CRA To renew or not to renew.

[strife]

My membership is up and I'm torn as to whether or not to re-up. I understand what the organization is about and obviously I'm all for it but money is tight and there is one thing that has been nagging at me since I joined. The real horses in this race are the B&M owners and the manufacturers because they stand to lose the most due to taxes and regulations.

We, the cigar enthusiasts, will inevitably bear some of the brunt but we'll always find a source to fulfill our needs so my question is shouldn't the CRA be coordinating more effectively with those horses to help benefit us, the consumers that support them?

Something like this, B&Ms pay an annual membership fee, in return they get a small discount from the manufacturers. Individual memberships are sold to us and in return we get a small discount, %5 or so, or a reduced lounge fee from affiliated B&Ms.

Either way I think I'll continue to be a member and I hope I don't sound like a dick but it just seems to make sense to me.

 

[Angry Bill]

NO, we as cigar smokers are the real ones to loose. Yes, the B&Ms' and manufacturers loose money, but with smoking laws talking away our rights of where we can or can't smoke, we are the real victims. At some point, some jack ass politician is going to push for legislation to ban smoking everywhere. Yes, that means not being able to smoke on your patio, your car, your home..

I am a lifetime member to protect my rights as a cigar smoker. We as a whole are respectful to others.

 

[strife]

NO, we as cigar smokers are the real ones to loose. Yes, the B&Ms' and manufacturers loose money, but with smoking laws talking away our rights of where we can or can't smoke, we are the real victims. At some point, some jack ass politician is going to push for legislation to ban smoking everywhere. Yes, that means not being able to smoke on your patio, your car, your home..

I am a lifetime member to protect my rights as a cigar smoker. We as a whole are respectful to others.

As a Libertarian I completely agree about the rights and freedoms issue but it takes money to lobby and unfortunately most people won't spend money on something unless they see a material benefit for themselves. All I'm asking is why not a discount for members to entice more membership money to help fight the fight that the ACLU should and won't fight for us? Again, I will more than likely re-up, it's new members that are needed.

 

[Cigar Cowboy]

Unless smokers speak up and support groups like CRA. It will not be long before we will have to drive out to the desert to have a cigar. You think I am joking?

Read my post #16 here: http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=50257

 

[kockroach]

As a Libertarian I completely agree about the rights and freedoms issue but it takes money to lobby and unfortunately most people won't spend money on something unless they see a material benefit for themselves. All I'm asking is why not a discount for members to entice more membership money to help fight the fight that the ACLU should and won't fight for us? Again, I will more than likely re-up, it's new members that are needed.

They have started up a section that lists discounts available through B&Ms, and even hotels, rental cars, and more. So, they have been doing this. Now, I don't know if it will be possible to make all B&Ms offer a discount. It would be nice though.

 

[AlohaStyle]

You're not being a dick strife, it's a good thread and question. With that said, even if you don't think you are directly affected, you are. No matter where you currently live, legislation going on in one state can snowball into politicians from your state copying another law. All it takes is precedence for California or other states to create new crazy smoking bans and other states can, and will follow suit. Law is all about precedence... once someone does it, others can follow.

The CRA dues goes towards fighting these crazy laws which can and do spread to other states. Sure B&M's will lose some money, but so will customers as taxes will be higher everywhere and our choices of places to smoke will be taken away.

 

[jmatkins]

Hey Strife I was thinking some of the same things too, I did renew mine but I too would like to see more local push.

 

[aquarich]

Oh alright, I guess I'll go find my renewal info and get with the program. I forgot all about it until this thread. Thanks for the reminder, and sign up fellers. It's for the good of all cigar smokers

 

[twenty5]

For me, it would be nice to better know where my money is going. I am a member and will continue to be one but I would like to know how my money helps.

 

[CAJoe]

My renewal is coming up soon and I am on the fence with them as well. We have 2 huge anti-tobacco bills coming up in California and I have not seen anything from the CRA yet. I decided to wait and see what the organization's actions will be.

 

[swat253]

We must have all joined around the same time; I got a renewal email Tuesday.

 

[tmoney2007]

My renewal is coming up soon and I am on the fence with them as well. We have 2 huge anti-tobacco bills coming up in California and I have not seen anything from the CRA yet. I decided to wait and see what the organization's actions will be.

I imagine they're working on it. They advocate for smokers' rights, they aren't going to be in the news or anything.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

The CRA has a lot of questions that go unanswered about how funds are used.... five figures for an iPhone app, probably not the best use of money in my opinion...

My thoughts on another thread....

I don't like how the organization is run and I feel like there are structural issues at the top that make it inefficient. I give money to the NRA and a few state organizations who I feel use it more effectively.

When I contemplated joining a few months ago, I asked "what has CRA done?" in terms of actual legislation and I couldn't find both online and by asking CRA members, shop owners and reps any specific instance. I believe in TN (or Kentucky) they had some influence recently, but I've heard from a few shop owners that the NRA really has done more.

Despite not giving money to CRA, I still sign every petition and am still an adamant supporter of cigar rights in every state. I just would prefer my money go straight to fighting the fight, rather than to things like iPhone apps and T-Shirts.

Some more interesting thoughts on the CRA, here.

 

[Poohdvm]

I just renewed. My local shop gives 10% off all cigar purchases to CRA members. It doesn't take long to recoup my joining fee with that discount. I do feel they do some good for smokers rights.

 

[strife]

I just renewed. My local shop gives 10% off all cigar purchases to CRA members. It doesn't take long to recoup my joining fee with that discount. I do feel they do some good for smokers rights.

Nice to hear, wish some around here would go along, it would sure help to defray some of the added tax fees.

 

[Koujo]

If short on cash don't, just signup for the mailings that way you can stay up on what is going on and keep calling and mailing your representatives.

 

[smokinghole]

For me, it would be nice to better know where my money is going. I am a member and will continue to be one but I would like to know how my money helps.

I signed up for a two year membership when it first came around. I have absolutely NO idea at all what my membership fee provided anyone. Having an organization that purports to support smokers rights is one thing. For all I know it's the American Cancer Society pulling a big prank taking our money and supposedly representing us. I'm all for something like this if I know what they did besides maintain a website and send me never ending emails to renew. I can make a website and collect membership fees all while keeping my "members" in the dark.

So until there is more transparency I am keeping my money instead of grasping onto the slim glimmer of hope that this organization is actually doing something. If they're serious and very legitimate then it should be easy for those of us to part with our money for a membership. However the issue is that it doesn't seem serious or very legitimate in my eyes.

 

[jerseyjay]

NO, we as cigar smokers are the real ones to loose. Yes, the B&Ms' and manufacturers loose money, but with smoking laws talking away our rights of where we can or can't smoke, we are the real victims. At some point, some jack ass politician is going to push for legislation to ban smoking everywhere. Yes, that means not being able to smoke on your patio, your car, your home..

Ditto !!!
Support CRA ! My membership has been renewed !

 

[Jfire]

Few months back I just renewed for 2 years instead of 1. No offense but we are in a expensive hobby. I feel if I can offered a 100 dollars worth of smokes a month I can afford 35ish a year.