Come on Rich. If you don't like PGCA that much, why do you hang around here? Jump back in, the water's fine

Mills it's not that I don't like the PGCA because I do. I just think that long term annual members should have the ability to vote and possibly run for board positions. In 12+ years of membership I have contributed more financially than the life member who made a one time payment of $300.

How many of the life members do you actually know? Why can they make better decisions than an annual member who has been around a long time? I have been a member much longer than you have but because your a life member you can make better decisions than I can?

In the long run this line of thinking will result in failure. Every organization needs new blood.

I am going to hop into this once, and that's it...I have brought these same points up to members of the board and they have been dismissed. Ok so be it, most clubs allow annual members to vote, as Rich says, maybe after ten years who knows but we do need new blood from the annual members, or is this what I said fifteen years ago, are we aspiring to become an "elitist" club.:eek: Ok know I am out of here, said my peace. Eric

I was annual member before becoming a lifer. I paid $350 back then and I think I maybe at breakeven now. I receive much more in information and the ability to meet some great guys who share an interest/passion. I held all three Invincible's, bought guns from Jack P., held the 6 frame 12 gauge, hung out with the Ivory Bead Boys, went to Ed M's memorial celebration where I was fortunate to spend the afternoon with Market Hunter. Please know that the least of the advantages of being a lifer is voting for the BOD.

Did you have to be a lifer to do those things? Sounds to me like any PGCA member could have enjoyed that stuff

Any member could do all that stuff except have the ability to vote.

I am an annual member of the NRA and I can vote for board members. I have been an annual member of the NRA for 60 years, would that be considered a committed member? But I do agree with the comment regarding knowing who to vote for and what there qualifications and level of commitment is.

I think that if a person wanted to become a life member but could not afford the up front payment, then perhaps they could pay say $100 a year for five years then they would become a life member.

I haven't been around here that long, but my understanding is that when the PGCA was founded and chartered that is the way the initial rules and charter were written. I think the BOD can change it, but that is no small thing and probably not something simple to do. Changes to constitutions, charters for non-profits, other similar governing "rules" for various organizations are supposed to not be simple to make and changes not taken lightly. I am not discounting some of the good points made, but for a change that fundamental it would take a lot more than just a few voices.

There are only 7 board members and they can change this IF they wanted to but the DON'T want to. This organization has grown tremendously but the BOD haven't grown with the times.