Club Closure Stonewall RPC—recommendations

I am currently in an ongoing dispute with the Board of Dictators at one of my clubs here in VA. This club (Stonewall Rifle and Pistol Club) is currently the only outdoor range in the state that remains closed to members. Members of our Board of Dictators made the unilateral decision to close the club without member input—they changed the gate lock so no one can enter. Their actions are in direct violation of our club Bylaws.
Despite attempts from many of our members, our BODictators is refusing to reopen the club, even on a limited basis to members only—and despite the fact that there are several proposals that would allow safe operation of our ranges. They are sticking to the ‘because I said so’ approach instead of allowing members to make their own decisions like rational adults.
They supposedly convened a special BODictators meeting this past weekend to discuss reopening but no members have been apprised of the results of this meeting.
Several members are calling for a vote of no confidence in the leadership of this board at our next membership meeting.
What would you do if this was your club?

 

I don't know what your sun shine laws are on meetings in your state but it might be a good time to see a lawyer. A threat of a personal law suit against them might make them at least answer questions or maybe you can sue them. I wonder how long it will be before Americans have had enough of all the little dictators popping up at the local levels. I've come to expect it out of the Feds?

But if you do get to have a board meeting take a lawyer with you for sure. It's fun watching people in power squirm.

 

If the Directors are not operating within the scope of the By Laws you have Legal recourse as a member, but obviously the more the merrier if it comes to that ... The Majority of the Members in Good standing can vote them out and off of the Board by taking a vote to do so, (they may have as many as 10 days to respond once served) then having to stand behind their decision if it goes beyond that point ... What was their reasoning for closing or has anyone even been told why ..? I would do as Brad said and consult with a good Attorney, let him file what ever he or she has to file to get the ball rolling ... Contact the NRA and see if they have a Lawyer in your area that you can use ... Something just does not seem right, especially if they are members also (which they obviously would have to be to be a director ) ... Good Luck ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

We have a special board meeting called for tonight. I guess we’ll see how this goes.

 

Curious, how did the meeting go?

 

Me too.

 

I walked into an ambush. They said I was no longer ‘Stonewall Material’ and refunded all my dues and fees. It isn’t my problem anymore, but I think the other members will still have a say on them making rules up as they go.

I guess they don’t appreciate folks questioning their authority. They still have no plan for opening the range.

 

They need a valid reason to drop a member, someone cannot just use a generic reason like you are no longer Stonewall Material if you had been a member in good standing for any length of time ... I would like to know both sides of that story ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Quite frankly, idiots running gun clubs could care less about rules regarding membership. Questioning mental midgets authority can easily get you thrown out. Courts are unlikely to interfere with disputes within private organizations and that will land you in no mans' land. Just ask me! I was thrown out of one with the reason I was declared a dinosaur, they were interested in changing directions (meaning no more shooters while allowing druggies and a felon to take over) and I was unwanted during the process. You can imagine what happened to a successful shooting program when half the membership left and they've been nearly bankrupt several times over the last ten years. My advice is to enjoy your vacation and watch a bunch of fools flounder.

 

Thanks for the update. Your experience is why I don't belong to clubs (except Cloverdale). Several of the clubs around here have major problems too, just ask big papa. The ATA too. Hell the NRA is too damn close to Washington DC swamp. I'm a life member of both those organizations but not active in either.