8257-R1_MSA_February2023_Singles

Those Darn Kids Just Don’t Want to Help Out!? By Chris Gamache Trails Manager, Polaris Ride Command

I f you look around at a typical snow mobile club meeting (or OHRV) you will often see the active club mem ber have more silver hair than dark hair. It is not uncommon to that the folks at the meeting table today were the same folks at the meeting table in the 1970’s, ‘80’s or ‘90’s. Club history is very important and should be kept somewhere where members can learn about it, but sometimes we have to let new blood in to keep things going. And you knowwhat, the new blood is going to come in with some new ideas. Not all of which may be accepted by the club, but they can at least be enter tained and discussed a bit. Nothing will stop a new member from show ing up quicker than them feeling dis respected and useless. There are a lot of roles younger members can do that the older members may not want to do.

so check with your club’s insurance provider). If this is their passion and you tell them NO you have lost them. They won’t come back when they are a few years older because they will have found another hobby to occupy their time. If you hear this at the club meeting; “No one will step up to take over” you are not alone. But ask yourself why is no one stepping up? In some cases, it truly is geography; there just isn’t enough people around. But sometime its because the club may not be wel coming to the new folks (new mem bers can be like the younger folks). My local club here in NH started hav ing pot-luck dinners at the monthly meeting and attendance has gone up (sure they come for the food, but they stay for the meeting and actually participate). Try to also be mindful of whether the issue is on the club board now. Some folks are just plain ‘crusty’ to work with and its their way or no way. You never want to lose an active club member but try to know who can work with new folks and who cannot. The “kids” are willing to help out but not unless they asked and encouraged. We need to get some original hair color back at our club meetings. LOL

can update sites and posts in mere minutes and they often like doing so. All they need is the relevant informa tion to post. Whether that comes from updates at the monthly club meeting or someone being willing to answer their call to get a 1-minute update. When my son was in high school our local club asked if he would be willing to redesign the club website and keep it updated. He was excited to it and did it for several years. Once he went off to college someone else picked it up, but it was a task he was excited for and the club needed the help. Another idea is to recruit some of the more artistic youth to help design or update your website or club cloth ing. Keep the historical club logo but an updated sweatshirt or hat can be exciting for club members and local businesses. And another way to get more younger folks involved is to recruit the local kids that are good with diesels!! There are lots of kids out there that grew up on the farm, or love to tinker with their trucks and other equipment. Most of these kids would love to help work on the groomers. They are ripe for training to be groomer operators (some insurance companies may not allow them to groom until they are 21

Technology can be a great tool for clubs. Riders are turning more and more to social media and online sites to get trail information and plan rid ing trips. If you have a flip phone you probably aren’t going to be updating these sites for your club!! The younger generation (which I am sadly no lon ger part of, but I and not old yet either)

ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE

It is sad to think the end of the season is only months away just as it is getting started in most parts of the state. MSA wants to remind you ALL CONTEST NOMINATIONS ARE DUE BY FEB. 28 TH .To be considered for the membership top ten clubs, we need memberships in the office by April 1 st . We still process memberships after that date, but they will not be counted for the top ten awards. MARKYOU CALENDARS - SATURDAY APRIL 29 TH is the annual MSA meeting/ banquet. It will be held at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer. Reservation required for meal - $25.00 per person and prepayment is appreciated. Details and RSVP can be found on mainesnowmobileassociation.com Get our nominations and memberships in and plan to attend the final event of the 2022-23 season!

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