Sunday Forum Book - New York State Snowmobile Association
Transcription
Sunday Forum Book - New York State Snowmobile Association
NEWYORKSTATESNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION THE ANNUALMEETING OFTHE CORPORATION SUNDAY,MAY1,2016 LAKEPLACID,NEWYORK VOTINGDELEGATEINFORMATION TableofContents 2016NYSSAAnnualMeetingAgenda.............................................................................................................................3 NYSSAAnnualMeetingRules.............................................................................................................................................4 Secretary’sReport...................................................................................................................................................................5 2015‐16AnnualTreasurer’sReport.............................................................................................................................15 President’sReport.................................................................................................................................................................16 VicePresident’sReport.......................................................................................................................................................18 StaffReports............................................................................................................................................................................19 TrailCoordinator..............................................................................................................................................................19 GeneralManager...............................................................................................................................................................27 ExecutiveDirector............................................................................................................................................................30 SLEDNY............................................................................................................................................................................32 CommitteeReports...............................................................................................................................................................35 ExecutiveCommittee......................................................................................................................................................35 GovernmentAffairsCommittee..................................................................................................................................36 2016LegislativeBillFile(providedbyCapitolGroup)................................................................................38 TrailsDevelopment&FundingCommittee...........................................................................................................46 Safety&EducationCommittee....................................................................................................................................47 Events&PromotionsCommittee...............................................................................................................................49 Membership&CommunicationsCommittee........................................................................................................50 BudgetandFinanceCommittee..................................................................................................................................50 Auditors’FinancialStatements..............................................................................................................................52 2016‐2017ProposedNYSSABudget...................................................................................................................62 2016‐2017SLEDNYBudget.....................................................................................................................................80 Ad‐HocCommitteeonISC2015.................................................................................................................................83 Ad‐HocCommitteeonBylaws.....................................................................................................................................85 NYSSABY‐LAWSREVISEDAPRIL2014.............................................................................................................90 NominatingCommittee...............................................................................................................................................106 CandidateResumes..................................................................................................................................................107 FormsforDirectorCertification...................................................................................................................................109 BulkSignOrderForms.....................................................................................................................................................112 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page2 2016NYSSAANNUALMEETINGAGENDA May1,2016 9:00am–1:00pm LakePlacidConferenceCenter,LakePlacid,NY 9:00a.m. MeetingCalledtoOrder PresentationoftheColors/Pledge AnnounceParliamentarian;AppointTellers&SergeantatArms RollCall Dominic(w/Anne) OfficerReports Secretary’sReport~p.5 Treasurer’sReport~p.15 President’sReport~p.16 &StateoftheAssociation StaffReports TrailCoordinator~p.19 GeneralManager~p.27 ExecutiveDirector~p.30 CommitteeReports JamesElmore RosanneWarner JohnOcchino JamesElmore JimRolf AnneO’Dell DominicJacangelo ExecutiveCommittee~p.35 GovernmentAffairs~p.36 TrailsDevelopmentandFunding~p.46 SafetyandEducation~p.47 EventsandPromotions~p.49 Membership/Communications~p. 50 BudgetandFinance~p.50 …BudgetApprovalp.62 AdHocCommitteeonISC2015~p.83 AdHocCommitteeonBylaws~p.85 CraigLaPlante GaryBroderick PhilLaPlante MarkWolfanger Broderick/Warner ElectionofOfficers~p.107 RogerMcCabe JamesElmore Blance/Grammo DarleneLombardo RogerMcCabe NewBusiness OtherNewBusiness AppointMinutes‐ReviewAdHocCommittee Adjourn NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page3 NYSSAANNUALMEETINGRULES ThisAnnualMeetingisbeingheldforthebenefitofthememberclubsofNYSSAandtoprovidethe opportunityforthecurrentBoardofDirectorstoissueaStateoftheOrganizationReport.In addition,theBoardofDirectorsisaskingthevotingdelegates,representingthememberclubsin NYSSA,toprovidetheabilitytoconductitsbusinessfortheupcomingyearthroughthepassageofa proposedbudgetandthroughtheelectionofitsofficers. AnotherareaofappealfromtheBoardofDirectorsisforthevotingdelegatestorespondtothe reportsoftheStandingCommittees. TheBoardofDirectorsisaskingthatthefollowingrulesandpoliciesbefollowed: 1.Substitutionsforvotingdelegateswillbehandledonacase‐by‐casebasis. 2.Tobeseatedasadelegateyouneedtopresentyourdelegateticket(receivedatcheck‐in) andarriveontime. 3.DelegatesarrivingafterRollCallhasendedwillnotbepermittedtovote. 4.MicrophonesareavailableforvotingdelegateuseinaddressingtheAnnualMeeting. 5.Paperballotswillbeavailableforallvotestakenrequiringapaperballot. 6.ApprovalofaStandingCommitteereportmeansapprovalforanyrecommendationsbythe CommitteeReport. 7.ElectionofOfficerswillinvolveannouncementoftheslateofofficersaspresentedbythe NominatingCommittee.Eachofficewillbeginwithnominationsfromthefloor.Ifanofficeis contested,theneachnomineewillberequiredtoaddressthedelegates.Allvotesforanyofficewill bedoneonpaperballotunlessthereisonlyonecandidatefortheofficeunderconsideration. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page4 SECRETARY’SREPORT NewYorkStateSnowmobileAssociation AnnualMeeting RochesterRiversideConventionCenter Sunday,April12,2015 TheannualmeetingoftheNewYorkStateSnowmobileAssociationwascalledtoorderbyat9:00 ambyPresidentJamesElmore. TheColorswerepresentedandPledgeofAllegiancewasrecited. GuestSpeaker(9:00am‐9:29am) GusBeschfromCSXgaveapresentationonCSXOperationLifeSaver.Gusisalocomotiveengineer forCSXandrepresentsCSXinpromotingsafecrossingofrailroadlines.Hespokeaboutthedangers ofthetracksandsnowmobilescrossingthem.Heexplainedthattrainsoftodayareequippedwith GPSandcamerasthathavetheabilitytocapturethelicenseplateandregistrationnumbersoff vehiclesthatarefoundonthetracksasatrainpassesby.ACSXfreighttraintakesupto10,000feet tocometoastopandCSXisveryseriousabouteducatingridersonthedangersofbeingonliverail lines. President,JamesElmorewelcomedthedelegatesanddesignatedSteveAndersonasthe Parliamentarian.DominicJacangelo,AnneO’DellandJimRolfwerenamedtheelectiontellers. PaulCosta,WilliamVanKleekandMikeSchabot,alloftheTawaeriTaquiTrailblazersSnowmobile Club,weredesignatedasSergeantatArms. RollCall: RollcallofthememberclubswastakenbyDominicJacangelo.Therewere345delegatespresent. Motion#25‐2015RosanneWarneroftheTri‐ValleyTrialRidersmadeamotiontoaccepttheroll callasitwasclearthatthereweremorethanenoughdelegatespresenttoconstituteaquorum.Joe StuckoftheHorseheadsSnowmobileClubseconded. Discussion:None RecordoftheVote:Allwereinfavor;motionwascarriedunanimouslybythedelegates. OFFICER’SREPORTS: Secretary’sReport–AprilAnnualMeeting2014 TheSecretary’sreportfromthe2014ForumwasincludedinthemeetingmaterialonPage5.There werenocorrectionsoradditionsnoted. AdHocCommitteeMotion#26‐2015TheAdHocAnnualMeetingReviewCommitteemadea motiontoapprovetheminutesaswritten. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page5 Discussion:None RecordoftheVote:Allwereinfavor;motionwascarriedunanimouslybythedelegates. Treasurer’sReport–JohnOcchino TheTreasurer’sreportwasincludedinthemeetingmaterialonPage12. StartingBalance–$339,258.05 Endingbalance–$413,683.86 NetBalanceIncrease–74,425.81 TotalIncome‐$906,923.86 TotalExpenses‐$826,498.05 TheTreasurer’sreportwasacceptedaswrittenwithnofurtherconsiderations. President’sReport–JamesElmore ThePresident’sreportwasincludedinthemeetingmaterialonPage13andwasacceptedas written. STAFFREPORTS: TrailCoordinator’sReport–JimRolf TheTrailCoordinator’sreportwasincludedinthemeetingmaterialonPage15andwasaccepted aswritten. InadditionJimreportedthattheBulkSignordersformsarelocatedonpages107and108ofthe Forummaterial.HereportedthattheAdirondackTrialConferencewillbeheldinLongLakeon May9th,2015.AdigitalcopyoftheTrailLiabilityInsurancehandbookwillbesentouttheclubsvia email. GeneralManager’sReport–AnneO’Dell TheGeneralManager’sReportwasincludedinthemeetingmaterialonPage22andwasaccepted aswritten. AnnethankedeveryoneforcomingtorepresenttheirclubsattheAnnualMeeting.Shethankedthe Events&PromotionsCommitteeforputtingtheeventtogether.Annemadeacorrectiontothe printedmaterialandnotedthattheWayneCountyDirectorisDarleneLombardo. AnneattendedstateeventsthispastyearandrepresentedNYSSAtoeducateothersontheissues snowmobilingfaces.Shemetthegovernorandremindedhimthatsnowmobilingiscriticaltothe NewYorkStateeconomy.ShethankedLoriPinckneyforherassistanceintheoffice. Membership Theseasonendedwith63.451membersofthose,60%joinedtheirclubsonline. AnnethankedbothDominicJacangeloandJimRolffortheirhelpthroughouttheseasoninfielding phonecallsandstatedthatshehasalotofappreciationwiththeClubAdministratorsforhelpingto bringthemembershipsin. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page6 SuperRaffle 82,350ticketsweresentouttoclubs.Ofthose,26,315weresold(32%)whichwasthehighest numberofticketseverreturned.TheDelawareRidgeRiderswerethetopsellingclubthisyear. VacantDistricts Alistofcountieslackingrepresentationonthestatelevelwasincludedinthemeetingmaterial. AnneaskedclubstopleasefindsomeonetorepresentthemiftheircountyiswithoutaDirector. AlternateDirectorscanbenamedandthedutiescanbesplitbetweenmorethanoneperson especiallyforcountiesonthefaredgesofthestate. LetterofUnderstanding(LOU) ThecompletionoftheLOUisdue.Anneaskedtheclubstogoonlinetoupdatethecontact informationandcompletetheirLOU. DMVRenewals AnnewilltrytoletclubsknowwhentheDMVwillbemailingouttheregistrationrenewalssothat clubscanbeginsendingoutmembershippackets. SLEDNY SLEDNYisnowa501(c)3.Anneexplainedthattheproposedmembershipincreaseisneededfor theclubstocontinuemaintainingthetrails.Shestatedthatoftheincrease,$1wouldgotoSLEDNY toassistintheeverincreasingcostsoftheEducationalForum.Moneyfromthisincreasewillhelp payfortheForumandreducethecostofregistrationsfortheclubs. Discussion:Annewasaskedhowmanymilessherodethisseason.Shestatedthatsheonlyrode onetimethisyearandthankedJimRolfforlettingherridehisArcticCatsnowmobileononeofthe DirectorRides. ExecutiveDirectorReport–DomJacangelo TheExecutiveDirector’sreportwasincludedinthemeetingmaterialonPage26andwasaccepted asread. Forum2016&2017 DominicaskedhowmanypeoplewerefirsttimersattheForumandabouttwodozenhandsraised. HeexplainedtheprocessthecommitteeusesinchoosingthevenuethattheForumwillbeheldat. Dominicreportedthatthe2016&2017ForumandAnnualMeetingswillbeheldinLakePlacid. The2016eventwillbeheldnextyearfromApril29‐May1st.LakePlacidprovidedthecommittee withthemosteconomicallysoundproposalthatwillkeepcostsdownasmuchaspossible. ForumMaterial Dominicaskedclubstopleasetakethetimetoreviewthematerialfoundinthebindersandnoted thatthereisaCDincludedinthefrontpocketofthebinder.TheCD’sarefilledwithalotof informationfortheclubs.Thecommitteewasabletogetthemproducedatacostof$.59each. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page7 EventSurveys Surveyshavebeenplacedoneachtableanddelegatesareaskedtopleasefillthemoutanddrop themintheboxesatthedoors.Inanefforttokeepcostsdown,delegateswerealsoaskedtodrop theirWoody’stagholdersinthebinsatthedoorsotheycanbeusedagainnextyear. EconomicImpact Dominicstatedthatthiswashis5thAnnualMeetingandhehasenjoyedeverysingleminuteofbeing theExecutiveDirectoroftheassociation.Hesaidthatwhenhewasfirstinterviewedforthe position,hewasaskedwhyhewantedtobetheExecutiveDirectorandhesaidthathewantedtodo itbecausesnowmobilingisfun.Heremindeddelegatesoftheeconomicimpactthatsnowmobiling hasinthestateandtoldeveryclubpresentthattheyarealargepartofthetourismindustry. Snowmobileclubsshouldbeviewedbythestatethesamewayasahotel,restaurantorastore. Clubsneedtorememberthattheyarejustasmuchofadrivingforceintheeconomyasbusinesses. SLEDNY SLEDNY(Snowmobile,Leadership,Education,andNewYork)isthecharitableentityofNYSSA.A yearlyreportoftheorganizationaswellasthebudgetwillbeprovidedintheNYSSAAnnual Meetingpackets.HeexplainedthattheNYSSAOfficersarealsotheofficersoftheSLEDNY organizationandthestructureissetupmakingthemtheoneswhovoteonthebudgetand expensesoftheorganization.NYSSAisthesolememberoftheorganization. TakeaFriendSnowmobiling DominicstatedthatherodemorethanAnnethisyearandparticipatedinmanyoftheTakeaFriend Snowmobilingeventsacrossthestate.Heenjoyedridingmanyoftheclubstrailsthroughoutthe state.Hejokedthathewasnotaverygoodriderandthankedthosewhohelpedhimkeepit togetherthispastseason.Heremindedeveryonethatthepeopleattendingtoday’smeetingare friendswhowillbetheretodefendothersnowmobilerswhenissuesshowupinthesport. Snowmobilerssupportsnowmobilers. COMMITTEEREPORTS: ExecutiveCommittee–RandyPhillips TheExecutiveCommitteeReportwasincludedinthemeetingmaterialonPage32. RandyreportedthattheExecutiveCommitteehadoneresolutiontobringbeforethedelegatesand theresolutioncanbefoundonpage37oftheAnnualMeetingpacket. Randyreadthemotionoutloud. NYSSABoardofDirectors: Motion#20‐2015aspresentedbytheNYSSAExecutiveCommitteeonMarch7,2015. AdditionalRevenueforClubs AttheMarch7,2015NYSSABoardofDirectorsmeetingtheExecutiveCommitteebroughtforwardthe followingmotion.Themotionpassedunanimouslybutmustbeadoptedbythedelegatestobebinding ontheclubs: NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page8 “TheExecutiveCommitteeofNYSSAbringsforthamotiontoincreasetheminimumannualclub duesfromthecurrent$25to$30,anincreaseof$5.Ofthe$5increase,$4willberetainedbythe cluband$1willbeadonationtoSledNY.Undertheproposed$30minimumduesstructure,forthe firstclubmembershippurchasedbyanindividualorfamily,theclubwillretain$24foritsusage,$5 willremaintheNYSSAduescharge(processingfeescontainedherein)and$1willrepresenta donationtoSledNY.Foreachadditionalmembershippurchasedbythatindividualorfamily,the clubwillkeeptheentire$24lessprocessingfees.Asisthecaseunderthecurrent$25minimum, thisisonlyaminimumamountthataclubmustcharge,andclubsarefreetochargehigheramounts astheyseefit,keeping100%ofanyadditionalduesamountcharged.” Justification: Thecurrentminimumdueswereadoptedbythedelegatesinatthe2006AnnualMeeting.Since thattimetheminimumclubdueshavestayedat$20.Theresolutionhastheeffectofincreasing duestotheclubby$4.Duringthispastseasonmostclubsexpendedconsiderableresourcesto preparetrailsandmaintainequipmentthroughoutthewintermonths.Inaddition,higherthan averageoffseasonmaintenanceexpensesareexpectedbymostclubs.Since2007,theCPIhas increasedbyover16%diminishingsignificantlyhowfarmembershipfeescancarryaclub.Rather thanproposeanincreaseinthestateregistrationfeetoindirectlyandinefficientlygetmoneytothe club,anincreaseintheminimumclubmembershipfeeisproposed. SLEDNYisthe501(c)(3)(notforprofitcharitable)extensionofNYSSA.Theprimarymissionof SLEDNYistheeducationofbothmembersandthepubliconallmattersrelatingtosnowmobiling. ThispastyearSLEDNYwasthemajorsponsoroftheEducationalForumandwastheleadingforce fortheTakeaFriendSnowmobilingprogram.SLEDNYhasnostreamofrevenueotherthan donations,eventregistrationfees,grantsandmoneyprovidedbyNYSSAtocarryoutspecific projectsduringtheyear.Donationshavebeenminimalandeventregistrationfeesmostofthecost ofForum.Duringthepastfewmonthsastheproposed2015‐16NYSSAbudgetwasbeingprepared itwasandcontinuestobeapparentthatmanyimportantcommitteeprojectshadtobepostponed becausethefinancialresourcestocarrythemforwardcouldnotbeidentified.Inaddition,atthe 2011AnnualMeetingthedelegatesvotedtomoveforwardwithaPublicRelationsprogramwithout payingforitonanongoingbasis.ThePublicRelationsprogramhasproducedmanypositivestories forsnowmobilingandsnowmobileclubsthroughoutthestate.Bytransferringeducationaland safetyprogramstoSLEDNY,NYSSAwillbeabletosustainandexpandthePReffortintothefuture andgreatlyimprovetheAssociation’swebcapabilities.The$1toSLEDNYwillcarryour educationalprogramsforwardandgreatlyexpandthem. Whattheclubschargeforamembershipistotallyuptotheclubaslongasitdoesnotgobelowthe minimumsetbythisresolution.Itisalsolikelythatwithpassageofthisresolutionitwillstilltake manymonthstoupdateouronlinemembershipsystem.Theamountschargedbytheonlinesystem willbebasedonwhatisreturnedintheLOUfromtheclub.Thoseclubsthatalreadycharge$30 willhavethechoicetostaythesame(theadditionaldollarwillstillbepaidtoSLEDNY)orhave theirmembershipincreaseby$1inwhichcasetheywillbeheldharmless.Ofcourse,anyclubmay choosetogohigher. Discussion:RandyPhillipsstatedthatthejustificationofthisresolutionistobringmoremoney andrelieftotheclubsinthemostefficientandfastestway.SLEDNYdoesnothavearevenue streamthatistaskedwitheducationinsnowmobiling.This$1donationwouldprovidearevenue streamtohelppayfortheforumandothereducationalprograms.Thiswillreducethecostsfor clubswhosenddelegatestotheannualmeetings. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page9 Questionsaboutthemotionitself: ClarenceChamberlin,oftheSledsofStaffordaskedaboutthecostoffamilymembershipsand questionedwhythatwasnotaddressedintheresolution.Randystatedthateachclubcanchoose thecostoftheirfamilymembership.Itcanbewhatevertheydecideaslongasitmeetsthe minimumcostofamembership. MattSkuseoftheInletBarnstormersSnowmobileClubaskedhowitwouldbeimplementedifit passestoday.JimElmorestatedthatifpassed,NYSSAwouldthenhavetodiscusschangeswiththe websiteprogrammer.Theclubswouldnothavetodoanything.Mattwasconcernedthatpeople wouldrenewtheirmembershipsassoonastheyhearaboutthechange.DominicJacangelostated thatassoonasthechangeismadeonthewebsiteanemailwillbesentouttoeachclubnotifying themthatthechangeiscomplete.Ifpeoplerenewbeforethechangeismadethisyearthenthey willreceivemembershipatthe$25rate.Dominicestimatedthatthetimelinetocompletely implementthemembershipincreasewouldbe60‐90days. KenRadleyoftheSledsofStaffordaskedifthemembershipminimumshouldbeincreasedto$35 becausethereareclubswhoarealreadychargingatthe$30rate.Hefeltthatitshouldberaisedto $35tomakeitevenacrosstheboard. PeterYorkoftheShawneeSnowChiefsaskedwhatotherprogramswouldbeincludedwiththe revenuestream.KateRolfstatedthatintheSafetyandEducationCommitteereportlocatedon page47ofthemeetingmaterialittalksaboutonlinesafetyclassesforadultsandLawEnforcement Organizations.Thecostofonlineeducationisveryexpensive.TheincreasewillalsogotoSTEP inspectorreimbursements. CharlieHulloftheHorseheadsSnowmobileClubaskediftherewouldbeachangethesecondary membershipcosts.JimElmoreclarifiedthatthesecondarymembershipfeewouldnotincreaseas itissolelygovernedbyeachindividualclub.CharliestatedthatParksshowedthatmorepeopleare payingthe$100insteadofjoiningtheclubs.Hejustwantedtonotethatthatnumberofthosenot joiningclubsisincreasingeveryyear. Therewerenofurtherquestions. JimElmorereadthemotionaloudagain. Motion#27‐2015Aspresentedabove. Discussion:Therewasnofurtherdiscussion. RecordoftheVote:Themajorityofthedelegatespresentvotedinfavoroftheresolutionto increasethemembershipfee;motionwascarried. GovernmentAffairs–HalFleischman TheGovernmentAffairsCommitteeReportwasincludedinthemeetingmaterialonPage39and wasacceptedaswritten.AcopyofthereportfromCapitolGroupwasincludedinthepacketon page40. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page10 TrailDevelopmentandFunding–PhilLaPlante TheTrailDevelopmentandFundingReportareincludedinthemeetingmaterialonPage47and wasacceptedaswritten. PhilLaPlantestatedthatthecommitteehadnomotionstobringbeforethedelegates.Philreported thatthecommitteehasworkedonalotofissuesthisseasonandtheTrailsCommitteehasalso workedwiththeSafetyCommitteeonanumberofissues. SafetyandEducation–KateRolf TheSafetyandEducationCommitteeReportwasincludedinthemeetingmaterialonPage47and wasacceptedaswritten. TheGuidelinesfortheSTEPprogramareincludedintheForumBinder.Thereisnomoneyinthe budgettoimplementtheSTEPprogramthewaythecommitteewouldlikeittobedone. Discussion:MarkKesselringoftheHiltonSnoFlyersstatedthatheappreciatedtheCSX presentation.Heaskedthatwhentalkingaboutsafety,theyouthandadultberemovedandjustbe referredtoassafety.HewouldliketousetheCSXpresentationinhissnowmobilesafetyclass.He statedthathehadbeenteachingthesafetytrainingclassforover10yearsandfeltthatthe attentionspanofthekidsneedstobetakenintoconsideration.Hewantedtomakesurethatthe onlineportionoftheclassisnottoolongandfurthernotedthattheonhandsportionoftheclass shouldbethefocus.Hestatedthatabout30%oftheattendeesathisclassesareadults.Heagain askedthatitnotbeseparated.JimRolfstatedthathehadrequestsfrommagistratesanddistrict attorneysthattheonlineclassrequirementsbeusedonlyforadultswhoaremadetotaketheclass bycourtorder.Hedidnotwanttoseesnowmobilingwhileintoxicated(SWI)offenderstaking classeswithchildren.Markhadnoproblemswiththatandstatedthathedisagreedwithaprior reportthatstatedthatkidsdon’thavetheattentionspantositthroughtheclass.Jimnotedthat Parksispushingtohaveayouthonlineclassfortheconvenienceofchildreninthedownstateareas. NYSSAisnotinsupportofhavingayouthonlineclassrequirementthateliminatesthehandson portionoftheclass.KateRolfnotedthatMarkwasreferringtominutesfromanoldNYSSABoard ofDirectorsmeeting. Events&Promotions–DarleneLombardo TheEventsandPromotionsCommitteeReportwasincludedinthemeetingmaterialonPage52. DarleneLombardothankedAnneforthecorrectionofhernameintheForummaterial. Sheencouragedeveryonetofilloutthesurveysplacedonthetablesanddropthemintheboxon thewayouttoday.Sheaskeddelegatedinpleaseincludeideasfortheplanningcommitteewith whattheywouldliketosee.ChristineGrosstabulatesthesurveysandthecommentsarebeing usedtoimprovetheevent.TheycanalsobeemailedtoanyNYSSAofficerortheNYSSAoffice. Membership&Communications–DominicJacangelo(CommitteeChairnotpresent) TheMembershipandCommunicationsCommitteeReportwasincludedinthemeetingmaterialon Page53. ThereportwasgivenbyExecutiveDirector,DominicJacangelofillinginfortheabsenceofthe committeechairman. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page11 CreditCardProcessingFees DominicreportedthattheM&CCommitteemadeseveralchangesthisyearthatendedupindollar savingsfortheassociationandclubs.TheHeartlandcreditcardprocessingcompanywasarranged todecreasethecreditcardprocessingfeesandtheprincipalrepresentativeisasnowmobiler.The programisworkingflawlesslyanditisexpectedtoseeasavingsinprocessingfeesofseveral thousanddollars. SafetyPublications Thecommitteedesignedthesafetrailsignlocatedonpage53ofthemeetingmaterialtoencourage registrationsandclubmembership.SLEDNYpurchasedthepostersthatwereprovidedtothe clubs.Aplasticversionoftheposterisalsoavailabletoclubsatacostof$2.50each.PleaseseeJim Rolftopurchase. AllstateSponsorship ANYSSAmembershipcardwasincludedinamailingthatwasmailedtoeveryonewhojoined beforeJanuary29th.Thecostofthemailingwas$38,000andcompletelypaidforbyAllstate Insurance.DominicthankedAllstatefortheircontinuedsupport. SnowmobileRegistrationTotals Totalsnowmobileregistrationsfortheseasonsurpassed121,000. Discussion:MikeWorzeloftheTiogaRidgeRunnersaskedwhyclubshavetoabsorbthecostof creditcardprocessingfeesandfeltthatacheckboxshouldbeaddedtotheonlineregistrationsite topassthoseprocessingfeesontothememberswhoarejoiningonline. Budget&Finance–RogerMcCabe TheBudgetandFinanceCommitteereportwasincludedinthemeetingmaterialonPage54. TheProposed2015‐2016Budgetwasincludedinthemeetingmaterialbeginningonpage66. Motion#28‐2015TheNYSSABoardofDirectorspresentsamotiontoapprovetheProposed2015‐ 2016Budgetaspresented. Discussion:RogerMcCabenotedthattheproposedbudgetshowsapositivebudgetof$595tothe good.Therewerenoquestions. RecordoftheVote:Allwereinfavor;motionwascarriedunanimouslybythedelegates. AdHocISC2015–GaryBroderick TheAdHocISC2015CommitteeReportwasincludedinthemeetingmaterialonPage84. GrayreportedthattheInternationalSnowmobileCongresswillbeheldonJune10‐13thinNiagara Falls,NewYork.Thewebsiteaddressis:ISC2015.comandencouragedpeopletoattend.Thereisa reducedone‐dayfeeforNYSSAmembers.ThefirstISCwasheldin1969inAlbanyandthelasttime theeventwashostedbyNewYork,itwas1980andheldinNiagaraFalls. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page12 NEWBUSINESS: By‐LawsCommittee RogerMcCabereportedtherewerenoBylawschangesrequestedthisyear;thereforetherewillbe noneedtovoteontheBylawsthisyear. ElectionofOfficer’s–NominatingCommitteeChairmanGaryBroderick GarystatedthattheslateofcandidatesforofficeareincludedintheForumbinderonpage101& 102. CANDIDATES: Treasurer–JohnOcchino NominationsfromtheFloor TherewerenonominationsweremadefromthefloorforthepositionofTreasurer. ThefloorwasclosedandoneballotwascastinfavorofJohnOcchinoforthepositionofTreasurer. Secretary–RosanneWarner NominationsfromtheFloor TherewerenonominationsweremadefromthefloorforthepositionofSecretary. ThefloorwasclosedandoneballotwascastinfavorofRosanneWarnerforthepositionof Secretary. VicePresident–CraigLaPlante NominationsfromtheFloor TherewerenonominationsweremadefromthefloorforthepositionofVicePresident. ThefloorwasclosedandoneballotwascastinfavorofCraigLaPlanteforthepositionofVice President. President–JamesElmore NominationsfromtheFloor TherewerenonominationsweremadefromthefloorforthepositionofPresident. ThefloorwasclosedandoneballotwascastinfavorofJamesElmoreforthepositionofPresident. RecordoftheVote:Allwereinfavorofthemotiontovoteinfavoroftheslateaspresented.A unanimousvotewasrecorded. NYSSAwouldliketothankRandyPhillipsforhisserviceasVPfortheorganizationoverthepast coupleofyears. NewBusiness NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page13 Therewasnonewbusinessbroughtbeforethedelegates. MeetingReviewCommittee PresidentJamesElmoreappointedMarkWolfangeroftheQuadCountySnowmobileClub,Jane ChaddockoftheGeneseeSnowPackersSnowmobileClubandDaveVanDerlindeoftheLakeshore SnowDevilsSnowmobileClubcommitteetoreviewandapprovetheminutesfromannualmeeting. Adjournment Motion#29‐2015Withnofurtherbusinessbroughtbeforetheboard,GaryBroderickofthe ShawneeSnowChiefsSnowmobileClubmadeamotiontoadjournthemeetingat10:53amand RogerMcCabeoftheMarillaSnowMobSnowmobileClubsecondedthemotion. Discussion:None RecordoftheVote:Allwereinfavor;motionwascarriedunanimouslybythedelegates. RespectfullySubmitted, Rosanne Warner NYSSASecretary NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page14 2015‐16ANNUALTREASURER’SREPORT ByJohnOcchino,Treasurer Current FiscalYear Last FiscalYear StartingBalanceasofApril1,2015/2014 $413,683.86 $339,258.05 EndingBalanceasofMarch31,2016/2015 364,309.92 413,683.86 NetBalance(Decrease)Increasefor2016/2015 $(49,373.94) $74,425.81 2015‐2016IncomeSummaries NYSOPRHPTrailGrant(TrailInsurance) Memberships Donations CorporateSponsors ForumRegistrations SaleofProduct(IncludesBulkSign) WebSiteAdvertising OtherSources $310,596.00 $316,596.00 275,244.01 416,994.85 89,700.00 116,315.00 40,635.65 32,049.87 ‐0‐ 22,311.00 34,545.0428,606.48 13,700.00 21,311.33 356.39 2,159.32 TotalIncome $764,777.09$906,923.86 2015‐2016ExpenseSummaries TrailInsurance $301,969.07 $299,096.00 EmployeeSalaries,TaxesandBenefits 178,773.26159,848.43 OfficeExpensesandSupplies 39,334.56 31,676.51 TravelExpenses,TransportationandLodging 25,833.23 30,006.95 ContractandOutsideServices 48,399.35 15,607.63 Lobbyist 60,480.00 60,480.00 PoliticalContribution 5,000.00 5,000.00 CharitableDonationsandGifts 5,500.00 4,857.44 ForumCosts ‐0‐ 65,942.76 ISC2015 ‐0‐ 17,465.30 MeetingExpenses 41,898.0537,378.00 RegistrationsandDues 5,550.006,793.00 PublicRelations 18,000.00 19,900.00 BankFees 35,294.71 36,656.46 OtherExpenses 48,128.80 35,789.57 TotalExpenses $814,151.03$826,498.05 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page15 PRESIDENT’SREPORT JamesJ.Elmore president@nysnowmobiler.com 585‐813‐4610 IwouldliketowelcomeyoutoourSLEDNYEducationalForumandtheNYSSA AnnualMeetingbeingheldinLakePlacid.Thelasttimewewerehere,2013,a majorityofourmembersreturnedtheirsurveysrankingLakePlacidasoneof thebestplacestohostourevent.TheLakePlacidcommunityandbusiness leadershavebeenpatientlyawaitingourreturn.Theyenjoyedourlastvisitto thispartoftheStateandhavebeengreathostsforthisevent.Pleasetakethe timetovisittheirbeautifulandhistorictownandtheirgreatlocalbusinesses andactivitiestheyareoffering. The2015‐2016snowmobileseasonisinthebooksandwhatahorriblewinterwehadacrossthe State.Recordlowsnowfallandwarmtemperaturesdidoursportnofavorandhurtmanyofour businesspartners.Manyhotelsandrestaurantssufferedfromthismildwinteralongwithmany othersnowrelatedbusinesses.Wehavetohopewedonotseeanotherwinterlikethisforalong time.Snowmobileregistrationsstatewidewereatornearrecordlowsforthepast15years.This directlyeffectsthesnowmobilemaintenancefundforourclubstopayfortrailupkeep.Withno snowthisseason,thousandsofour2014‐2015membersdidnotrenewtheirduestotheir respectedclubforthisseason.Thisisnotagoodpracticeanditdoeshamperyourclubfornext seasononplanningbudgetsandexpenditures.Membersshouldstrivetokeeptheirclubdues currentforeveryseason.NYSSAprovidesmanybenefitsforourmembersingoodstanding.You losethesebenefitswhenyoudonotreneweachyear.OurbusinesspartnerslikeSuperTrax magazineandNILCOInsuranceCompanyofferfreebenefitstomemberswithcurrentandupto datemembership.Youalsoreceiveadditionalbenefitswithourbusinesspartnersoffering discounts.Please!Trytoremindyourfellowsnowmobilerstoatleastkeeptheirclubduescurrent yearroundsotheydon`tmissoutonmanyofthediscountsandpromotionalproducts LastyearNYSSAhostedthe47thAnnual InternationalSnowmobileCongressinNiagara Falls,NewYork.Ourstaffanddirectorsworked tirelesslyformonthsleadinguptotheevent.I receivedmanycomplimentsfromoutofState andCountryvisitor’sonhowmuchofavery informativeandentertainingISCthiswas.They enjoyedtheirtimeandlovedvisitingNiagara Fallswithmanyclaimingtheywereplanningon comingbackwiththeirfamiliestovisitNiagara Fallsagain.OurfeaturedspeakerfortheISC wasLeviLavalleoftheWinterESPNX‐gamesandsnocross series.Youwillhaveachancetomeet andhearLeviatourForumthisweekend.Wewereveryimpressedwiththisyoungmanandhis understandingofoursportandwhatittakestobuildandmaintainourtrails. WehadmadesomemajorplansonpromotingandexpandingourTakeAFriendprogramthis season.MotherNaturedidnothelpusasyouareallawareof.Wehadtocancelseveraldatesthis season.Wehopetobeabletoaddthesesitesbackonourschedulednextseason.NYSSAwillnot stoppromotingthisimportantprogram.Oursportneedstoinfusenewpeopleintotheactivityand increaseparticipationofnewpeopleacrossthestate.Ihavemetafewpeoplethatneverrodea NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page16 snowmobilethatafterattendingoneofourTakeAFriendsessionsnowareproudsnowmobile owners.Thisprogramdoesworkandisproducingresultsforus.Wewillcontinuetolookfornew areasacrossthestateforthisevent. Atlastyear’sForumthedelegatespassedaclubduesincreaseof$5permembershipwithanextra dollargoingtohelpfundSLEDNY.Thisyearwewereabletodropthepriceperpersonon attendingtheForum.WiththelowerpricewehavemoresnowmobilersattendingtheForumthis yearthanlastseason.Thiswasoneofmygoalstohelplowerthepriceofattendingtheannual meetingforourmembersandhelpsavetheclubsanextraexpenseofattendingtheForum.The SLEDNYEducationalForumandNYSSAAnnualMeetingistheofficialendofourseason.NYSSAand ourclubsonlybecomestrongerwhenmoreparticipateinourvisionandactivities.Youwillbe askedtovoteonaproposaltocutinhalftheamountofsnowmobilersattendingfutureForums acrosstheState.IfyouthinkexcludinghalfofthemembersfromparticipatingwithNYSSAisthe wrongthingtodo,pleasevoteNOonthisproposal.Weneedtokeepourdoorswideopenandnot possiblyshuttingouthalfofourcurrentmembersfromparticipating. Thebignewsthelastfewyearswas gettingourStateGovernorinvolved withsnowmobiling.Governor AndrewCuomohasbeenoutseveral timeswiththeNYSSAleadershipteam andlocalclubofficialstorideourtrail system.Heisthoroughlyimpressed withouractivityandourtrailsystem acrosstheState.Heiscommittedto ensurethetrailsystemcontinuesto striveandtoseeoursportbecomea majorattractiontobringmorepeople intooursport.TheGovernor’s messageformanyofourcitizensisto getoutsideandenjoywhatourstateoffersduringthewintermonths.Hehasmadeacommitment toseeourtrailfundgrowandremainviableforourclubs.Hehasbeenagreatadvocateof snowmobilingwiththismessageandhasbeenagoodfriendofsnowmobiling.Welookforwardto hiscontinuedsupportandIlookforwardtoseeinghimonourvolunteerbuilttrailsystemmore often. IwouldliketoremindourdelegatesyouwillbeelectingnewofficersonSunday.Thisismyfinal yearasPresident.Therecomesatimewhenallgoodthingsmustend.Ihaveenjoyedmytimeas Presidentoftheworld`slargestsnowmobileassociation(atleastuntilWisconsinpoststheir2016 numbers).IbelieveIhaveleftNYSSAinabetterfinancialpositionmovingforward.Ourstaffis verydedicatedandtheyworkveryhardonbehalfofourmembersandassociation.Iwillmiss workingwiththem,theydoagreatjobandarealwaysavailabletoassistourmembersforany snowmobileissue. StaysafeandIwillseeyouonthetrailsnextseason. JamesElmore,President NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page17 VICEPRESIDENT’SREPORT CraigLaPlante vicepresident@nysnowmobiler.com IthasbeenaninterestingyearformyselfasmyfirstyearasVicePresident. AlthoughitwasnotaverygoodseasonIhavelearnedalotabouttheinner workingsofNYSSA. FirstwasISC2015,whichwasveryeducationalandNYSSAputtogetheragreat showforeveryone. ThenthereweremeetingsregardingtheAdirondackTravelCorridor,whichI haveaconcernwithasitentailsmyclub.Wemaintain25milesofthistravel corridorduringthesnowmobileseason,weonlygroomed5milesofitonetimethisseason.I attendedthepubliccommentsessionsinTupperLakeandUticaregardingtherailsremoval.Ialso attendedtheAdirondackParkAuthoritymeetinginJanuarywhenitwasproposedthattherailsbe removedfromTupperLaketoLakePlacid. ThenthemanyeventsthatNYSSAattendssuchastheBigEastshow,variousGrassdrags,and fundraisersforclubs. ThePinkRibbonRiderssentacallforhelpandNYSSArespondedwithacrewandhadagreat showingforsupportforthischarity,weassistedinRegistrationandTrailLeadersfortheirride, againwithoutalotofsnowweshowedtheparticipantsagreattimeandagoodevent. TheotheractivitiesthatIwasinvolvedwithweretheEmergencyResponsewiththeNewYork StatePoliceandtheNewYorkStateThruwayAuthority,therewillbemoreinformationcomingout toclubslaterthissummertobepreparedfornextwinterseason. Ihaveattendednumerouscountyassociationandfederationsmeetingstoofferanyassistanceor informationthattheyneeded. AlsotheGroomerreclassification,workingwithParkswasagreatstepforward,alongwiththe announcementfromtheGovernor'sOfficeaboutadding$425.000intotheTrailFund,mostrecently theproposalofaddingthe$5.00fromRegistrationmoneytobeaddedbackintotheTrailfund. IthasbeenagreatpleasuretoserveasVicePresidentandamlookingforwardtoanotheryearof servicetoNYSSAmembersandclubsifre‐elected. IalsowouldliketomentionhowmuchIenjoybeingpartofSLEDNYaswehavehelpedprovide someeducationalfundingforTrainingandSafetymaterials,andmostimportantlythereducedcost fortheEducationalForumthisyear. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page18 STAFFREPORTS TRAILCOORDINATOR JamesE.Rolf jrolf@nysnowmobiler.com 888‐624‐3849x102 The2015‐16winterseasonhereinNYSshouldunfortunatelybeconsidered“the winterthatneverwas”duetothelatestartandthelackofreallyevengetting startedoutsideofthe“lake‐effectareas”.Eventhoseareaswhichdidreceive enoughsnowtoallowridinghadveryshortseasons. Whilethe230+TrailMaintenanceEntities(TMEs)wentoutandpreppedtheirtrail systemsforsnowbysecuringlandownerpermissions,applyingforthoserequired permits,buildingbridges,installingneededculverts,poundingstakesinopenfields,hangingsigns, planning/undertakinganyreroutes,andmakingsuretheirgroomingunitsanddragswereallsetto go,MotherNatureandJackFrostjustwouldn’tcooperatetogiveusenoughofasnowbaseandcold temperaturestohaveanenjoyableseason.Wecanonlyhopepositivelyforabetterwinterherein theGreatLakes/NorthEastarea. LANDOWNERS:Ialwayswanttostartoutthankingthelandownerswhoallowtheirlandstobe usedforlegalsnowmobiletrailseveryyear.Theirgenerosityalongwiththetremendousamountof effortthattheclubs’volunteersperformforthesakeofprovidingsnowmobiletrailsiswhatgives usthelargenetworkofsnowmobiletrailsthatwehavehereinNYS.I’dliketosuggestthatweall doabetterjobofrecognizingthesepeopleasthemainfactorsthatprovideuswiththesnowmobile trailsforourrecreationalenjoyment.IagainwanttopersonallygiveabigTHANKYOUtoall involved.Keepupthegoodwork! ATERRIBLEWinter!Thisyearfollowedupthe“goodwinters”of2013‐14and2014‐15,which werebilledastwoofthecoldestwintersonrecord.Inbothofthoseseasons,snowreallydidn’t startuntillateDecorevenJanuary,butthemonthsofJanuaryandFebruaryhadheavysnowstorms andcoldtemperaturesthatallowedtheridingseasonstogowellintoMarchandevenintoApril during2015.Nosuchluckthisyear,whereevenTugHilllostmostoftheirsnowinearlytomid‐ March. RegistrationandClubMembershipNumbers:NYSDMVsnowmobileregistrationnumberswere DISMAL,tosaytheleast.Justover91,000sledswereregistered,representinga30,000decrease! ThatrevenueshortfallwillultimatelyleadtoareductioninthereimbursementratespaidtoTMEs. Clubmembershipnumberswerealsodownover20%aswell.Again,thisshortfallmeantlessfunds availabletoclubsindirectfundsfromtheirmembers.Consideringbothoftheserevenueissues, manyclubsmayhavefinancialissuesgoingintonextyear.Itcertainlywouldbehelpfulifall snowmobilersinNYScompletelycomprehendedwhatjoiningclubsearlyandregisteringtheirsleds meantothestatewidetrailsystem.Whilemostwantsmooth,well‐signedtrails,moneytodo exactlythatcomesfromclubmembershipsandtheDMVregistrationtrailfundprogram. UPDATE:Sincewritingthis,wordcameoutwithanofficialannouncementthattheGovernor included$425,000.00inadditionalfundingtogodirectlyintothededicatedSnowmobileTrailFund ANDthattheSenateandAssemblyincludednewlegislationthatwillgivetheTrailFundan NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page19 additional$5perDMVregistrationwithoutincreasingtheregistrationfees!WOW!Whatan accomplishment!WecertainlymustthanktheGovernorandourelectedofficialswhosupport snowmobilingandsawtheneedtoincreasetherevenueintotheTrailFund!Forthosethatwonder whatNYSSAdoes…thisisoneofonlyahandfulofitemsthatareundertakenbehindthescenesby thevolunteers,Directors,Officers,andStaffofNYSSAalongwithourhiredlobbyingfirmtoliveup totheportionofourMISSIONwhichreads: “NYSSAseekstopreserveandimprovesnowmobilinginNewYorkState. NYSSAworkstowardimprovingtrails,facilitiesandservicesforparticipants,anddefends snowmobilersagainstdiscriminatorylegislation.NYSSAworkstoprotectlandowners,review andwatchdogtheNYSTrailFundandisconstantlyseekingadditionaltrailfunding programs.” SafeTrailsEducationProgram:STEP:Alargepercentageofmytimeisspenton“consistentand uniformtrailsignageeducation”withineachcluballacrosstheState,aswellasbetweenoneclubto thenext.OPRHP’sSnowmobileTrailSigningGuidelineshandbookincludesthesigning recommendationswhichallTMEsandTownsthatmaintainsnowmobiletrailsobtainthisinfoon howtosafelysignthetrails.NYSSA’sstatewidetrailliabilityinsurancepolicypremiumhas consistentlybeenloweredduetolesslawsuitsandlowerloss‐runsfromaccidentclaimsduetothe TME’sdoingamuchbetterjobofsafelysigningtheirtrails.Againthisyear,ourpolicypremiumhas gonedownwhilepolicylimitswereINCREASED.Wemustcontinuetoimproveinthisareainorder tokeepthepolicypremiumsdownandourtrailssafe. Signingtrailsforsafetyisafactorinourinsuranceloss‐runhistory.Clubswhohavebeen instrumentalinmakinggreatstridesinconformingtothesigningguidelinesarepartofthereason whyourinsurancepremiumcontinuestogodown.Havingsafetrailsmeanslessaccidentclaims andfewerlawsuits.Weallthankyoufortheeffort!Thereiscontinuingdiscussion/debateon cuttingbackonthetrailsignageonthesnowmobiletrailsinternationally,althoughtheacceptance ofonlydoublestakingthesnowmobiletrailswillremain.Parkshasdraftingsuggestedchangesand willbeworkingwithNYSSA’sTrailCommitteeforinput.Asthesediscussionsprogressandfinal suggestionsaremadeonsignage,IwillnotifyeveryTME. IwanttothankthoseTMEsthatwerealertedoftheirdeficienciesinregardstotrailsignagethe pastfewyearswhothenwentoutandcorrectedtheirtrailsignageissuesquicklyaftersuch notification.WhileactualSTEPtrailinspectionswerenotabletoallbecompletedthisyear,the manythatdidtakeplaceviaroadsshowedtothevolunteerSafeTrailAdvisers(STAs)thatmost TMEscorrectedtheirissues. STEPsignageclassesareheldacrosstheState,andwearealwayslookingformoreSTAinspectors tohelpclubsseewheretheymaybelacking.OneissueIheardabouttheSTEPprogramwas complaintsbythepastSTAadviserswantedtosee“TEETH”intotheprogrambyParksandNYSSA inresponsetothoseTMEswhoignoretheguidelinesandconsistentlydon’tsigntheirtrails properlyandsafely.NYSSAdiscussedtighteningoftheruleswithrecommendedpenaltiesforthose TMEsthatcontinuetodisregardtheirresponsibilitiestotheprogram.AllTMEsarecoveredunder thesametrailliabilitypolicyinNYSSA’sname…TMEsmuststrivetosignthetrailsuniformly andconsistentlyforsafetyandenjoyablerides! TheSTEPprogramisrunundertheSafetyandEducationCommittee’sbudget,whichtheadditional $1.00perprimarymembershipincreasefromlastyear’sForumhelpstoallowthiseducational programtobefunded.InordertoprovideamorecomprehensiveSTEPprogramwithmoreSTA NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page20 adviserswhocaninspectmoretrailstoprovideforevenbettersafetysignage,theSafety CommitteeusesthisbudgetrevenuetooffsettheSTAvolunteers’travelmileageandother expenses. STEPClasses:Aspointedoutabove,eachyearnumerousSTEPclassesareheldacrossNYto educateourclub’svolunteersontheproperprocessofsafelymarkingtrailsandwhyitneedstobe done.PartIofthisclasseducatesattendeestothesigningguidelinesintheNYSParksSnowmobile TrailSigningHandbook.STEP’sPart2portioninstructs“volunteerSTAadvisers”ontheproper inspectionprocessthattheyundertakewithneighboringclubstocorrectanyimpropersignage areasandtohelppointoutanyhazardsthatshouldbemarked.Thisprogramisbecomingmore andmorepositive,asSTAadvisersareshowcasingthepropersignageintheirphotographsjustas oftenastheyaredocumentinganymissingsignage.Clubsthenseethesereportsinordertocorrect anydeficienciesorinconsistenciesthatareviewedbytheSTAadvisers.Theseclassesaretaughtby volunteerinstructorsorbymepersonally. STEPSatelliteProgramsarerunthroughaCountywhereaCountySTEPManagersetsupthe classesandtrailinspections,thenfollowsthroughwithonereporttome.SomeSatelliteprograms havebeensuccessful,withsignificantimprovementsinbettersignage.IthankthoseSTEPSatellite Managersfortheireffortsandreports.WedoneedadditionalSatelliteProgramstotakeonthis effortforbettersignagethough. Unfortunately,withthisyear’s“TERRIBLEWINTER”,mostoftheSTEPinspectionsweredonefrom thevehiclesonroadswithSTAswalkingoutontothetrailstogetasenseofcompliancewith picturessubmittedtomeasoftenaspossible.Iftherewereanyindicationsofnon‐compliancewith thesigningguidelines,theclubswerethencontactedandwentrightouttofixwhatwasdeemedto beinconsistent.IalsowanttothankboththoseSTEPclassinstructorsforhelpingoutandtheSTAs forbeinginvolvedinthisprogram.TogetherIthinkwehavemadestridesinmakingourtrails bettersigned,effectivelymanagingourtrailliabilityrisksbetteroverthepastrecentyears. BulkSignOrder:IhaveagainnegotiatedthelowestpossiblepricesfortrailsignsthroughVoss SignsofManlius.TheformsthatmustbeusedareincludedinyourForumBook,andwillalsobee‐ mailedtoeachclubatleasttwiceoverthenext3months.The“DROP‐DEADdeadline”forordering throughthe2016NYSSABulkSignOrderprogramisJuly10th.Clubsareurgedonceagainthisyear tonotpassupthistremendoussavingsopportunityforneededtrailsigns.NOTE:Thereare2 (two)signorderformsthisyear.ThenormalBulkSignOrderformandtheEmergencyE‐911Sign orderform(E‐911signsarecourtesyofAllstateInsurance).Theactualsignsandassociatedstock numberscanbeviewedathttp://www.vosssigns.com/products/stock/snowmobile‐atv/. Weareusing1(one)orderformagainthisyearforthesigns,butareofferingclubs2differentsign stylechoicesforsomeofthesignsavailable:theregularreflectivebeadingsigns(RB)andthenewer 3M‐stylefullreflective‐sheeting(FRS).TheFRSsignsaremadewiththenewesttechnologyinsign reflectivity,likeweseeonnewerroadsigns.Thesenewer,thickerFRSsignslastlonger,reflect sled’sheadlightsmuchbetter,anddon’tbendaseasilywithoutabacker.Wealsohaveincludedthe newrectangle‐shapedcornerarrowthatfitsbetterwhen2arrowsarebeingplacedattheapexofa cornerononestakeaswellastheStayRightANDBetweentheStakes“poster‐sized”signthisyear. IhighlyrecommendthatclubsoptforthethickerfullFRSsigns.Thecostovertheolderstylesigns isminimal,especiallywhenconsideringtheylastlongerandreflectlightmuchmoreeffectivelyfor bettersafety. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page21 PleaseadheretotheBulkSignOrderdeadlineof7/10/16,astherewillbeNOEXCEPTIONSonlate ordersinordertogetthesignsoutbySept.Excelsheetsorfillable‐pdfformswillbesentoutcanbe e‐mailedorsentbacksnail‐mail,butthecorrectcorrespondingchecksMUSTbesentinpriorto7‐ 10‐16tohavetherequestsincludedinthefinalsignorder.Sales‐taxexemptionformsMUSTalso besentinbythedeadline! IfthesignthatyouwantisnotontheBSOform,youcanalwayscontactVOSSSIGNSdirectlyto orderthose.Wecan’toffereverysignavailable,andtrytosticktothemainsignageusedonthe trails.AHUGEthanksgoesouttotheDirectorsthathavealwaysofferedtotakebackthesign ordersfromourSept.meeting. NationalGridLands:ClubsareagainremindedthatforanyoftheirtrailsonNationalGrid property(ownedorsomedeededright‐of‐ways),theymustalsoapplytothecompanyforaTrail LicenseAgreementANNUALLYinordertousethesepropertiesasanapprovedsnowmobiletrail. Contactmefortheirnumber. TrailFundProgram:WorkingcooperativelywithChrisFallon,JimMacFarland,andBennett CampbellfromParksonalloftheaspectsoftheTrailFundProgramwhichaffectsTMEs,Ireview theannualPhasedocumentafteritisreleasedandnotifyclubsofthelinkontheParkswebsiteas soonastheyareavailable.IreceivemanyquestionsaboutTrailFundpolicyissuesaswellasATGP entryquestions,helpingoutParksasoftenaspossiblebyansweringthequestionsthatIcan. Clubvolunteersshouldhavebynowenteredtheirlaborhoursfortrailwork;equipmentused; groomerhours;insurancepolicyexpenses;signorderinvoices;bridge&culvertpurchases;andany otherTRAIL‐RELATEDexpenditures.Pleasedon’tincludeexpensesincurredforNON‐TRAIL RELATEDlabor,groomerrepairs/payments,orothernon‐allowedexpenditures.The60‐day requirementtoenterallexpenditureswasimplementedthispastseasonandwillcontinuetobein forcegoingforward.Pleaseadheretothisrequirementbyenteringeveryallowablelaborhourand expendituresassoonasitisdoneand/orpaidfor. TrailsCommitteeProjects:TheTrailsCommitteeundertook2significantprojectsontopofthe otherissuesthatcameundertheirdirectionthisyear.OnewasworkingdirectlywithParkson groomerunitclassifications,continuingalong‐standingprojectthatthecommitteehasbeen workingonforyearsnowbutneverwasimplemented.TheotherwasplacingGPSunitsinasample ofgroomersandseeinghowthedatacanbeusedforourTME’sneeds. Thegroomerreclassificationprojecttookalargechunkofthecommittee’stime,astheytookapast committeesuggestionthatwasneversupportednoradoptedbyParksandupdatedit.Previously, Parksused3groomerclassestosethourlyratestothatarethenusedasjustificationinthePhase IIIATGPpages.Thecommitteefoundmanyerrorsinsomeunit’sclassassignmentsandworkedto correctthosefirst.AftermuchresearchoneachmodelofgroomerthatisusedtodayinNYS,they partneredwithParkstodevelopcriteriafor5classesofunitsandsetratestobemorein‐linewith wheretheywerelastyeartowhatthecommitteefeltwasproportionallyfair.Parksacceptedthe suggestionsinthisyear’sdocumentation. WorkingwiththecommitteeandafterasuggestedconferencecallconnectionbytheSt.Lawrence Co.AssociationPresident,IreviewedVerizon’son‐boardGPSunits,researchingwhattheyoffered thenInegotiatedadealtohavethemallowNYSSAto“demo”3unitsthisyearATNOCHARGE.Jeff ContinooftheTrailsCommitteeworkedwithanotherGPSunitcompany,AtlasTrax,tosecurea significantlyreducedcostfor3oftheirunitstocompareaswell.Obviously,bythetimewe receivedthese6unitsandsentthemtothelocationswheretheywouldbetestedallacrossthe NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page22 State,thesnowwasgone!Weareworkingwiththese2companiestokeepthedemounitsfornext seasontoseeifthereportswhicharegeneratedwillhelpclubsintheirATGPreporting.Theproject willhavetobedelayeduntilnextyearbeforepresentinganyfactualfindingstoParkstoconsider havingthemininstalledinthegroomers. TrailLiabilityInsurance:Agoodmajorityofmytimeeachdayallwinterseasonisspenton insuranceissues.Ibrowsethroughsnowmobileblogsitesdailytoreadaboutsnowmobileaccident reportsaswellashaveautomaticnotificationssenttomye‐mailfromYahooandGoogleReports. AsIreadaboutanyunfortunateaccidentsonornearourtrailsystem,Ithensendthelocalclub(s) theNYSSAaccidentreportformthatistobefilledoutandthenforwardthemontoourinsurance agency.Insomecases,aninvestigationisthenorderedbytheinsurancecarriertoprotecttheclub, landowners,andNYSSA.Ialsodealwiththeriskmanagementcompanyontheseinvestigationsas wellastheattorneythatisretainedifaclaimisfiled.ItisEXTREMELYIMPERATIVEthatclubsfill thisformoutforevery“incident”onorneartheirtrailsystem.Earlynotificationallowsforthe insurancecompanytogatherthepertinentinformationabouttheaccidentandthetrailconditions. Weather(temperatureandvisibility),lasttimegroomed,photosoftheaccidentscene,andsign verificationinthevicinityoftheincidentareallimportantfactorsinallowingourattorneytobe abletoproperlyprotecttheclubandlandownerincourt. SLEDNY/NYSSAInsuranceHandbook:Theupdatedhandbookisbeingfinalizedandshouldbe availablefordistributiontotheclubswhoattendtheForum.EveryNYSSAclubofficerwhomwe haveane‐mailaddresswillalsoreceiveadigitalcopyofthe2016‐17InsuranceHandbook.Those clubsthatrequestahard‐copywillhaveonesenttothem.TheNYSSAaccidentformisfoundinthis handbookandmustbefaxedtotheNYSSAandtheinsurancecompanyassoonaspossibleafteran incidenthappensonyourclub’strails. TheNYSSATrailLiabilityInsurancePolicyisinplacetoprotecttheTMEs(clubs)aswellasprivate landownersandpublicmunicipalitieswhoaregraciousenoughtoallowsnowmobiletrailstobe locatedontheirlands.Inordertokeepthepolicy’spremiumdownandriskundercontrol,clubs adheretotherequirementsthattheinsuranceagencyhasinplaceaswellasthesigningguidelines thatParksincludesintheSigningHandbook.Thisisastatewidepolicythatprotectsusallunder thesameumbrella…pleaseunderstandthatandkeepupthegoodworkofmanagingourriskby developing,signing,maintaining,andgroomingthesafesttrailspossible. SnowmobileSafetyCourseOnline:TheSafetyCommitteeiscontinuingtolookintoendorsing andpromotinganonlinesnowmobilesafetycoursethatanysnowmobilercouldtaketobecome morefamiliarwithsnowmobilesafety.Thiscoursecouldbetailoredto“newbies”tooursportas wellasarefreshercoursetoeveryrider.SLEDNYisbudgetingforcostsassociatedwithdeveloping suchaproject. TheCommitteewouldliketoseethisOnlineCoursebethe“PartI”ofanewyouthsafetyprogram whichwouldalsoincludeashorter“hands‐onsafetycourse”thatattendeeswouldgotoin‐person. AsuggestionthathasbeenfloatedisthatParkswouldchangetherequirementinNYSLawthat requiresyouthtoattenda10‐hourcourseandinsteadreplacethatwithacertifiedandapproved onlinecourseofaround3hoursthenincludea3or4‐hourcoursethattheyouthswouldneedto attend.Weallknowthatit’shardtokeepayoungchild’sattentionduringthe10‐hourcourse…this newproposalwouldgiveyouthstheonlinecourseandthenattendahands‐oncourseafterthat. AdirondackTravelCorridor:Thisissuehasbeenmentionedoverthepastcoupleofyears, regardingthelong‐standingdemandbymanyADKbusinessesandsnowmobileridersthatuse(or NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page23 trytouse)therailroadcorridorbetweenRemsenandLakePlacidtoremovetherailssoa4season trailcanbeestablished.TheAdirondackRailTrailAdvocates(www.theARTA.org)hasworked feverishlyoverthepast4yearstogettheentire90milesbetweentheOldForgeareatoLakePlacid convertedtoamulti‐use,4seasontrailthatwouldcontinuetoallowwintertimesnowmobileuse. NYSSAdidendorsearesolutiontosupportARTA’sproject,solongasafewmajorcaveatsare consideredwhichwouldkeepthetravelcorridorownedbyDOT,theDECkeepstheUMPforthe entirecorridorintactasitisnowwithsnowmobileuserecognized,andthattheADKScenicRRis allowedtorunthe2endsectionsamongothers. Alongwithallofthesnowmobilecommunity’spubliccommentsbeingsubmittedontheRemsen‐ LakePlacidTravelCorridorUnitManagementPlan(UMP),wealsohadthemountainbike,snow‐ shoe,hiking,cross‐country‐skiingandwalkinggroupsthatchimedintotheStatetohavetherails removedaswell.Afterthreesuchpubliccommenteventsover3years,whicheverysnowmobiler whosentinthecommentsdeservesahugethankyoufor,StateofficialsattheDECandDOTfinally determinedtoremovetherailsonthesectionbetweenLakePlacidandTupperLake…agreatWIN butonlythefirststepinouropinion.ThispastNovember,theAdirondackParkAgencydetermined thatremovingtherailsfromthetravelcorridorandconvertingtheState‐ownedlandtoatrailDOES conformtheStateLandMasterPlanandcanproceed. Thatdecisionhasnotbeenacceptedbytherailroadfansandtheyhaveturnedtothehistorical agenciesintheState,Federalgovernment,andlocallytohelpthemfightthedecision.Thetrain enthusiasts,whosupportcontinuingwiththeAdirondackScenicRailroadalongthissection,are promotingrepairoftherailsandtieswhichhavebecomesorottedovertheyearsinthissection thattrainscannotrunthere.NYSSAholdsthepermitforthissectionofcorridorfromtheNYSDOT, andweseethebenefitsofa“rail‐lesscorridor”inthatsectionforourwintertimesnowmobile visitors.TherailroadvendorhasalsothreatenedtosuetheState(whichownsthecorridorAND givesthemtheirpermittoruntheirtrainsonthecorridorANDreimbursesthemwithNYStax‐ payerdollarsforthevolunteermaintenanceworktheyperformonthecorridor.Doesn’tseem prudenttoMEtobitethehandthatfeedsyou?). Weshallhavetowaitandseeifsuchalawsuitcomesaboutthatwoulddelaytheplannedrail removalinthelatefallof2016.IfallgoesastheUMPmentions,wemighthavearail‐less34miles oftrailintheTri‐Lakesareathiscomingwinter!Again,thankyouallforyourlettersofsupport duringthesepast3yearstogetthisinitiativeofftheground.Nowitwillbesettledpoliticallyand legally,bythesoundsofit.WealsohaveconcernsabouttheclassificationoftheDEC’sUMPofthe corridoraswellasretainingsupportforsnowmobilesalongthelineIFtherailsareremoved. Severaldiscussionsareongoingastoalternatives,fromatrail‐along‐the‐railplan(whichseemsto benotveryviableinmostareas)tofilling‐intheballastsabitsoitdoesn’ttakeasmuchsnowtobe abletogroomthetracks. GroomerOperatorSafetyCourse:NYSSAisonceagainhostingatrainingcourseatthisyear’s Forum.Everyonewillreceivetheircertificatesofattendanceattheendoftheclass.Othergroomer operatorcoursesareheldaroundtheState,andIwouldbegladtohelpanyassociationor federationscheduleonebycontactingme. RequiredSafetyClassestoCutTreesonStateLands:Thereare4requirementsthatmostState agenciesincludeintheirpermittingofvolunteersnowmobiletrailtreecuttingworkonlandsthat theyhavejurisdictionover.ChainsawSafety,1stAid,CPR,andBloodBournePathogenscoursesare allbeingtaughthereatthe2016NYSSAEducationForum.Eachclubwithagreements/permitsto maintaintrailsonStatelandshouldreadthroughthetexttobesurewhatisrequired. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page24 TheapprovedChainsawSafetyCoursewillagainbeofferedthisyearatTheSLEDNY/NYSSAForum. Attendancecertificateswillbehandedoutattheclassthisasoccurredlastyear.Pastparticipants thathavenotreceivedtheircertificatesofattendanceatapreviousNYSSA‐sponsoredclassshould contactmefortheircertificate.OnethingthatallpastChainsawClassattendeesshouldknowis thattherehasneverbeenarequestmadebyaDECOfficerorForestRangertoapersonthatis cuttingtreesonStatelandstoproducethecertificateonthespot,buttheywilltakeyournameand checkwiththeclubwhoholdsthepermitforthatland.Thereasonforthecertificateisforproof thatoneattendedacourseincaseanaccidenthappens.Nobodycarriestheircertificateswiththem astheyarecutting,buttosetyourmindsatease,allpastattendeesareonfileattheDECoffices. Yourclubshouldalsohaveyournameanddateoftheclassonfileforanyneededfuturereference. TakeAFriendSnowmobilingEvents:LastyeartheNYSSABoardofDirectors,Staff,andOfficers discussedtheneedtoattractmorepeopleintothissportinordertogetourregistrationnumbers andclubvolunteernumbersup,aswellasgetthosethatdon’tregistertheirsledstodoso!Six(6) TakeaFriendSnowmobiling(TAFS)eventswerescheduledfordifferentareasaroundtheStateto promotesnowmobiling.Theeventswereallmeanttopromotesnowmobilingasasafe,friendly, familyrecreationalpastimethatenhancesthewintertimeeconomy.Unfortunately,duetothis TERRIBLEWINTER,acoupleoftheeventswerecancelledcompletelyandallbut2hadtoeliminate theridingportionoftheirevents.Weplantocontinuetohavetheseeventsgoingforwarddespite thisyear’sissues.Areaswithasnowmobile‐relatedeventthatwouldlikeNYSSAtoconsider hostingaTAFSeventatthesametime,pleasecontactus. AdirondackTrailsConference IamintheprocessofsettingupthedateandlocationfortheAnnualADKTrailsConference.As soonasIhaveitset,IwillnotifyallclubsandtheTownTMEsrepresentatives.Asinthepast8 annualconferences,thisallowsforTMEstomeetwithDECofficialstogooveranynewsnowmobile trailprojectsaswellastoworkonbettercommunicationbetweenthem.Ithasbeenhighly successfulovertheyearssinceDavePerkinsstartedtheconceptofthismeeting. Again,…LandownersDeserveMoreR.E.S.P.E.C.T.:“StayOnTrail,ORStayHome”and“Trail Closed”signs:Weallseethemhungonthetrails.Someridersstilldon’tcomprehendtheirmeaning though,becauseIdoreceivealargenumberofcomplaintsfromclubsandlandownersabouttracks venturingofffrommarkedtrailsandridingpastclosedgates/fencesorpastsignsandribbonsthat areplacedtoindicatetrailclosures. ClubsdoNOTputthesesignsupjustbecausetheywanttospendtrailfundmoneyonthem!Usually suchsignageisplacedinareasofsensitiveissues.Manylandownersdemandtheclubskeepriders toacertainareaandthat’swhyyouseetheStayonTheTrailsigns.Maybetherearehazardsthat theclubisconcernedaboutifonerodeoutsideofthemarkedtrails?PLEASEdotheclubsafavor evenwhenyoudon’tseethatsign…STAYONTHEMARKEDTRAILSandOFFfromanyCLOSED TRAILS,showingrespectforourlandownerssothetrailswillremainwherethey’relocatednow andalsosotheclubsdon’thavetore‐routetrailsduetothosenotpayingattentiontosignage. ClubVolunteers:Andwecan’toverlooktheobvious…withoutclubvolunteersperformingthetens ofthousandsofhoursclearingtrails;gettingthegroomersready;planningandworkingatclub fundraisers;signingthetrails;groomingthetrails;enteringalloftherequiredpaperwork; attendingtherequiredclassestolearnaboutalltherules/regsoftheState‐administratedfunded trailprogram;andwhoarewillingtobeeducatedtoeverythingTRAILSattheseEducational Forums…therewouldn’tbesuchacompletesnowmobiletrailnetworkthatweallgettoenjoyhere inNYS.Thankyoutoallinvolved! NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page25 WhatdoesaStatewideSnowmobileTrailsCoordinatorforNYSSAdoallyearlonganyway?I getthisquestionquiteoften,soIwillgivesomeexamplesofwhatIdooffthetopofmyhead: continueddevelopmentofNYSSA’seducationoftheTrailMaintenanceEntity’s(TME’s) Officers&volunteersonthesigningandgroomingprogramsavailablethatmaketrailssafer - interactswithTMErepsandlandownersonaccessissuesandinsurancecoveragequestions - dealswithlandownerandgeneralsnowmobilercomplaintsabouttrailconditions/club issues - workswiththeNYSOPRHPsnowmobileunitemployeesonthe3phasesoftheTrailFund applicationprocessandanyATGPdataentryissues - worksdirectlywiththeNYSSATrails,Safety,andGovernmentAffairsCommitteeson projectsdealingwithtrails,safety,andlegislationtobetteroursport - takinganactiveroleinthebi‐weeklyconferencecallswiththeotherNYSSAstaffand officerswithourPublicRelationsfirmonpressreleases - helpsfacilitatethepermitrequirementsbetweenNYSSAandNYSD.O.T.fortheRemsento LakePlacidTravelCorridorUnitManagementPlanforclubsandsnowmobilerstousethe segmentofthecorridorbetweenDec1sttoApril31stannually - workswithourinsuranceagent,insurancecompany,andourretainedcounselsonany lawsuitsbroughtaboutduetounfortunateaccidentstomanagetherisktoourpolicy - becomingtrainedandmoreinvolvedwiththeGISdataofthetrailsystem(includingclub trailsinventory,narratives,andthenumberingofsuch“clubtrails”) - attendmeetingswithmanyregionalandstatewidetrailassociations(suchasCTANY,PTNY, andmore)torepresentthesnowmobilecommunity - workwithclubstobettercomprehendtheirimportantrolesinaccidentreportingand followinguponsuchreportswithourinsuranceagency - meetswithDEC,DOT,APA,andotheragenciesaboutsnowmobiletrailissues - workingwithutilitycompaniestoallowsnowmobiletrailaccessontheirproperties - overseetheinspectionoftrailsthroughtheSTEPprogramaswellasvisitingaccident scenesthenfollowingupwithtrailreportsandrecommendations There’sdefinitelyalottodoallyearlong,andit’smostlyanenjoymentdealingwithallthese differentdutiesandhelpingclubswithanyaspectofthetrailmaintenancethattheysignedupfor. Ifanyonehasanyquestionsorneedsanyassistancewithanythingtrailrelated,feelfreetocallme ore‐mailme. - NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page26 GENERALMANAGER AnneM.O’Dell nyssaoffice@nysnowmobiler.com 888‐624‐3849x101 Despitethelackofsnow,2015‐16wasanincrediblybusyseasonhereattheNYSSA Office.ItwasarealchallengeproducingtheSLEDNYForuminAprilinRochester, andthensixweekslaterhavingallthedetailsnailedfortheInternational SnowmobileCongress,June10‐132015inNiagaraFalls. ThiseventwasbiggerthantheForuminsomeways,andsmallerinothers.Biggerin thatitwasfourfulldaysofclasses,events,andsidetrips.Smaller,becausethere werefewerattendees.TheISC2015committeeandNYSSAstaffputinhours,days,andweeks– beginningin2011‐tomakethisthesuccessfuleventitwas.Therewasalotofprideinhavingthis eventtakeplaceinNewYorkagain.Itcertainlyhelpedraiseawarenessofsnowmobilingwithinour Stategovernment‐LieutenantGovernorHochulattendedandspoketothegroup. Itseemedthatnosoonerwasthatworkdone,thanthe2015‐16snowmobileregistrationrenewals weremailedbyDMV.Actually,emailreminderswerereceivedonJune25,andpaperrenewalshit theUSMailrightafterthat,receivedbyourmembersaroundJuly17.Iamgratefulfortheongoing supportofpart‐timeemployeeLoriPinckney,whohelpsouteachyearwhentheseasonisuponus. BySeptember1,withthehelpofourDirectorsandClubs,Ihad gatheredthe56prizedonationsfortheSuperRaffle,andgotthose postersandticketsprintedandreadyfordistribution6monthsprior tothedrawing. TheBigEastshowcameandwent,withitsflurryofactivity.Honestly, formeitwasabluroftrailerlogistics. SpenttimeinNovemberandDecemberhelpingcreateandpublicize theTakeAFriendSnowmobilingeffort(anotherwebpage)–littledid weknowoureffortwouldbenearlyfornaught,asonlyoneortwo eventshadenoughsnowtogoforward.Thosethatdidbrought Nothing you do to promote the sport is ever a waste of time. muchjoytothepeoplewhoparticipated,whohadeithernever snowmobiled,orhadnotriddenforaveryverylongtime.The Governor’swinterrecreationadcampaignkeptthephone ringingtoo,withpeoplefromNYCandotherstatesasking wheretheycouldrentsnowmobiles. Ourmembersbeganoptimisticallycallingtorenewtheir memberships,andbyDecember18,wehadreachedover 30,000members–abouthalfwhatweexpecteachseason.Littledidweknowwewouldendthe seasonwithjustover51,000.Thereweresomeissueswithpeoplebeingchargedmultipletimes– eachonehadtoberesearchedandrefundsissuedifwarranted.(Wethinkthiswascausedinpart bytheuseofsmartphonesinareaswherethesignalisnotparticularlygood). TheEventsandPromotionscommitteedecreedthatRegistrationfortheSLEDNYEducational ForumwouldopenonJanuary1,shiftingatremendousamountofworkintoDecember.The NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page27 speakersandschedulemustbeset,beforetheRegOnlineregistrationsystemcanbe“built”to accommodateregistrations.Itgotbuilt,nightsandweekendsinDecember,andregistrationopened onJanuary1! Andthenitdidn’tsnow;thephonequieteddown,andIwasable toenjoyChristmaswithmyfamilywithoutbeinginterruptedby someonelookingfortheirmemberid. Thequietdidn’tlastlong,astheongoingprojecttoupdatethe NYSSAWebsitehadbeengoingoninthebackground,andwas shiftedtotheforeground.Sowhilecriesof“Whyyounosnow” wereheardfromendtoendinourstate,wecontinuedtopress forwardwiththateffort. Ourwebsitehasexistedinitscurrentformsince2008,sotherewasalotofworktobedone. NextStepDigitalprovidedthecreativetalentandthetechnicalhtmlhorsepowertobuildthe structure,thetemplate,andsomecustomprogramming.Theywereabletomovealotofthe existingcontentover.Butateveryturnthereweredecisionstobemade,screenstoreview, milestonestoachieve.FinallyDom,JimandIhadtoreallylookatthesitestructureandcontentand workonthedetails.Youcanseethenewsitetoday,atwww.nysnowmobiler.com. Throughallthis,IwastheeditorforourtwoprintissuesofNewYorkSnowmobilerMagazine,and producedtwelveissuesoftheNewYorkSnowmobilerOnlineMagazine,rightatmyowndesk.The productweusetoemailourmembers,ConstantContact,requiresconstantupdatingeachmonthto makesurewehaveeveryone’scorrectemailaddress. SLEDNY,acompletelyseparatecorporation,placesasecondsetofdemandsonmytime. NationwideandNILICOrequestamailinglisteverysooften,eachyear,ofournon‐opted‐out members,sotheycanmailbenefitofferstothem.Althoughthoselistscomeinrawformfromthe NYSSAOnlineMembershipSystem,eachcompany’srequirementsaredifferent,soittakestimeto getthemright,beforetheyaresharedwiththesesponsors. PinkRibbonRiders’JodiMcKaysentoutalast‐minutepleaforhelpforthe2016SnowRun,heldin OldForgeinFebruary.OffIwenttoassistwhereverIcouldwiththateffort,alongsidefiveorsix othersfromNYSSA. Withover700registrationsfortheSLEDNYForum,MarchandAprilflewbywithpreparationsfor theeventwe’reenjoyingrightnow. AndnowitisApril(wellreally,May)again;andthecyclestartsover, withLettersofUnderstandingduefromtheClubs,Director CertificationsfromtheDirectors,andawholenewseasonahead. SoClubs,Isympathizewithyou.Youdidatonofworkthisseason, clearingandmarkingtrails,gettingmembersintoyourclubs, planningfundraisingevents(thatprobablygotcancelledinmany cases),workingongroomers,buildingbridges,andenteringyour timeintheATGP.Ihopeyouatleastgottoride,evenonce.BecauseI didnot.That’sok…. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page28 CLIPANDSAVE–HandyCalendarforNYSSASnowmobileClubs NYSSABoardofDirectorsMeetingsaregenerallyheldthefirstSaturdayofeachmonth.Check www.nysnowmobiler.comCalendarofEventsforschedule. APR1 APR1 APR APR APR StartofthenewSeason. LetterofUnderstandingavailablefornewseason(OnlineMembershipSystem).DueMay1. NYSSAEducationalForum&AnnualMeeting(NYSSAOffice) SuperRaffleDrawing(NYSSAOffice) ACSA“DCFly‐In”LegislativeVisittoCapitol(ACSA) MAY CertifyaDirectortorepresentyourDistrictatNYSSA’sBODMeetings.(NYSSAOffice) MAY1 CompleteandreturntheLetterofUnderstandingbeforeMay1.(OnlineMembershipSystem). MAY BulkSignOrderFormsAvailable(TrailCoordinator) MAY SuperRafflePrizeDonationFormAvailable(NYSSAOffice) MAY31NYSSnowmobileTrailsGrant‐in‐AidProgramPhaseIIIDeadlineforPostProjectsubmissionsfrom LocalSponsorincludingdocumentation(OPRHP) JUNE InternationalSnowmobileCongress(ACSA) JUNE NYSSAScholarshipWinnersAnnounced(NYSSAOffice) JUNE30NYSSnowmobileTrailsGrant‐in‐AidProgramTrailSystemPriorApprovalPhaseIApplication Deadline(OPRHP) JULY BulkSignOrderDuetoTrailCoordinator JULY DMVMailsSnowmobileRegistrationRenewals(DMV) AUG NYSSnowmobileTrailsGrant‐in‐AidProgramFinalpaymentsprocessed.(OPRHP) SEPT SuperRaffleInfoKit&TicketOrderFormAvailable(NYSSAOffice) SEPT PhaseIITrailFundingApplicationdeadline.(OPRHP) OCT OCT BigEastPowersportsShow,Syracuse(firstweekend) SuperRaffleTicketsareavailable6monthspriortodrawing.(NYSSAOffice) NOV NYSSnowmobileTrailsGrant‐in‐AidProgram70%paymentprocessbegins(OPRHP) DEC DEC DEC TrailsopenafterhuntingseasonendsandlocalClubsdeclarethemreadytoride. NYSSAScholarshipApplicationsavailable(NYSSAOffice) NYSSAAwardApplicationsavailable(NYSSAOffice) JAN JAN ProposedBy‐LawChangesmustbesubmittedforconsiderationnolaterthantheJanBODMeeting. InternationalSnowmobileSafetyWeek(ISMA) FEB FEB FEB ForumPacket#1Available‐RegistrationopensforNYSSAEducationalForum&AnnualMeeting (NYSSAOffice) DirectorCertificationforms,notificationofAnnualMeeting,andBylawChangeProposals mailed/emailedtoClubs.(NYSSAOffice) TakeAFriendSnowmobilingWeek(ISMA) MAR NYSSAScholarshipandAwardApplicationsdue(NYSSAOffice) MAR DistrictDirectorElections(Clubs) MAR OfficialDelegateCountforAnnualMeetingprepared(NYSSAOffice) MAR15Early(lowprice)RegistrationclosesforNYSSAEducationalForum&AnnualMeeting(NYSSAOffice) MAR ProposedSlateofOfficers&ProposedNYSSABudgetmailed/emailedtoCubs(NYSSAOffice) MAR31EndofRegistrationforNYSSAEducationalForum&AnnualMeeting. MAR31EndofSeason. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page29 EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR DominicJacangelo dominic@nysnowmobiler.com 888‐624‐3849x10 AnnualReportoftheExecutiveDirector SinceJanuaryof2011IhavehadthehonorofservingasyourExecutiveDirector. Togetherwehavebeenthroughupsanddowns;throughgoodwintersand throughhorriblewinterssuchasthispastone.Ihaveenjoyedeverydaywiththe Association,eventhemosttryingones. Backin2012weaskedourmemberswhatNYSSA’smostimportantjobwas?Theresounding responsewastobeastewardofthetrailfund;ensurethatthefundisprotectedandusedasitwas intendedtobeused.Littlecouldweenvisionthenthatitalsomeantseekingwaystoaugmentthe fundsothattheclubscoulddothejobtheywereentrustedindoing;developingandmaintaining thesnowmobiletrailsystem.Whileregistrationshavefallen,theclubsstillneedtomaintainthe samemileageoftrailsthatexistedfiveyearsago. MoremoneyfortheTrailFund Twoseasonsagowestartedlookingforwaystoaugmentthetrailfundwithoutadvocatingforan increaseinthecostofaregistration.Thefactis,wealreadyarepayingfeesandtaxesforwhichwe donotgetabenefit.Wepayhighwayfueltaxesandalthoughweareeligibleforarefundlittleof thatmoneycomesbacktotheclubs.Wealsogenerate$32millioninsalestaxthatwegetlittle returnon. We,(NYSSAandCapitolGroup)beganthequestforadditionalfundswithmanydiscussionswith membersoftheGovernor’sAdministration regardingourcurrentstateofaffairs.While highwayfueltaxeswereanattractivetarget,they arecurrentlypaidintotheHighwayTrustaccount. Tryingtogetthemdedicatedwouldmeangoingup againstthehighwayconstructionintereststhat wouldopposeanyredirectionof“lockedbox”funds. Ourdiscussionsledtoarealizationthatweshould focusourattentiononthemoneythatispaidwith eachregistrationthatgoesintothegeneralfund.In 2004theamountthatgoesintothegeneralfund wasincreasedfrom$5perregistrationto$10,as theoverallregistrationfeewasincreasedto$45 from$25.Itwastimetoturnbacktheclock. APermanentChange ThisFebruarywewererewardedwithanannouncementthattheGovernorwouldaugmentthe TrailFundwith$425,000.Anamountequalto85,000registrationstimes$5.OnMarch10thwe learnedtheStateSenatehadputaprovisionintheirversionofthestatebudgetthatwouldrollback theclockanddedicatemoremoneytotheTrailFundbyreducingwhatthestateretainsfrom$10 to$5.OnMarch30thwelearnedtheprovisionwouldbepartofthefinalstatebudget.Notonly wouldtherebeadditionalmoneyinthetrailfundnextyearbutforeveryyearafterthat. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page30 LotsofcreditgoestoNickBarrellaandCapitolGroupfor thegreatworktheydideducatingourStateLegislators. Butthemostimportantcreditgoestothemanyclubs, individualmembersanddistrictdirectorswhotookthe timetopenalettertotheirStateSenatororMemberof theAssemblystatinghowimportanttheseaddeddollars aretotheTrailFundandtothewintertourismeconomy generatedbysnowmobilers. Mothernaturemayhavegivenusalemonofawinterbuttogetherwemanagedtoturnitinto lemonade.Togetherweprovedonceagainthatourstrengthisinournumbersandtogetherwecan accomplishagreatdeal. ThisYear’sForum Thankyoutoallthosedelegatesfromlastyearwhosupportedthechangeinthemembershipfee structureandthenew$1collectedforSLEDNY.ThisEducationalForumisthefirstthatisbeing fullycarriedandsubsidizedbySLEDNY.Thisyear’s$50earlyregistrationfeereflectsSLEDNY’s prioritytoensuretheeducationofour memberclubsandourmembers. Ninetypercentoftheattendeesatthis year’seventregisteredearlyandare attendingatthe$50fee.Registrations forthisfullForumhavegreatly increasedthisyearoverlast.(There isaseparatereportonSLEDNY.) ANewWebsite. NYSSAnowhasanewwebsitewhichpromisestoprovideourmemberswitheasieraccessto informationaboutsnowmobilingandsnowmobileevents.Justasimportant,thesitewillprovide additionalinformationandeasytoaccessinformationforthosewhohaveneverrodeinNY.The siteisorganizedinadifferentwayandismuchmoreorientedtotherideralthoughtherewillstill beasectionreservedtoclubs.Breakingnewswillbeattheforefrontofthesiteandthesitewillbe moredynamicthaninthepast.Ofcourseitwillstilldothemostimportanttaskofprovidinga portalintothemembershipsystem.Whilewehadprofessionalassistanceinthecreationofthe newsite,agreatdealofcreditgoestoAnneO’DellandJimRolfforthetimetheyputintorewrite muchofwhathadbeenontheoldsite. ISC2015 AsyouknowNYSSA/SLEDNYhostedthe2015 InternationalSnowmobileCongressinNiagaraFalls,USA thispastJune.TheISCwasahugesuccessdrawingin representativesfromthroughouttheUS,Canadaand Russia.NYwasoneofjustafewstateswhichoffereda fourdayevent.Thisyear’seventinSouthDakotawill returntothethreedayformat.Specialthanksgotothe NYSSAvolunteers,staffandISCCo‐chairs,RosanneWarnerandGaryBroderick,whoputintireless hourstomaketheeventahugesuccessnotonlyasaneducationalprogrambutalsofinancially. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page31 Whenallthedollarswerecounted,theeventwasabletogeneratesignificantrevenueforthe AssociationandSLEDNY. TrailGeneralLiabilityInsurance ThispastyearweputoutanRFPforourgeneralliabilitypolicyandtheagentwhowillprovideit. OnceagainFranklinCasewasthesuccessfulfirmandK&Kwasonceagainthesuccessfulinsurance company.Becauseofdiligentoversightofthepolicyandclaimsassociatedwithit,thepolicythis yearwillcostsubstantiallylessthaninprioryears.Forthoseofyouwhohavebeenaroundfora whileyouwillrecallthatthispolicyoncecostthetrailfundnearly$1millionperyear.Thisyear thepolicywillcostaround$265,000.Justassignificantlythecoverageofferedbythepolicywillbe substantiallyincreased.Notonlywillthepolicypayupto$2milperoccurrencebutthereisno generalaggregatelimit.Thatisasignificantenhancementofthecoverageofferedbythispolicy. Thischangewillalsosatisfyseveralsponsorswhohavebegunaskingforhigherinsurancelimitsfor alltheirmunicipalcontracts. Thirdpartydamagestolandownerpropertycontinuestobeanissuewithoutanclearsolution. LastsummertheNYSSABoardspentconsiderabletimediscussingonesituationthathadcomeup wheresignificantdamagewascausedbyanunknownsnowmobilertoalandowner’sproperty. Thesesituationsarenotuncommonbutaredifficulttoresolve.Itstartswiththefactthatithas neverbeendemonstratedthataclubislegallyresponsibleforthedamagecausedbyarogue snowmobiler.Thatstated,weallknowthatthereisamoralobligationonthepartoftheclubtotry tokeeptheirlandownershappysothattheycancontinuetousethelandowner’sproperty.This predicamentwasdiscussedwitheachbiddingcompany.Unfortunately,weneverfoundapractical solution.Manyclubsdealwiththesesituationsoutoftheirownclubresources.Itappearsforthe moment,thatwillbetheonlywaythesesituationscanbeaddressed. StateParks:WorkingCollaboratively OurrelationshipwiththeStateOfficeofParks,Recreation andHistoricPreservationhasneverbeenbetter.Thenew programdirectorChrisFallonhasbeenonboardforalmost oneyearandhasproventobebothprofessionalanda pleasuretoworkwith.Chrishasbeenopentonewideasand topickingupprojectswhichwereviewedasimportantbut wereleftatthewaysidewhileotherissuestookcenterstage. StateParkshasprovidedsupportfortheEducationalForum andISC2015.Supportforthisyear’sforumwillcomefrom RTPadministrativefundsdirectedatmotorizedrecreation. WethankOPRHPforthelevelofsupportwewillreceivethis yearandtheverygeneroussupporttheyprovidedtowards theISC. SLEDNY Atthe2012NYSSAAnnualMeetingthedelegatesauthorized NYSSAtoforma501(c)(3).Thatnon‐profit,charitablearmis knownasSLEDNY.SLEDNYisataxexempt,salestaxexempt organizationwhichmissionistoeducatethepublicand NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page32 participantsonallaspectsofsnowmobiling.PromotionandsafetyarebothpartofSLEDNY’s mission.Hence,SLEDNYtookontheleadershipontheEducationalForumandthe2015ISC.Last yearwasthefirstyearthatSLEDNYtookonmostoftheEducationalForum.Thisyearitwillbethe leadorganizationontheEducationalForum. SLEDNY:Bylaws,governingrulesandbudget SLEDNYisprohibitedfromlobbying.SLEDNYmayreceivetaxdeductiblegiftswhichmaytake manydifferentformsconsistentwiththeIRSCode.TheSLEDNYBudgetisadoptedbyitsboardof directorsinMayofeachyear.TheboardofdirectorsaretheofficersofNYSSA,theChairofthe BudgetCommitteeandtheExecutiveDirector.NomemberoftheBoardofDirectorsreceivesany compensationfromSLEDNYandSLEDNYhasnoemployees.ThebylawsofSLEDNYwereadopted bytheNYSSABoardofDirectorsandmayonlybeamendedwiththeirapproval.Theexisting SLEDNYfiscalyearisApril1throughMarch31.AcopyofthedraftbudgetisincludedintheForum Binder.ThefiscalaffairsofSLEDNYarereviewedbyanoutsideaccountingfirmandbyaninternal reviewonceperfiscalyear.AllmonthlyexpensesoftheSLEDNYarereviewedbytheNYSSA BudgetCommittee.TheSLEDNYBoardmeetseachmonthimmediatelyfollowingtheNYSSA businessmeetingandisopentoalldirectorsandNYSSAmemberswhohaveaninterest. Thisyear’sfinancialreviewgeneratedtworecommendations: 1.ThefiscalyearofSLEDNYshouldbemovedtoJuly1throughJune30ofeachyear.Thischange wouldallowallrevenueandexpensesrelatingtotheEducationalForumtobeaccountedforinthe samefiscalyear.Thischangewillsimplifyaccounting.Thebylawamendmenthasbeenapproved bytheNYSSAboardofdirectorsandweawaitapprovalbytheIRS. 2.SLEDNYshouldpayanadministrativefeetoNYSSAtoreimburseNYSSAforgeneral administrativesupport.ThissupportreflectsthefactthatNYSSAstaffandequipmentareusedon aregularbasistosupporttheorganization.Thisyear’sdraftbudgetreflectsthatrecommendation. Thankyoutoallthosewhosupportedtheproposallastyeartoincludea$1supportforSLEDNYin eachmembership.Acommitmentwasmadeatthatmeetingtosupportandunderwritethecostof theEducationalForum.Thisyear’sregistrationfeereflectsthatcommitment.Withthatsupportin handSLEDNYwasabletolowertheregistrationfeeto$50forearlyregistrationsandwaive registrationsforyouthwhowishtoattendandparticipate.Thisyearwehavebroughtafeatured speakerthatIthinkyouwilltrulyappreciate,LeviLaVallee.HespokeattheISCandwasvery interesting. ThispastyearSLEDNYreceiveda$4000grantfromthe InternationalSnowmobileManufacturerstosupportourTakea FriendSnowmobilingProgram.Needlesstosaythelackof snowmadedoingtheseverydifficult.MythankstothePulaski –BoylstonClub,theGraftonTrailBlazersandtheSevenValley SnowGoersfor pullingoffan event.Attwoof theeventswewereactuallyabletoputfolksonasled andgoforaride.Bothclubshadtodragsnowintothe trailtomakeitworkbutitdid.Wemanagedtoput overonehundredindividualsonasled,manyhad neverriddenbefore.Thesmileswereoutstanding fromparentsandyoungpeoplealike.Westillhavea NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page33 substantialportionofthisgrantavailablefor2016‐17. SLEDNYalsosupportedtheacquisitionofpromotionalmaterialincluding“I [snowmobile]NY”bumperstickersand“LoudPipesStayHome”posters.Witha morepredictablebudgetin2016‐17wewillbeabletodomoreofthese activities. LookingForward Withenhancedfundinginplace,weneedtoensurethateverysledwhichshouldberegistered,is registered.Toomanysledsareoperatingwithoutcontributingtothecareandmaintenanceofthe trailfund.TheGovernmentAffairsCommitteehasbeenworkingonlegislationthatwouldraisethe fineforoperatingwithoutaregistrationandsetaseparatepenaltyforputtingyourstickerinthe wronglocation. WorkingwiththeStateOfficeofParks,weneedtoadjustthetrailfundingstrategytoensurethat trailfundsaredirectedtothoseareaswhichgetthesnowmobiletraffic.Thisshouldnotmean takingmoneyawayfromanyclubbutratherenhancingthoseareasthataredestinationlocations andgetsnow. Weneedtocontinuetoestablishourplaceinthewintertourismindustry.Wegeneratesignificant economicactivityinthestateeachandeveryyear.Weneedtoberecognizedaspartofthewinter economyandourpotentialtoattractvisitors,needstobeacknowledged.Inthisregardwewill buildpartnershipswithotherwinterrecreationgroupsandinterests. Aspartofthewintertourismindustrywehaveeveryrightto operatewithintheForestPreserveandthatrightneedstobe reinforcedateveryopportunity.Werefusetobelitigatedout oftheParkandwerefusetobedemonizedbysomeelitist groups.Wewilldoeverythingwecantoenhanceourriding opportunitieswithintheforestpreserve. Wehavetocontinuetodevelopnewandnovelwaystocommunicatewithclubsandwithour membership.Ournewwebsitewillassistinthisgoalofferingasimplifiedwaytopostacrossour medialinks.Newsonthewebsitewillbefrontandcenterandbeautomaticallysharedwith Facebookandotheroutlets. Conclusion Despitewhatsomemaysay,NYSSA,TheClubsandoursportremainsasignificantforcewithinNY. Manyotherassociationsandorganizationslookonusasapowerwithinthestate.Weremainone ofthetwolargestsnowmobileassociationsintheworld.Wisconsinthispastyeartookalesson fromusandimplementedaregistrationsystemverysimilartoourown.With220,000registered sledslastyear(2015),Ifullyexpecttheirmembershipnumberstoexceedours.Theytookthe lessonthatwelearnedyearsago,thatthereisstrengthinnumbersanditishardtosaynotoan organizationof60,000members.Unlikesomanyotherrecreationalactivitieswehavetheabilityto communicatewithmostofourmembers. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page34 IwanttothankJimElmoreforhisleadershipaspresidentthesepastthreeyears.Eachpresident bringstheirownstyletotheboard.Jim’sstylewasoneofstraightforwardtalkwithoutanyhidden agendas.HisapproachwasmostappreciatedandIthankhimandtheofficersfortheconfidence thathehashadinme. OnSundayattheveryleastanewpresidentwillbeelected.Whoeverheorshemaybe,Ilook forwardtoworkingwiththatpersonasenthusiasticallyaswhenIfirstjoinedtheorganization. Ihopeeverymember,clubofficialorNYSSAdirectorwouldfeelcomfortablecallingmeiftheyhave aquestionorconcernregardingtheorganization.Iamalwayswillingtoinvesttimeinattempting tosolveanissueorproblemandassistourmembers. Sincerely, DominicJacangelo ExecutiveDirector COMMITTEEREPORTS EXECUTIVECOMMITTEE CommitteeMembers:CraigLaPlante(CommitteeChair,VicePresident,St.Lawrence),JimElmore (President),RosanneWarner(Secretary),JohnOcchino(Treasurer),RogerMcCabe(Budget& Finance,Wyoming),DomJacangelo,JimRolfandAnneO’Dell(staff). MissionStatement:TopreviewandactonissuesinvolvingNYSSA.Determineassignmentof issuestocommittees,otheractivitiesascontainedinthepolicymanual. Weentereda2‐yearcontractwithSuperTraxmagazine,toproducetwoprintissuesperseason andmailthemtoourmembers.WearelookingforarticlesforthisfromDirectors. WerenewedourcontractwithConstantContactfortheyear.ConstantContactistheemail programusedtocommunicatewithourmembership;itisusedtosendActionAlertsandtheNY SnowmobilerOnlineMagazine. WehostedtheISC2015inNiagaraFallsanditwasabigsuccessforourorganization.Therewasa lotofplanningthatwentintothisevent,asNYSSAinitiallyprovidedfinancialsupportpriortothe formationofSLEDNY,a501c3corporation. WeareintheprocessofdevelopinganewuserfriendlyWeb‐sitefortheorganization.The committeedirectedtheStafftotaketheleadonthis. Wedeleted2monthsofmeetingstoleteveryoneenjoytheirsummerandtosaveseveralthousand dollars.Eachmeetingaveragesalittleover$1,000forconferencespaceandlunch.Directormileage isadditional. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page35 TheExecutiveCommitteeonceagainrecommendedtotheBoardthatNYSSAoffera$5,000cash prizeintheOCSASuperRaffle.Wehaveanongoingproblemwithobtainingprizestimelyforthe SuperRaffle. InconjunctionwithSLEDNY,wescheduledfiveTakeaFriendSnowmobilingevents.Duetothe unusuallywarmwinterweonlyhosted2oftheevents.GrantfundingreceivedfromISMAforthe 2015‐16seasonwillbeappliedtowardnextseason’sevents. WesetupBy‐LawsforSLEDNYandaseparateBudgetforthatorganization.Thebudgetincludes educationalandsafetyitemsthatwerepreviouslyincludedinNYSSA’sbudget. Wehaddiscussionabouta“giveback”ortaxreductionforpeoplewholetususetheirlandfor Trails.Thisdiscussionisongoingasfundingitmayprovedifficult. LandownerissueswerebroughttotheExecutiveCommittee’sattention,suchaspeopleridingoff markedtrails,ridingwhentrailswereclosed,andridingwithoutenoughsnow. WeoversawtheRFPprocessforournewTrailInsurancepolicyandreceivedareductioninthe premiumbasedonthelownumberofsuccessfulclaims. Otheractivity: WemadesomeupdatestothePolicyManual,withmoretocomenextyear. WecontinuetomeetwithNYSParksonaquarterlybasis. WewelcomedaneworganizationcalledR.U.S.S.H. WearetryingtogoGreenwithsomeofthepaperworkthatwehave. WediscussedhavingsomesponsoradvertisingprintalongwiththeVouchers. TheorganizationhelpedoutwiththePinkRibbonRidersevent. Wearelookingforwardtonextyearforabetterseason. GOVERNMENTAFFAIRSCOMMITTEE CommitteeMembers:GaryBroderick,Chair(Niagara&PastPresident);WilliamCook(Saratoga); RayBuchholz(Renssaelaer);KarlGustafson,(Montgomery/Schenectady);DaveKnapp,(Franklin); KateRolf(DirectoratLarge);JimElmore(President),DominicJacangelo(Staff),JimRolf(Staff). MissionStatement:PreparelegislativeissuestobepresentedtotheBODforapproval,keep abreastofalllegislationthatmayaffectthesportofSnowmobilinginNewYorkState. Duties: SecureBODapprovalforactivitiesandexpenditures WritelegislativeinitiativesasapprovedattheAnnualMeeting MonitorbillsintroducedinNYSLegislature ReporttotheBODmonthlyallbillsinNYSLegislaturethatcouldimpactsnowmobiling SecureNYSSApositiononbillsintroducedinNYSLegislature DirectlobbyingeffortsofNYSSApositionsonbills Advocateandmonitorfederallegislationthatcouldimpactsnowmobiling NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page36 MaintaincommitteefinancialplanasapprovedintheNYSSABudgetandfollowprocedures asstatedintheNYSSAFinancialPlan PresentcommitteeprogressreportateachNYSSAmeeting ActasNYSSALiaisontotheNYSSAPoliticalActionCommittee(NYSSPAC)includingbriefing PACinitiatives,budgetneeds,goalsandotherinformationasapplicabletotheBOD WorkcloselywiththelobbyingfirmretainedbyNYSSA TheYearinReview: Asyouknow,legislativeactivitiestaketime….ourgovernmentsometimesworkatglaciallyslow speeds,thougheveryonceinawhilegovernmentcangetoutofitsownwayanddosomethingwe needdone‐thathappenedthisyear. TheGovernmentAffairsCommitteedeterminedthatourNumber1legislativeprioritywastofinda waytoputmoremoneyinthetrailfund.WestartedthediscussionusingaformulathattheMaine SnowmobileAssociationsuccessfullyusedtogetstatehighwayfundspaidbyoffroadvehicles whilepurchasingfuel(approx.8centspergallon).Weusedthatfigureandtheinformation determinedbySUNYPotsdaminourEconomicImpactStudytocomeupwithaviablenumber (averagemilesdividedbyAverageMPG)multipliedbythenumberofregistrationstodeterminethe amounttobereturnedtothetrailfund. NewYorkStateGovernmentwasn’tterriblyreceptivetothisapproach.OurExecutiveDirectorand ourLobbyist,CapitolGroupLLCstartedlookingintoalternativesandmetmanytimeswithdifferent officesinAlbanyanddeterminedtheapproachthathadthemostlikelihoodofworkingwastoask theGovernortoreturn$5.00ofthe$10.00thestatekeepsfromeachregistrationtobedeposited backtothefund.TheGovernorrecognizedtheproblemwewerefacingandcommitted$425,000to theSnowmobileTrailDevelopmentFund. WeapplaudtheGovernorandStaffforthisapproachtoproperlyfundtheSnowmobileTrail DevelopmentFund.Ourmostrecenttask,wastoincludethispermanentlyintheNYSBudgeting process,hasmetwithsuccessasofthesigningofthebudget!Manythankstothepeoplewhowrote andcalledtheirlegislators,toCapitolGroupforkeepingthissquarelyinfrontofourlegislators,to DominicJacangeloandBillCookforbeatingthebushesinAlbanyandtothiscommitteeforgetting this‘idea’startedover2yearsago. Wehavefieldedproposedlegislationtoeliminatetheminimumagerequirementforchildrento participateinorganizedsnowmobilingevents(GrassDrags,Sno‐Crossracing,etc.).OnMarch29, 2016,theNewYorkSenatevoted48‐12infavorofourlegislation.Weareawaitingactionona matchingbillintheassembly.Wearereachingouttoorganizedcompetitionsanctioningbodiesto alsolobbylegislators. Wehaveseveralotherlegislativeitemswecontinuetoworkontoinclude:LandownerTaxCredit, UpdatingExhaustNoiselegislationwithnewtestingprocedures,TheAdirondackRail/Trail CorridorandAntiqueSnowmobileLegislation.PleaseseetheattachedLegislativeReportfrom CapitolGroupfollowingthisreport. Additionally,wecontinuetomonitorotherthingslikeFatTireBikesonTrails,Dirtbike/ SnowmobileConversion(andnowpurposebuiltsnowbikes)kituse,OtherOff‐RoadVehicle legislativeattempts,RailcarstorageinNewYorkStateandmanyotheritems. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page37 2016LEGISLATIVEBILLFILE(PROVIDEDBYCAPITOLGROUP) NYSSA /GENERAL 2016 Both Houses Bills, Run Date: 04/04/2016 (Note: Assembly bills may appear out of order due to Same-As Grouping format) 2016NYSSABILLFILE BillNo. S1008ASERRANO‐‐EstablishestheNewYorkstateparkadopt‐a‐trailstewardshipprogramand theNewYorkstateparkadopt‐a‐trailstewardshipprogramfund SameasA2001‐AEnglebright SUMM:AddS3.27,Pks&RecL;addS97‐wwww,StFinLEstablishestheNewYorkstatepark adopt‐a‐trailstewardshipprogramandtheNewYorkstateparkadopt‐a‐trailstewardshipprogram fund. 01/08/15REFERREDTOCULTURALAFFAIRS,TOURISM,PARKSANDRECREATION 01/06/16REFERREDTOCULTURALAFFAIRS,TOURISM,PARKSANDRECREATION 02/17/16AMENDANDRECOMMITTOCULTURALAFFAIRS,TOURISM,PARKSANDRECREATION 02/17/16PRINTNUMBER1008A Same‐AsA2001Allact:01/13/15referredtotourism,parks,artsandsportsdevelopment 01/06/16referredtotourism,parks,artsandsportsdevelopment 02/17/16amendandrecommittotourism,parks,arts&sportsdevelopment 02/17/16printnumber2001a Pos:Monitor ________________________________________________________________________________ NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page38 S1197 MARCHIONE‐‐Relatestotheimpositionofsalestaxonsnowmobilesandallterrain vehicles SameasA3383‐McDonald SUMM:AmdS1132,TaxLRelatestotheimpositionofsalestaxonsnowmobilesandallterrain vehicles. 01/09/15REFERREDTOINVESTIGATIONSANDGOVERNMENTOPERATIONS 05/27/151STREPORTCAL.928 05/28/152NDREPORTCAL. 06/01/15ADVANCEDTOTHIRDREADING 06/15/15PASSEDSENATE 06/15/15DELIVEREDTOASSEMBLY 06/15/15referredtowaysandmeans 01/06/16diedinassembly 01/06/16returnedtosenate 01/06/16REFERREDTOINVESTIGATIONSANDGOVERNMENTOPERATIONS Same‐AsA3383Allact:01/22/15referredtowaysandmeans 01/06/16referredtowaysandmeans Pos:Support ________________________________________________________________________________ S1850BLITTLE‐‐Authorizespersonsundertheageofeighteentoparticipateincertainorganized racingandcompetitiveeventsinvolvingsnowmobiles SameasA9470Magee SUMM:AmdS25.19,Pks&RecLAuthorizespersonsundertheageofeighteentoparticipatein certainorganizedracingandcompetitiveeventsinvolvingsnowmobiles. Sen.Calno:232 01/15/15REFERREDTOCULTURALAFFAIRS,TOURISM,PARKSANDRECREATION 02/26/151STREPORTCAL.141 03/02/152NDREPORTCAL. 03/03/15ADVANCEDTOTHIRDREADING 03/09/15AMENDEDONTHIRDREADING1850A 03/16/15PASSEDSENATE NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page39 03/16/15DELIVEREDTOASSEMBLY 03/16/15referredtotourism,parks,artsandsportsdevelopment 01/06/16diedinassembly 01/06/16returnedtosenate 01/06/16REFERREDTOCULTURALAFFAIRS,TOURISM,PARKSANDRECREATION 01/11/16AMEND(T)ANDRECOMMITTOCULTURALAFFAIRS,TOURISM,PARKSAND RECREATION 01/11/16PRINTNUMBER1850B 02/25/161STREPORTCAL.232 02/29/162NDREPORTCAL. 03/01/16ADVANCEDTOTHIRDREADING 03/29/16PASSEDSENATE 03/29/16DELIVEREDTOASSEMBLY 03/29/16referredtotourism,parks,artsandsportsdevelopment Same‐AsA9470Allact:03/08/16referredtotourism,parks,artsandsportsdevelopment Pos:SupportwithAmendments ________________________________________________________________________________ S2652 GRIFFO‐‐Establishesanon‐trailsnowmobileregistrationforsnowmobileswhichshallbe usedsolelyforthepurposeofgainingaccesstohunting,fishingandtrappingareas SameasA1427Magee SUMM:AmdSS2222&2230,V&TLEstablishesanon‐trailsnowmobileregistrationfor snowmobileswhichshallbeusedsolelyforthepurposeofgainingaccesstohunting,fishingand trappingareas. 01/27/15REFERREDTOTRANSPORTATION 01/06/16REFERREDTOTRANSPORTATION Same‐AsA1427Allact:01/12/15referredtotransportation 01/06/16referredtotransportation Pos:Oppose ________________________________________________________________________________ NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page40 S2988 ORTT‐‐Prohibitsthetransferofunexpendedmoneysfromfundsreceivingmoneysfroma dedicatedfeeintoanyotherfund SameasA2624Hawley SUMM:AddS73‐a,StFinLProhibitsthetransferofunexpendedmoneysfromfundsreceiving moneysfromadedicatedfeeintoanyotherfund. 01/30/15REFERREDTOFINANCE 01/06/16REFERREDTOFINANCE Same‐AsA2624Allact:01/20/15referredtowaysandmeans 01/06/16referredtowaysandmeans Pos:Support ________________________________________________________________________________ S3101RITCHIE‐‐Relatestotheliabilityoflandownerswhopermitrecreationalusesoftheirland SameasA1846Gunther SUMM:AmdS9‐103,GenObLRelatestotheliabilityoflandownerswhopermitrecreationaluses oftheirland;establisheslandownersowenodutytokeeppremisessafeforentry,passageover premisesorotherrecreationalusesortogivewarningofanyhazardousconditionofuseofor structureoractivityonsuchpremisestopersonsenteringforsuchpurposes. 02/02/15REFERREDTOJUDICIARY 01/06/16REFERREDTOJUDICIARY Same‐AsA1846Allact:01/13/15referredtojudiciary 01/06/16referredtojudiciary Pos:Monitor S3197 STAVISKY‐‐Establishesthecrimeofoperatingavehiclewhilefatigued SameasA3506Galef SUMM:AddS1212‐a,amdSS510&1193,V&TL;amdSS120.03,120.04,125.12&125.13,PenL Establishesthecrimeofoperatingavehiclewhilefatigued;relatestovehicularassaultand vehicularmanslaughterbyincludingwithinthedefinitionofsuchcrimestheoperationofavehicle whilefatiguedwheretheresultofsuchoperationisseriousphysicalinjuryordeathtoanother person. CriminalSanctionImpact. 02/03/15REFERREDTOTRANSPORTATION 01/06/16REFERREDTOTRANSPORTATION NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page41 Same‐AsA3506Allact:01/23/15referredtotransportation 04/22/15heldforconsiderationintransportation 01/06/16referredtotransportation Pos:Watch ________________________________________________________________________________ S4139 RANZENHOFER‐‐Authorizesthethruwayauthoritytoenterintomutualassistance agreementswithmunicipalitiesandoutdoororganizationsfortheassistanceofmotoristsonthe thruwayduringanemergency SameasA7361Schimminger SUMM:AddS389,PubAuthL;amdS99‐r,GenMuniLAuthorizesthethruwayauthoritytoenter intomutualassistanceagreementswithmunicipalitiesandoutdoororganizationsfortheassistance ofmotoristsonthethruwayduringanemergency;authorizesthethruwayauthoritytoreimburse suchmunicipalitiesandorganizationsforactualexpensesincurredinrenderingsuchservices. 03/03/15REFERREDTOCORPORATIONS,AUTHORITIESANDCOMMISSIONS 03/23/151STREPORTCAL.276 03/24/152NDREPORTCAL. 03/25/15ADVANCEDTOTHIRDREADING 06/17/15PASSEDSENATE 06/17/15DELIVEREDTOASSEMBLY 06/17/15referredtocorporations,authoritiesandcommissions 01/06/16diedinassembly 01/06/16returnedtosenate 01/06/16REFERREDTOCORPORATIONS,AUTHORITIESANDCOMMISSIONS Same‐AsA7361Allact:05/06/15referredtocorporations,authoritiesandcommissions 01/06/16referredtocorporations,authoritiesandcommissions Pos:SupportwithAmendments ________________________________________________________________________________ S4244ADEFRANCISCO‐‐Providesanincometaxcreditforcertainlandownersthatprovide recreationalaccessforsnowmobiling SameasA1452‐CMagee SUMM:AmdS606,TaxL;amdS92‐s,StFinLProvidesanincometaxcreditforcertainlandowners thatproviderecreationalaccessforsnowmobiling. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page42 03/11/15REFERREDTOLOCALGOVERNMENT 01/06/16REFERREDTOLOCALGOVERNMENT 01/28/16AMEND(T)ANDRECOMMITTOLOCALGOVERNMENT 01/28/16PRINTNUMBER4244A Same‐AsA1452Allact:01/12/15referredtotourism,parks,artsandsportsdevelopment 03/09/15amendandrecommittotourism,parks,arts&sportsdev 03/09/15printnumber1452a 01/06/16referredtotourism,parks,artsandsportsdevelopment 01/13/16amend(t)andrecommittotourism,parks,arts&sportsdev 01/13/16printnumber1452b 02/03/16amend(t)andrecommittotourism,parks,arts&sportsdev 02/03/16printnumber1452c Pos:Support S4773 FUNKE‐‐Exemptsbicycle,motorcycle,snowmobileandequestrianhelmetsfromsalesand usetax SameasA334Ryan SUMM:AmdS1115,TaxLExemptsbicycle,motorcycle,snowmobileandequestrianhelmetsfrom salesandusetax. 04/15/15REFERREDTOINVESTIGATIONSANDGOVERNMENTOPERATIONS 01/06/16REFERREDTOINVESTIGATIONSANDGOVERNMENTOPERATIONS Same‐AsA334Allact:01/07/15referredtowaysandmeans 01/06/16referredtowaysandmeans Pos:Support ________________________________________________________________________________ S6408‐CBUDGET SameasUni.A9008‐CBudget Enactsintolawmajorcomponentsoflegislationnecessarytoimplementthestatetransportation, economicdevelopmentandenvironmentalconservationbudgetforthe2016‐2017statefiscalyear: (PartY)amendsthevehicleandtrafficlaw,inrelationtothedispositionofcertainfees receivedfromtheregistrationofsnowmobiles Pos:Support NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page43 S6661 SEWARD‐‐Relatestotheregistrationofvintagesnowmobiles SameasA2346‐ABrindisi SUMM:AmdS2222,V&TL;amdS21.07,Pks&RecLRelatestotheregistrationofvintage snowmobiles. 02/03/16REFERREDTOTRANSPORTATION Same‐AsA2346Allact:01/16/15referredtotransportation 01/06/16referredtotransportation 03/02/16amendandrecommittotransportation 03/02/16printnumber2346a Pos:StronglySupport ________________________________________________________________________________ A817Gunther‐‐Establishesanon‐trailsnowmobileregistrationforsnowmobileswhichshallbe usedsolelyforthepurposeofgainingaccesstohuntingandfishingareas NoSameas SUMM:AmdSS2222&2230,V&TLEstablishesanon‐trailsnowmobileregistrationfor snowmobileswhichshallbeusedsolelyforthepurposeofgainingaccesstohuntingandfishing areas;requiresa$25registrationfee,$15ofwhichshallbedepositedinasnowmobiletrail developmentandmaintenancefund. 01/07/15referredtotransportation 01/06/16referredtotransportation Pos:StronglyOppose ________________________________________________________________________________ A3612Tenney‐‐Directsthesuperintendentoffinancialservicestostudythefeasibilityof developingandimplementingaliabilityreformplanforrecreationallanduse NoSameas SUMM:Directsthesuperintendentoffinancialservices,tostudythefeasibilityofdevelopingand implementingaliabilityreformplantoprotectprivatelandownerswhopermitpublicrecreational usesoftheirland. 01/27/15referredtoinsurance 01/06/16referredtoinsurance Pos:Support NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page44 A3710DiPietro‐‐Providesforcertainusesofpremisesforwhichnodutyisowedtokeep premisessafeandtheinherentriskofuseofoffhighwayrecreationalvehicles NoSameas SUMM:AmdS9‐103,addS9‐107,GenObLProvidesthattheowner,lesseeoroccupantofpremises owesnodutytokeepthepremisessafeforentryorusebyothersperformingcertainactivities, includingrecreationalactivitiessuchassnowmobilingandmotorizedvehicleoperationfor recreationalpurposes. 01/27/15referredtojudiciary 01/06/16referredtojudiciary Pos:Monitor A5216AKolb‐‐EnactsShop‐NY;establishesvariousexemptionsfromNewYork'ssalesand compensatingusetax NoSameas SUMM:AmdSS1115,1107&1210,TaxLEnactsShop‐NY;establishesvariousexemptionsfrom NewYork'ssalesandcompensatingusetax. 02/13/15referredtowaysandmeans 01/06/16referredtowaysandmeans 02/17/16amend(t)andrecommittowaysandmeans 02/17/16printnumber5216a Pos:Support ________________________________________________________________________________ A5392Friend‐‐Providesforcertainusesofpremisesforwhichnodutyisowedtokeeppremises safe NoSameas SUMM:AmdS9‐103,GenObLProvidesthattheowner,lesseeoroccupantofpremisesowesno dutytokeepthepremisessafeforentryorusebyothersengagedgenerallyinrecreational activities. 02/20/15referredtojudiciary 01/06/16referredtojudiciary Pos:Monitor NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page45 A6153Oaks‐‐Requiresnoticesofterminationtoapplytosnowmobilesandallvehiclesinsuredor coveredunderanowner'spolicyofliabilityinsurance NoSameas SUMM:AmdS313,V&TLRequiresnoticesofterminationtoapplytosnowmobilesandallvehicles insuredorcoveredunderanowner'spolicyofliabilityinsurance. 03/16/15referredtotransportation 05/05/15heldforconsiderationintransportation 01/06/16referredtotransportation Pos:Monitor TRAILSDEVELOPMENT&FUNDINGCOMMITTEE CommitteeMembers:PhilLaPlante(DirectoratLarge,Chair),nnnnnnnnnnnnnnRandy Coleman(Cayuga),GeorgeCummins(Oswego),RandyGurnsey(Orleans),RayHead(Chautauqua), DavidKnapp(Franklin),LesterLucas(Chautauqua),JeffContino(Chautauqua),JimTiffany (Otsego),JohnWinterton(Madison),JamesElmore(President).Advisory:JimRolf(Trail Coordinator),DominicJacangelo(ExecutiveDirector). AttheMayBoardmeeting,theCommitteesetstrategicgoalstotackleforthis2015‐16season: Groomerunitclassifications; GPSunitsingroomers; “HighSnow”map;and Identifyingactualcostpermileoftrailtobuild,sign,andmaintainbyeducatingclubsto enterALLtrail‐relatedexpenditures. Overthepastyear,theCommitteehasworkedveryhardongroomerunitclassificationsand suggestedrates.Wefoundthattherewerequiteafewunitsmisclassified(bothUPandDOWN) withinthe3classesthatParkshasbeenusing.TheCommitteehaspreviouslysubmitteda reclassificationlisttoParks,butitdidn’tgoanywhere.Parksaskedthecommitteethisyeartogo overallthegroomersinthestateandsuggestmovingthemandenhancingthelistto4classesand suggestingnewhourlyflatuserates. AftermuchresearchintoDraw‐BarHP,EngineTorque,matingproperdragweight&widthtoa unit’sperformancecapabilities,costofnew&usedunits,actualcosttoruntheunitsperhour,anda fewotherfactorsthatgointopurchasingagroomer,muchdiscussionanddebatewasundertaken withintheCommittee.WepresentedapreliminarylistwithsuggestedhourlyratestotheNYSSA Boardforapprovaltosendouttotheclubs. NexttheCommitteesentthelistouttoallclubsaskingfortheirexperiencedthoughts.Manyreplies showedthatclubrepsagreedwiththeconceptbeingpresentedandwealsohadsomequestioning certainunitsaswell.Afterallofthesediscussionsandadditionalresearch,theCommitteecameup with5classesand5newrates. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page46 ThelistwithrateswassubmittedtoParksatourMarchBODmeetingtohopefullyincludeinthis nextseason’sPhasedocument.ChrisFallon,DirectoroftheSnowmobileUnitatParkswaskept fullyinvolvedwiththediscussionsandactuallyworkedcloselywiththeCommitteeonhisresearch ofotherState’sgroomerclassesandrates,givinggoodinputinthisproject. InearlyFebruary,JeffContino(TrailsCommitteeScribe)andourTrailCoordinatorreachedoutto differentGPStrackercompaniestosetuptestinganddemonstrations.InlateFebruary,3units weresenttousfromonecompanyatNOCHARGEtotestandanothercompanysentus3unitsfor thecostofone.Unfortunately,thesnowmeltedtooquicklytogetatrueanalysisofhowtheseunits wouldworkonremotetrailsandwhatactualreportswecouldgeneratefromtheGPSdata.Both companiesareallowingustokeepthese6unitsuntilnextyeartocontinuethetest. ParksalertedtheCommitteetotheirplanstouseanewHighSnowmapin2016‐17.Theprevious mapthatwasusedhadnotbeenupdatedinmanyyears,andanewmapbyNOAAwasdiscovered thatisupdatedbi‐annually.ParkspointedoutthatthelineofthecurrentHighSnowareawould move,butthemilesincludedinthecategorywouldremainclosetothesameamount.The Committeealsosentoutasurveyontrailsetupandbreak‐down.Manyclubsrespondedtothe surveyquestionnaireandasofthisreport,theCommitteeisstillworkingontabulatingtheresults. Wethankeveryclubthatsentbackintheirsurvey. AstheTrailsChair,IwouldliketothankeachandeverymemberoftheCommitteeforthehard workandinputtheygavetotheseprojectsthisyear.WealsomustthankParksforbeinganactive participantinourmonthlyCommitteemeetingsandworkingsidebysidewithusaspartners. SAFETY&EDUCATIONCOMMITTEE CommitteeMembers:MarkWolfanger(Steuben/Yates,CommitteeChair);BobJennings (Tioga/Chemung,CommitteeScribe);MikeMajor(CayugaAlternate);JimVandenburgh(Columbia); RonBarnes(Herkimer);JamesElmore(President);DomJacangelo(Staff),JimRolf(Staff). NYSSASTEPProgram TheSafetyCommitteeworkedwiththeNYSSATrailCoordinatortorefineaspectsoftheSTEP Program.OneofthefirstitemswastoimprovetheeasethatSafeTrailAdvisors(STA’s)wouldhave documentingtrailobservations.Thiswasaccomplishedbyupdatingthecontentwithinthe previousSTEPtrailinspectionformstoclarifyandsimplifytheinputfields.Additional improvementstotheformwereconvertingittoaPDFfill‐ablefilewiththeabilityfortheSTA’sto attachpicturesdirectlytothenewform. WithinputfromOPRHPandtheirstatewidefundedtrailmileagedata,Excelspreadsheetswere createdtobeabletobettercatalogtrailsbyCounty,thenbyfurtherorganizingthetrailsbyclub nametoassistwithSTAassignments.Afinalspreadsheetwasthencreatedtohelpmanagetrails needingtobere‐GPS’dperOPRHP’s2016‐17fundingguidelines.TheNYSSATrailCoordinatorwas abletofollow‐upwithourmemberclubsandDistrictDirectorstoremindthemwhichtrailsneeded tobeupdatedforthecomingseasonsPhase1grantdocumentationwithnewGPSdata. Onthefinancialside,thecommitteerecommendedandimplementedfinancialsub‐categoriesto betterunderstandthecostsassociatedtoeachdistinctfunctionoftheprogram.Thiswillhelpwith NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page47 futureallocationsoffundsandinstituteamoredetailedreportofaccountingwithintheSTEP program. SafetyBookmark TheSafetyCommitteeworkedonaninformationalpocketchecklistinabookmarkformatfornew riders.Acombinationofrecommendedemergencyequipment,toolsandsparestocarryare containedonthefront.Onthereversesideisaquickguidetocommontrailsignsthatriderswill encounteronthetrail.Besidestheimageofthesigns,thecorrespondingshortdefinitionwas includedtohelpridersunderstandthemeaningofourtrailsigns.Muchofthisinformationis containedinthecurrentOPRHPsnowmobilesafetycourseandisimportanttounderstand.The intentistoincludethispublicationwiththematerialdistributedtoSafetyCourseinstructorsnext season.ThesebookmarkswillalsobeavailableinourtrailersandeventsNYSSAattends.This shouldbeagreatquickreferencetoolforridersofallageswhichcanbeeasilycarriedwhileriding. OnlineEducation OPRHPisspearheadingandwillbemovingforwardwithdevelopingafullon‐linesnowmobile safetycourse.Park’sinformedNYSSAthattherehasbeengrowingpressurefromthepublictooffer thiscourseinanon‐lineformat.SimilarStatesafetycourseshavealreadytransitionedtothefull on‐lineformatlikeboatersafety.TheSafetyCommitteebelievesandhascommunicatedtoPark’s thatmaintainingaportionofthecoursehands‐onisnecessarytoconveylifeexperiences&local clubvaluesforYouthandnewsnowmobilers.OPRHPisexpectedtodeveloptheon‐linecoursein thecomingyearsandwillaskNYSSAforinputonthecoursecontent.OnceOPRHPhasaviableon‐ linecourse,itwillnoteliminatetheabilityforclubsandinstructorsfromhavingthetraditional instructortaughtSafetyEducationCourse.TheCommitteecontinuedtoreviewexistingonline courseprovidersanddiscussedvariousothertopicsthatNYSSAcouldofferourmembershipinthe future. NYSSAScholarships Thisyearthecommitteewastaskedwithreviewingallofthescholarshipapplicationssubmittedfor our2scholarshipsweaward.Bythecloseoftheapplicationperiod,wereceived19qualified candidateapplications.Throughoutthereviewofallthematerialsubmitted,thecommitteekept refiningthelistdownuntilwereachedourfinal2worthyscholarshiprecipients.Giventhe overwhelmingamountofapplicationsthisyear,thecommitteewisheswecouldhaveawarded morescholarshipsasmanyweredeservingofthehonor.Thankyoutoallwhoappliedand congratulationstoourtwoscholarshiprecipients. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page48 EVENTS&PROMOTIONSCOMMITTEE CommitteeCoChairs:MikeBlance(Broome)andKellyGrammo(St.Lawrence) CommitteeMembers:GeorgeCouell(Cattaraugus),DaveSprague(Delaware),RosanneWarner (Secretary),DaveGross(Oswego),ChristineGross(Oswego),KevinMcMahon(Ontario),Kelly Jerome(Steuben/Yates),JimTeator(Erie),HalFleischman(Erie),LisaBurnett(Erie),BobBach (Catarraugus),andLaurieDeSourdy(Washington)Advisors:AnneO'Dell(GeneralManager), DominicJacangelo(ExecutiveDirector),andJamesElmore(President). 2016SuperRaffle:JohnandWendyRussell,OnondagaCountySnowmobileAssociation(Special thanksforoverseeingtheraffledrawingagainthisyear!) MissionStatement:Toactasthepublicinterfacebetweenbothsnowmobilersandnon‐ snowmobilersthroughoutNewYorkStatewhilerepresentingNYSSAinapositiveimagethrough ourbenevolentandcharitablegiving,byvisibilityatshows,programs,andeventsandbyawarding snowmobilers,individuals,andorganizationsforoutstandingservice.Fundraisingisamajor responsibilityaswellasseekingcorporatesponsorshipsandmemberdiscounts. TheEventsandPromotionsCommitteehadaverybusyandproductiveyear.Withoverone hundredsurveysturnedinatthecloseofthe2015Forum,ChristineGrosstookonthetaskof reviewingeachsurvey.Sheprovidedadetailedconsensusofwhatmemberswouldliketoseegoing forthandhelpedformulateanewsurveyfor2016Forum.ThankyouChristine! NYSSAhadquiteafeweventsthisyearstartingwiththe2015InternationalSnowmobileCongress (ISC2015)inNiagaraFallsinJune.ItwasalargeeventwithsnowmobilersfromacrosstheUnited States,CanadaandEuropeattendingthefour‐dayevent.ThisyearwewillhaveNYSSA representativesattendingthe2016ISCCongressinSouthDakotathisJune.Othereventswe attendedthroughouttheyearweretheOhiograssdrags,Excelgrassdrags,ShawneeSno‐Chiefs grassdrags,TheBigEastShow,SnodeoinOldForge,BikiniRally,PinkRibbonRidersNewYork SnowRunFundRaiserinOldForge,aswellasshowsinRochester,Erie,PA,andYorkPA.Dueto thelackofsnowtherewasonlythreeTakeaFriendSnowmobilingeventsbutallwerewell attended.WewerealsoattheSnocrossracesinAlleganycountythisyear. The2016LakePlacidForumbroughtonnewchallengesthisyearasseveralnewclasseswere devisedandsettingupnewclassscheduleshadtobeformulated.AYouthProgramforages10to 17wasalsocreated.TheVintageSnowmobileShowhasgrownto16classesofawardsandwillnow beknownasTheNewYorkStateVintageSnowmobileChampionship.Themostdifficultofthe committee'stasksischoosingthe2016NYSSAAwards.Eachnomineeisequallydeservinganditis awellthoughtprocessdeterminingthewinners. Lastlythe2016EventsandPromotionsCommitteewouldliketothankSLEDNYforallyour support. Wehopeeveryoneenjoysthe2016NYSSAForum. Pleasefilloutthe2016Survey.Youropinionsmatter! NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page49 MEMBERSHIP&COMMUNICATIONSCOMMITTEE CommitteeMembers:DarleneLombardo(Chair,Wayne),PaulAllen(Hamilton),MichaelAllen (Hamilton),GlennHayton(Schoharie),TomHighers(Clinton),JasonKowalczyk(Lewis),Craig LaPlante(VicePresident,St.Lawrence),RandyPhillips(WayneAlternate);KarlGustafson (Montgomery/Schenectady);EdZalar(Allegany);JamesElmore(President).Advisory:Dominic Jacangelo(Staff),AnneO’Dell(Staff). Thisyearthemembershipandcommunicationscommitteehasworkedongivinginputtothenew NYSSAwebsite.Wereviewedthecontractofthemembershipwebsitedeveloper. WereviewedthereachoftheNYSSAmagazinetoourmembers. WediscussedhavingQRcodesassignedtoclubssotheycouldputitontheirpostersand/orkiosks. Passer‐byswouldbeabletoscanitandsignupforordonatetoaclub. WereviewedthecontractofthecurrentMediaGroup.Wediscussedandstartedtoplanforpublic relationsandmediacommunicationsfornextyearandcraftedaplanforsocialmediadistribution fornextyear. BUDGETANDFINANCECOMMITTEE Committee Chair: Committee Members:RogerMcCabe(Chair,Wyoming),JohnOcchino(Treasurer),JaneChaddock (Genessee),JeffPabis(OneidaAlternate),ErinPittsley,Scribe(Chenango),JamieWarner(Oneida), DaveVanDerlinde(Seneca),JimElmore(President),CarlVogt(Volunteer) TheMissionStatementforthiscommitteeaspublishedinthePolicyManualchargesthecommittee withresponsibilitytooverseethefinancialstabilityoftheorganizationaswellasbudgettracking andaccountability.Budgetpreparationandmonitoringisalsoaprimaryresponsibilityofthe committeeaswell. Audits: TherearegenerallytwoauditsundertakeneachyearfortheAssociation.Thefirstoneiswhatwe refertoastheinternalaudit.ThisisperformedbyasmallgroupofmembersfromtheExecutiveas wellasBudgetandFinanceCommittees,alongwiththeExecutiveDirectorandbookkeeper.This auditisdesignedtolookatourfinancialfiles,generallywithinthecurrentfiscalyear,toidentify areaswhereourdocumentationandrecordretentioncanbeimproved.Weuseacommonly acceptedaccountingpracticeofrandomlyselectingbothcreditanddebittransactionsfromallour accounts.Thefilesarereviewedfortheseselectedtransactionstoseethatwehavecomplete documentationofbankstatements,canceledcheckimages,andinvoicestovalidatetheexpenses andsoon.Asistypicalfromyeartoyearthisauditidentifiedminorareaswherewecouldimprove onourrecordkeepingandfilesinthefuture.Thoseproceduralchangeshavebeenimplemented. Thesecondauditisanexternalaudit,conductedbyanoutsideindependentAccountingfirm.This mustbecompletedannuallybylawasapartofourtaxandnotforprofitfilings.Theentireaudit NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page50 reportfromMayne,Blumstein,FingoldCPA’sLLPforthe2014calendar(tax)yearisincluded followingthissection. 2016‐2017Budget: Thefollowingpagesalsoincludetheproposed2016‐2017budgetforyourapproval.Inaccordance withourby‐laws,theproposedbudgetwasreviewedbytheBoardofDirectorsattheMarch2016 meetingandwassubsequentlymovedtobepresentedtothedelegatesfortheirapprovalatthe 2016AnnualMeetingonSunday.Thebudgetprocessremaineddifficultagainforthecomingyear resultinginabudgetthathadalmostnoroomfornewinitiativesandprojects.Intheendthe proposedbudgetisintheblackwithincomeexceedingexpensesby$469. SLEDNY: TherelationshipbetweenNYSSAandour501(c)3taxexemptcorporationSLEDNYcontinuedtobe definedoverthepastyear.OneoftheseactionsdirectlyimpactedtheBudgetandFinanace committee.TheSLEDNYBoardhadaskourcommitteetoperformamonthlyreviewoftheirbills submittedforpaymentusingthesameprocessthatNYSSAhasestablished.Thecommitteereviews themtoconfirmthatexpensesarewithintheguidelinesestablishedbySLEDNYpolicies(the majorityofwhichmirrorNYSSApolicies)priortorecommendingtothatBoardtheybeapproved forpayment. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page51 AUDITORS’FINANCIALSTATEMENTS NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page52 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page53 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page54 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page55 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page56 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page57 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page58 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page59 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page60 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page61 2016‐2017PROPOSEDNYSSABUDGET NewYorkStateSnowmobile Association Proposed 2016‐2017Budget PreparedMarch,2016bytheBudget&FinanceCommittee: RogerMcCabe,Chair cumminsram44@gmail.com JohnOcchino,NYSSATreasurer ApprovedbytheNYSSABoardofDirectors toforwardforconsiderationbytheDelegates attheMay1,2016AnnualMeetinginLakePlacid,NY NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page62 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page63 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page64 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page65 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page66 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page67 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page68 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page69 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page70 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page71 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page72 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page73 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page74 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page75 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page76 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page77 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page78 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page79 2016‐2017SLEDNYBUDGET SLEDNY,Inc 2016‐2017DraftBudget PreparedMarch,2016byDominicJacangelo ApprovedbytheSLEDNYBoardofDirectors toincludeaspartoftheNYSSABudgetdiscussion attheMay1,2016NYSSAAnnualMeetinginLakePlacid,NY NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page80 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page81 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page82 AD‐HOCCOMMITTEEONISC2015 CommitteeMembers:GaryBroderick,Co‐Chair;RosanneWarner,Co‐Chair;BobBach,Mike Blance,LisaBurnett,JaneChaddock,JamesElmore,HaroldFleischman,DominicJacangelo,Kelly Jerome,CraigLaPlante,RogerMcCabe,AnneO’Dell,DebbiePerkins,DavePerkins,JimRolf,Kate Rolf,DaveSprague,MarkWolfanger,JaimieWarner,JohnOcchino,JohnWinterton ThiscommitteewasformedtomanagetheInternationalSnowmobileCongresseventfor2015,which wasawardedtoNewYork. 47thInternationalSnowmobileCongress June10‐13,2015 TheConference&EventsCenter,NiagaraFalls,NewYork EventSummary&FinalReport ByGaryBroderick&RosanneWarnerCo‐Chairs 312totalPaidRegistrations,15Speakers,21CommitteeMembers&Volunteers 954totalOvernightRoomsinNiagaraFalls IncomeandExpenseReport‐October23,2015 Income Attendees HotelRebates Exhibitors GroomerExhibits RoomCredits CorporateSponsorships ISMA StateAssociationSupport NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 $89,997.00 $9,270.00 $10,190.00 $12,600.00 $2,743.00 $20,000.00 $30,000.00 $20,000.00 TotalRevenue $194,800.00 Page83 Expenses Electrical UnionFees AudioVisual WelcomeReception Breakfasts ConferenceBreaks Offsite GroomerReception AwardsReception AwardBanquet FieldTripTransport ISCSiteVisit(2013&2014) TravelISCPlanningMtgs. Pre‐ConferencePlanning Honorarium(speakers) PaidRooms&Conference Hospitality2014(Colorado) ISC2016SiteVisit Video(MorningNews,plus) Promotional ISCFee312@$10.00ea. 10%ISCPlanning $360.00 $819.00 $4,500.00 $11,400.00 $23,256.00 $2,025.60 $19,252.00 $12,898.50 $2,871.25 $15,960.00 $5.162.00 $3,161.60 $2,957.68 $14,092.45 $8,088.00 $16,542.48 $19,788.37 $2,000.00 $1,594.00 $8,526.09 $3,120.00 $1,508.10 TotalExpenses$185,730.65 NetProfit(Loss) $9,069.35 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page84 AD‐HOCCOMMITTEEONBYLAWS CommitteeMembers:KateRolf,Chair(DirectoratLarge),MikeAllen(HamiltonAlt),Gary Broderick(Niagara),JasonKowalczyk(Lewis),JaimieWarner(Oneida)JamesElmore(President). Advisory:DominicJacangelo. BY‐LAWSREVISIONFORM #2016‐01 This form is for all members to write out concerns and issues associated with the current wording to certain articles of the By-Laws. The form is to be filled out completely and submitted to the By-Laws Committee for their consideration. The By-Laws Committee must respond to each suggestion to any By-Law article revision with its recommendation for approval or rejection by the BOD. All revisions approved by the BOD will be presented to the Annual Meeting Delegates for their disposition. In the justification section, give your reasons and indicate a problem to be solved by the change. NAME ____Joel Munson __________________ DATE ___4/14/2015 __ By-Laws Article, Section, Part: ____Article IX – Officers, Section 2_____ Current Wording (Show only the part to be changed): _____ The term of office for the Officers of this Association ends at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting of the following year.____________ Proposed Wording: _______ The term of office for the Officers of this Association ends at the conclusion of the 2nd Annual Meeting following their election. Justification: __ A term increase to 2 years from the present one year would allow for more continuity, and consistency, as well a chance for longer term planning of the direction of NYSSA. It gives the person time to get familiarize with NYSSA and the roll that they have. BY-LAW COMMITTEE REVIEW Recommended by: __Joel Munson______________________________ Article, Section, Part: ____ Article IX – Officers, Section 2__________ Date Reviewed by ByLaws Committee: ___January 9, 2016_______________ Recommendation to the Board: Approve with revisions noted below Additional Info: _The Committee recommends to revise the requested ByLaw Change to state: The term of office for the Officers of this Association shall be 2 years or until their successor is elected. Elections for President/Secretary will occur on alternate years of Vice President and Treasurer, providing an election of 2 officers at each Annual Meeting. Proviso: If approved, the 2016 elections will provide a two year term for President and Secretary, and a one year term for Vice President and Treasurer. In 2017, Vice President and Treasurer will be the only elections held, and that will be for two (2) year terms. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page85 With necessary changes of term limits in bylaws in Sections 5 and 6 of this same ByLaw which read: _ Section5Unexpired terms of any vacated office may be filled by appointment by the Board of Directors. Section6An individual may serve as President for a maximum of three (3) one-year terms. The wording will be changed to read: Section5Unexpired terms of any vacated office may be filled by appointment by the Board of Directors, except a vacancy in the office of President shall automatically be filled by the Vice President. Section6 An individual may serve as President for a maximum of two consecutive terms.After one term has passed, a past-President may be a candidate for President of the Association. Justification: Annual voting of the President and all officers can result in some difficulty in maintaining continuity, as much of the first year requires a learning curve before an individual can be most effective. The committee also felt that by staggering the offices, it allows for one election each year, and the nominations committee has the responsibility of locating candidates for only 2 positions each year. In doing this, the committee had to evaluate the current wording of the President’s term limit, and it was agreed to simply change the wording to state that the President is limited to 2 consecutive terms. It is understood that both of these changes are grouped together as one vote, and approval or rejection of of one constitutes the same result to the other. Date of Board Action: ________February 6, 2016_________________________ Board Disposition: Approve Disapprove (Circle One) Additional Information: _________________________________________ Annual Meeting Date Presented to the Delegates: ________May 1, 2016________ Delegates Decision: Approved Disapproved (Circle One) ____________________________ Signature of presiding President NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page86 #2016‐02 BY-LAWS REVISION FORM This form is for all members to write out concerns and issues associated with the current wording to certain articles of the By-Laws. The form is to be filled out completely and submitted to the By-Laws Committee for their consideration. The By-Laws Committee must respond to each suggestion to any By-Law article revision with its recommendation for approval or rejection by the BOD. All revisions approved by the BOD will be presented to the Annual Meeting Delegates for their disposition. In the justification section, give your reasons and indicate a problem to be solved by the change. NAME ____Joel Munson __________________ DATE ___4/14/2015 __ By-Laws Article, Section, Part: Article IV – Election of Directors, Section 11 Current Wording (Show only the part to be changed): All elected District Directors, having met the criteria as prescribed in this Article, shall assume their position immediately following the Association Annual Meeting until the conclusion of the Annual Meeting of the following year. Proposed Wording: All elected District Directors, having met the criteria as prescribed in this Article, shall assume their position immediately following the Association Annual Meeting until the conclusion of the 2nd Annual Meeting following their election. Justification: A term increase to 2 years from the present one year would allow for more continuity, and consistency. Committees would be have more continuity from year to year. These terms could be staggered if that is something the by-law committee thinks is appropriate. It also allows for the person to become familiar with NYSSA and what their role is. BY-LAW COMMITTEE REVIEW Recommended by: __Joel Munson_______________ Article, Section, Part: __ Article IV – Election of Directors, Section 11___ Date Reviewed by Executive Committee: __01/09/16________________________ Disposition of ByLaws Committee: Recommend to the Board: Disapprove Additional Info: _____N/A__________________________________________ Justification: _________All of the ByLaws Committee Members Disapprove this and feel this decision lies with the clubs and County Association. We also note that there are some counties that have NO delegates on the Board, as they have not ever sent a representative. Date of Board Action: _____________February 6, 2016________________ Board Disposition: Approve Disapprove (Circle One) Additional Information: _________________________________________ NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page87 Annual Meeting Date Presented to the Delegates: ______May 1, 2016_____ Delegates Decision: Approved Disapproved (Circle One) ___________________________________ Signature of presiding President BY-LAWS REVISION FORM #2016-03 This form is for all members to write out concerns and issues associated with the current wording to certain articles of the By-Laws. The form is to be filled out completely and submitted to the By-Laws Committee for their consideration. The By-Laws Committee must respond to each suggestion to any By-Law article revision with its recommendation for approval or rejection by the BOD. All revisions approved by the BOD will be presented to the Annual Meeting Delegates for their disposition. In the justification section, give your reasons and indicate a problem to be solved by the change. NAME ____Joel Munson __________________ DATE ___4/14/2015 __ By-Laws Article, Section, Part: __Article XIII, Section 2, Article F______ Current Wording (Show only the part to be changed): ____ Each member club of the Association shall be entitled to one (1) voting delegate according to the following table of increments: (1) up to 30 NYSSA members = 1 voting delegate (2) 31 to 60 NYSSA members = 2 voting delegates (3) 61 to 90 NYSSA members = 3 voting delegates (4) 91 to 120 NYSSA members = 4 voting delegates (5) 121 to 150 NYSSA members = 5 voting delegates (6) 151 to 180 NYSSA members = 6 voting delegates (7) The number of voting delegates for each member club shall continue to increase by one delegate for each additional block of 30 NYSSA members._____________ Proposed Wording: __ Each member club of the Association shall be entitled to one (1) voting delegate according to the following table of increments: (1) up to 60 NYSSA members = 1 voting delegate NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page88 (2) 61 to 120 NYSSA members = 2 voting delegates (3) 121 to 180 NYSSA members = 3 voting delegates (4) 181 to 240 NYSSA members = 4 voting delegates (5) The number of voting delegates for each member club shall continue to increase by one delegate for each additional block of 60 NYSSA members. Justification: NOTE: I only have rough estimates of the numbers. Anne had the file at the meeting that showed the official numbers. I suggest that the committee do an analysis on that file. The key point is by changing the delegate ratio, there will be more snowmobilers to be represented at the annual meeting . Only 10 clubs (11%) that attend the annual meeting, sent their full contingent of delegates to the 2015 annual meeting and all of them had 5 or less delegates total. I think more snowmobilers should be represented per delegate. By changing the delegate ratio, more snowmobilers will be represented at the annual meeting. Clubs with large number of members aren’t sending 100% of their delegates due to a variety of reason, one of which is cost. Increasing the ratio will allow the clubs to better represent their members while potentially reducing the cost of attending. In addition, many clubs don’t sent any delegates to the meeting. It may also encourage these clubs to send delegates as their delegate’s votes will be more important. _______ BY-LAW COMMITTEE REVIEW Recommended by: ____Joel Munson Article, Section, Part: _____ Article XIII, Section 2, Article F_________ Date Reviewed by Executive Committee: ___1/09/16____________________ Disposition of ByLaw Committee- Recommend to the Board to Disapprove Additional Info: ___N/A____________________________________________ Justification: __ The committee is in unanimous agreement that this has brought up several times to for vote at the annual meeting, and voted down each time. There is little indication that there is reason to assume their opinions have changed. _ Date of Board Action: ______________February 6, 2016______________ Board Disposition: Approve Disapprove (Circle One) Additional Information: _________________________________________ Annual Meeting Date Presented to the Delegates: _______May 1, 2016___ NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page89 Delegates Decision: Approved Disapproved (Circle One) ___________________________________ Signature of presiding President NYSSABY‐LAWSREVISEDAPRIL2014 (TherewerenoBylawChangesubmissionsin2014‐15.) NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page90 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page91 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page92 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page93 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page94 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page95 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page96 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page97 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page98 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page99 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page100 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page101 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page102 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page103 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page104 Amended April, 2004: Article XIII, Section 3 Article XIII, Section 2(j) Article X, Section I Article V, Section 2 Article I, Section 3 Article IV, Section 10 Article XIII, Section 2(a) and 2 (i) Amended April, 2005: Article VIII, Section 1 Article X, Section 6 Article XI, Section 3 Article IV, Section 10 Article XIII, Section 2 Article XIII, Section 3 Amended April, 2006: Article II, Section 4 Amended April, 2007: Article XI, Section 3 Amended April, 2008: Article II, Section 3 Article XIII, Section 2g Amended April, 2009: Article XI, Section 3 Article III, Section 1(a) and 2 Article IV, Section 2 Amended April, 2010: Article I, Section 2 Article II, Section 4 Article III, Section 1(b) & 2 Article IV, Section 4 Article V, Section 1(f), (k), & 2(b) NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Article VI, Section 1,& 3 Article VIII, Section 3 Article X, Section 3, 4, and 6 Article XI, Section 1, 2, 3, & 6 Article XII, Section 1(b), (c), (d) & (f) Article XIII, Section 2(d), (g), (i), & (j) Amended April, 2011: Article XI, Section 3 Amended April 2012 Article XIII, Section 2(c) Article XIV No Amendments made, April 2013. Amended April 2014: Article VI, Section 1(b) Page105 NOMINATINGCOMMITTEE CommitteeMembers:RogerMcCabe,Chair(Wyoming),MikeBlance(Tioga),RayHead(Chautauqua),BobJennings (Tioga),JohnWinterton(Madison). 2016‐17 Candidates for NYSSA Offices Pursuant to Article 9, Section 2 of the By Laws the NYSSA Nominating Committee presents the following List of Candidates to the NYSSA member clubs for the delegates to vote on at the Annual Meeting to be held on May 1, 2016: President–RosanneWarner VicePresident–CraigLaPlante Secretary–ErinPittsley Treasurer‐JohnOcchino CANDIDATERESUMES RosanneWarnerisrunningforNYSSAPresident.Shebringsover20yearsof professionalexperienceinthebusinessadministrationfield. Shehasheldsuchdiversevolunteerandprofessionalpositionsas: SecretaryoftheNewYorkStateSnowmobileAssociation(NYSSA)forthepast fouryears(servesasScribeforNYSSA’sEvents&PromotionsCommittee) SecretaryofSLEDNY,Inc. Co‐Chairforthe2015InternationalSnowmobileCongressheldinNiagaraFalls,NY. FormerNYSSADirectorforMadisonCounty BoardMember,Tri‐ValleyTrailRidersSnowmobileclub(andforthepastthreeyears,theclub’sgrant administrator). Secretary,Tri‐ValleyTrailRidersSnowmobileclub(fiveyears) Secretary,MadisonCountyAssociationofSnowmobileClubs Clerk‐TreasurerfortheVillageofWampsville ChiefFinancialOfficerfortheVillageofWampsville ExecutiveAdministrativeAssistanttotheCEOandCFOoftheVisitingNurseAssociationofCentralNew York TownClerkfortheTownofLincoln(MadisonCounty) BoardMember,BoardofTrustees,Canastota–liaisontotheFireDepartment,PlanningBoard,Zoning BoardofAppeals,VillageofCanastotaMunicipalCourtandisastandingmemberoftheLocalLawReview Board. SecretaryfortheVillageofWampsvillePlanningBoard VicePresidentoftheNewYorkStateCityandVillageClerk’sAssociation Member,NewYorkStateSocietyofMunicipalFinanceOfficers Partner,PalamaraApartments,LLC(Canastota,NY) Rosanne’svolunteerandprofessionalroleshavegivenherbroadexperienceinpublicandexecutive communication,municipalplanning,customerrelations,recordsmanagement,finance,technicalreportingand websitemaintenance.Shehasworkedcloselywithlocal,stateandfederalagencies.Shehasassistedincountless fundraisingactivitiesincludingherclub’sAnnualVintageSnowmobileShow. RosanneenjoysspendingtimesnowmobilingandcampingwithherhusbandJaimieandtheirthreesons.Sheisa secondgenerationsnowmobilerwhobeganridingatthetenderageoffourandtakesgreatprideinraisingher childrentobethirdgenerationsnowmobilers. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page107 MynameisCraigLaPlanteandIamseekingre‐electionas VicePresidentoftheNewYorkStateSnowmobileAssociation. IcurrentlyliveinthesoutheasternpartofStLawrenceCountyinthe AdirondacksofnorthernNewYork. IbegansnowmobilingwhenIwas6yearsoldwhenmyfather boughtourfirstsnowmobileaJohnsonSkeeHorse.Everysincethen Ihavebeeninvolvedwithsnowmobiling.Iwasinvolvedwiththe startupoftheTabergTrailblazersin1988,reformedtheChildwold Snopackersin1997,whichwasmyAuntsandCousins clubinChildwoldNYbackinthelate60's,andcurrentlyserveasPresident.Ibecamean AlternateDirectorforNYSSAforStLawrenceCountyin2008,thenbecametheDirectorin 2010.IhaveservedontheSafetyandEducationcommittee,andtheTrailscommittee.I becameVicePresidentin2015,andcurrentlytheExecutiveCommitteeChairman. Ifanyonehasanyquestionsorissuespleasefeelfreetocontactme. 315‐854‐6719 cjl7002@yahoo.com. MynameisErinPittsley,andIamseekingthepositionofSecretaryof theNewYorkStateSnowmobileAssociation. Ihavebeeninvolvedwiththesportofsnowmobilingmostofmylife.Butit wasn'tuntil2009thatIbecameinvolvedinourlocalsnowmobileclub calledtheUnadillaValleySnowDrifterslocatedinChenangoCounty.It wasthatyearthatIwaselectedSecretaryandheldthatpositionuntil2012 whenIbecamethePresident.ApositionIstillproudlyholdtoday. In2012IalsobecameinvolvedintheChenangoCountySnowmobileFederationwhereIheldtwo termsasVicePresidentandspentthelasttwoseasonsastheDirectorofChenangoCountyfor NYSSAwhereIheldthepositionofscribefortheBudgetandFinanceCommittee. IlovethesportofsnowmobilingandbeinginvolvedwithNYSSAhasinspiredmetobecomemore involvedinthesnowmobilecommunity.IfeelIwouldbeagreatassettoNYSSA. MynameisJohnOcchinoandIamseekingre‐electionasTreasurerofthe NewYorkStateSnowmobileAssociation. Johnhasbeenasnowmobilerforthepast20yearsandpartofNYSSAsince2004. HehasservedasChairoftheBudgetandFinancecommitteeandmorerecentlyas theTreasurer.Johnisaprofessionalaccountantforthepast40years,withhis ownpracticesince1988.HeisalsoaSnowmobileSafetyInstructor.Johnalso overseesthefinancesforSLEDNY,NYSSA’s501c3subsidiary. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page108 FORMSFORDIRECTORCERTIFICATION DISTRICT DIRECTOR CERTIFICATION FORM FOR USE BY SINGLE-COUNTY DISTRICTS DISTRICT ____________________________DATE_____________ NAME OF ELECTED DIRECTOR____________________________ Address________________________________________________ Phone_______________________Cell________________________ Email __________________________________________________ SIGNATURE OF ASSOCIATION OR FEDERATION PRESIDENT: ________________________________________ SIGNATURE OF ASSOCIATION OR FEDERATION SECRETARY: ________________________________________ For Director to Vote at the May BOD Meeting, this Certification Form must be returned to the NYSSA Office by May 1 2016. Names of NYSSA member-clubs in this District: 1.______________________________________________________________ 2.______________________________________________________________ 3.______________________________________________________________ 4.______________________________________________________________ 5.______________________________________________________________ 6.______________________________________________________________ 7.______________________________________________________________ 8.______________________________________________________________ 9.______________________________________________________________ 10. ____________________________________________________________ NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page109 DISTRICTDIRECTORCERTIFICATIONFORM FOR USE IN MULTI-COUNTY DISTRICTS DISTRICT _______________________ DATE _________ CLUB _____________________________________ NAME OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATE: ___________________________________________ Address________________________________________________ Phone_______________________Cell________________________ Email __________________________________________________ SIGNATURE OF CLUB OFFICER: __________________________________________ For Director to Vote at the May BOD Meeting, this Certification Form must be returned to the NYSSA Office by May 1 2016. NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page110 NYSSADIRECTOR‐AT‐LARGE ELECTIONNOTIFICATIONFORM Pleasecompletethefollowinginformation.ItmustbereturnedtotheNYSSAOfficeno laterthan:May1,2016. Date_____________________Countyofresidence:___________________________________ Name_______________________________________________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________________________________________ Phone:___________________________________Cell_____________________________________ E‐MailAddress:__________________________________________________________________________________ IWISHTOBECONSIDEREDACANDIDATETOBEELECTEDASDIRECTOR‐AT‐LARGE.IBELIEVETHATIAM QUALIFIEDFORTHISPOSITIONFORTHEFOLLOWINGREASONS: ___________________________________________________ (SIGNATURE) NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page111 BULKSIGNORDERFORMS ALLSTATE Emergency Locator Sign Bulk Sign Order Form through NYSSA Order Form #2-2016 Allstate Insurance has again generously agreed to provide these trail signs to NYSSA clubs at NO COST to us again this upcoming year. These signs should be installed at most road crossings, trail junctions, and at areas that could be used as “helicopter landing zones” in case of such accidents or on-trail emergencies with GPS coordinates pointing emergency personnel to reach those needing help. Club Name _______________________Contact ____________________ Phone Number______________________ # of signs requested_________ Please turn in this form with the other Bulk Sign Order forms by 7/11/16 to: NYSSA Trail Sign Program 7897OneidaTrail Bridgeport,NY13030 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page112 NYSSAAnnualMeeting,May1,2016 Page113 OTO6110.QXD_Layout 1 4/4/12 8:04 AM Page 1 Safety Signals For The Trail STOP SLOWING Either arm raised and extended straight up over the head with palm of hand flat. RIGHT TURN Left arm extended from the side of the body with a downward flapping motion. LEFT TURN Left arm raised at shoulder height, elbow bent and forearm vertical with palm of hand flat. CRAZY Left arm extended straight out from shoulder and pointing in the direction of the turn. When one of your fellow riders indicates they’re sledding without Allstate Snowmobile Insurance, tell them they’re crazy. Allstate is proud to sponsor the NYSSA. Contact your local agent about a discount for NYSSA members. Dollar for dollar, nobody protects you like Allstate. QUOTE TODAY | A LOCAL AGENT | 888-ALLSTATE *Actual costs will vary and may depend on coverages selected. Subject to terms, availability and qualifications. Allstate Indemnity Company, Allstate Insurance Company, Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL and Allstate New Jersey Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Bridgewater, NJ. © 2011 Allstate Insurance Company