YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES

BY: KAREN MIDDENDORP

I would like to take a minute to thank Bill Manson for the 20+ years of laying the groundwork and mentoring me to pick up the ball and continue to run just like he instilled in me all those years we worked together! Thank you, Bill, for teaching me the best lessons, I will continue to work diligently for you, and the members and supporters of MY chosen recreation.

If you look at motorized recreation as a three-legged stool, between DNR, the users, and MISORVA, we must always maintain two legs of the stool. As your legislative voice we are consistently pushing forward and pursuing relationships on a local, state and national level. In our partnerships with DNR, we are the voice of necessary changes and improvements between legislators and DNR in the same way we are with the user community! It is all these levels working together to keep motorized recreation moving forward. This is a direct result of your membership dues…

A Visit To Lansing

While in Lansing this past summer, I had the opportunity to meet with Tim Novak who had just accepted the position of state trail coordinator. I asked Tim if he was a motorized enthusiast he replied, “NOT YET.”

I told him I’d like to help with that — Tim Novak has been on board for a few months and is proactively working with MISORVA to plow through some needed changes, shortcomings and improvements in the programs! Tim agreed to meet with MISORVA president, John Newman, our Legislative Committee chair, Paul Anderson, and myself to look over the Traverse city area. Tim drove my cart with kid-like enthusiasm, he had questions and asked about the partnership with MISORVA and changes we were pursuing looking for explanations. We had a good constructive conversation, we talked about volunteer relationships with the trail maintenance groups, accountability of the DNR partners in the programs and working together to improve the programs and how we might do things a little better together. Tim seems to be excited to experience our recreation and learn about the changes and improvements we would like to see in the future! This is a direct result of your membership dues…

Legislative Lunch

In February, we facilitated a legislative lunch. The Legislative Ride, usually held in person with our legislators on snowmobiles, was canceled due to a sharp rise in COVID cases. So always thinking on his feet, Paul Anderson suggested a legislative luncheon! The event was well attended by representatives, senators and lots of staffers! Great conversations and connections were established and reestablished! The event was held in the Capitol Building and all costs to the association were covered by a grant from the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association. The event was very successful and a great source of networking. It is these relationships that have helped awareness of what motorized users bring to our state. This is a direct result of your membership dues…

True Champions

We continue to work with Representative Ken Borton and the DNR to pass HB 4535 and HB 4536 through the Senate committee. We are still waiting on the Senate floor for a vote. The legislation passed through the House with a 101-2 vote! Representative Borton and the others that are helping us pursue the legislation are true champions to all motorized recreation! This is a direct result of your membership dues…

MISORVA partnered with Representative Steve Johnson and Representative John Roth, SAW and DNR to introduce HB 4205 and 4206. This legislation allows Free Snowmobile Weekend. This legislation has passed and the date for Free Snowmobile Weekend 2022 will be Feb. 11&12, 2023! This is a direct result of your membership dues…