NEC Spring Meeting Announced

The NE Chapter Spring Meeting will be held in Errol NH March 4, 5 and 6. Breakfast, dinner and the meetings will be at Log Haven restaurant. There will be rides all three days, with dinner and meetings afterwards. Lunches will be on the trail at different restaurants each day. Saturday evening will feature live music. Accommodations may be had at the Errol Motel 603-482-3256, Akers Pond Inn 603-482-3471, and Paradise Point Cabins 603-482-3834. Tell them you are booking a room for the chapter meeting.

Prince Edward Island ISC Photos

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

Mass to Host 2012 ISC

The 2012 International Snowmobile Congress will be held in Sturbridge Massachusetts. This will be the first time that the Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts has hosted the prestigious event. The facility of choice is the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center, located at the edge of a lake on Rt 20, a stones throw from the Mass Pike (I-90) and Rt 84.

Prime Minister Harper at ISC

Dennis Burns, CCSO Executive Director, and Kevin Sweetland,  CCSO President, give Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper “The President’s Award” for funding an expansion of the national trail network. The ceremony took place at the International Snowmobile Congress at Summerside PEI. CBCnews reports. 

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.

Another Great Meeting

Thanks to VAST for hosting a fantastic NEC Ride & Meeting.

Photos by Craig Warner, Hal Fleischman, and Dan Gould

NHSA Easter Seals Ride Feb 6-8

On February 6-8, 2009, the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association will be holding it’s 37th Annual Ride-In for Camp Sno-Mo. This years venue will be held in Dixville Notch, N.H. at The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel. The Ride-In, which is the sole fundraiser, is conducted for the benefit of Easter Seal’s Camp Sno-Mo in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, which is an integrated residential camp for children and young adults with disabilities. The proceeds allow one over hundred children yearly to attend camp. NHSA is the first statewide organization to raise over two million dollars for Easter Seals.

NHSA Easter Seals Ride

The NHSA is hosting it’s annnual 2009 Easter Seal Ride-In at the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel Dixville Notch, NH, February 6th, 7th, and 8th

Reservations can be made by calling 800-255-0600
(FYI – When calling for reservations you are calling a reservation desk that is located in California)
Double Occupancy – $119.00 plus service charge & NH room tax.

For more information call the NHSA at 603-273-0220 or visit www.nhsa.com

ISC Wrap-Up Photos

ISC Thursday June 12th

ISC June 12th