Too many of you guys confound RINO with "country club Republican".
A RINO is usually a Democrat or (so-called) Independent in a heavily Democrat voting state or electoral district where the average Republican or Conservative wouldn't have a realistic chance of winning.
The trick is to find a disaffected Democrat willing to run as a Republican against an entrenched, and usually corrupt, Democrat machine incumbent.
Then, when the RINO wins he or she is expected to caucus with the Republicans in the legislature for the purpose of controlling the legislative agenda. They may well end up voting against bills sponsored by the Republicans, but those bills would usually have not gotten out of committee without the RINO vote to control the legislative body.
Sometimes one of them will advance to Govenor, Lt Governor or Attorney General/Secretary of State.
Once out of office they are no longer RINOs ~ just former whatevers.
Countryclubbers, on the other hand, take part in party management.