Great discussion all around.
A couple ideas from it all...
There are some great and active Facebook Groups that exist. Not thinking of replacing the forum, because the structure and ability to organize posts and topics serve an important purpose. But the FB group format would reach the GenX and active Boomer generation with more(?) regularity than the forum as people can subscribe, get notifications of group activity etc - that the forum doesn't do. You have to come here yourself, we can direct you to here from FB. So maybe a Nebraska Firearm Owners Group on FB as a part of the communication/outreach solution?
Getting members together. I will be honest, this year has been a very tough year for me volunteer bandwidth-wise. Lots going on in work and personal life. I haven't even made it to one of the Gretna breakfasts. And to only a few community recruiting events, and while for some of the events it was me only, it was great to see the few members who showed up to support our outreach efforts and I truly appreciate them doing so. We have a schedule of Gun Shows for the year and will be hitting those hard, but I think we need a NFOA Regional Representative. Basically someone who has the time to schedule casual get-togethers like the breaksfasts or meet and greets at local ranges not only in our most populated member locations but across the state. Thinking Lincoln, Grand Island, Hastings and so forth. Connecting is important. These Regional Reps would be supported by the board with talking points and information for each event, not to lead the conversation, but be prepared to help gather member inputs, positions and ideas and then feed that up to the board.
I agree with Waltherfan, we can't let the other side set the topic. I am going to be on the radio this Saturday (during my lunch break cause I am working) to add our side to the conversation. on 1290 KOIL on the Matthew's Show "The Danger Zone" That being said, calling into radio shows when the topic is firearms is one easy and quick way to present the truth. "Drunk drivers scare me more than crazies with guns and they get a slap on the wrist, if that, when caught!" Inspirational statement there, check out our FB post for today.
ILoveCats- great suggestion "The NFOA needs to take some lessons in Meme Warfare from organizations like Turning Point USA" The Communications Committee team is now collecting examples to inspire us to create our own. Attention spans are short and we need to grab people's attention and Memes work. So we're going to focus on that as well.
And to NEBull "Strongly worded, well crafted letters to our lawmakers, maybe some thought out letters to the editor? for the sake of all that is good and Holy- We must do something!" Spot on and I will take our lack of response this week on my shoulders. So I posted about Bacon's town hall here and on FB and when other elected officials are having town halls, I hope to find out about them and do the same. We either show up or should shut up. I am trying to get tonight off of work to attend Bacon's town hall, even offering $50 to my coworkers to take my shift, but not sure if I can go. So hopefully others will.