Prince Edward Island ISC Photos

A few photos from Prince Edward Island during the International Snowmobile Congress 2009.

DC Fly-In April 19-21

In preparation for your legislative visits, here are some of the topics we’ll be discussing.  The one thing you will probably hear time and time again is the focus that seems to be on jobs… retaining jobs and creating new jobs.  How many jobs do tourism, recreation and snowmobiling bring to your state?  What is the economic impact you have on your state?  Another topic of interest will be environmental. It’s all about jobs and being green — so be prepared.  

RTP/Highway Bill Reauthorization.  As you know, the current bill expires this September.  I think it’s important that you are fully aware and versed of the impact RTP has on snowmobiling in your state.  Do you know if your state is spending all of their money?  That should include motorized, non-motorized and diversified. Do you have any good examples of RTP projects that you can reference?  

FLAME Act.  This is a relatively new piece of legislation, although we’ve discussed the topic many times with the leadership of the Forest Service and it was introduced late last session.  This addresses the annual problem resulting from the high costs of fighting wildfires by creating a special catastrophic wildfire fund rather than forcing the funds to be transferred from other program funds.  This legislation quickly passed the House and is now in the Senate.  

HIPPA.  Again, legislation that has been around for many years.  There are a couple pieces of legislation currently being considered — but we will be seeking co-sponsors.  Do you know if any of your members have been denied health care coverage because they broke their ankle snowmobiling, but would have been covered if they had fallen down the stairs?  Have your Congressmen and Senators been supportive of this in the past?  

Washington is running a very small staff right now.  Most of the agencies have not completed appointments — either those that require Senate confirmation or those that require no confirmation.  The few names that have been put forth are not racing through the confirmation process.  The slim staff that is in place are trying to do the work of a full staff and being pulled in many ways at one time.   Congress is not much different from the agencies in that regard.  You will see many new faces in the member’s offices, which means they are not familiar with you, your organization or your issues.  They are also trying to cover a wide variety of topics….all at one time.

Bring a one-page summary of snowmobiling in your state that we can insert in the packets that we will provide you to give to your members.  Give them facts and figures.  Make it an easy reference for them to use.  You can also bring along copies of your magazine or newspaper to leave with their office.

Chapter Meetings on Sunday morning, and an ACSA meeting on Sunday afternoon; speakers on Monday; and Hill Visits on Tuesday.  Dress should be casual for Sunday and Monday, and professional for Tuesday — with very comfortable shoes.  Remember, you’ll be walking on Tuesday, rain or shine, so you may want to throw in an umbrella.

Did You Forget Something? Charity Reports!

Donna White, the ACSA Charity Chair is politely begging for information.
Can you help?
She’s a really nice lady but seems to get upset when we don’t give her our reports. I can’t blame her, can you?

Says Donna: I do not believe this years Charity report is complete and I feel we need to do a better job next season. Please inform me of any changes in your state or province charity person or any email address changes. We need to have every member of ISC report.  Mark your calendars now as in September you will receive a revised survey to put out to your clubs for them to return to you by the end of March so that you may total and get your figures to me by the end of April so that I may get the completed numbers to the ACSA office by May 15th.  Got those dates? SEPTEMBER = survey out to clubs, MARCH 31 surveys returned to you (you may ask to get them in sooner if you are pressed for time or have to beg for their help), APRIL 30 = totals to me. THANKS much and please be sure the proper person(s) get this info and I get correct email addresses. Your cooperation is sincerely appreciated as this information is very useful for us.

You can contact the ACSA office with any information or questions.

ACSA Grand Raffle To Be Drawn 06/06

You only have a few days left to get an American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) GRAND RAFFLE TICKET. These tickets are $100 each, only 1000 were printed. The prizes are four (4 one from each manufacturer) brand new 2009 top of the line snowmobiles.

As of May 25th, less than 400 have been sold! That means that your odds are GREAT.

If you are interested in taking a chance:

MAIL YOUR $100.00 (tax deductible) CHECK today to:

ACSA Grand Raffle, 271 Woodland Pass, Suite 216, East Lansing, MI 48823

ACSA will complete the raffle ticket on your behalf and forward you a copy of the entire ticket as proof. The drawing will be held on Friday, June 6th…so get your check in the mail today for sure!

For more information on ACSA and the Grand Raffle, please go to: http://www.snowmobilers.org

ACSA Mails Annual Meeting Documents

Just in case someone didn’t check the mailbox yet…

ACSA sent a package to prepare delegates for the upcoming board members at iSC. Included in the documents are:

• Proposed Budget for 2008-2009
• Proposed Bylaw Amendments (as discussed in DC)
• Minutes from the DC meeting

In addition, there are a few reminders…
The ACSA Grand Raffle drawing will be held June 6, please send any sold or unsold tickets to the ACSA office. Everyone who purchases a Grand Raffle ticket will be invited to the President’s reception.
Don’t forget to bring silent auction items to congress, suggested value should total at least $125.

ACSA Calendar Photo Contest

The ACSA Calendar Photo Contest Deadline is coming soon.
The Photos will be featured in the 2009 ACSA Calendar!
4 prizes awarded.
Grand Prize, $100
First prize in each ACSA Chapter, $50
Honorable mentions will also be displayed in calendar
Photo Rules
Entrants must be a member of a state association,
whose association is an ACSA member.
Photos should emphasize family, scenery and fun, promoting safe snowmobiling.
Photos deemed inappropriate will be not be included in the judging.
Entrants agree to have their photos published by ACSA.
Entrants are limited to three submissions.
Professional and amateur photographers are welcome to participate.
Members of the calendar committee & judges may not participate.
Deadlines for entry, May 1, 2008
Send entries (& questions) to photo.contest@sledmass.com
Photo tips
The calendar format is horizontal, although vertical photos may be submitted too.
Entries should be sent in full resolution. (Set your camera to high resolution/HQ)
Remember, we want to showcase responsible, safe snowmobiling!

 

DC Fly-In Report

The ACSA Fly-In has come and gone, the NEC was well represented in the hands of Barry LaBombarde from NH, Pat Poulin, Jim Hill and Bryant Watson from VT, Bob Kirchner and his wife from PA and Scott Sumner and Dan Gould from MA.

Briefly:
Sunday’s ACSA meeting:
Fred Wiley ran the meeting as Todd could not attend.
Exploring new fundraising opportunities including the continuation of Sleds2Buy.
In the same vein, we were reminded to sell the ACSA Raffle tickets, and as a bonus, anyone who buys a ticket will be invited to the “President’s Reception at ISC”
Everyone was encouraged to donate an item at the ISC Silent Auction.
A draft agenda for ISC was presented (posted here soon).
Annual Award nominations are due April 15th.
The Fly-In for 2009 is scheduled for April 19-21(Mark your calendar now to avoid annual meeting conflicts)
We discussed the possibility of holding the Land Summit in conjunction with ISC, this will be discussed further in June.
A review of the Action Plan was very informative, it is hoped that the image plan will be launched for the next snow season.
Kim Rapp gave a brief overview of the Access Guide and asked for input from the membership.
The bylaws have been amended, mostly small updates that will be voted on in June.
Dale Vagts introduced a supplemental health insurance plan that members may be able to purchase, at a 10% discount. Again, we will approve this at ISC.

Monday brought speakers from 8am-5pm, the topics centered on access, public lands, lobbying rules, HIPPA and RTP.

All three Presidential Candidates were invited to speak, only the McCain Campaign made an appearance, sending a gentleman from the “McCain Sportsman Coalition.”

A representative from the Recreation Trails Program spoke after breakfast on Sunday, then all members visited congressional offices on the hill.

It was another successful event and a good deal of business was accomplished.

BTW, the hotel was under construction, the restaurant was closed and the wireless internet service was down. We will most likely use a different facility next year.

NEC To Meet in DC

The DC Fly-In is under way this Sunday (April 6 – I’ve pasted the agenda that was sent from the ACSA office, just in case some of you missed it.

Before you pack your bags, I just wanted to remind everybody of a few things to expect and plan for while in DC.

The Midwest Chapter and the Western Chapter will both hold Chapter Meetings on Sunday morning, beginning at 9:00 am. Then the ACSA meeting will begin at 1:00 on Sunday afternoon. There are no planned meal functions on Sunday. Suggested dress is casual.Monday will begin with breakfast at 7:00 am — and our first speaker will begin at 8:00 am. The last speaker is scheduled for 4:00 pm. Breakfast and Lunch will be served to all registrants. Suggested dress is business casual.Tuesday we gather again at 7:00 am for breakfast — then everyone will head to Capitol Hill for their legislative meetings. Suggested dress is a tie/jacket for men, pansuit for women — and very comfortable shoes for everyone!!Please bring with you a one-page summary of snowmobiling in your state that can be included with the folders that you will give to each of your legislators (both Congressmen and Senators). I would suggest you include something on the importance of RTP dollars to your state program. Also bring enough business cards to distribute to the people you will meet.The hotel confirmation numbers have been emailed to you. The hotel you “think” you are going to is the Holiday Inn on the Hill — and that is what you want to tell cab drivers. Please know however, that the name will change sometime this week — so do not be alarmed!! The new name will be The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel. The signs may or may not be changed when you arrive. The address is 415 New Jersey Avenue, NW. Christine.

I can’t promise it, but if we have a chance we’ll post some info from DC while we are out there.