SFV Calgunners/NRA members!

[MPG]

I enjoyed meeting everyone and seeing Calguns and NRA together.
I liked the dose of reality.

I like his approach of don't waste time on lost causes since resources are limited and we are playing to win the "forever war".

[p2toy]

Not really what I was expecting but then again, it was my first time attending that kind of an event so I was open for anything.

What I was hoping for though was to maybe be assigned with a certain task or help out in any way shape or form...

Anyway, it was great meeting fellow Calgunners/NRA members last night. I will continue to help out and be more active whenever I can.

On a side note, readysetgo's commitment and attitude towards helping the cause is truly inspiring. Keep it up man!

[readysetgo]

Wow, great discussion guys.

I have tons of thoughts/opinions but some are not easy to express in a coherent way and others would seem disjointed but I'll throw a couple out.

Everybody here has valid and important points/observations. I thinks it's always helpful to keep all the perspectives in mind. I said this recently in a constructive criticism thread for a new shop in our area "honest review/evaluation is worth it's weight in gold" and I truly believe that, for all involved. The man who sharpens his arguments and presentation and continuously looks to improve is one who will be successful in any endeavor. Those who have ears to hear...


To the welcome we received. It was everything already stated. BUT I will say it was not uncourteous or even unfriendly really, IMO. We were greeted, shook hands etc. There seemed to be a preconceived perception (negative) about us but I never took it personal.

Really, it's hard to expect complete strangers to be hugging and singing kumbaya after only a few hours. Not that any of us expected that, but for dramatic effect.

It was not "my style" in the sense that when I do an info booth or a calguns meet n greet or any social gun thing, I try my best to be warm and welcoming, a little funny and definitely all inclusive. I also put my own heart out on display and it tends to help put people at ease, which I appreciate and brings me to my next point and a general squabble I have with an approach I saw last night and in similar arenas.


Trust.

In my private life, I don't have any close friends that I haven't known for 10+ years, basically since I was a child. So I understand wanting to build rapport and trust and get to know one another, it's a quality that is desirable. BUT there is a problem with this approach, in summary it takes too long! If we're to have any meaningful impact as a group a certain amount of trust must be implied. By the time we would become chums, several , dozens tons more infringements will have become active.

That being said there are valid differences between formats/subjects. Here on Calguns we have a VERY open format, all civil discussion is tolerated. In political arenas there tends to be a "behind the curtains" operation. Navigating between the two can be a challenge. I don't really have any solutions to that, it's just different animals.


Another point. One of my personal hopes is always that there will be someone/some people that can take up the torch in my stead if I fall or need a break etc. Hopefully my children will but it need not be limited to them, the current and next generations will face many challenges and need all the help they can get just as my generation needs help from those currently holding that torch.

There seems to be or is a strictly top down structure at NRA-ILA and through them to the councils. This is great for certain purposes and is probably necessary. My concern is "what happens when the few with the knowledge and power to make decisions move on?" Are replacements continually being groomed? Is it left to happenstance? I think this unwise and would prefer that many people were informed and instructed in these things.

Finally, I would say in the future it may be helpful to contact the members council before the meeting and give them some kind of heads up that we're coming. It's not always an easy thing to make an off the cuff, spur of the moment presentation or explain something to people without knowing the baseline understanding. This would give them a chance to come up with some key points and ease a bit of tension, I think.

blah, blah, blah, sorry...

[BumBum]

Fingers crossed, but when we come hat in hand ready to help and pitch in and are immediately dismissed, pardon if I offend anyone, but its REALLY obvious why these NRA councils are just a couple old guys sitting in a room together. Women and younger people are who sway elections and make decisions in this country today and I don't see any of that being represented.

I agree with the demographic observation 100% - I actually posted this in another related thread this morning regarding how the majority of my group is over 60. I am 33 and am the junior by 15 years to the next youngest member. My goal is to grow the membership and infuse young blood into the MCs so we can carry the torch to future generations and overall, be more active and engaged.

readysetgo had great points in his post. I have been both an active Calgunner and NRA MC member for the last 1-1/2 years. I volunteer for Calguns at the Costa Mesa gun shows, and I go to nearly all of the monthly NRA MC meetings. Therefore, I am confident that at least in my Orange MC chapter, you won't find the Calguns tension that seems to exist elsewhere (namely SFV and Inland Empire).

Calguns is more open discussion and the NRA does have more "behind the curtain" politics. In politics, you need to be able to embrace and work within both arenas. I firmly believe that Calguns needs to be persistent in their participation with the NRA MCs - the time is NOW.

[Dirte]

Kes, it is obvious that you pull more weight than I do around here! I posted this before regarding our Orange MC meeting and not one Calgunner showed up! I can't remember, but maybe I only posted it in the OC forum - perhaps the 2A forum would be better. With all of these "I'm ins", I'm inspired to try again.

Don't worry bro. Sleighter and I have been posting about the IE MC meeting for the last 4 months straight and not one person has showed up. We just keep on keeping on.

Next one is 10/7/14 at 19:00.

[meyerlemony]

I missed the original post, but if there is another round I'm very interested. I'm young-ish too (33) and female, so maybe it would be helpful for me to represent that demographic? Either way, happy to help.

[dts2000]

Thumbs up!

[billofrights]

Up for this as well, is it 2nd Tuesday of the month?

[Kurus214]

Anyone able to confirm the December meeting is on ?