just a shooting club nor are we a radical political organization. We are a community of marksmanship and self-defense enthusiasts made up of strong men and strong women ready to face today’s adversity and challenges.
Our philosophy is stated in our motto, Rights - Respect - Rifles, and can be summarized as:
Rights
· Insist on Your 2A Rights
· Insist on Your Honor
· Insist on Your Dignity
· Insist on Your Liberty
Respect
· For the Law
· For All Others
· For Property
· For Your Weapons
Rifles
· Know Your Weapon
· Know How to Use It
· Know When to Use It
· Know Yourself
Who are We?
We are the original Rifles started in 2017 in Teller County, Colorado.
We presently number approximately four hundred and ten and are a group of shooting enthusiasts with extensive military and law enforcement experience who wanted to band together to encourage a greater appreciation and use of firearms in our community while emphasizing education and training.
What are We?
Teller Rifles is neither just a shooting club nor are we a radical political organization. We are a community of marksmanship and self-defense enthusiasts made up of strong men and strong women ready to face adversity and challenge.
What is Our Purpose?
We are committed to improving the wellbeing and safety of our Communities, our States, and the Nation. We have organized to implement activities that have two overarching goals: first, to provide skills-based training to improve an owner’s ability to utilize firearms safely and effectively and second, to create a culture of respect and responsibility for the use and ownership of firearms.
2020/21 has shown us that what was normal yesterday may not be tomorrow. We are in a time of pandemic and widespread social unrest in a rapidly changing environment. In times like these, we may only have each other to rely on. TR’s is a great place to get to know each other and start to build and strengthen a community of like-minded folks who can form a dependable alliance sharing and pooling resources and risk.
Find a sense of community. Join friends and neighbors.
Want to become more involved in the growth and evolution of Teller Rifles? Our board meetings are held monthly and are open to members. Email if you'd like to attend.
Know somebody you think would be interested in becoming one of us? Forward this, tell them to email us, and we'll add them to our list.
It doesn't cost a thing to become a Rifle.
Teller Rifles website: www.teller-rifles.org.
Teller Rifles email: teller-rifles@proton.me
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TR GOVERNANCE
The Board:
The board’s role shall include establishing mission and direction, ensuring the necessary resources of funds and leadership to implement the mission, and providing fiduciary oversight.
The board, officers, and key staff are responsible for defining and upholding the organization’s mission, vision, and values, and for providing overall strategic direction to the organization.
The board will manage its officer’s staff and volunteers to ensure that the organization operates in furtherance of our mission and status as a charitable and tax-exempt organization.
The board will operationalize this responsibility through the creation of policy that provides foundational guidance related to our mission and values, and follows applicable laws and regulations of the Federal Government the State of Colorado and the local jurisdictions in which we are based. Consequently, the board shall establish and follow policies and practices to protect against a waste of charitable assets, justify the reasonableness of compensation paid to members, directors, or officers, honor donor intent, and prevent improper personal benefit by insiders.
The board shall be responsible for raising funds to meet our mission goals, review and approve new or revised fiscal and governance policies including a conflict of interest policy, whistleblower policy, document retention and destruction policy, personal giving and gift acceptance policies, and an executive compensation policy.
The board shall ensure that proper accounting systems and internal controls are in place to detect and prevent fraud and embezzlement, including, as appropriate, background checks for employees and volunteers and insurance coverage.
The board and key staff shall develop a matrix to clearly delineate the spending and decision- making authority of staff throughout the organization and the types and amounts of decisions that require board approval. This information should be shared with the board, staff, and the nonprofit’s banking entities.
The board shall have an executive committee comprised of four officers who will have the authority to seek funding, communicate to media, governmental entities, other not-for profits or other interested individuals or groups. These positions are President of the Board, Secretary, Treasurer, and Training/Programs Coordinator.
The board shall have the authority to establish committees with respective goals and objectives and assign each committee a Chairperson. In addition the board will have an additional number of members up to 16 who will assist the executive committee in order to meet the legal, financial, and mission of our organization.
Executive Committee:
President:
The President shall act to convene all organizational meetings, facilitate discussion, clarify and communicate decisions, oversee reporting functions, act as a facilitator for discussions and ensure with other officers the overall adherence to mission values and achievement of goals and objectives.
Secretary:
The Secretary shall record all executive committee meetings as well as the meetings of the overall board. They will disseminate to the board and the membership a summary of these meetings. They will act as the archivist for all non-fiscal written communications between government, media, or other individuals and groups.
Treasurer:
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the accounting process and expenditures of all funds. Because there is a fee associated with membership the treasurer shall be the point of contact for membership application and along with the chair of the membership committee ensures that all policies related to membership are followed. They will work with the executive director to submit all required financial reports to the appropriate governmental organizations.
Training/Programs Coordinator:
The Training/Programs Coordinator will establish working committees to create and implement the mission of our organization. The Coordinator will work with other board members to identify resources that will enable us to create and deliver the highest quality training and education programs designed to establish both skills and values related to the
ownership and use of firearms.
Committees:
Youth Shooting
Bleed Out
Sharp Shooters
Open Carry
Range Safety
Self Defense
Board Members:
Cassandra B.
Chris B.
Mark F.
Jeff G.
Mark G.
Tom L.
Charles S.
Officers:
President: Charles S.
Secretary: Tom L.
Treasurer: Mark F.
Training Coordinator: Jeff G.
Information Technology Manager: Chris B.
Media / Events: Cassandra B.
Founders:
Annie Durham
Mike Elliott
Mark Fox
Jeff Gillis
Reed Grainger
Mark Green
Chris Hazlett
Beva Laylery
Gary Ledford
Michael Lindsey
Tom Litherland
Sharon Monroe
Zeb Pennock
Charles Solomone
John Winchester
Doug Walker
Dean Winn
Teller Rifles website: www.teller-rifles.org.
Teller Rifles email: teller-rifles@proton.me
