gun club or social club?

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Axis II

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I know some might think I have too many issues but stupid stuff just irritates me and this kind of helps relieve the stress. I have been a member of a club for 2yrs now with a range and clubhouse. I had issues when I first started being pushed higher on the list so family of club members could get in before me. I started at #3 out of 12 spots and ended up being 15 at the end of it and found out about 10ppl were related to a club officer or life member. It kind of put a bad taste in my mouth but I joined cause its close and cheap.

I started noticing that the range was being closed a lot due to functions which was fine cause it helps the club. Then the range started closing for parties, graduation parties, bachelor parties, ccw classes, rifle shoots, etc. tue, wed, sat, sun there was always something going on either club functions or someone reserving the club for a family party. I figured it out and planned accordingly so no issues until the last 4 months every single Saturday has been closed for someone's family reunion, grad party, etc. There has been a few times I was told in the monthly meeting range closed so I went there to shoot my bow or fish and was told the grounds were reserved to the person who reserved it, including the range. They are supposed to submit it for vote among the membership to reserve anything but they don't because it brings money to the club for the reservation. A few times I have drove there to leave because of a party. Well last weekend I showed up and there was a lot of people in the club house and I announced I was shooting incase anyone was walking around. Tonight there was a lot of cars and I figured same group so I'm shooting. I even checked the online calendar and nothing scheduled. After 6 shots I hear a whistle and some guy comes down the range and says I'm not allowed to shoot! I said why is that? "we are having a dinner tonight" I said well I checked the calendar and also check Mondays email and nothing was scheduled. "well we are having our annual dinner so range closed why we eat and open at 7pm". I question what the dinner was because we only do two a year and they are done and was told "its an annual dinner and range closed, thanks".

I didn't hunt tonight cause I wanted to test reloads for 2 deer rifles before gun week 3 weeks away. A large part of me says I need to write a letter or email to the club voicing my concerns because I pay dues and do 2x my required 12hrs of work a year and 90% of the time I'm off I cant use the facilities cause someone thinks its their personal property for parties and such.

Is this the norm? I'm thinking about jumping ship and paying a little more and further drive to get away from this. Would I be out of line sending a letter stating "To whome this may concern. I thought I joined a gun/hunt club and not a social club/party center. There has been numerous times I have came to use the facility I pay dues for to be turned away for someone's private family. parties. As a paying member I feel I should be allowed to use the facility from open to close unless there is a club function".

I would say something at the meetings but all the 20-30-40yr members want to lynch you and then when it comes to work hours you get hosed or they attempt to get you voted out of the club. I broke a no shooting before noon rule years ago that isn't posted or in the rule book and when I explained myself they agreed they were in the wrong but the old timers wanted to ban me for breaking the unwritten rule so I'm a little hesitant about speaking up in person.

Too far?
 
Armored farmer said:
I would carefully and closely reread the bylaws of the club.
If you are in thr right. ..put it to them at the next mtg.
They could either stop the nonsense or know why I wouldn't be back.
Click to expand...
the only thing I found was it has to be voted on by membership at the meetings and its $50-75 per day they reserve it. I didn't see anything stating it has to be announced or anything. When we attend the monthly meeting Jim will say he wants to reserve the club and must tell why and then they say everyone for it? anyone apposed? I came a hair of standing my ground tonight and saying no! I'm not going to stop shooting but it was an older guy and I was trying to be respectful to him but after thinking about it, it really made me mad! If you are found in violation of a rule or tick off the wrong person they make you sit in front of the board after they tell the membership and then decide what your punishment is. When I got in trouble for the shooting before noon I flipped! they kept saying it was in the bylaws and I said no its not, they said its on the range board and I said no its not, they said oh you were told in the range safety meeting and I said no I was not because if it was in the 3 spots you mentioned I wouldn't have been shooting at 1130am! When several members found out they demanded in the meeting to know who it was and that I be disciplined. I just sat back and listened and the president said I was new and for some reason its not listed anywhere but would be changed. that was 2.5yrs ago and still not listed in bylaws.
 
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It seems you know the answer.

If complaining won’t change things and you’ll wind up leaving it seems you can complain and know you at least tried. Or you can leave quietly and know you acted like an adult and you didn’t waste your time and energy.

Or you can stay and deal with the BS and live with it.

If what you say is true the last possibility of complaining and positive changes happening are not likely, but we all would want this.

Personally, I hope whatever you do you are ok with it and know that you did what you think is best no matter what the final result is.
 
Hokie_PhD said:
It seems you know the answer.

If complaining won’t change things and you’ll wind up leaving it seems you can complain and know you at least tried. Or you can leave quietly and know you acted like an adult and you didn’t waste your time and energy.

Or you can stay and deal with the BS and live with it.

If what you say is true the last possibility of complaining and positive changes happening are not likely, but we all would want this.

Personally, I hope whatever you do you are ok with it and know that you did what you think is best no matter what the final result is.
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see I'm not sure or not if complaining or not will change it. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. Its just the kind of mood they are in.

I guess I was more asking how you guys would approach the situation or its the norm to have a bunch of family get togethers and just deal with it. I feel if I tell the president or bring it up during a meeting ill make enemies. I have asked for things to be replaced like the 1990 riding mower, 3d targets, benches and told no, no money, waste of time, etc. Ask the next meeting again and its hey, lets buy all new stuff, why not. Or the one guy whos been there 40yrs started yelling and cursing at you!
 
There are many deer clubs in my area like that. It sucks. I say talk to the other club down the road.
 
You're choosing to pay money just to be aggravated. Sounds like it's time to re-think that choice. If it were me, I'd either let my membership lapse or I'd officially quit and try to get a portion of the annual fee back.

ODNR runs quite a few ranges throughout the state. Is there one near you? They are very inexpensive. I pay $24 for an annual permit.
http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/hunting-trapping-and-shooting-sports/shooting-ranges
 
1911 guy said:
You're choosing to pay money just to be aggravated. Sounds like it's time to re-think that choice. If it were me, I'd either let my membership lapse or I'd officially quit and try to get a portion of the annual fee back.

ODNR runs quite a few ranges throughout the state. Is there one near you? They are very inexpensive. I pay $24 for an annual permit.
http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/hunting-trapping-and-shooting-sports/shooting-ranges
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closest two are grand river 2hrs and Coshocton 2hrs away. I'm 10min from this one. I couldn't get my $100 initiation fee back when they gave my spot to the membership officers nephew or cousin. took 2 months after they cashed the check and threatening to call the attorney general/bbb to get it back. doubt ill get anything back. next closest club is hour away and about $100 more with what seems like more b.s with selling raffle tickets, etc.

just trying to figure out if I should bring this up to them or suck it up.
 
I don’t have the patience for BS and game playing.
I can understand making exceptions from time to time. But rules and policies should be followed unless a good reason exists for an exception.
I can’t handle unwritten rules and kangaroo courts.

So from what you describe I couldn’t deal with that club. Only you can say if it’s worth staying or if you should go. But it seems like you’re looking for someone to agree that you should leave or complain.

So I’d suggest reread my last post. You’ll make the right choice in time.

If you want someone to say it..... life is too short for BS
 
Legit rant. I can tell you one thing, there’s no disputing cut and dry facts. Get your facts, type a letter. If it’s doesnt change, bring it up at a meeting. Who cares if they scorn you. And punish you? Is this a gun club or a cult? I’d also stop doing twice the work. I’m sure they appreciate the guy who doesn’t get to use the facility doing work to make sure it looks nice when they have someone else rent it out.
 
ohihunter wrote:
Is this the norm?
Click to expand...

Yep.

As you said, this gun club is, "close and cheap". You pay for cheap dues by having the club use its available times to raise other revenue. If it's cheap, then your dues are the secondary source of revenue and you will be treated as such.

Get used to it, change your work schedule to accommodate the gun club or switch to a club where members are the principal source of revenue.
 
The last club I was in had maybe 17 days per year with scheduling issues:

12 monthly matches, and anyone could participate. That only impacted the rifle range for four hours per time.
4 quarterly maintenance days.
1 big social shooting/BBQ day, again in which anyone could participate.

The gun club described in this thread sounds more like someone's private party venue that occasionally allows shooting.
 
ohihunter2014 said:
the old timers wanted to ban me for breaking the unwritten rule so I'm a little hesitant about speaking up in person.
Click to expand...

I think I would make a list of my issues/problems and go to the next meeting. If you don’t talk to them, don’t assume they know that you are unhappy.
They may not care, but you will never know if you don’t talk to them about it. If they ban you, do you really want to be around them?

I am lucky I have a great range to go to. I stop in on the way home from work at least once a week. Often, they are working on the range or the police are
training there. I just turn around and go home. It’s no big deal for me. I can always swing by tomorrow.
 
OP please name the club, if having that amount of troubles a forewarning to others in the area

Sometimes a little light on the topic is a disinfectant
 
entropy said:
I suspect your finding another club would be satisfactory to all involved.
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Yeah I guess then they won't have to deal with me wanting to use the facilities I pay for and what they are intended for huh?
 
If you're going to put anything in writing, just state the facts accurately and without using sarcasm and emotional terms. In this kind of thing, you want to be the one who is calm and detached and just concerned with the facts. It may not change the outcome, but at least you can take the moral high ground which may help keep anything from coming back on you later. Say, if your new club asks for references.
 
Apparently they don't care and its a click club and they don't like it when they are challenged. You pay to shoot and not for aggravation. Unfortunately a lot of clubs are like this,hence why I deer hunt on private ground I secured for myself. Take the longer ride,enjoy your shooting and relax. Take the high road and don't bash the club,but when asked be honest and the word will get around. A short drive makes you a happy shooter and a better person.
 
ohihunter2014

I remember friends of mine went through the same sort of thing with a gun club they belonged to. They were the "outsiders", always having to do most the work around the range while getting relegated to the bottom of the list for range time scheduling. And because they were new to the club they didn't dare speak up for themselves against the "old timers" for fear of disciplinary action being taken against them.

I would say save yourself any more future aggravation and expenses and find yourself another, more member friendly gun club to join.
 
I'm on the Board of Directors of the Sportsmen's club I belong to. It's a thankless job and a lot of work and bother to establish a good set of bylaws, and it's a much bigger hassle to try to really live by them -- especially as time goes on and little exceptions and unwritten rules and friend deals start to creep in.

My club has gone through several little "revolutions" in its history, the most recent of which swept out almost the entire previous BoD and involved completely re-writing many rules to reflect modern times and fairness to all members. Even with that in very recent memory, the tendency to grant exceptions or special conditions or to reinterpret things to be more "flexible" is strong.

I say all of that because I think it leads to a set of inevitable conclusions for you:

1) You can fight as an outsider. It may be possible in your state to sue your club to make them follow their own bylaws. (The club may have to be a legal corporation registered in your state to do that.) This is costly and limited and certainly not a safe bet. And you'd have to be aware of how unpleasant the situation will be after you win, if you win. Absent the power of the legal system, you aren't going to get a lot done.

2) Leave. Leave these jerks to their own mess and go someplace else. Life's too short, and there ARE other places to shoot.

3) If you really like this place and want to do what you have to to make it work for you, start showing up to all the club events. Get to know the regulars. Do 5 times the required work days, not 2x. Do some favors for the club. Offer to paint something, or donate something. Become a part of the social fabric of the group. Take that as far as you need to. Maybe you get ingratiated with the group enough that you can work the system with them and get what you want out of it. Maybe you -- as a known friend and contributor -- can discuss among the friends you make how to make the club a little fairer, a little more transparent, a little more accountable to the members. Maybe you end up on the club's BoD in a few years and can work directly to change it to what you feel it should be.

If you're as annoyed as you've said, rest assured other members are too and when the time is right to start gently shaking the tree, those other members will be right with you.
 
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Life is full of aggregations.... so let's remove that just for a few seconds.

From what youve said, it sounds like you're paying money to be able to volunteer your time, mostly.

Do you know any of these people outside of the club?
 
danez71 said:
Life is full of aggregations.... so let's remove that just for a few seconds.

From what youve said, it sounds like you're paying money to be able to volunteer your time, mostly.

Do you know any of these people outside of the club?
Click to expand...
one person was my school teacher years ago and two others are friends. one I got in and the other got me in. I used to show to every monthly meeting, work party, etc to get to know people and show I care but it got old hearing everyone arguing at meetings, having some 80yo man scream and curse about someone leaving a coffee pot on or leaving shell cases. you cant hear half the meeting because committees are in the first 3 rows and everyone else stand in the back and everyone b.s with each other so you cant hear the actual meeting. Work parties consist of your new bust your rear end while we pull up lawn chairs and talk and drink coffee and get work hours. I was working one evening and hear gunshots. I asked why someone was on the range when it was scheduled to close for work and was told its an committee member just find something else to do. There is a very small group of about 10-15 of use out of 150 that actually care and put a lot of hours in. I like the place cause its close, cheapest around, been there for 70+yrs, mostly decent people but its lets make stuff up as we go attitude I hate.

I just don't think its right that they can close down everything for family functions. I showed up one time to shoot and it was a bachelor party there that left a huge mess of brass I ended up picking up. family reunions, etc. its cheaper to rent the club then a hall so I get why people do it but IMO the facilities shouldn't be shut down for personal use. I had my boss go there with me after leaving work and driving 30min home to get his rifle and 30min back to be told there was a rifle match going on cause they couldn't do it sunday the normal day cause of ccw classes. I said well doesn't look like anyone showed up and the committee guy says well lets give it 20 more min or so and see. 2 guys showed up so I said well hes got a rifle ruger 7mm and was told it was military rifles only and my boss being non member had to pay $5 to shoot but needed to go get a military rifle. Again making crap up as they go.

Ive got some thinking to do. I feel like nicely voicing my opinion will get me scorn but its getting to the point where I nicely voice it or I just tell them screw you I'm a member I'm using the place.
 
Sam1911 said:
I'm on the Board of Directors of the Sportsmen's club I belong to. It's a thankless job and a lot of work and bother to establish a good set of bylaws, and it's a much bigger hassle to try to really live by them -- especially as time goes on and little exceptions and unwritten rules and friend deals start to creep in.
Click to expand...

Sam really did sum this up.

I also have been and am currently on a Board.
If you find yourself on the Board of - honestly, about ANY volunteer driven club, whether it be guns or quilts-
you will quickly discover that there is nothing more stubborn to change
than the convictions of most of the other volunteer Board members and the longer term members, and that includes myself!

The issues you raise are similar to a varying extent at most clubs and
your situation is why many clubs experience 'the rollercoaster ride' of membership numbers come re-newal time.

Bottom line, does the available shooting time you get in divided by dues/work time equal a good deal to you or not.

JT
 
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