How Few Members Are There in The NMLRA Today?

[Keb]

Is that $5.00 fee something they just instituted last fall?

I can't say when it went into effect. I can say they go to F-ship every year and it was new to them.

Sorry, Alden. I think this is on topic concerning NMLRA membership and one of the reasons it is going down. Certainly not a huge reason but it's still a reason.

 

[Claude Mathis]

I didn't mean this to be a critique of the NMLRA, I just wanted a factoid.

I did notice that you asked "how few" members as opposed to "how many". That may have set the tone?

 

[Billnpatti]

I am not sure of when the $5 fee for non-members went into effect but I know it was in effect over 5 years ago. I had a friend who was not a member go with me to Friendship then and he had to pay the fee. He didn't whine or throw his pacifier, he was glad to get in as a non-member for such a reasonable fee. Such a fee for non-members to get into organizational functions is not at all unusual and surely should not be a surprise. If you play golf at a Country Club where you are not a member and have to pay a greater green fee than a member, are you startled by such a perceived injustice? No, you expect to pay the greater fee because you are not a member. Certainly a fee as reasonable as $5 to get into Friendship should not be all that off putting. I think that the fee was just an excuse and not the actual basis for their decision not to return to Friendship or renew their membership in NMLRA. It is not unusual for people to already have their panties in a wad and just need an excuse. The reason for having their panties in a wad may have been totally unrelated to that tiny fee. It could possibly have built up over their long drive to get to Friendship. A small $5 fee for a non-member? That's not the real reason for their over reaction, that's just their excuse. For what it's worth, that's my honest opinion. :2

 

[necchi]

Your probably pretty right.
When someone is being swayed, or is in the process of re-evaluation or just plain fed-up,,
All it takes is that little nudge to push'm over the edge.

I got "nudged" several years ago when I attempted to participate at a higher level.
A member of the BOD was kind enough to hear my story, and I hope it was enough to change or at least improve the local NMLRA leadership.
It's up to them.

For those that are members, Good Luck.
For those that are not, Give'm a whirl and see if you like it.
Then, make up your own mind.

 

[fleener]

I have been happy with the responsiveness of the board. I have gone to the board with a couple of issues, and both have been resolved. The biggest one was the camping reservation system. It was really screwed up. I sought out some board members, explained the situation and it has been changed. Don't know that I had anything to do with it, but I am happy it was changed for the better.

I remember when I was a kid and my parents were talking about a local woman that complained about a lot of what was wrong with everything. One of my parents made the comment, yes she complains a lot, BUT she also try's to change things.

It is easy to complain, it takes more effort to take action.

Fleener

 

[Ray-Vigo]

I've been a member a few years because I support the general mission of the NMLRA, even if I don't make it to Indiana. I will add that when I vote for BOD (election going on now), I lean towards voting for people from states besides Indiana. There are always a couple such people running. My thinking is that (1) their commitment is strong enough to get them involved even hundreds of miles away and (2) it will bring a broader, national perspective to the leadership.

 

[Bear Rider]

I was an NMLRA member for a year back in the 80's. I didn't bother to renew, because if you read only NMLRA literature, you would have believed that there were no muzzle loaders west of the Mississippi. I don't know if that has changed, but I can't recall the last time that I saw their magazine at a rendezvous.

 

[jamesthomas]

I don't know if this is true for all the Territorials, but the one here in Alabama this May will not (does not?) have ANY vendors, Why? I don't know. It's a 3 day event some folks should be able to set up to sell stuff. (Tip Curtis please ) I was planning to attend to buy some stuff and maybe do some shooting. But its hard to justify a 4 hour trip to "maybe" be able to shoot and maybe find somebody that has a Stock Blank etc. to sell. I'm a member right now but the people in charge need to remember that ALOT of people cannot make the trip to Friendship, Ind. The NMLRA should not revolve around Friendship, and Arizona. Each Territorial should be a mini- Friendship with Vendors et-al. :2 .

 

[akapennypincher]

I don't know if this is true for all the Territorials, but the one here in Alabama this May will not (does not?) have ANY vendors, Why? I don't know. It's a 3 day event some folks should be able to set up to sell stuff. (Tip Curtis please ) I was planning to attend to buy some stuff and maybe do some shooting. But its hard to justify a 4 hour trip to "maybe" be able to shoot and maybe find somebody that has a Stock Blank etc. to sell. I'm a member right now but the people in charge need to remember that ALOT of people cannot make the trip to Friendship, Ind. The NMLRA should not revolve around Friendship, and Arizona. Each Territorial should be a mini- Friendship with Vendors et-al. :2 .

Your point about "vendors" is a good one, but they are independent business persons. Most of them vendors, or traders it is a business, not a hobby, so it come down to expenses, time, travel, fees, and last bottom-line profits from attending said event.

So you need understand for the traders, or vendor it is bottom-line return they look for. Great profit and they come back, no profits or small profit they stay home.

I recall when at the Winter, or Western Shoot (Arizona Shoot) the traders were like 75 to 85 strong. This year there were barley 15, and the picking of quality good were slim.

Maybe the traders stayed home, because of the few shooter. This year on Friday at the Western the Register Shooter Count was under 140 Shooter for an event that started Tuesday. I have no idea as to the final shooters count was, but the Western has not grown in the last 10 years.

So before you say we should, or they should. PLEASE put you feet in the shoes of the people setting up on a Trader Row who have the expenses for being at an event.

The other thing is. If the sport has few NEW SHOOTERS, the vendors, or traders are not making big sales, and can not live on sales a bag of ticking, or a few flints, or some minor sales.

 

[meanmike8665]

Hi,

My wife and I run both the Calif and Ore Terr. I can not remember the last time a trader showed up to either. Most shooters have all they need when they arrive, bought from an inter-net dealer. I still go to a few rendezvous and all I hear from different folks, I can get it cheaper on the "net" or I can make that myself. Why should a trade show up and lose money. One final thought the Terr. we put on or attend only attract 12 to 30 shooters and that not enough to support traders. That is not enough to attract traders.

Michael

 

[Alden]

I didn't know anyone West of the Mississippi shot blackpowder, and I'm not sure a dozen shooters is enough to hold a Territorial!

Well, quality, not quantity, right!? Offer members something and whoever comes and takes advantage, does.

 

[FishDFly]

I don't know if this is true for all the Territorials, but the one here in Alabama this May will not (does not?) have ANY vendors, Why? I don't know. It's a 3 day event some folks should be able to set up to sell stuff. (Tip Curtis please ) I was planning to attend to buy some stuff and maybe do some shooting. But its hard to justify a 4 hour trip to "maybe" be able to shoot and maybe find somebody that has a Stock Blank etc. to sell. I'm a member right now but the people in charge need to remember that ALOT of people cannot make the trip to Friendship, Ind. The NMLRA should not revolve around Friendship, and Arizona. Each Territorial should be a mini- Friendship with Vendors et-al. :2 .

Your point about "vendors" is a good one, but they are independent business persons. Most of them vendors, or traders it is a business, not a hobby, so it come down to expenses, time, travel, fees, and last bottom-line profits from attending said event.

So you need understand for the traders, or vendor it is bottom-line return they look for. Great profit and they come back, no profits or small profit they stay home.

I recall when at the Winter, or Western Shoot (Arizona Shoot) the traders were like 75 to 85 strong. This year there were barley 15, and the picking of quality good were slim.

Maybe the traders stayed home, because of the few shooter. This year on Friday at the Western the Register Shooter Count was under 140 Shooter for an event that started Tuesday. I have no idea as to the final shooters count was, but the Western has not grown in the last 10 years.

So before you say we should, or they should. PLEASE put you feet in the shoes of the people setting up on a Trader Row who have the expenses for being at an event.

The other thing is. If the sport has few NEW SHOOTERS, the vendors, or traders are not making big sales, and can not live on sales a bag of ticking, or a few flints, or some minor sales.

Most times we do not agree, your summation above is totally correct.

I spent some time with one of the WNS vendors and will not share all his insights as I am tired, but if a person cannot make money, he cannot stay in business.

The internet has hurt a lot of businesses.

 

[meanmike8665]

Well, both the Calif and Ore Terr last 4 to 5 days, the average shooter shoots 5 Aggs and spends about $100.00 in shooting fees. My family are the only ones that live in Sacramento, most of the rest drive a least 2 hrs to attend. In Ore of the 20 to 30 shooters only 2 live in Grants Pass. My family travel 5 hrs and rent a house for the week. If you belong to the NMLRA the list of top ten shooters for the Terr are well represented by shooters who live in Ca, Id, and Ore. So, yes there are BP shooter in the West.

Michael

 

[akapennypincher]

Unless you are a Trader, Vendor, or Seller of good for the fun of it, because it is only a hobby, or?

Bottom-line on your Expenses, verses Profit & Loss Sheet is the deciding factor on weather to setup shop, or stay home.

Northstar West was one of the Traders who has stay home for many years, after being a regular at the Winter aka Western for many years.

I was told by the owner it is more productive to be home building, as the sales from the Phoenix shoot did not justify the expenses, or time away from the shop.

Being in business is no fun when you operate in the RED, and after a few years of RED Ink most close up shop, and return to the work force for a steady paycheck.

 

[meanmike8665]

If you did not understand, You are right if there is no profit no use going! Northwest traders? Are you talking about the smoothbore guy who brought the company from Curly?

Michael

 

[Alden]

I know one custom builder who has a friend that attends Dixon's with a nice couple of tables. What the maker has done in the past, not making it to the Fair himself, is give a few finished guns and a few kits to his buddy and split the sparse profit with him...

Win/win/win!?

 

[akapennypincher]

If you did not understand, You are right if there is no profit no use going! Northwest traders? Are you talking about the smoothbore guy who brought the company from Curly?

Michael

I am talking about the Guy who bought Northstar West went it was in California, and the New owner who has in now in Montana.

 

[meanmike8665]

Thanks, I knew the guy in Calif. He went to Az. in the early years and always complained about not making any money 20 years ago.

Michael

 

[ed zeransky]

I have not joined simply because everything seems to revolve around friendship. the magazine kind of sucks,(john curry's articles were the highlight)so I think I will save my forty bucks....

 

[akapennypincher]

Thanks, I knew the guy in Calif. He went to Az. in the early years and always complained about not making any money 20 years ago.

Michael

That guy was Bill Wescombe, and he also was a NMLRA Field Representative.