Newsletter May 2006
In March, the Directors held their annual face to face meeting in Kamloops with 12 Directors attending. Following that meeting, on Sunday the 19th, an open Board meeting was held with all member clubs invited to send representatives. From those meetings, significant decisions were made which impact all ATV/BC members.
1. Insurance Update
As many are aware, a presentation on a new Insurance program with Jones Brown Inc. was made to the Directors. Following the Sunday meeting the Directors voted to accept this proposal. All members clubs have been notified of the new exclusive agreement reached with Jones Brown Inc. Insurance Brokers to provide insurance services to ATV/BC for the next year. This was a business decision reached by the Directors to benefit the members of ATV/BC by switching Insurance Brokers which will result in a more competitive insurance program and with improved features for members. Full details have been both e-mailed and regularly mailed to all Clubs as well as posted on the web site together with updated information on web membership purchase. This program started on April 1st and, yes, there are some teething problems but these will work themselves out as members adjust to the new procedures and the agents become familiar with the program. Contact our office if you have concerns or questions and they will assist you. There are two documents on insurance issues which have been circulated to clubs for further information – one from ATV/BC President Pat McHugh and an open letter to ATV/BC from CUISA.
2. Splitting the AGM/Jamboree Combination
This has been a subject of much discussion lately with the suggestion, which has been raised before, to split the AGM and Jamboree. There are good reasons both for and against this. After much discussion, it was decided to leave it as is. However, to address some of the reasons for the suggestion, a semi-annual business meeting will be held in March for all members. This will be an information meeting between the Board and members and will be held in a location central to our membership.
3. Memberships Issues
There is no denying that there have been issues with speed of membership processing over the past year. This has been discussed at two Directors meetings and solutions sought. One step that has been taken is the redesigning of the membership form. It is now smaller and all the terms and conditions for insurance are printed on the back of the form. However, that is now water under the bridge as all insurance is handled either by a member going to their CUSIA office to obtain their insurance or by signing up online. This also means that errors in completing the form should now be eliminated. As all membership books had been printed in advance of the Kamloops meeting and they cost over $4000, it was decided to use these forms this year simply by ignoring the insurance section of the form. Next year will see a new form designed. Memberships will also be available from the web site and those will be processed quickly. By separating membership and insurance, we anticipate a fast and accurate membership processing for all.
4. ATV/BC Poker Ride, Logan Lake, June 24th, 2006
Preliminary information has been circulated before. Posters have been printed and are now appearing at dealers and other locations. A pdf version and lots of information has been distributed to all clubs for their use also. However, in addition to the major adult prize of the Bombardier DS 250 ATV, Yamaha Motor Canada is sponsoring a prize for children under 12 years old. It is—ready for this?—a Yamaha Raptor 50 ATV. It will be decided by a draw and entry will be by completing a colouring and safety poster then mailing it in. Coverage for this contest will be Province wide through local newspapers. The poster is also on our web site. This will be for all children 12 and under—wow!! The draw will be made at the Poker Ride. In addition many great prizes have been secured for adults. This is definitely an event not to miss so book the date now and spread the word. This was a great event last year and those who were there are definitely coming back.
5. AGM/Jamboree at Mt. Washington
Registration forms and information have been e-mailed to all clubs posted on ATV/BC web site as well as quads.ca and quadconnections.com. This is going to be super event. The Campbell River ATV members have been working hard to make this memorable. The rides themselves will make it so but throw in location, activities and meeting fellow ATVers and it’s a great combination. Note that camping and registration are open on the Monday prior to the event so if you have some extra time, why not head up and do as many rides as possible. After all, the theme of the Jamboree is “Come Ride The Big Island”
6. Registration and Licensing
It is now just a case of waiting. Expectation is sometime in July. Word is that the Government is impressed with the professionalism, content and presentation of the report. As soon as we know anything – so will you.
7. Other Items
Safety Instructors
In response to questions, Bill Hinde who is the Chief Safety Instructor for BC, outlined the requirements for obtaining a safety certificate and then qualifying as a safety instructor as well as where to find the listing of all safety instructors. Several of the Directors are safety instructors and this is shown in their listing. Bill will put all this in an article and it will be on the web site.
Bumper Stickers
ATV/BC has produced a bumper sticker—available in 4 colours—red, green. blue and black. These were a hit at the recent Sportsman’s Show in Vancouver where Pat was selling them for $1. The message hit home with many. These stickers will be supplied at no charge to the Clubs to give to their members who join or renew for 2006-7. They are also available at a cost of 50¢ each for bulk purchase of 200. You could then use them as a fund raiser or give them away as you see fit. Either way you will be spreading the message that is becoming increasingly important.
Gaming Licenses
As you may have discovered already, there was a change in Gaming Regulations last July. You now need a Class B Gaming License to run an event such as a Poker Ride or a function where there is for example a silent auction. The license is $25 and applications forms are obtainable from the Government Agent or on-line. One license can cover all fund raisers for the year provided you stay below the allowable limit for total prizes. Functions are being checked to ensure they have the appropriate license so please make sure you do as the consequences could be refusal to permit holding such an event in future.