shortgrass
Silver $$ Contributor
I received the letter in the mail yesterday announcing the Annual Meeting of the Membership, Aug. 20th. I've been a Life Member for well over 20yrs. The ORA has done quit a bit in that time, they championed concealed carry and then later as it came up Constitutional carry. They held strong when the "fence post law" was introduced in the OK House and got that 'shot down' (the fence post law concerned land being posted with certain color "T" posts instead of signs. when a law like that was passed in other states, pretty soon the only "T" posts available to buy at the farm supply or else where were of the 'posting' color. It is always the right thing to do to ask the land owner for permission to hunt his property, but that new law pretty much shut down hunting on private land, overall). The Organization set the standards (as approved by the Governor and State Legislature) and oversees the CC instructors through out the state (all CC instructors must be 'certified' by the ORA to teach the required classes before a CC permit is issued by the State) . Oklahoma has always been "firearms friendly" with few restrictions. Much of that from the input that came from the ORA and its membership. I haven't missed many Annual Meetings, but this is the first I've notice that election of officers, In line "D" of the agenda it says;" Discussion and action if no officers are elected to dissolve the Association;". First time I've seen that in a Annual Meeting announcement. I know and have seen with my own eyes that attendance to the Annual Meeting can be pretty sparse with maybe 20-30 members attending (there are over 450 life members, and I don't know how many annual members). Not a huge organization, by any count. I've never had 'um beg for donations, like the national organization does, or 'beg' for anything from me. They've always existed and been financed by donations and membership dues. Unlike the national organization, the leadership of the ORA is not paid and have no expense account. They are paid 'mileage' when they have to travel on Association business but not for their time, and any traveling done is within the State, usually to the Capital for meetings with State legislators. Those who have held office in the organization have done a lot for the People and gun owners of Oklahoma over the years. But, as with most organizations structured like this, few want to take leadership role. In a way I can't blame the current leadership to not be "stuck" in a non-paying position for their entire lives. I'm sure they "have a life" too, besides running the ORA. I guess we'll see what happens at the meeting, and what kind of attendance there is. It'd be a sad day to see the ORA dissolved because of lack of interest! We may really need 'um one day!
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