DIRECTORS MEETING NOTES

MEETING NOTES: DAVE NEWMAN, AWSC PRESIDENT AND SUE SMEDEGARD, AWSC SECRETARY

PRESIDENT – DAVE NEWMAN

Dave thanked everyone in Burnett County for the great weekend. There was plenty of snow with beautiful trails and scenery. Dave thanked all of the volunteers who have been working so hard for the past weeks to get the trails open. He announced Adam Payne has been appointed as the new DNR Secretary, replacing Preston Cole who retired. He talked about the deer holiday hunt that became an issue again this year with the early snow. Many counties did open some or all of their trails regardless of the hunt going on. It is not against the law, if the landowners don’t mind. He explained that the DNR and other hunting groups are well aware of our opposition to any late season hunts. Every county has a County Deer Advisory Committee (CDAC) that recommends whether a county has a holiday hunt or not. Snowmobilers need to be involved in these public meetings and make their voices heard. The bottom line is this is one of the few tools counties have to kill more deer and no one can agree on additional ways to make that happen. The Trespass Committee for the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) is trying to compile a list of trails that have been closed or relocated due to trespassing. Please let Dave know if you have examples. Are landowners just complaining or are they shutting off access? Dave gave an update on legal challenges we are following. We are expecting a ruling soon in the Blue Mound State Park appeal. If the DNR would lose this case it would be sent back to the Circuit Court for a review of the DNR’s revised master plan which authorized the snowmobile trail. No ruling yet in the Polk County Stower Seven Lakes case. There was no injunction in this case and the trail is currently open to snowmobiles. There was also an issue with a portion of the Glacial Drumlin State Trail. The local club was told they couldn’t use a half mile of the trail due to a short portion being paved. After our complaints, the decision was reversed. But again, a club wasn’t notified of paving going on until it had been done. Dave reminded everyone to watch for the regional master plans that are being worked on. There are currently four in progress and five more to be done.

VICE PRESIDENT – LORI HEIDEMAN

Lori reported on some of the things KAOS is doing. Lori and two KAOS members have been invited by the Oregon State Snowmobile Association to attend their convention in February to talk about our youth program. She reminded everyone to start thinking about the “Of the Year Awards.” Applications are due in June. Lori reported on the work she and Sue have been doing as co-chairs for ISC 2024. The full committee will be meeting today for idea sharing and setting priorities. She reported that she has been traveling the state and attending meetings of county organizations. It has been very positive and she has answered many questions about the snowmobile program and the AWSC. She is hoping to attend as many meetings as possible. Let her know if you want her to attend yours.

SECRETARY – SUE SMEDEGARD

Sue reminded clubs to be careful of what you post on FaceBook, especially stuck groomers. But do post positive things like volunteers working on the trails and scholarships, donations, etc. The Snowmobile Recreation Council (SRC) will be meeting on February 2, in St. Germain. Everyone is welcomed to attend either in person or by Zoom. The agenda will be posted on the DNR website.

TREASURER – LAUREN LEVEY

She presented the financial reports which was approved. She had the 2023 AWSC raffle tickets and ACSA raffle calendars available.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – MIKE HOLDEN

He would like to meet with new directors to help guide them in their position. He reminded those dealing with the storm damage to document their work and their expenses. The SRC will be discussing the issue at their February 2, meeting. The groomer show will be held February 1 and 2, in St. Germain.

Volunteers in Burnett County clearing storm damage from trails. Share these types of photos on social media.

OFFICE REPORT – DON HAMILTON, REPORTING FOR STORMY HOVEY

In December the office processed 23,973 trail passes, over 5,000 memberships and more than 150 commercial sponsors. Don informed the directors to remind their clubs that commercial sponsors can get discounted trail passes for the owner’s personal machines. The owner’s name does need to match their name in the DNR database. Contact the office if you have questions how this works. American Income Life has agreed to bring back their free $3,000 accidental death and dismemberment benefit. They will be sending letters out to all our members later in January. Return the post card if you are interested in talking to one of their representatives. Since they started providing this benefit in 1995, they have processed 322 claims for more than $500,000 to AWSC members. Don pointed out that a mailing is going to all club membership chairs in January and will include information about the Convention on March 24-26. The packet will also include voting delegate forms. He reminded clubs to make sure the person you designate is planning on attending.

MISS SNOWFLAKE –RACHYL BURZINSKI

Rachyl already attended events in 14 counties. If you want to have her at at your event, contact her at misssnowflake2223@gmail. com. If you would like to follow her journey like her on Facebook and Instagram: AWSC Miss Snowflake. During the meeting the ISMA Pledge on trespassing was taken by all in attendance and shared on the AWSC FaceBook page. Clubs are encouraged to do the same.

Miss Snowflake is on her way to attending 101 events during her reign and is a third of the way there!

VINTAGE/HISTORY – JEFF SCHWALLER

Jeff talked about a new segment the committee is including in the WSN called “Did you Know?” Please ask your clubs what they think about it. The committee is looking into having some vintage sleds on display at convention.

MEMBERSHIP – JOE KNISELEY

Current membership is up about 5,700. They are working with the youth on starting a social media platform to promote membership.

FUNDRAISING – DEAN WENDEL

Reminded everyone to take some ACSA calendars and raffle tickets home with them.

SCHOLARSHIP – THERESA BRAUDT

They received 44 scholarship applications for the 13 scholarships. They are working to add an American Hero Scholarship for military personnel or spouse.

SNOWMOBILE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES – LORI HEIDEMAN

Don and Lori met with the renewing communities. They have five new applications and six renewals. Awards will be presented at convention.

AUDIT – WALLY THILL

The audit committee met and all is in order. The committee is looking at different formats for the reports.

TRAILS – LARRY ERICKSON

The committee discussed this year’s storm damage. It is recommended everyone document the storm damage time in SNARS so it can be separated out if you do go over the $250 per mile cap for non-grooming in supplemental. Larry was aware of a couple of incidents between groomers and snowmobiles. Riders are trying to pass when there isn’t room with the deep snow. If you have something happen, contact law enforcement immediately and take pictures. The committee is working on a new “Of the Year” category called junior groomer. It will be for those between 18 and 29 and the senior groomer will be for 30 and over. The topic of having national forest and county forest roads being plowed down to the dirt was brought up. It is best to deal with this on the local level with your township. The committee made a motion to recommend to the SRC and the DNR to look at increasing the first supplemental payment to 75 percent and make the final payment by the December 1, deadline. Motion carried. If you have GPS tracking units to return, they can be brought to the convention.

WISCONSIN SNOWMOBILE NEWS – RACHYL BURZINSKI

Please submit Club News, Club Flashback and Reader Rides with a couple photos to kale@mspninc.com. Kale can help edit the story. Send event listings and address changes to Stormy at the AWSC office.

MULTI-USE TRAILS – DON MROTEK

Don reported on the background of the issue of business signs on state property. They agreed the inclusion of business signs should be considered a safety issue and wayfinding tool for snowmobilers. Details were discussed regarding the criteria needed to determine which businesses would be allowed and how to keep the signs uniform. A discussion with the entire board was held to get additional feedback from counties with trails on state property.

LEGISLATION – SAM LANDES

Sam reported on their discussion regarding legislation to address the business signs issue. Much of it mirrored the comments from the Multi-use Committee. The committee discussed some of the details that would have to be included in the bill. Sam talked about changes we are looking at for the state budget. We have started discussions with members of Joint Finance to increase the amount available for county law enforcement and increase the cap on supplement.

SAFETY & EDUCATION – BRIAN WOELFEL

Brian reported they discussed the need for proper helmets and neck braces for kids and how to find them. Anyone interested in becoming a safety instructor should contact their DNR Outdoor Skills Trainer. Current instructors need to make sure they are recertified before teaching their course.

YOUTH – KAOS MEMBERS

KAOS camping weekend is August 11-13. Contact them if you would like to have one of them talk to your club. They will be holding a silent auction at convention.

There are many sources on the internet for purchasing youth snowmobile helmets. Tip: for real littles, explore full face bmx and downhill skiing helmets for their lightweight.