--OGCA Meetings are strictly LIMITED to members and their guests--

Visit the "Home" page for any urgent announcements regarding upcoming meetings.  Thank you!

Upcoming Meeting Dates
 March 13-14, 2021  *  May 8-9, 2021 (Annual Display Show)

FOR A COMPLETE SCHEDULE, DIRECTIONS AND HOTELS, CLICK ON SHOWS.

Spring 2021 Member's Newsletter (click to read)

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Membership Dues

The year through which your dues are paid can be found on your current membership badge and wallet card, as well as on your dues statement mailing in October.  Please read it carefully to see if your membership expires December 31, 2020. If your Statement indicates that your dues are paid through 2021 or beyond, you need not take any action at this time.  If you have any questions, call anytime at (330) 467-5733.   Members may pay directly on our secure Online Dues Payment Program by Clicking Here; via credit card over the phone at (330) 467-5733 or mail check or money order to the business office. You do not need your dues statement in order to mail your dues, but whenever possible include your member number on the memo of your check.  For more information click on "Dues."

1-year dues: $45*
1-year Active Duty Military: Free (Enclose rank, branch, duty station)
3-year dues:  $110 (saves $25)
5-year dues:  $165 (saves $60)
Life Membership:  $700
Sr. Life (65 yrs.+): $400 (Enclose proof of age)

*Members whose membership expires as of 12/31/20, shall have the option as Covid-19 Relief to pay one year of dues for the year 2021 only, in the amount of $35 instead of $45.  (Expires march 31, 2021.)

Mail check or money order to: OGCA, P.O. Box 670406, Sagamore Hills, OH 44067.

Please anticipate 3-6 weeks for processing. If payment is not received by March 31, 2021, the name of the non-paying member will be removed from our files and can be reinstated only by paying a minimum of 3 years dues by December 31, 2021. We need and appreciate your support. Thank you! Also, all members are encouraged to update their confidential phone and email address. Simply email us at ogca@ogca.com, write it on your dues statement when mailing it in, or call the Business Office at (330) 467-5733.  Thank you! Former Members who left in good standing and whose dues expired years ago now have several ways to re-join/re-apply.  See the "Join" tab above.

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A Message From Our President

For those of you that do not know me, my name is Sherman Kirkland III. I am self-employed, and have been the owner operator of Sherman’s Automotive for 31 years. I live in Ashtabula County, in the small community of Windsor. I reside there with my wife of 46 years, Mari Beth, and our precious granddaughter, Stefany. Together, Mari Beth and I were blessed with one daughter, Jennifer, and two sons, Sherman IV, and David. We have eight wonderful grandchildren, and our very first great grandchild on his way, in May.

My father was very influential in my interest in collecting. I began attending Gun Shows with my dad at a very young age. I have a wide and varied interest in collecting, but currently, I am focusing on my Harrington & Richardson Handy Gun Collection.

Our Annual Display show in May, is our premier show. I encourage any member to participate in this event no matter how big, or how small. A display does not have to be large to be of interest to our members. Display show packets are available through the OGCA office. Questions can be directed to Committee Chair Sean McCarter.

Due to the impossibility of social distancing, no banquet can be held in 2021, but we are planning something special for the May 2021 Display Show Awards Presentation.  On the bright side, we will have a heck of a banquet in 2022, and, yes, Ian McCullom of www.forgottenweapons.com will be our keynote speaker!  Look for more information as we get closer to the Saturday evening, April 30, 2022 banquet.

In the near future, we will be allowing two members to share a table with Friday night privileges, for both members. I encourage any member, who has not had a trade table before, to partner with another member, share the cost, and give it a try. My hopes would be that you would come to enjoy it.

We have also modified requirements for new member applicants. These changes will make it easier for new applicants to join OGCA. [Click on "Join" tab, above.]

If you have an interest in becoming a Director, and are willing to give your time and effort, please request a Director Application packet. OGCA needs dedicated and committed Directors.

OGCA has provided its membership three excellent shows, during this very unfortunate pandemic. We have put our member’s safety first and foremost. We did this as a TEAM. Kudos to Past President, Fred Kolb, the OGCA Business office, the Executive Board, the Past President Counsel, and the OGCA Board of Directors. This was a big undertaking, and your hard work really paid off for our membership. This past show in January, was quite a success. I heard many times, how happy our members were to be at an OGCA show, and that is due to your efforts. I strongly believe in Teamwork, and that is what OGCA is all about. This is one of the reason why OGCA is the largest, private Gun Club in the USA. Thank you so much OGCA team.

As your President, I will always make every effort to have an open door policy. I look forward to serving you for the next two years.

Sherman Kirkland

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Table Application and Guest Pass Forms

Guest Passes (for use by current members): Guests are welcome both Saturday and Sunday! Guest Passes are on on page 11 of the  newsletter.  For security reasons the form is not online.  If you are a member and would like a form before your newsletter arrives, call (330) 467-5733 or email ogca@ogca.com. Guest Passes are $15. Members may bring up to 4 guests per meeting. Guests are limited to 2 visits per life. 

Great spots remain open for members on March 13-14:  We expect to sell out in March but as of this writing tables are still available. (330) 467-5733 ogca@ogca.com. (Forms are not posted on the web for security reasons.) Members may reserve tables for up to two shows at a time ($80 per table). Tables may be rented via mail, phone, or in person during a meeting.   

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 November Meeting Highlights; New Options for Applying, Director Elections

As announced in the last mailing, the Constitution changes were approved by members at the Nov. 2020 meeting. This means that members can sponsor a friend that has a CCW or FFL/C&R without their needing a second sponsor. Per usual, the application must be returned in person with one sponsor present.

Another approved change is that Former Members who left in good standing have the option to rejoin/reapply for membership without sponsorship by coming as a guest of OGCA, applying in person and paying membership dues for the next three years. This addresses a recurring issue in which a former member’s OGCA friends are unable to be physically present to sponsor.
For more information click on “Join” or the "Join" tab, above. 

The following officers were unanimously elected by the Board in Nov.: Sherman Kirkland III, President; Terrie Hill, First Vice President; Sean A. McCarter, Second Vice President; and Anita Rieger, Treasurer. Fred Kolb assumed the role of Secretary.

Please give a warm welcome to our newest Director, Brad Raum, who will serve for the 2021-2023 Director term along with the talented and hardworking Chuck Benton and Thomas Bowersox. Brad Raum is a 29 year member of OGCA. He was in healthcare management for 30 years. He switched to aquatics three years ago specializing in lakes and ponds. He is currently VP of Business Development, running five branch operations. He collects WWI, WWII and European guns. Brad got involved in OGCA from his dad, John Raum, who is a 40 year member. Brad believes in OGCA. He enjoys meeting people and working on important OGCA objectives. He said he has learned from other members and wants to give back to his fellow members by serving as Director.

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Director Nominations Open in March

Attention all Members: We are actively looking for hard working, dedicated members who are willing to roll up their sleeves and take on a leadership role on behalf of OGCA.

You must be an Ohio resident and a member for at least five years. Nominations open at the March meeting and close at the end of the May meeting. Interviews will be conducted in July. The Annual Election will be in November. All interested candidates may contact First Vice President, Terrie Hill at tables T 7-10 (orange flag) for the required paperwork.

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Display Show 2021: It is not that Hard to Present an Engaging Display

It can be a daunting task to think about putting on a display for the OGCA annual display show. It need not be. The cover photo of the Spring 2021 newsletter Spring 2021 Member's Newsletter (click to read) features a one-gun display that was awarded the Judge’s Choice award in the 2019 Display Show. The display featured a unique firearm, along with factory literature regarding the gun. The display enhanced the unique features of the gun, engraving, metal work and the stock, by incorporating a mirror and presenting the gun up off of the table. The Display was captioned with an appropriate sign and title.

The point being, a unique firearm or group of firearms can present a very well received display. Sure, some members present wonderful exhaustive collections and clearly have devoted many hours to creating their display. We all appreciate these displays. But we all do not have the time or the collection to support such a large display. The point is you can still put on a great display even if you do not have the queen’s armory and all the time in the world.

The displays are scored based on the following judging criteria:
EDUCATIONAL FACTORS:

A. TITLE: Is the title clearly visible and does it reflect the contents of the display? 5 points

B. CONTENTS: Is the display explained with supplementary text in a well-balanced manner (i.e. is it too much to digest or just right?) 10 points

C. LABELING: Are individual items properly and adequately identified? 5 points

D. COLLECTOR IMPORTANCE/HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE. 15 points

MATERIAL OF THE DISPLAY (WEAPONS):

A. COMPLETENESS 15 points

B. CONDITION: How does condition compare to material available? Are the items in original condition? 10 points

C. RARITY OF ITEMS DISPLAYED 15 points

D. RELATED ITEMS: 15 points

GENERAL APPEAL:
Are neatness, general appearance, relative skill and creativity evidenced in the presentation of the display? 10 points
Total points available 100

A unique single gun or small group of guns, presented with related material, properly labeled, that is of importance, and neatly presented, can do well pursuant to these criteria. In addition, the first-place awards are separated into 4 categories, Antique (pre-1898), Pre-World War II (1898-1945), Post World War II (after 1945), and military.

To obtain a display show packet, including the rules, for May 8th & 9th, 2021, please contact Member Services Coordinator Sandra Schwab at the Business Office (330) 467-5733 or at sschwab@ogca.com. If you have questions regarding displaying you can also contact Display Show Chairman Sean McCarter via phone (614) 395-2919 and in person at the meeting hall, table P-21; committee member Chris Rohal via phone (440) 223-2725 and in person in the OGCA Registration Room at the hall, as well as any other member of the Display Show Committee including Rod Kirian at table I1, Tom Bowersox at table J13 & 14, and Brad Raum at D11.

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Meeting Hours Start at 8:30 AM / Save on Lodging Cost with Increased Sat. Set up Time

Sat. and Sun. Meeting Hours now start at 8:30 AM, and tableholder set up hours Sat. and Sun. morning have been extended to better accommodate members who rent tables and potentially avoid the time and cost of a Fri. hotel stay.  Based on the recent Membership Questionnaire it is clear that these minor time changes will make a big impact. There are no changes to the Friday set up time.   Note the Holiday Inn at Roberts Centre still has a strict 2-night minimum (which is beyond OGCA's control) and a list of other hotels can be found on the SHOWS page.

Meeting Hours Now in Effect Saturday 8:30 am - 5 pm Sunday 8:30 am - 2 pm Set up/Exhibitor Hours (Refer to special final instructions in the mailing with the Table confirmation as we may need Tableholders to arrive by 8 am.) Fri. 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm exhibitor Set-up Sat. 7:00 am - 8:30 am exhibitor Set-up Sun. 7:30 am - 8:30 am exhibitor Set-up