Meeting with the Orrington Rod & Gun Club June 29, 2017

The Range Development Committee set up a meeting with Orrington Rod& Gun Club (OR&GC) President Jim Goodey. The meeting took place at their clubhouse located at the range. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss various issues related to starting up and operating a range and club. We also discussed how the OR&GC operates and including some of the history of the Club’s activities and operations.

Land Related:

  • The OR&GC was established in 1985 and stated with eight acres. They later purchased an additional 24 acres for a total of 32 acres. The active footprint at the OR&GC is approximately seven acres (337 x 993 Ft). Jim stressed to get as much land as possible. This to address our Club’s current vision and for potential growth, but also to buffer the active range as much as possible.
  • Avoid land with wetlands. This could lead to issues with DEP and/or EPA. Take part in the lead abatement program.
  • If the land we obtain is via a lease, make it a long-term lease.
  • Face the range to the north to avoid sun related issues.
  • PP&RC should strongly consider land in LUPC jurisdiction or in one of the rural towns outside of Lincoln. The town of Lincoln should be a last choice largely due to potential issues with ordinances and the amount of development that already exists.
  • The property should have a formal survey.
  • Prioritize sandy sites vs. rocky or gravel areas.
  • Avoid neighbors to the greatest extent possible

Fund Raising:

  • We will need to develop some ideas for raising monies for the club beyond membership.
  • Raffles, yard sales, beano, and other creative ideas

Membership:

  • PP&RC should consider assigning a point person to oversee membership activities
  • The OR&GC dues are $60/individual and $80/family. We will need to finalize our costs and also consider a ‘life member’ option.
    OR&GC includes a standard background check thru the State Police. There is a $22 fee that is paid for by the applicant.
    Each new individual must have an orientation upon becoming a member.

Insurance:

  • Building Insurance (~$ 800/year)
  • Range Liability Insurance (~ $ 3,000/year). Based on membership numbers. The OR&GC utilizes Lockton Infinity thru the NRA.
  • Property (liability) Insurance
  • Taxes and additional fees of one kind or another.

Business:

  • We will need to incorporate with non-profit status
  • The OR&GC does not require NRA membership
  • The Club can be an NRA Affiliate or Club
  • Retain a lawyer. Can provide them with a ‘lifetime membership’.

By-Laws:

  • We reviewed (to some extent) our draft by-laws.
  • Work with town officials to determine shooting ours.
  • Jim thought that including our elected officers as the Board of Directors was a good idea. The OR&GC keeps them as separate entities.
  • Set calendar year and annual membership meeting.
  • Keep operations as a democratic process and avoid giving any one individual too much authority.

Building:

  • Install a surveillance security system
  • Gate entrance
  • Think about equipment needed and resources available. Utilize membership.

Update on Progress

Lots of people are asking, “hey, what’s up with the gun club?”.

Well, lots, lets try to summarize. The by-laws committee has been working hard. The by-laws are pretty close to done. All of the nominated officers reviewed the by laws on June 26, minor edits were made and the by-laws are very close to done. Once the by-laws are done, we will proceed with becoming a 501C3 non-profit corporation. At which time we can start accepting memberships and monies.

 

Gun Laws & Legislation

Copy and Paste the link below to check out current gun laws, recent gun law changes, and upcoming gun law legislation.

https://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/state-gun-laws/maine/