A little disappointed with the NRA thus far

[troylaplante]

I called the NRA today about their "grass roots" movement and the legislative action efforts. They are active in campaigns, but only at the national and high state levels. Yet, they just had a problem with their convention location because of a municipality.

I told them that I get a lot of fund raising solicitations. What I NEVER see, however, is them asking if any NRA members are actually running for office and could use a little nudge from their influence. Since I am running for town council and am a member, I figured that maybe they might like to actually help a member get elected, seeing that my agenda includes their agenda.

Basically, I was told that I was not important enough for their time. I asked simply that perhaps they might want to help by contacting just the NRA members in my town and let them know that a fellow NRA member was running for office. Though not an endorsement or anything, that was still just too much freakin' effort on their part. I asked them to just get me that info and I would contact them myself. No help there. How about a ten minute form letter/press release to the local media announcing that an NRA member in good standing is running for office in my town. Nope, small potatoes.

I was given the "well, if we got involved in that, there are city and town races all over the nation that would keep us too busy for real work" attitude. I retorted that NRA members are not necessarily running for office all over the country and that few have the gonads to stand up and actually run for office. I also told them that this would not be the only level of office I ever run for, but is merely a start. It was like talking to a recording.

I will contact my local field rep next. I will see him at a fund raising dinner/auction that I already bought a ticket for.

If I get this sort of inaction and attitude again, they can kiss it and I will drop my membership and try another organization. It was the "sorry, but you are not important to us" attitude that really cheesed me.

[lefty o]

the NRA is not perfect, but there are not alot of better choices.

[Shaun]

I am not surprised Troy they backed down from Cat who they said I had a good case against when the let me go

[NorCalAshnjikov]

If I get this sort of inaction and attitude again, they can kiss it and I will drop my membership and try another organization. It was the "sorry, but you are not important to us" attitude that really cheesed me.

So what office are you running for (why are you important ?

Seems to me you chould contact your local NRA affiliate for endorsment (unless thats who you're talking about)

if it's a town or city council that's understandable sorry..but they should be more concerned with state and federal laws :nod: that's why I send them my dues every year..they may also be legally concerned over privacy concerns of the membership..more food for thought the NRA is tiny compared to what it ought to be..it's just a small fraction of the 70 million gun owners in the USA :guitar:

[troylaplante]

Originally Posted by Logansdad

if it's a town or city council that's understandable sorry..but they should be more concerned with state and federal laws

Yeah, that is why they just had to move their convention plans. I didn't say that they should not be more concerned with state and federal levels. I did say that they claim to be interested in grass roots elections. Furthermore, how many NRA MEMBERS actually are running for office? Not too many. They should, however, get some due attention, considering that they are members of the organization. It should matter if it is a town government level. They had contact with a member of their organization who is running for office and will help further their agenda and ensure gun owner freedom in this jurisdiction. I have worked in the media before. If someone can't take less than ten minutes to come up with a simple press release...one freakin' sheet of paper, then they are essentially worthless to me. I will keep that stuff in mind in the future.

[NorCalAshnjikov]

Originally Posted by troylaplante

Yeah, that is why they just had to move their convention plans. I didn't say that they should not be more concerned with state and federal levels. I did say that they claim to be interested in grass roots elections. Furthermore, how many NRA MEMBERS actually are running for office? Not too many. They should, however, get some due attention, considering that they are members of the organization. It should matter if it is a town government level. They had contact with a member of their organization who is running for office and will help further their agenda and ensure gun owner freedom in this jurisdiction. I have worked in the media before. If someone can't take less than ten minutes to come up with a simple press release...one freakin' sheet of paper, then they are essentially worthless to me. I will keep that stuff in mind in the future.

You don't sound very convincing.
In fact, you sound like you don't have the right temperment for the job.
In either case you should look at
http://www.nraila.org/ActionCenter/G...y/Default.aspx
for help, and your local NRA affiliated clubs, not NRA directly, for an endorsment.

[troylaplante]

Originally Posted by NorCalAshnjikov

You don't sound very convincing.
In fact, you sound like you don't have the right temperment for the job.

Bite me.

[7mmag6]

knock it off norcal

[BattleRifleG3]

Originally Posted by troylaplante

Bite me.

Attempt at Comic Relief -
Lemur King from Madagascar: "Here, take a nibble!"

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by troylaplante

Bite me.

Troy just ignore Norcal - you have to remember he is a subject of PRK

[troylaplante]

Originally Posted by Shaun

Troy just ignore Norcal

I usually do.

[OneInchGroup]

Originally Posted by troylaplante

Bite me.

Does the phrase, "Being Politically Correct" push any alert buttons, there, pal?

I understand the frustration with our pals at NRA, being a life member, but NorCal may have a point about temperament.

I've been involved with local politics and local NRA issues in the PRM (People's Republic of Maryland, 90% DemLib and getting dumber every day) for some time, and I can tell you one important thing I've learned: When you are running for office, one of the skills required is the one that lets you keep smiling while a constituent is screaming in your face and letting his Lab Retriever pee on your suit cuffs. No matter the level of provocation, the only news item will be your reaction, when you get mad and kick the dog.

"Bite Me" may not be the best possible comment to make, out on the campaign trail.

Originally Posted by Logansdad

they may also be legally concerned over privacy concerns of the membership

this may be the root cause

[troylaplante]

Originally Posted by OneInchGroup

Does the phrase, "Being Politically Correct" push any alert buttons, there, pal?

I understand the frustration with our pals at NRA, being a life member, but NorCal may have a point about temperament.

I've been involved with local politics and local NRA issues in the PRM (People's Republic of Maryland, 90% DemLib and getting dumber every day) for some time, and I can tell you one important thing I've learned: When you are running for office, one of the skills required is the one that lets you keep smiling while a constituent is screaming in your face and letting his Lab Retriever pee on your suit cuffs. No matter the level of provocation, the only news item will be your reaction, when you get mad and kick the dog.

"Bite Me" may not be the best possible comment to make, out on the campaign trail.

Try paying attention. I will go over this for those of you who have trouble with reading comprehension.

1. I was talking with an NRA rep, not a constituent. I had a pleasant conversation with the rep, not contentious. I never said that I had a bad conversation with the NRA rep.

2. Ditto.

3. See last comment.

4. You have NO idea what my temperment is, since you don't know me, have never met me, and have not had interaction with me. Responding to a snyde comment on a message board is not necessarily indicative of a temperment.

5. If I didn't have the "skills" that you refer to, I would not be attempting to get on the town council.

6. "Does the phrase, "Being Politically Correct" push any alert buttons, there, pal?" Well, first, I am not you pal, and NO, it does not. Being politically correct is being intellectually dishonest. Since you are obviously not familiar with the area in which I live, you have no idea how much that phrase does or does not matter here. The "politically correct" are spineless, ineffective wusses who prefer to determine the wind direction of elitist public opinion before taking a stance. Those who act politically correct in interpersonal activity around here don't get elected. One thing I have heard several times is that locals are glad to see someone with a spine run for office.

7. Only an idiot would say "bite me" on the campaign trail. I haven't and will not. I will, however, say it to a snyde knucklehead on a message board in a flash.

[troylaplante]

Quote: (Originally Posted by Logansdad)
they may also be legally concerned over privacy concerns of the membership

this may be the root cause

Considering that I was not interested in getting a roster of members, I seriously doubt that privacy concerns are the root cause. We get political info and solicitations from the NRA in my mailbox OFTEN. I also get regionally targeted solicitations, so that is not the issue.

Locate "Second Amendment Activist Centers"

You may have read about a new campaign we have launched to identify Second Amendment Activist Centers--area businesses that will assist in distributing legislative and election-related materials to NRA members and gun owners.

The response thus far has been great, as to date, we've already identified some 22 Activist Centers. The proprietors of these establishments have been contacted, have been advised of their role, and are stocked with materials. To find out if there is an Activist Center near you, please visit http://www.nraila.org/ActionCenter/ActivistCenters.aspx or call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683. If there is an Activist Center near you, please stop by to pick up materials for your own personal use and for distribution throughout the pro-Second Amendment community.

http://www.nraila.org/

Originally Posted by troylaplante

What I NEVER see, however, is them asking if any NRA members are actually running for office and could use a little nudge from their influence. Since I am running for town council and am a member

I asked simply that perhaps they might want to help by contacting just the NRA members in my town and let them know that a fellow NRA member was running for office. Though not an endorsement or anything, that was still just too much freakin' effort on their part. I asked them to just get me that info and I would contact them myself. No help there. How about a ten minute form letter/press release to the local media announcing that an NRA member in good standing is running for office in my town. Nope, small potatoes.

I was given the "well, if we got involved in that, there are city and town races all over the nation that would keep us too busy for real work" attitude. I retorted that NRA members are not necessarily running for office all over the country and that few have the gonads to stand up and actually run for office. I also told them that this would not be the only level of office I ever run for, but is merely a start.

If I get this sort of inaction and attitude again, they can kiss it and I will drop my membership and try another organization. It was the "sorry, but you are not important to us" attitude that really cheesed me.

they don't have enough influence to get all American gun owners to join..most media aren't on "our side" so a press release isn't worth the paper the rough draft wouldn't be printed on..being an NRA member may actually hurt your chances of being elected (soccer moms usually don't like guns and they vote too)

[troylaplante]

Originally Posted by Logansdad

they don't have enough influence to get all American gun owners to join..most media aren't on "our side" so a press release isn't worth the paper the rough draft wouldn't be printed on..being an NRA member may actually hurt your chances of being elected (soccer moms usually don't like guns and they vote too)

Well, you don't know this county. It will actually help. I know the owner of the local TV and radio stations here, and can honestly say it would help. I have worked in media in this market for years and know many of the principle players. Knowing your market is essential to being successful in any media propaganda.

Around our town is nothing but tobacco and cotton fields. High school students go deer hunting before going to school around here.

[troylaplante]

Originally Posted by Logansdad

please visit http://www.nraila.org/ActionCenter/ActivistCenters.aspx or call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683. If there is an Activist Center near you, please stop by to pick up materials for your own personal use and for distribution throughout the pro-Second Amendment community.

Yeah, went to that site FIRST. Called that number, too. Hence, my post.