I'm doing a project for the Hawaii Rifle Association (HRA), trying to figure out how to get membership up.  I compare it to the NRA who is pretty effective due to the size of it's membership (about 5 mil) and many of them are voters who can change elections.  I calculated that about 1.6% of the US population belongs to the NRA.  I calculated that only 0.06% of Hawaii's population belongs to the HRA which is 1/26th that of the NRA.

I'd like to hear why did you join or not join HRA.  What you like/dislike about it.

As for me...I joined the HRA a long time ago when I first got into shooting, then I didn't renew until a couple years ago.  Looking back, I guess I didn't know what HRA was, didn't use their services, and everything was out of sight/out of mind for me so I let other people do the work.

After being an active participant lately here's the things that I like:
1.  There's a core group that have experience, friendly, and are willing to help.
2.  Some of them put in a lot of volunteer hours.
3.  They take care of their volunteers.
4.  You can gain experience coaching, instructing, and planning events.
5.  Help the community with events like Shooting Sports Fair, Hunting Fishing Day, Fun Shoots, Friends of the NRA, Training, boy scouts, etc.
6.  Provides support to hunters and conservation efforts
7.  Willing to listen if you get to know them and you have a good plan.
8.  Works with the NRA on legislation and elections

What I don't like:
1.  Keeping the status quo and not improving.
2.  Low membership.
3.  Need to rotate leaders out to train and develop new leaders.
4.  Need new ideas
5.  Need to communicate with non-HRA members better.
6.  Need to network and coordinate with other clubs, businesses, military, etc.

Im on the big island. It seems the calendar of events is for Oahu.  Anything planned for out here?  I'd join if there is an active group working on projects here like getting a public range set up. 

I am a member but after a long hiatus. There are some personalities that don't promote an inclusive membership and are there to promote an agenda. Nothing new to Hawaii same politics different arena.

I'm doing a project for the Hawaii Rifle Association (HRA), trying to figure out how to get membership up.  I compare it to the NRA who is pretty effective due to the size of it's membership (about 5 mil) and many of them are voters who can change elections.  I calculated that about 1.6% of the US population belongs to the NRA.  I calculated that only 0.06% of Hawaii's population belongs to the HRA which is 1/26th that of the NRA.

I'd like to hear why did you join or not join HRA.  What you like/dislike about it.

As for me...I joined the HRA a long time ago when I first got into shooting, then I didn't renew until a couple years ago.  Looking back, I guess I didn't know what HRA was, didn't use their services, and everything was out of sight/out of mind for me so I let other people do the work.

After being an active participant lately here's the things that I like:
1.  There's a core group that have experience, friendly, and are willing to help.
2.  Some of them put in a lot of volunteer hours.
3.  They take care of their volunteers.
4.  You can gain experience coaching, instructing, and planning events.
5.  Help the community with events like Shooting Sports Fair, Hunting Fishing Day, Fun Shoots, Friends of the NRA, Training, boy scouts, etc.
6.  Provides support to hunters and conservation efforts
7.  Willing to listen if you get to know them and you have a good plan.
8.  Works with the NRA on legislation and elections

What I don't like:
1.  Keeping the status quo and not improving.
2.  Low membership.
3.  Need to rotate leaders out to train and develop new leaders.
4.  Need new ideas
5.  Need to communicate with non-HRA members better.
6.  Need to network and coordinate with other clubs, businesses, military, etc.

For many many years I was a member. I am no longer. One of the main reasons was/is Max Cooper.

It's an old boys club, if your in your In, if your not your not

Their website and newsletter is dated and when they do give information it's usually months old and/or to last minute to takthe action.

The main thing that stopped me from reknewing my membership was the fact that they dident move a muscle to stop rapback and wouldn't eveb alnollegr if they were working on something.


I have no problem volunteering as I can see where my time and effort is directly going, but as for directly buying membership, not happening. 

Error

The main thing that stopped me from reknewing my membership was the fact that they dident move a muscle to stop rapback and wouldn't eveb alnollegr if they were working on something.

What? Don't you remember the famous Harvey Gerwig interview from July 6, 2016? He claimed they "have six lawyers working on it". Okay. It's now 15 months later and those lawyers must have racked up a LOT of hours, and considerable expense (unless they're all working pro bono), and we haven't heard a peep... not any peep at all from HRA about how they have determined to fight Rapback. Must be some really seriously secret stuff. I hope they prove me wrong, but how long would it take to decide on a strategy and file a lawsuit?

http://www.hawaiifreepress.com/ArticlesMain/tabid/56/ID/17828/Rifle-Association-Six-Lawyers-Working-on-Hawaii-lsquoRap-Backrsquo-Lawsuit.aspx

Im new to the culture ( almost 1 year). But to me, it seems like its not my type of shooting or legal activities.

1) i like the HDF classes and shoots, hence why i go and bought a membership. Theyre consistan (last saturday of the month). You can bring your stuff to shoot (guns & ammo).
2) does HRA do this type of shooting? Sports fair, you have to pay to rent. So more for non-owners, not current gun owners.
3) seems like they dropped the ball on the rapback. Someone in HRA should have been aware of the proposal b4 it was to late. London raised funds alone, if 1 man can do this, why cant an organization?
4) were they around when hawaii made registration manditory? If they were, what did they do to help prevent this and other 2a infrinents (mag limits, ccw denials, barrel length, etc...)
5) i know the above cost money, but i find it hard to believe that there isnt at least 1 attorney out there that could volunteer to help or trade services (if legal, firearm training for friends and family of atty, gun smithing, etc...). Or did HRA even contact the NRA for help because what happens in 1 state, others may follow.
6) i wrote to my rep and he proposed a ccw bill HB36. Did HRA do anything like this?

Again I am new so it may be my lack of intel for some of the above or i might be totally wrong too.

I would like to learn more, zipps please keep us aware of HRA events. Especially events where we can shoot our own guns and ammo.


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Membership is really inexpensive if I recall.  I paid my dues years ago but kind of forget about the annual dues with no reminders.  If they sent me an email with a bill and where to send it...I would renew.   Otherwise, I forget with everything else competing for attention.  So, I suppose I'm not a member anymore.  But, sending out a reminder to pay up would probably provide a quick boost. 

Looking back, I guess I didn't know what HRA was, didn't use their services, and everything was out of sight/out of mind for me so I let other people do the work..

That pretty much sums it up for me. I know the HRA exist, know nothing about what they do. If there was info as to what they are about and what they are doing, I may support them.

Im on the big island. It seems the calendar of events is for Oahu.  Anything planned for out here?  I'd join if there is an active group working on projects here like getting a public range set up.

I don't know if there are active programs on the other islands, there should be if not.  There is the skeet & trap range in Hilo where you could setup shooting sports fair with archery and other activities for the community.

HRA working with www.ontargethawaii.org to build the  PU`UANAHULU range, but that fell through.  I'm sure they'll be active on helping with the Hilo range.  Remember that it's not only about just paying member dues, it's about taking an active part in helping out.

I am a member but after a long hiatus. There are some personalities that don't promote an inclusive membership and are there to promote an agenda. Nothing new to Hawaii same politics different arena.

I noticed a lot of the gun clubs are the same way, they don't interact with each other.  I also see the differences everyone has (not unlike this forum) and HRA seems to have a difficult time talking to people outside of the organization.

For many many years I was a member. I am no longer. One of the main reasons was/is Max Cooper.

What's the story on him?  I don't really know who he is except he does some law stuff and wrote the HRA gun laws synopsis.

It's an old boys club, if your in your In, if your not your not

I saw that with a lot of gun clubs when I looked at them from the outside not knowing anything.  But when I started talking an active approach by talking to them, participating, and volunteering I found that it's different.  Most of them are friendly and helpful.  It takes a while to build that trust I guess.  You should come out to the HRA/LIFE shoots and talk to Harvey there.  A suggestion I'm going to make to HRA is to open communications by having a periodic lunch session where people can sit down and talk to the HRA to voice there concerns and get updates over lunch

Their website and newsletter is dated and when they do give information it's usually months old and/or to last minute to takthe action.
The main thing that stopped me from reknewing my membership was the fact that they dident move a muscle to stop rapback and wouldn't eveb alnollegr if they were working on something.
I have no problem volunteering as I can see where my time and effort is directly going, but as for directly buying membership, not happening.

I find the website could be better.  I envision a place where anyone can find information about events, directories, Q&A's, and other stuff.  I plan to put my event calendar and directory on their site.
Seems like the HRA is a very weak organization, not just against RAPBACK but other legislation.  That's why I'd like to get HRA membership up from 1,000 to 5,000, 10,000 is a remote possibility with a lot of work.
I'm guessing Harvey is just getting stretched thin as he seems to take everything on from all of the events, hunting stuff, range stuff, and legislation.  HRA should be divided up like how the NRA is.  Training, hunting, events, politics, etc.

What? Don't you remember the famous Harvey Gerwig interview from July 6, 2016? He claimed they "have six lawyers working on it". Okay. It's now 15 months later and those lawyers must have racked up a LOT of hours, and considerable expense (unless they're all working pro bono), and we haven't heard a peep... not any peep at all from HRA about how they have determined to fight Rapback. Must be some really seriously secret stuff. I hope they prove me wrong, but how long would it take to decide on a strategy and file a lawsuit?

http://www.hawaiifreepress.com/ArticlesMain/tabid/56/ID/17828/Rifle-Association-Six-Lawyers-Working-on-Hawaii-lsquoRap-Backrsquo-Lawsuit.aspx

I haven't heard anything about it from them either, I think it's a dead issue with HRA.  All of the lawyers say we'd lose the case because of how the law and tracking is done.  It would definitely go up to the SCOTUS where the cost would be very high and case uncertain at best.  To be fair all of the gun organizations refused to take the case...SAF, NRA, GOA, etc for the same reasons.  I feel HRA should have communicated that out to the community.

Membership is really inexpensive if I recall.  I paid my dues years ago but kind of forget about the annual dues with no reminders.  If they sent me an email with a bill and where to send it...I would renew.   Otherwise, I forget with everything else competing for attention.  So, I suppose I'm not a member anymore.  But, sending out a reminder to pay up would probably provide a quick boost.

They sent me an email to renew.

They could increase membership if they made it autorenew with a notice sent a couple weeks ahead.  I hate having to manually renew stuff.  I'll probably get their lifetime membership one day after I save up enough.  The lifetime SAF and NRA membership spares me from renewals and spam mail.

I haven't heard anything about it from them either, I think it's a dead issue with HRA.  All of the lawyers say we'd lose the case because of how the law and tracking is done.  It would definitely go up to the SCOTUS where the cost would be very high and case uncertain at best.  To be fair all of the gun organizations refused to take the case...SAF, NRA, GOA, etc for the same reasons.  I feel HRA should have communicated that out to the community.

Yeah, well that "six lawyers working on it" was total bluster and certainly implied that HRA was going to actually DO SOMETHING about an obvious violation of the United States Constitution (I don't recall seeing anything in there about a tax/fee/fine being required to be paid in order to be in a government database in order to exercise any pre-existing right listed in the "Bill of Rights"). Then they didn't do anything, anything at all. How would they have blustered that fact in the media? (Cue Roseanne Roseannadanna video: "Oh... never mind!"). To their members? Or anywhere else?

zippz, I appreciate your efforts, as I suspect from my years as an "activist" in another field, it is mostly a totally thankless endeavor met almost universally by indifferent or apathetic people who simply have no interest in the issue. If you find one out of a thousand people who are willing to donate time and/or money to the cause, you're lucky (and NOT "lucky we live Hawaii" for Second Amendment issues). Best wishes for success in your endeavors. Give 'em hell. 

Im on the big island. It seems the calendar of events is for Oahu.  Anything planned for out here?  I'd join if there is an active group working on projects here like getting a public range set up.

My impression as well, very Oahu-centric.

Makes sense to them no doubt, they have 80+% of the population.

My impression as well, very Oahu-centric.

Makes sense to them no doubt, they have 80+% of the population.

Unfortunately so.  Appears the neighbor island directors need to step it up.

Unfortunately so.  Appears the neighbor island directors need to step it up.

Would it be unfair or mean or trollish or something else bad of me to ask, "Step WHAT up?"? Maybe there's been something going on here in Puna all along and I just didn't/don't know about it.