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Old 05-17-2009, 6:09 AM
rweller rweller is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OODA View Post
What is the CRPA doing to recruit new members?!? Maybe we should give away a free trail membership like the NRA (https://www.nrahq.org/nrabonus/accept-membership.asp) and offer an electronic copy of The Firing Line.
The first answer is that we do offer a free trial membership program and have for quite a long time. We offer it through various firearms dealers and at gun shows through NRA or CRPA booths. We have expanded our exposure with various firearms dealers and public ranges within the last several months.

Additionally, one of the items we have routinely discussed at CRPA board meetings is the fact that quite a number of gun owners are not familiar with CRPA or that we are the NRA state affiliate organization. We are planning a larger outreach program for gun shows and public venues, which is a prime source for new members.

Additionally, CRPA has become the majority owner in a 3-hour radio program that is now broadcast nightly on KLAA in Los Angeles, KERN in Kern County, a Fresno radio station and several others that have or are coming on the air shortly in California.

The radio program is called "The Radio Detective" and it is hosted by Jerry Pearce, a former law enforcement officer.

It is a rather unusual move to be involved in ownership of a radio program. However, the amount of exposure since it actually kicked off this past October with one station has already begun to pay off in new memberships. Additionally, we have seen a significant increase in memberships over the past two to three months since the program has started to increase the number of listeners as the number of stations has started to expand. We have also seen a four-fold increase in CRPA's website activity. The activity level started to increase in late fourth quarter of 2008 and continued to increase dramatically during first quarter 2009. So far, in April/May the activity level for hits, membership sign-ups, renewals and donations remains very high compared to past activity. With the addition of KERN, we have seen a very large increase in the past few weeks in new membership activity in the central valley area. Apparently KERN is considered a 'powerhouse' radio station in that region of California and has a substantial coverage area.

As we move forward and prepare for the next board meeting in September, we intend to offer additional incentives for new and existing members. We are planning to expand CRPA's website for additional member benefits that promise to expand both our exposure and membership levels.

That's part of the effort being made to increase membership. There are some other things going on that are still be formulated.

The key to success longterm is to not just market the organization, though any organization will tell you, the more members you have, the more swagger you have politically, which is very true. However, CRPA must continue with litigation, litigation support and challenging California anti-gun laws at both the local and state level.

There is a significant amount of discussion amongst various pro-gun organizations to coordinate various activities so everyone is not stepping on each others feet trying to roll-back some the laws in California. As everyone here knows, SAF and Calguns recently filed a lawsuit to challenge one element of California gun laws. There will be more activity on this front from NRA/CRPA and other groups. California, particularly in light of the recent 9th Circuit Nordyke case, is fertile ground for testing the limits of anti-gun laws and expanding Second Amendment incorporation nationally.

This is certainly a turnaround from what we have been experiencing in California for the last 20+ years. Being on the offense is much more fun than playing defense.

Ralph
CRPA Board Member
GunNewsDaily.com
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