9443-R3_MSA_September2026_Newsletter

From The Executive Board Secretary’s Report - Shanna Towle Directors Meeting - Hosted by Evergreen Restaurant in Solon, Maine - August 18, 2026

Treasurer’s Report: Read by Barry Ryan, no errors or omissions detected so copy will be placed on file at the office. President’s Comments: Thank you to Jimi and Jody from Evergreen Restaurant for hosting the meal & meeting. Thank you all for coming out tonight. When I agreed to take this on I knew some of what I was getting into but it’s been a great learning experience. We have a great team here and we feel so supported from one end of the state to the other. Thank you all for your tireless work with the clubs and all you do for the sport. A lot on the agenda tonight. We have membership packets so please see your regional VP after the meeting to get it. Executive VP Comments: Elieen on zoom. Wish I was there but will have more later. Director of Operations: Al not present tonight for report. A prayer was said for Al and Western: Jerry so much stuff is going on. Looking forward to getting out to visit clubs. Still a couple bridges out on the ITS89 in the Oxford area but more to come. Central: Ron thanks to Jimi and Jody from Evergreen and Solon Snow Hawks for hosting the meeting and the meal. Northern: Nick not much going on up here. Some clubs are working on building new groomer sheds. Coastal: Dave thanks to everyone for dinner great job. Next director’s meeting is September 15th in coastal at Crooked River SC Casco with $15 dinner (more details to come). Start thinking snow. Eastern: Barry says it’s a pleasure to step into this new position and have some very large shoes to fill. Asked Charlie to stand and report on some events in the Millinocket region. On September 22nd having a meet and greet to introduce Barry as the new Eastern region VP to the clubs in the Katahdin region and discuss any concerns that may be on hand. September 19 th Swap Meet at the Northern Timber Cruisers to welcome in the new T he MSA Scholarship Fund Committee is reaching the final steps of their reorgani zation!! The Fund has a new logo which will become part of all its future information. The reorga nization of the fund has been a long time com ing, but one that is needed to move it forward. There is one more step that is being processed at this time and should be in place soon. The Scholarship Fund Committee members are ex cited to be in the final stages. In late September the Fund Committee will be holding a meeting to discuss this year’s application process and revamp the applica tion itself. One new piece will be that we are strongly encouraging all applications to be submitted online. There will be more infor mation in the October newspaper and online after the meeting is complete. Stay tuned and look for the new logo! his mom by Jerry Major. VP Regional Reports: I’m Gail Ryan, chairperson of the Hall of Fame Committee. Every year, we look for nominations from clubs that believe they have someone who rep resents the spirit of snowmobiling in the state of Maine—someone who has helped your club get where it is today. Nominees may be recognized for trail work, building community relations, or completing an extraordinary snowmobiling adventure, such as the Alaska-to-Maine trio nominated last year. Consider what your members have accomplished throughout your club’s history and whether their contributions make them worthy of recognition in the Hall of Fame. Send your nominations to the MSA office, and the committee will review them and make its recommendations for induction into the Hall of Fame. Thank you for your support, Gail Ryan, Chairperson H i everyone,

season. Working on another regional director’s meeting in the Dexter Wassookeag club. Standing Committee Reports: Funding- Had bill pass about the tiered registration that will go into effect in 2027. So early registration will stay what it is now and after December 15th will increase. Round 2 for the MTP grant closed on July 16th and now there’s a survey available for feedback for anyone who did or didn’t apply. We would like as many clubs to take the survey as possible so changes can be made to get the grant more accessible to motorized clubs. Planning a Q&A session on Friday night at the show in October with several ambassadors available to answer questions and help get maximum funding for the clubs. Don’t forget there are other grants available as well and to put in for as many as possible. Safety: Al not present to give a report. Trails: Brent things are gearing up had first meeting already. Still going to do the paper map and the app. Coburn is down to a one man show and getting some surrounding clubs to help out with grooming. MapGears will be at the powersports show Friday & Saturday and will be a guest speaker at the trails meeting. Adding turn by turn navigation and custom POI as well as a custom landing page when you open the app. Hospitality & Hall of Fame: Gail for hall of fame each club must have someone to recognize and start thinking about nominations now. Hospitality don’t think just do sympathy but will do other things. Told joke. Membership: Elieen deferred to Bob & Lori for a presentation. New MSA Connect app is going to be launched this season. No more paper cards and paper transmittal forms. Trying to reduce duplicate entries and membership errors. More information will be coming soon with training on the system. Old Business: Golf Tournament update- weather was beautiful this year and been a good time and good fundraiser. Ended up with $7,356.33.

Super Raffle update- pushed to get raffle out early this year and was able to get tickets out for summer activities this year. Looking forward to seeing the numbers. Liz has tickets available please get some and make sure you have the license. Looks like the sled and trailer are busy getting around. The Form is on the website now for clubs to put in for the drawing to sell tickets at the power sports show. MSA Powersports Show update- Oct 23-25th have volunteer sign-up sheet to help out at the show. 19 vendors so far but slow to come in. Going to have some surrounding associations coming. Have space inside and outside for vendors. New Business: Northern Region Director- Nick short on directors so want to see if vote in Derek Grivois from Van Buren as a regional director. No objections so will be a new regional director in the northern region. MSA Connect Membership Platform: presentation made by Lori and Bob about new membership platform. Questions will go to msaconnect@mesnow.com want to simplify membership submissions. This will be a new member experience to get part of a club. Clubs can set up direct QR code to directly join. Pay online securely. Types of membership will be built in on the portal when signing up. Goal is to decrease the shuffle of paperwork back and forth from club to office. What is needed from clubs- membership options (individual/ family/business etc), what are the dues, club banking information for bi-weekly auto deposit, current club contact information, club agreement form. There will be training sessions if needed. Upcoming Events: Sept 19th Rangeley golf tournament. Pot of Gold: 50/50: for 50/50 winner will get $112. Shaken up & drawn # 091331 winner Paula Perla from Rangeley & donated to Solon Snow Hawks. Pot of Gold mixed by Matt & drawn Quad County in Springfield. Not present so back in the pot. Adjourn the meeting at 8:18pm. ing us secure a 2026 Ski-Doo MXZ Sport; Nitro Trailers for generously donating a 2026 Nitro Hybrid 12-foot trailer; Bangor Truck Equipment for donating a 2026 Fisher snow plow; and Shin Pond Village for providing an amazing three-night stay for 12 people. We are also grateful to the dozens of businesses that donated gift cards and additional prizes. Remember, 50% of all Super Raffle pro ceeds remain with the participating club. Every ticket sold helps support local trails, equipment and club activities throughout Maine. Planning is also well underway for the annual MSA Snowmobile & Powersports Show, taking place October 23–25, 2026 at the Augusta Civic. The three-day show is fill ing up nicely and will feature a wide variety of indoor and outdoor vendors—giving visi tors thousands of reasons to ride and explore Maine during every season of the year. Finally, thank you to the volunteers and landowners throughout the state who make Maine a premier snowmobiling destination. Without your hard work, dedication and gen erosity, none of this would be possible. If you or your club needs anything, please contact us at the MSA office. We are always happy to answer questions and provide assistance. Looking forward to an exciting season ahead! Al

Shanna Towle, Secretary 207-341-1747 878 Main Steet, Palmyra, ME 04965 shannatowle@gmail.com

Attendees in Person: President Matt Stedman, Secretary Shanna Towle, Treasurer Lori Hemmerdinger, Terry Berube, James Remeschatis, Randy Bates, Steve Wright, George Wacome, John Kresge, Brad Barker, Jerry Major, Terry Major, John Farrington, Donna Farrington, Ken Osborne, Paul Perla, Paula Perla, Dana Bowman, Marion Pinkham, Barry Ryan, Gail Ryan, Todd Dixon, Jimi Amodie, Alfred Parks Jr., Lori Nunes, Ron Nunes, David Cogley, Edward Brownell, Elizabeth Mahaleris, Richard Horne, Paula Huff, Dan Champany, Amy Champany, Donald Whittmore, Tom Child, John Nelson, Brad Porter, Theodore Misiaszek, Russell Prentiss, Ann Stevenson, Peter J Ford Sr., Charlie Huntington, David Watson, Ben Clark, Bob Flagg, Mark Chinnock Via Zoom: Ex VP Eileen Lafland, John Monk, Brent Spaulding, Leslie Currier, Nick Morrill, Carol Bourque, Mike Grass Jr. Mike Delong Call to Order: at 7:03pm & pledge of allegiance. Secretary’s Report: Motion made by Jerry Major to accept as written in packet, second by John Farringon. Motion carried.

Director of Operations

From the MSA Scholarship Fund Eileen Lafland

Eileen Lafland, 207-843-7813 PO Box 733, Holden ME 04429 L.andE.lafland525476@gmail.com

Hall of Fame

Alan Swett, 207-872-7282 234 County Rd, Waterville ME 04901 snowtraveler@roadrunner.com T he MSA Super Raffle has officially launched and is already on its way to becoming a great success! We sincerely thank the many MSA-supporting businesses whose generosity makes this important fundraiser possible. Special thanks go to Robertson’s Power sports for helping us secure a 2026 Polaris ProStar; Mountainside Powersports for help

MSA CLUBS:

TO ORDER CLUB TRAIL SIGNAGE Contact Vanessa Haas DACF/Snowmobile Program Phone (207) 287-4957 Fax (207)287-8111 Vanessa.Haas@maine.gov

TO ORDER NEEDED ITS & JCT SIGNS Contact Mike Grass Sr. MSA Trails Committee 252 Condon Road, Plymouth, ME 04969 207-368-4914 home • 207-745-2745 cell Grasslands252@gmail.com

Gail Ryan, MSA Hall of Fame 207-478-6821 207 Lancaster Brook Rd, Glenburn, ME skidoo6000@aol.com

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