MNGunTalk.com

jdege wrote:If you want to replace the Board, you need to answer a couple of questions.

• What is the current Board doing wrong?
• What would you do different?

Operate as a shooting club, as opposed to a member supported semi-commercial shooting range.

xd ED wrote:For some reason, shortly after I joined, most of the cool kids quit hanging out there.

Probably just a coincidence...



Seriously though, it doesn’t take all that much organization to change the direction of a club. You saw what happened last November at the club up north, a few phone calls, emails, and text messages and you can get the right people in place.

xd ED wrote:

jdege wrote:If you want to replace the Board, you need to answer a couple of questions.

• What is the current Board doing wrong?
• What would you do different?

Operate as a shooting club, as opposed to a member supported semi-commercial shooting range.

I would recommend looking closely at the financials and ensure the club can self-sustain without the commercial revenue presently.

It's been years since I was on the board but I recall that as an obstacle.

b

bstrawse wrote:

xd ED wrote:

jdege wrote:If you want to replace the Board, you need to answer a couple of questions.

• What is the current Board doing wrong?
• What would you do different?

Operate as a shooting club, as opposed to a member supported semi-commercial shooting range.

I would recommend looking closely at the financials and ensure the club can self-sustain without the commercial revenue presently.

It's been years since I was on the board but I recall that as an obstacle.

b

How did they get themselves into that position?

bstrawse wrote:

xd ED wrote:

jdege wrote:If you want to replace the Board, you need to answer a couple of questions.

• What is the current Board doing wrong?
• What would you do different?

Operate as a shooting club, as opposed to a member supported semi-commercial shooting range.

I would recommend looking closely at the financials and ensure the club can self-sustain without the commercial revenue presently.

It's been years since I was on the board but I recall that as an obstacle.

b

A close look at the financials might well in order.

I believe OGC is the largest (dues paying membership) club in the state.
Membership is currently between 1500, and 2000, I believe.
At 2000 members, and $125/annum dues, that is $250,000.

No other club I'm familiar with has even close to half that membership number, nor greater annual dues.

I would guess the major expenses to any gun club are insurance, property taxes,and utilities. I don't see anything going on at OGC that suggests any of those expenses should be higher there...well perhaps higher insurance for a club that grants access to the public.

Having said that, I don't know that I would advocate to eliminate public hours, but I would never give the 'once-or-twice-a year-shooter' preference,or priority over the members who pay dues, and contribute service hours.

Membership is capped at 1500 and it is currently below that #

ttousi wrote:Membership is capped at 1500 and it is currently below that #

I understood it was raised a few years ago beyond 1500 to get new members that were needed for range duty.
Even at 1500+/-, that's likely 2-3 times most clubs' membership.

Erud wrote:

bstrawse wrote:

xd ED wrote:
Operate as a shooting club, as opposed to a member supported semi-commercial shooting range.

I would recommend looking closely at the financials and ensure the club can self-sustain without the commercial revenue presently.

It's been years since I was on the board but I recall that as an obstacle.

b

How did they get themselves into that position?

They took out a massive loan that they are still paying on

xd ED wrote:

ttousi wrote:Membership is capped at 1500 and it is currently below that #

I understood it was raised a few years ago beyond 1500 to get new members that were needed for range duty.
Even at 1500+/-, that's likely 2-3 times most clubs' membership.

Wasn't the increase from 1200 to 1500?

xd ED wrote:A close look at the financials might well in order.

I believe OGC is the largest (dues paying membership) club in the state.
Membership is currently between 1500, and 2000, I believe.
At 2000 members, and $125/annum dues, that is $250,000.

No other club I'm familiar with has even close to half that membership number, nor greater annual dues.

I would guess the major expenses to any gun club are insurance, property taxes,and utilities. I don't see anything going on at OGC that suggests any of those expenses should be higher there...well perhaps higher insurance for a club that grants access to the public.

Having said that, I don't know that I would advocate to eliminate public hours, but I would never give the 'once-or-twice-a year-shooter' preference,or priority over the members who pay dues, and contribute service hours.

Minnetonka Game & Fish Club (which is actually NE of Elk River in, technically, St. Francis) isn't that big but it isn't dramatically far behind. 5 year ago when I was a member they had to have 500-750 members and dues in the $150 range. Plus they partner with the Minneapolis Rifle Club which is also sizable. It is open for members only during this time. They do public trap shooting but are otherwise a members-only club.

BB

Holland&Holland wrote:

xd ED wrote:

ttousi wrote:Membership is capped at 1500 and it is currently below that #

I understood it was raised a few years ago beyond 1500 to get new members that were needed for range duty.
Even at 1500+/-, that's likely 2-3 times most clubs' membership.

Wasn't the increase from 1200 to 1500?

You might be right the number. I just recall it went up, the reason being they needed more bodies for range duty

Holland&Holland wrote:

Erud wrote:
How did they get themselves into that position?

They took out a massive loan that they are still paying on

For all the 'no-blue-sky- barriers, I assume?

But that seems to ask more questions than it answers.
The barriers were a fairly recent project. What were the major expenses before that?
I wonder what the finances look like without the expensive projects, and with less public fees.

Just an observation from one whose on the outside looking in.

If you don't know where your club's money is going, you'd better find out.

xd ED wrote:

Holland&Holland wrote:

Erud wrote:
How did they get themselves into that position?

They took out a massive loan that they are still paying on

For all the 'no-blue-sky- barriers, I assume?

But that seems to ask more questions than it answers.
The barriers were a fairly recent project. What were the major expenses before that?
I wonder what the finances look like without the expensive projects, and with less public fees.

Yup. They owe a pretty big chunk of change on that still.

Rip Van Winkle wrote:Just an observation from one whose on the outside looking in.

If you don't know where your club's money is going, you'd better find out.

From the April newsletter

Neil: Projects for 2020 was presented for a membership blanket approval. This was compiled by the Board. We have X-amount of money to spend for these projects. We will discuss these projects as listed below and complete the meeting by 7:45 PM tonight. ADA compliance projects: Contacted a couple of firms to determine what we need to do for compliance. Drainage problems. Getting assessment by an engineering consulting firm and will be dealing with the drainage on the entire ranges. Grading and back fill as required for drainage.New roof on the 25 yard range.Safety required on Trap House #1.Road and parking lot upgrades.We have approximately $180,000 for these improvements this year per Bill.

Discussion followed on the different projects with questions and comments by members. One member asked about the finances of the club which was answered by Bill. The member was adamant about the spending of the club. We are still in debt with the construction we did on the 100yd range. After discussion, a motion was made and seconded for a blanket approval vote on the project listed that will be addressed in the order above. The Majority of members voted Aye for blanket approval of the above projects with 1 member opposed.