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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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!
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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
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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.
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AUDITORS’FINANCIALSTATEMENTS
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2016‐2017PROPOSEDNYSSABUDGET
NewYorkStateSnowmobile
Association
Proposed
2016‐2017Budget
PreparedMarch,2016bytheBudget&FinanceCommittee:
RogerMcCabe,Chair cumminsram44@gmail.com
JohnOcchino,NYSSATreasurer
ApprovedbytheNYSSABoardofDirectors
toforwardforconsiderationbytheDelegates
attheMay1,2016AnnualMeetinginLakePlacid,NY
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2016‐2017SLEDNYBUDGET
SLEDNY,Inc
2016‐2017DraftBudget
PreparedMarch,2016byDominicJacangelo
ApprovedbytheSLEDNYBoardofDirectors
toincludeaspartoftheNYSSABudgetdiscussion
attheMay1,2016NYSSAAnnualMeetinginLakePlacid,NY
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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
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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
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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
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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: _________________________________________
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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
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(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___
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Delegates Decision: Approved
Disapproved (Circle One)
___________________________________
Signature of presiding President
NYSSABY‐LAWSREVISEDAPRIL2014
(TherewerenoBylawChangesubmissionsin2014‐15.)
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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:
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 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.
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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.
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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. ____________________________________________________________
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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.
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NYSSADIRECTOR‐AT‐LARGE
ELECTIONNOTIFICATIONFORM
Pleasecompletethefollowinginformation.ItmustbereturnedtotheNYSSAOfficeno
laterthan:May1,2016.
Date_____________________Countyofresidence:___________________________________
Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________________________________________
Phone:___________________________________Cell_____________________________________
E‐MailAddress:__________________________________________________________________________________
IWISHTOBECONSIDEREDACANDIDATETOBEELECTEDASDIRECTOR‐AT‐LARGE.IBELIEVETHATIAM
QUALIFIEDFORTHISPOSITIONFORTHEFOLLOWINGREASONS:
___________________________________________________
(SIGNATURE)
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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
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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