Quad Riders Association of British Columbia

by Moira Jaatteenmaki, Comunications Director

1. The following is a report from President Bev Felske on the many projects and other items that have been developed over the past several months:

New ideas and progress

This past year has seen many new ideas come from the members and the Directors. The Board of Directors has tried to implement them with the limited resources we have and the grants obtained from the Canadian Off Highway Vehicle Distribution Council (COHV).

September saw the Board apply for a grant for office staff and equipment. Once this was accomplished and we had staff in the office, the Board than sent out to the clubs a request asking for new ideas to apply for grants for development projects with the total amount available being $100,000.

A. Land issues:

The responses from the clubs identified that land issues was a key item and that there were major concerns with the availability of safety instructors and the cost and availability of safety courses for the clubs. There was also concern with the current set-up of the web site. The Board of Directors then applied for a grant to address all of these issues and cover the field cost of a Land Issues & Communication Cocoordinator (LICC). We were successful in obtaining a grant to the value of $74,000. Progress so far has been very rapid. Mr. Terry Wardrop was hired as the LICC on May 01, 2007 to work on our behalf. Mr. Wardrop and President Bev Felske met in Victoria with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports & Arts to work towards an ATV designated trail system with the proper signage in place. Clubs of course play a vital part as they will be the ones applying for trails in their areas. ATV/BC will be helping direct the clubs to the correct Ministry to achieve the club goals. We will provide support services and expertise to the clubs in their efforts to obtain designated trails, staging areas, and signage.

ATV/BC has a grant for approximately 20 signs per club and is waiting for the Recreational Trail Strategy to approve the signs, which will then be distributed to the clubs for placement on designated trails only.

B. Communications

was an area of concern with our web site not providing a user friendly layout to find information and to communicate with ATV/BC and other clubs or members. Problem was the lack of funds with which to make changes.

Progress: A grant was approved for web design and maintenance from COHV and the Communications Director and the LICC are working with Koocanusa Publications to redesign the web site to have more information on it, be user friendly plus be able to be updated more frequently. It should be in place later this summer.

C. Safety, Education and Environment

Availability and cost of safety courses as well as the distribution of safety instructors in the Province was identified in the replies as an issue. As well, we wanted to address education of our members and awareness of the environment.

Progress: A date has been set for the safety instructor’s course. Zan Boyle is contacting those interested in this course and will proceed from there. Two safety posters and two environmental posters are under design and will be printed very shortly. The trailer discussed below in (D) covers other aspects of education and environment.

D. Grants:

The BOD applied for a Grant for Field Operations. This grant is to pay for the expenses of having our LICC person travel around the province to talk to the clubs regarding land issues. In addition, a portion of this grant is designated for promotion of our sport by having a trailer travel to the clubs for them to use to promote their club and area for ATVing and encourage more members to belong to the club.

Progress: The trailer has been rented, the decals placed on it and we expect the trailer to start in July the 1st week in Revelstoke, Golden, Naskusp, the 2nd week in Sicamous and Salmon Arm, third week Larson Hill, fourth week Kamloops. August 1st week in the Cariboo, 2nd week Vernon, Kelowna, third week Summerland, fourth week Windermere, September 1st week Elkford, Creston, 2nd week Trail, Grand Forks, third & fourth week Vancouver Island, October 1st week Powell River & Sunshine Coast the remainder of October the trailer will remain in the Lower Mainland. Since the grant did not include mileage for travel - the COHV refused that part - the directors of ATV/BC are going to arrange to take the trailer to the clubs and the club pass it on to the next club via the ATV/BC director in their area. Hopefully this promotional vehicle will help with club membership and growth in their areas.

E Memorandum of Understanding:

Another part of this grant will be used for Terry and the President to travel to Victoria to work with government in the promotion of our organization. To do this, the BOD authorized the President to proceed with an agreement of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Provincial Government. A Memorandum of Understanding is a watershed document in Government relations and we are following in the footsteps of many other organizations such as BCWF in developing this document.

Progress: President Bev & Terry met in Victoria in May with many different government ministries to discuss this. We came away with an agreement in principle to work together for the better management of our sport in the Province. A draft agreement is being drawn up to be ready for later this summer but it will be in late fall before the various government ministers sign off on it. Simply put, we agreed to work to protect the land and wildlife and to ride in an environmentally friendly manner.

So why bother with this MOU? Well, not only does it express our commitment to the core values of this document but it will put ATV/BC in a position to obtain grants for the various projects we hope to do in the future. At that meeting I put in a request for funding for mileage for the trailer and to re- print our “Riding Your ATV Responsibly” brochure. I have received a phone call indicating that funding was forth coming.

F. Grant for: Trail Development Symposium

Once again, the BOD put together a submission to COHV for a grant to have a meeting to educate club representatives and give clubs a manual on “How to apply for trail designation”; to set up a trail patrol program and to have the conservation service teach us the “Observe, Record and Report” program. We did apply for mileage to cover expenses of clubs traveling but that part of the grant was turned down. What was approved for the Symposium were expenses for printing of the Trail Designation manual, Printing of the Trail patrol manual, 81 trail patrol vests and the meeting room rental to a total of $7,150.00. All clubs will receive a copy of the Trail Designation Manual, the “Observe, Record and Report” program and vests.

Progress: Grant approved. Our LICC person is in progress of developing a manual for the trail designation part of the Symposium, The President is arranging for the Ministry of Environment Conservation service to bring an instructor to teach the Observe, Record and Report program and a director is obtaining a quote for the vests. The date, place and time of this symposium will be determined as soon as everything is complete, hopefully sometime in September.

G.Trail Pilot Projects:

While in Victoria meeting with the Recreational Trail Strategy personnel, they proposed that ATV/BC name a few Trail designation Projects that could be completed very quickly. Our LICC person asked the clubs to send him the information ASAP, which most clubs did. The criteria was that the trail had to be in application with the government in order for it to be fast tracked - in other words the paper trail had to be there. He viewed all ten or more requests and made a decision.

Pilot Project #1 – is Summerland ATV Club
Pilot Project #2. – is Moose ATV Club Fort St. John
Pilot Project #3 – is Sicamous ATV club
Pilot Project $4 – is Powell River ATV Club

These trails are a cross section of types of trails – some that rely on FSR and some that don’t. The remaining trail projects submitted are going to be suggested as high priority from ATV/BC to the government.

H. Registration and Licensing:

The Coalition for Registration and Licensing is pleased to announce that at a meeting in Victoria with Cabinet Ministry, Stan Hagen indicated that a proposal will be made to cabinet regarding Registration and Licensing this summer and at that time he will be making announcements regarding it. Many different groups have made proposals for Registration and Licensing besides our Coalition. So stay tuned for some news on this in the fall. It has been a pleasure working on your behalf and the BOD and I want to thank you for your creative ideas that will benefit all clubs in all regions of our Province.

2. Special Meeting

This was held on June 24th at Logan Lake with 86 members in attendance. They came from 17 clubs from every corner of the Province which is a 50% representation of the clubs. The purpose of the meeting was Bylaw changes. This was initiated by a petition for a special meeting called for by a group led by John Reedy. Thus the business of the meeting was this petition for changes to bylaw #19 dealing only with the office of the President and the report of the bylaw committee. This committee was struck by the Directors to review all bylaws with members selected from across the Province by Clubs. It was chaired by Wayne Dreger from Campbell River and comprised of representatives from all regions of the Province.. The updated Constitution and Bylaws will be mailed to all clubs once they are filed with the Registrar of Societies. While there were many “housekeeping” items, here are the significant changes:

#2 Addition of club to membership.

Each club is now also a member in its own right provided it is in good standing. #5 You cease to be a member of the Association when you are not in good standing for 30 days. #7b new clause Any member not in good standing relinquishes all rights of the association #8 Now requires 60 days notice of AGM and allows for electronic notification of such notice. #9 Changes the calling of a special meeting to 10% of the membership or 200(previous number was 20) members whichever is less and again allows for electronic notification of the notice. #10. At any Annual General Meeting, or Special Meeting, the quorum shall be ten percent (10%) of the membership, or fifty (50) members, whichever is less. New Item #11. b. A club may vote, by its authorized representative, who is entitled to speak and carry one vote, and in all other respects, exercise the rights of a member, and that representative must be considered as a member for all purposes with respect to a meeting of the association. #17. A quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors shall be eight (8) or 50% of the Directors, whichever is less. Previous it was 3 Directors. #19. The Directors shall elect a President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of the ASSOCIATION, from among the Directors. All members of the Executive must have prior ATV/BC Board experience. New Item: #28.c Current and past Directors, and any immediate family members, may not serve in the capacity of an employee, or contracted employee, of the ASSOCIATION, for a period of five (5) years, following their term of office, except by resolution of the membership, at an AGM or Special Meeting, called for that purpose.

BORROWING POWERS:

(Substitute the following for a. in the current By-Laws) a. In order to carry out the purposes of the ASSOCIATION, the Directors may, on behalf of, and in the name of, the ASSOCIATION, raise or secure the payment, or repayment, of money in the manner they decide, and, in particular, but without limiting that power, by the issue of debentures. Loans in excess of $2,000 must receive prior approval, by majority vote, of the membership. Majority vote being 75% of voting members, in attendance at a legally constituted meeting, for the purpose of authorizing a loan. A debenture must not be issued without the authorization of a "Special Resolution". The members may, by "Special Resolution", restrict the borrowing powers of the Directors, but a restriction, imposed, expires at the next Annual General Meeting. Items which did not receive the required 75% vote were:

12. b. Mail in or electronic ballots will be permitted
13. b. Only one member of the immediate family may be elected as a Director and serve, at any given time.
19 a. The Members of the ASSOCIATION to elect the President at the Annual General Meeting each year. The members nominated for this position must have served at least 1 year on the Board.
19 b. The position of President to be for a 1 year term.
19 c. The position of President be voted on before the remainder of the Board is elected.
19 d. Nominations for President to be into the ATV/BC office no later than 45 days before the election.

3. Resignations. Over the past 3 months, there have been 3 resignations from the Board of Directors. Here are the reasons for those resignations as given by those who resigned.

Bill Hinde: To allow Bill to fully pursue his duties as the only person in BC certified to certify safety instructors without any actual or perceived conflict with his position as a Director.

Warren Ulmer: For health reasons.

Pat McHugh: Does not agree with current direction of ATV/BC and has a question re his time available for the position.

4. Office Manager

Yes, we have now hired a third person as our office manager. Many criticisms and accusations are flying around as a result so here are the facts. First employee: She was offered a position with longer hours, higher wages and full benefits. She would have been silly not to accept that. Second employee: Resigned as she realized that once she got into the job, she did not have the skills required. She was only there for three weeks. Third employee is Elly Pitre: Elly has 17 years of office experience and her most recent position was as an office manager. She is fully qualified in Simply Accounting and office procedures and has already demonstrated the flexibility and adaptability required for this position. She and her husband each own a quad and are planning on joining the local club.

5. Poker Ride 2007

ATVers came from all over the Province to attend the 3rd Annual ATV/BC Poker Ride at Logan Lake on June 23rd. By Friday night, 194 units had registered in the camp ground. On Saturday, over 400 ATVs took part in the ride itself, their riders drawing poker hands and heading out on their choice of 6 trails. Trails ranged from 30km of easy riding to 100km of up to extreme riding. Conditions were anywhere from dusty to muddy. Recent rains had left several water puddles on the trails and if you weren’t careful you experienced a cooling shower much to the delight of the younger ones.

The happiest person on Saturday evening was Sharon Campbell from Logan Lake who drew a hand of 5 queens thus wining for herself a new 2007 Arctic Cat 400i 4x4 auto. 2nd place with a hand of 4 aces and a jack and the winner of a set of ATV tires was Deanne Gore from Summerland. 3rd place with a hand of 4 kings and a 9, also winning a set of ATV tires was Jackie Nelson from Nelson. 4th place went to Sharon Orr from Victoria who won a generator with 4 queens and an ace. Thanks respectively to Arctic Cat Canada, ITC Langley, Golden Tirecraft and ATV/BC who donated these prizes. Sponsored again this year was a children’s safety poster colouring contest open to all children across BC with over 500 entries being received. First prize was a 2007 Raptor 50 donated by Yamaha Canada.. The lucky winner drawn by Jeff Ryan of Yamaha Canada was 12 year old Samantha Orchison from Abbotsford. She was present at the draw and the look on her face when her name was called was priceless. 2nd prize was a helmet, 3rd prize a camera and 4th prize was a radio controlled ATV. Lucky winners were 10 year old Ryan Beaugle of Prince George, 3 year old Kyler Jaatteenmaki of Courtenay and 11 year old Khristina Yalo from Victoria respectively.

Thanks to all who participated in the Poker Ride this year. 2008 Poker Ride will be bigger and better.

Criticisms are circulating about the Directors arriving early at Logan Lake with claims being made that all expenses are being paid for by you the members for the Directors to have themselves a “fine holiday” at your expense. First of all the camping is dry. There is one power outlet but it is restricted to medical use only and can you believe there are some who have expressed indignation about the use of that power to run a medical oxygen machine while sleeping. Yes, 9 Directors did arrive early. They gave up over a week of their time working every day on trails and setting up the barn. They also worked all day of the Poker Ride either on the trails or in the barn. Coming in advance is by far the most efficient way rather than the many weekends that the trails chair spent last year on this. Directors are entitled to claim for travel costs (their choice if they do or not) to attend this as they are working for over a week to cover all the necessary set up. Any travel costs they claim are paid out of the Poker Ride budget not membership monies If you have a problem with this, then you can come next year, take at least a week out of your life or travel several weekends prior to the event to plan the trails then come at least 2 days early to sign all the trails and set up the barn - and submit no expenses at all as you are so offended by this.

Also the field, barn and corral were rented from the Ranch in exchange for donation to the Ranch and Country Club by ATV/BC – again out of Poker Ride funds. Donations were also made to various clubs and organizations that provide services for the event. These donations amounted to several thousand $ - again out of Poker Ride funds. It is not possible to run this event without considerable assistance from these clubs and associations and we appreciate the great job they do. This is a complicated event, the planning for which starts many months in advance and which requires many, many man hours to set up.

6. AGM and Jamboree

I think everyone must know by now that these are being held on August 17th and 18th respectively. The AGM notice was in the latest edition of Quad News that was sent to all members and is also on the web site. The meeting starts at 7pm at the rodeo grounds at Summerland.

On the 18th is the Jamboree with several scenic and interesting rides being planned by the Summerland ATV club. There is a sample of the scenery on our web site to entice you. That evening is the banquet when one lucky person will win a 250cc Mongoose quad donated by Kymco.

On the Sunday is a special event. The Summerland ATV Club is hosting a Poker Ride with the first prize of a 110cc Hsmoto. Hands are $10 each with the event starting at 9am. Full details on all events for the full weekend are on www.satv.ca as well as the registration form. The Summerland Club has put a lot of time and effort into this event and the rides will be spectacular. There are also many other activities available for family members. Give them your support!