What exactly would be the benefit of merging the two associations? We would still have the same number of shooters. There will be a number of malcontents on both sides who will be unhappy with the concessions that were made and a certain amount of animosity will linger. I fail to see any benefit to this. 
Furthermore, I think there is some benefit to having the two separate groups. You can come and go as you please and shoot both ways, shoulder to shoulder or re-entry as you please. 

We all seem to agree that we need more shooters and that there is a financial obstacle to getting started.  I respectfully suggest that we close ranks and work on those two issues.
I dont remember the actual catch words, but it goes something like this, "advertising has to be consistent and persistent". Right now we have neither. We are not likely to get a movie like Quigly Down Under to spark interest in single shots, so we need another approach. Social Media is the rage these days and I know nothing about it and dont want to know, but there has to be someone in our ranks that can come up with some ideas. All kinds of crazy things get passed around on social media, we need to get something off the ground. We should prepare a general format so that we can convey the ideas and concepts we want to convey, so that the message is consistent. 
If we can manage it, some articles in American Rifleman or other old fashioned print media would help, along with some exposure on "Wednesday Night at the Range" on the Outdoor Channel. 
For many years, I have been setting up at gun shows. For the last several years, I have set up a simple "Schuetzenfest " display with photos, a few rifles and some of our special accoutrements such as breech seaters, molds and barrel clamps. 
We get well over two thousand walk ins on a Saturday, and I get about ten or 15 who stop and ask questions, and usually two or three to take membership applications. Not sure how many follow through but you have to plant the seed and hope it grows. 
Right now, if we had four or five new shooters at either of the two Schuetzenfests I regularly attend, they might be on a waiting list, so finding new ranges and clubs to sponsor events is another thing we need to do. 
It costs me about $40 to rent a table, and I do it three times per year. I enjoy being at the show for the social interaction with like minded people, so the table rent is not an obstacle for me. 
To be continued..
Joe S