SaveCRPA responds to CRPA cease and desist

[kcbrown]

Not so. The membership have no way to hold them accountable beyond the public shaming (and maybe a couple other tricks up our sleeves) and voting with their feet. IIRC they had 50K members so they claimed in a court filing in approximately 2004 and have fallen to 28K as of the last annual meeting. A really large portion of the remaining members are life members where it's more work to leave than it is to do nothing and be counted as a member. As such, California gun people are voting with their feet...

Yes, but that's his point. California gun people are voting with their feet. The people that remain are either lifetime members (as you indicate) or are not really in the organization for their rights at all.

The real question is: which of the two classes of people above is dominant?


Also, I like the suggestion of what should be put to a vote, but beware that how it's put to a vote is just as important as that it's put to a vote. And I am deeply wary of the CRPA leadership's honesty on that.

[kcbrown]

(... and, I might add, it is a price of which you are paying a disproportionate share, while between career and family most of us, myself included, can barely find time for the occasional Internet posting. You have my heartfelt gratitude.)

Seconded, thirded, etc., however many times the rest of you will let me!

[kcbrown]

CRPA executives' attraction to politics is possibly closer to a really drunk driver and oncoming headlights.

Oh, the multiple interpretations of this that are all valid at the same time make this statement all the more impressive.

To wit, drunk on power...

[thedrickel]

Well since everybody is airing their dirty laundry . . . I have a bone to pick with Gene.

Your title says you are not a moderator . . . but if I click on this page

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showgroups.php

You are clearly listed under the category of "Moderators" . . . ! How can we trust a guy who states such prominent untruths?

[G60]

There are a bunch of people who aren't moderators that are in that group.

They could make a group called "Martians" but it would not make them so.

[bwiese]

The issue with saving CRPA is that the membership and resources are already in place to be massively effective. With proper leadership and accountability, CRPA could make a SUBSTANTIAL difference in California. Much easier and faster than building a new .org.

You don't just throw away a new Porsche because it's got a dirty windshield. You just clean the bird crap off the glass and then the passengers can see where they're going.

AGREE 100%.

The goal is not to take away from, but to 'kick into gear'.

[hoffmang]

Well since everybody is airing their dirty laundry . . . I have a bone to pick with Gene.

Your title says you are not a moderator . . . but if I click on this page

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showgroups.php

You are clearly listed under the category of "Moderators" . . . ! How can we trust a guy who states such prominent untruths?

Heh. I'm a moderator in only the LTC subforums. Kes/Paul slapped that on there to help cut down on people asking me to do mod things thinking this was my site.

-Gene

[GOEX FFF]

Since CRPA have already sacrificed us pawns (members) as low valued players in this game........

SaveCRPA.org moves Queen to Rook 4 = "Check" CRPA

[fiddletown]

...Is CRPA savable, or irredeemably busted? ...

As far as that goes, I think the CRPA is savable and worth trying to save.

Remember, it's a corporation, and as a corporation it has an existence independent of its management. It also has intangible assets in the nature of name recognition and goodwill.

While its existing management and core governance documents might leave a lot to be desired, those things can be changed. We have a good model for a more functional corporate organization, and there are many smart and capable CRPA members who could turn the organization around.

I think there is an opportunity to resuscitate CRPA as an effective, California RKBA organization, and that opportunity is worth pursuing.

[wash]

Heh. I'm a moderator in only the LTC subforums. Kes/Paul slapped that on there to help cut down on people asking me to do mod things thinking this was my site.

-Gene

Ban him Gene!

[MindBuilder]

It seems like a more effective way to pressure CRPA into allowing elections is through the NRA. If the NRA threatens to withdraw its stamp of approval for the CRPA, then the CRPA would be much more likely to listen. The NRA can also print a cover story on the California version of its magazine letting CRPA members know that they need to threaten to resign from the CRPA if elections aren't held. If the NRA won't help us out here, then its a good thing the NRA does have elections. Why hasn't the NRA put pressure on already?

[berto]

It seems like a more effective way to pressure CRPA into allowing elections is through the NRA. If the NRA threatens to withdraw its stamp of approval for the CRPA, then the CRPA would be much more likely to listen. The NRA can also print a cover story on the California version of its magazine letting CRPA members know that they need to threaten to resign from the CRPA if elections aren't held. If the NRA won't help us out here, then its a good thing the NRA does have elections. Why hasn't the NRA put pressure on already?

Indifference? Money?

[greasemonkey]

As far as that goes, I think the CRPA is savable and worth trying to save.

Remember, it's a corporation, and as a corporation it has an existence independent of its management. It also has intangible assets in the nature of name recognition and goodwill.

While its existing management and core governance documents might leave a lot to be desired, those things can be changed. We have a good model for a more functional corporate organization, and there are many smart and capable CRPA members who could turn the organization around.

I think there is an opportunity to resuscitate CRPA as an effective, California RKBA organization, and that opportunity is worth pursuing.

It's possible to save the CRPA and it would sure be nice to see them become a healthy, proactive organization. Can you imagine the potential of a $1-Mil/yr healthy organization working in coordination with SAF/CGF/CRPA-F?? We would be able to decimate (legally) the careers of those in opposition to freedom.

But then there's reality. As long as the inner circle of self-appointed BoD's remain intact, with no way for we the voting members to have any say or impact in how they operate OUR organization, they will continue to be the festering sore that they are. The way it looks now, after this ridiculous C&D letter is that it's going to have to take the inner circle surrendering their 'au-thor-i-tay' and prestige or they're going to have to proudly command the Titanic to the ocean floor, potentially damaging our rights and certainly damaging the 2A community as a whole.

[NoJoke]

Just got this email, an opportunity to talk directly to the executive director and board members:

Come join the California Rifle and Pistol Association at the Turner's Outdoorsman Shooting Sports Fair!

The CRPA will have an active presence at the Turner's Outdoorsman Shooting Sports Fair in Corona on Friday, June 1st from 12 PM to 6 PM, Saturday, June 2nd from 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday, June 3rd from 10 AM to 5 PM. The Association will have a membership/information booth at the main entrance and will be cosponsoring a youth shooting line with our partners: The NRA, 'Calguns.net,' 'the Appleseed Project' and 'Turner's Outdoorsman.'

Here's your chance to renew or upgrade your membership, ask questions and interact with the people who run your organization on your behalf; including Executive Director John Fields, Association officers and members of the Board of Directors.

This is one of the premier shooting events in Southern California and is a great opportunity to go 'hands-on' with the latest in guns and gear!

Hope to see you there!

Location: Raahagues Shooting Enterprises
Click for Map: 14995 River Rd., Corona, CA 92880

Visit the Turner's Outdoorsman website for more information here.

[vincewarde]

Winning civil rights battles often requires reform in your own community. As I've said elsewhere, when King sought to change America, one of the key things he had to change was his own co-clergy first. See his Letter from a Birmingham Jail.

Yep, Dr. King had that right. The first priority in any movement must be unity. Unity is not possible when the people in any organization do not have a voice. In addition, self-perpetuating boards (and a few of these exist in the church world too) are the surest way to doom any organization. They have no need to be accountable - or at least they do not think it is that important.

I am sorry that the CRPA leadership does not see the need to institute democratic reforms. Perhaps they are afraid that CRPA members are as upset as NRA members were in the 1970s when they threw everyone out. 30 years later the NRA is considered by both friends and foes alike to be the most powerful lobbying organization in the US. Where would it be today if the members had not been able to change the leadership?