24^th Annual MSA Convention

Members arrived on Friday, with many attending the get-acquainted Hillbilly Hoe Down party

2006 MSA Convention and General Membership Meeting

The ability to hit a freshly groomed trail, riding on some newly fallen snow may only come for Michigan snowmobilers during four months out of the year  If Old Man Winter is kind! But the time and work that goes into making sure that trail is open and groomed for you to ride is a year round, volunteer effort for the dedicated members of the Michigan Snowmobile Association. During this year’s 24^th Annual MSA Convention it was a time to both discuss the work and the business of snowmobiling and celebrate another successful year of MSA. There were 135 dedicated snowmobilers in attendance at the 2006 MSA Convention at the Kewadin Casino and Resort in Sault Ste. Marie.

The event included MSA’s annual membership meeting, the election of 2006 officers and the opportunity for members to discuss the work that goes into snowmobiling in Michigan and across the country. Issues facing local clubs and the state organization were discussed, while national and international issues were also a topic at the meeting.

Members arrived on Friday, with many attending the get-acquainted Hillbilly Hoe Down party. Those attending dressed the part with prizes given to the top three MSA Hillbillies. Rob and Kathy King took first place. Jackie Lamb took second and the third place winner of the costume contest was Gordon Conklin from Hubbard Lake. MSA members Kay and John Houk crafted hillbilly-themed centerpieces and a display featuring a Michigan outhouse and clothes drying on the line. Compliments go out to the very crafty MSA members.

 “I appreciate the help from everyone here, snowmobiling appreciates your help. I hope you stay involved and MSA continues to grow,” said MSA President Ken Scott. “Next year will be our silver anniversary convention (25 years) and I would like to see more people and new faces at the event.”

 A Warm Welcome to Those Attending

Scott welcomed all, stressing that the weekend was a time to discuss the business involved in snowmobiling, while also renewing acquaintances and having some fun. Past President Jim Duke served as master of ceremonies throughout the weekend. MSA officers were given an opportunity to speak to the members before the annual meeting began. Reports were given by the chairs of several committees, giving members the opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions.

Scott gave a detailed month-by-month report on his work during the past year. He spoke about several events he attended that were sponsored by MSA, including the For Women Only (FWO) Ride, Enlightenment Ride, trail stops, Fly In to Washington, D.C., Ride In to Lansing and the Clean Snowmobile Challenge. Scott also reported on the dozens of meetings he attend during the year including Forest Service meetings, Department of Natural Resource (DNR) meetings and the Snowmobile Advisory Council (SAC) meetings. He credited the DNR work group formed two years ago with successfully coming up with a new grant sponsor program and continuing efforts to better the snowmobile program.

He highlighted other MSA successes like the Zero Tolerance program, safety program and work on the new statewide tourism committee that MSA has been invited to participate in. “Tourism is a political issue that we have to stay involved with. This state has to find a way to generate more revenue and we have to be a part of that. Snowmobiling has a billion dollar impact statewide. We bring in tourism dollars. We should get support dollars from the state.”

Sadly, Scott reported that progress within the Snow Country Trails Conservancy, has been slow. The Conservancy was set up several years ago for the purchase of easements and permanent trails. Issues with the DNR have stalled progress. “This access problem is not going way, and we have to get this Conservancy in place,” said Scott. Scott did recognize the Flat River Club for their two substantial donations to the Conservancy.

Bill Lucas represents MSA on the SAC Financial Committee and explained that they are currently working on a long-rage, 10-year plan for 100 percent funding for groomers to be replaced every three years. He stressed that this is a long-range plan that may require an increase in the trail permit. “The finance committee is looking at this as something for five years down the road. It would save the program money if we replaced equipment every three years. We would increase the trade-in value and decrease our maintenance costs. We are looking at making the program more affective and more efficient.”

Denny Zoet, membership chair, reported on the number of members in MSA. He said there are currently around 19,000 members. Look to January’s magazine for a membership drive program, said Zoet. Also, around 800 youth memberships were given out to youth attending safety classes. That number may increase as lists are turned into the MSA office. “We need to get our children involved,” said Zoet. “If not, we will go to our grave working trails.”

Snowmobiling at the National and International Levels

Jim Duke, American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) past president, and Ed Klim, the president of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA), reported on national and international issues affecting the sport of snowmobiling.

Duke explained that during the coming year the Forest Service will be holding regional forums to discuss the condition of our road/trail system and the loss of trails due to continued private-land development. Duke said the Fly In was a huge success and will be held again next year. He said the seventh Enlightenment Ride was held in Michigan and will return next year, to the Ottawa National Forest. He discussed the importance of this year’s election and the newly coined “SnoMo” vote. Several articles have appeared in national papers regarding the importance of snowmobilers’ votes on key elections.

 The Fifth Manufacturer

Klim spoke about the continued commitment of the four manufacturers to snowmobiling. “You are the trail builders and the manufacturers know it. We consider you the fifth manufacturer,” said Klim. Thanks to the work of organized snowmobiling, the important people in Washington, D.C. know how important the recreation is to the snow states. “When Dale Bosworth (the U.S. Forest Service Director) talks about recreation, he talks about snowmobiling and that is because of you.

Klim also touched on the manufacturers’ work on safety, emission reduction, meeting EPA standards and sounding testing. He explained new sound tests will be taking place every day on snowmobiles for the next 16 months at Michigan Tech. “We need to better understand the surface they are tested on. They will be tested even when there isn’t snow. Currently, snowmobiles generate more track noise than engine noise.”

 Some interesting statistics provided by Klim:

·         Since 1998 snowmobile fatalities have gone done 31 percent.
·         In 1998, snowmobile sales in the U.S. stood at 260,000 units. Last year only 165,000 were sold, which is a 38 percent decrease.
·         In Michigan, 25,000 units were sold in 1998 while last year only 10,000 were sold.

Nationwide snowmobiling is a $27 billion industry. Klim stressed the importance of staying involved in the tourism committee, adding that the single biggest impact on snowmobiling is the November elections.

 For their Efforts

A social hour was held Saturday evening before the annual awards banquet. It was sponsored by Woody’s. Annual awards were given out followed by an afterglow celebration.

 This year’s award winners were:

·         MSA Corporate Member of the Year — Ron Pattyn of Studboy Traction Products

·         Elza Inman Award, MSA Groomer Operator of the Year — John Korich

·         MSA Snowmobile Club of the year — Edwardsburg Snowmobile Club

·         2006 MSA Snowmobiler of the Year — Martin Cottle

·         President’s Award — Jim Duke

·         MSA Volunteer Award — Roland (Curly) and Stella Myers

·         Almost Snowmobiler — Andy Tork

Jack Nelson, owner of Nelson’s Speed Shop and host of Sno-Motion, presented MSA with a check for just over $7,300 for the group’s efforts during his snow show. Annually, volunteers work security, man booths and work the gate at that show. Nelson splits the funds raised at the gate between MSA and the American Cancer Society. “Numbers were down a bit, but your dedication and hard work continue to help make this show a big success,” said Nelson.
 

2007 Officers Elected

Election of officers was the final order of business at the convention. Ken Scott was reelected president. Don Reed was reelected vice president. Dale Israels was reelected secretary, and Martin Cottle was reelected treasurer.